Robert William Lowry (pastor)

Robert William Lowry is an American pastor, speaker, and LGBTQIA+ activist ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA. Lowry serves as senior pastor of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.[1][2]

Early life and family

Lowry was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. The oldest of two children born to Catherine (née Ostner), a college professor, and Robert Cunningham Lowry, an attorney. Through his father, Lowry is directly descended from Dr. Matthew Cunningham, the first mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas.[3] He was educated in the Little Rock Public schools and attended Little Rock Central High School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Millsaps College as well as the Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, the Master of Theological Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, the Master of Arts in Political Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and the Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary.[1] In 2020 Lowry married attorney Brian Smith in a private service in Jackson.[citation needed]

Advocacy and public activism

Lowry is a gay Presbyterian pastor in Arkansas. He and colleagues led a group of clergy in opposition to Arkansas's HB 1228 the so-called “religious freedom” bill [4] as well as joining colleagues in opposing an earlier “bathroom bill” aimed at transgender persons.[5] The resulting public outcry along with opposition from Wal-Mart and other corporate leaders in the state led to the bill's abandonment at the end of the legislative term.[6][failed verification] In 2015 in recognition of his work for LGBTQIA+ equality, the Arkansas Times named Lowry one of 25 Visionary Arkansans shaping the state.[7]

His leadership of an open and affirming congregation in Jackson, Mississippi and his work in the larger community to promote safe places for LGBTQIA+ people led to a feature episode in the PBS docuseries Prideland.[8] Despite threats to the network and Lowry personally, the series premiered as scheduled and became one of the most successful digital features on the network.[9][10]

Lowry is an occasional contributor to both local and National media on topics including the role of religion in public life, LGBTQIA+ rights, politics, and gun violence prevention.[11][12][13] Lowry is also an advocate for immigrant rights and a critic of PC(USA) policy toward states like Texas and Florida which he says “ring hollow” in the face of humanitarian violations like those allegedly committed by these states.[14]

Following the adoption of a resolution at the 225th General assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) referring to Israel as “in apartheid state,“ Lowry took a public stand against the church's action. Congregation B’nai Israel, Reform Jewish congregation, invited Lowry to speak on the topic at a Friday evening Shabbat service.[15]

In 2024, Lowry was named one of 26 inaugural Preaching Fellows of the Center for Faith and Justice.[16]

Pastorates

Lowry has served in a number of positions in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as both an installed (permanent) and interim/transitional (temporary) pastor including:

  • First Presbyterian Church Shreveport, LA Associate Pastor 2001–2002
  • First Presbyterian Church Ann Arbor, MI Associate Pastor 2002–2005
  • First Presbyterian Church Searcy, AR Transitional Pastor 2007–2010
  • First Presbyterian Church Batesville, AR Transitional Pastor 2010–2011
  • First Presbyterian Church Clarksville, AR Transitional Pastor 2011–2016
  • Harmony Presbyterian Church Clarksville, AR Transitional Pastor 2011–2016
  • Fondren Presbyterian Church Jackson, MS Senior Pastor 2017–2022
  • Westover Hills Presbyterian Church Little Rock, AR Senior Pastor 2022–Present [17]

Lowry has also taught as an adjunct professor at Hendrix College and the University of the Ozarks. From 2015 to 2017 he also served as the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Arkansas.

References

  1. ^ a b "The Reverend Dr. Robert Lowry – Westover Hills Presbyterian Church". Retrieved 2022-08-03.[unreliable source?]
  2. ^ Morris, Clay B. (2020-06-18). "Proud to be Gay and Leading a Loving Congregation". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  3. ^ "Obituary for Robert "Bob" Cunningham Lowry, Sarasota, FL". www.arkansasonline.com. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  4. ^ Millar, Lindsey (2015-03-30). "Presbyterian ministers speak out against anti-gay HB 1228". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  5. ^ "Clergy Letter and Press Release" (PDF). Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  6. ^ "Bill Information". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Archived from the original on 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  7. ^ Peacock, Leslie Newell (2015-08-27). "Visionary Arkansans 2015". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  8. ^ Prideland | An Openly Gay Pastor's Journey to Acceptance in the South | Episode 2 | PBS, retrieved 2022-08-04
  9. ^ "Hate Group Demands PBS Cancel LGBT Pride Month Series: 'An Unjust Attack On Christianity' - Towleroad Gay News". 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  10. ^ "PBS Celebrates Pride Month with PRIDELAND, a Short-Form Digital Series and New One-Hour Special with Host and Actor Dyllón Burnside, Exploring LGBTQ+ Identity in the U.S. South". About PBS - Main. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  11. ^ Lowry, Rev Jill Barnes Buckley and Rev Dr Robert William. "Partisanship threatens Mississippi hospitality". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  12. ^ Ganucheau, Adam (2021-01-01). "'We will take it from here': Homily in memory of former Gov. William Winter". Mississippi Today. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  13. ^ "Celebrating Pride Month with Rob Lowry". Faith And Reason. 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  14. ^ Lowry, Robert (2024-02-08). "PC(USA) Response to Texas Migrant Tactics Falls Short". Presbyterian Outlook. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  15. ^ "The Chronicle Congregation B'Nai Israel" (PDF). September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  16. ^ Admin (2024-07-16). "Preaching Justice Fellows 2024-25". Center for Faith and Justice. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  17. ^ "OGA Directories".

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