Where is President Obama on Sundays?

Remember all of the media attention immediately after the November election; many a reporter decided to tackle the question of “where would the new President and the First Family attend church” since his campaign and resume was full of church related rhetoric and scripture explained civic positions.

Television, newspapers and websites were jammed with speculation as to where Barack Obama and Michelle Obama would chose to worship in Washington DC.

Today it’s just ironic; the Obama’s have attended church only once – on Easter Sunday – while residing in Washington DC for over 9-months, and one wonders if this unreported, apathetic church presentation is another layer of revelation for the current administration.

During the election cycle, Senator Barack Obama stated, “I’ve got a wonderful community of people who are praying for me every day…but it’s not the same as going to church and hearing a choral anthem and a good sermon.” One if left to wonder, what changed after taking over the White House?

Where has President Obama’s church commitment gone; is he too busy for church?

From public records, President Obama has attended church once while in Washington DC, and a couple (undetermined) of times while resting at the Presidential Retreat at Camp David.

For a man who has quoted the Bible on numerous occasions, stated that biblical principles and spiritual under-pinnings have lead him to embrace many a political position and ideology, where is his commitment to sitting under Christian teaching and instruction?

One wonders what the black community thinks of his lack of attendance; the thriving black church considers church attendance a spiritual discipline. Here you have the first African-American President, who ran as a Christian and active church-attender, now seeming hypocritical in his campaign presentations.

There are many who are starting to wonder.

On Monday night, during my afternoon talk show on our sister radio station 710 KFIA, I entertained the audience with this topic. A caller named Marlo from Roseville, California, who expressed that he is an Obama supporter, is also very concerned about his president’s refusal to attend church since getting elected to office.

Marlo from Roseville stated, “I believe he is doing a great disservice as a role model…from an overall spiritual standpoint. I am a 40-year-old black man who voted for Obama. I bought t-shirts, campaigned for him in my church, and I still have a great hope for his tenure as America’s leader. But his refusal to represent his stated Christian faith by simply attending church is bothersome for me, so much so, I have decided to stop wearing his t-shirts around church. I am conflicted with his lack of church involvement, attendance and spiritual commitments.”

That President Obama campaigned so closely to the church community, one has to wonder if his refusal to attend church on a regular basis is willingly ignored by the media, knowing that reporting such would have a strain upon his good standing with spiritual leaders within the black community.

Is he setting a poor example as President of the United States by not attending church?

How can he, and First Lady Michelle Obama, ignore their two daughter’s plight; knowing how much importance they placed on church involvement and biblical instruction as kids themselves growing up, why wouldn’t they want the same teachings, instruction and role models for their two daughters?

What about the simple traditions of the office itself?

Many Presidents have attended church infrequently, if not faithfully.

As History Professor Gary Scott Smith of Grove City College presented in a letter to the President, George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower, who went sporadically before taking office, made a determined effort to attend church on a regular basis as President. Most President’s do so on a simple basis of the job, it carries a tremendous amount of responsibility and Americans have long respected their leaders being involved in times of prayer and guidance from God.

Since becoming President, Obama has taken to giving instruction to the country as it relates to being good parents – especially fathers. Recently President Obama has also instructed our school children to higher achievement; why wouldn’t church attendance fall within those categories of self improvement?

Is it concerning that a man so aligned with church attendance as a state politician, and a US Senator, has now decided that as President he no longer needs to commune with those of like faith for prayer, worship, instruction and encouragement?

What changed Mr. President, and what hope do we have that you’ll change your mind and return to church as a role model for America, and as a man who is in a position that demands humility, prayer and guidance from God?