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]
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]
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 ]
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]
Lowry has served in a number of positions in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as both an installed (permanent) and interim/transitional (temporary) pastor including:
Lowry has also taught as an adjunct professor at Hendrix College and the University of the Ozarks. From 2015-2017 he also served as the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Arkansas.
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