Knoxville Pastor meets with White House officials in Washington, D.C.

By Jeaneane Payne

Dr. William D. Shiell, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Knoxville, joined a delegation of 60 goodwill Baptists who are meeting with White House officials on Wednesday to discuss faith and social issues.

Dr. Shiell (right) is part of a delegation of 60 Baptist leaders meeting with White House officials today to discuss ethics issues.

The delegation, organized by EthicsDaily.com, a division of the Baptist Center for Ethics, plans to "express concerns, ask questions, speak morally about the budget, taxation, immigration, health care, war, criminal justice, the environment and other issues."

According to a letter written to participants last month, the delegation will share what concerns them as congregational leaders, what's on their hearts as moral leaders, what community needs are pressing, and what churches do that works to advance the common good. They will also have an opportunity to listen to the viewpoints of administration officials as to how they see issues and explain their purposes and goals of policies.

Other delegates include Alan Rudnick, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa, NY, and Amy Jacks Dean, Co-Pastor of Park Road Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. It is not yet known which top officials in the executive offices will be present at the meeting.

"I was invited to be a part of the delegation by Robert Parham of Ethicsdaily.com and Ricky Creech of the D.C. Baptist Convention," said Dr. Shiell. "I am humbled by the invitation and grateful to have this opportunity. I plan to listen, learn, and raise awareness of the issues that are important to goodwill Baptists.

Published March 6, 2012

Update: White House Briefing with Baptists