Expectations low for Obama faith panel

Two members of President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, speaking from opposite ends of the theological spectrum, today suggested that they have pretty limited expectations for the panel.

Speaking at the annual convention of the Religion Newswriters Association, Frank S. Page, the former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said, "I do not think anything of substance will come out of it. The policy recommendations will be relatively innocuous -- nothing of great substance.'' Page is probably the most conservative member of the panel -- he described himself as the "resident fundamentalist,'' but he said he has access to the White House, expects to have a chance to talk directly with the president, is honored to be on the council, and said that "I think his heart is right with regard to some issues.''

The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, who is the president-elect of the National Council of Churches, didn't seem to have particularly high expectations for specific policy outcomes as a result of the diverse panel either, but she praised the effort at inclusiveness and listening. Interestingly, she opined that mainline Protestant leaders have less access to the Obama White House than do evangelical leaders, or even Catholics and Jews, but she suggested that that probably has more to do with the political skills and interests of the leaders, rather than any strategic effort by the White House.

USA Today's Cathy Grossman has a bit more on the discussion here.