Chris Hobgood, Disciples leader and anti-racism advocate, dies at 83

William Christopher “Chris” Hobgood, a prominent leader in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a dedicated advocate for anti-racism, died May 31 at age 83 at his home in Maryland. He had been living with Parkinson’s disease.

Hobgood served as general minister and president of the Disciples of Christ from 2003 to 2005. During his tenure, he was deeply involved in shaping the denomination’s approach to social justice and reconciliation. He also worked as a consultant for the Alban Institute and authored several influential books, including *The Once and Future Pastor* and *Born Apart, Becoming One: Disciples Defeating Racism*.

Current general minister and president Teresa Hord Owens reflected on Hobgood’s impact, noting his role in pro-reconciliation and anti-racism training. “His leadership in a transitional time called us to faithfulness in our witness as a pro-reconciling anti-racist Church,” she said in a Disciples News Service release.

Hobgood was a founder and co-president of the Disciples Center for Public Witness, an organization focused on social justice and public engagement. Ken Brooker Langston, the center’s current executive director, described Hobgood as “a force for good within our denomination and beyond,” emphasizing how God used him to bring about positive change.

Before becoming head of the denomination, Hobgood served as regional minister in Arkansas and the Washington, D.C., area. His final role was as pastor of Bethany Beach Christian Church in Delaware.

Sandhya Rani Jha, a Disciples minister and author, acknowledged Hobgood’s lasting influence, stating, “We would not have anti-racism in my denomination at the level we have it without him.”

Hobgood’s legacy continues to shape the Disciples of Christ’s commitment to justice and reconciliation, reflecting a call to serve others with humility and love.

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