Two new books offer information on Black and other ethnic ministries through the life and work of two LCMS leaders — Dr. Robert H. King, fourth vice president of the Synod, and Dr. Richard C. Dickinson, former executive director of the Synod’s Board for Black Ministry Services.
- Eight Models of Ethnic Ministry, edited by King, is a collection of eight essays that examine the Synod’s work among Jewish, American I
Written by Lutherans actively involved in outreach to these groups, the essays offer data, perspectives, and encouragement to others interested in reaching out to ethnic groups in their own communities.
King is the author of two other books, Pastor Jenkins Said, ‘Hold on to Matthew 6:33’ and African Americans and the Local Church.
Eight Models of Ethnic Ministry ($19.99, item no. 15-5099) is available from Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis. To order, contact CPH at (800) 325-3040 or visit its Web site at www.cph.org. (Price quoted does not include shipping.)
Higher-education faculty may order the book at a 50 percent discount by contacting Linda Diefenbach at (314) 268-1404 or linda.diefenbach@cph.org.
- Days in the Life of Dr. Richard C. Dickinson, by Deborah Dickinson-Mitchell and Dr. Frazier N. Odom, is a biography th
Dickinson was born two months premature to a mother who was so ill her doctor advised her to have an abortion to save her life. Dickinson’s parents prayed for guidance and decided to “let the Lord decide.” Dickinson’s mother also survived, living to age 103.
The book, published independently, describes Dickinson’s life struggles and successes, including his brushes with racism, how he rebuilt his burned-down home as a teenager, his army experiences, his education, his home life, and his ministries. He is described by family as “a multi-talented man functioning in multiple roles — minister, teacher, musician, poet, hymn writer, author, historian,” husband and father, a “soldier of many battles, a military veteran and a warrior of the cross. … Humble, yet strong.”
Author Dickinson-Mitchell says Dickinson, her father, worked so hard because he always wanted his parents to be glad they had decided against aborting him, and she attributes this quote to him: “I wanted them to always say, ‘It was truly worth it.’”
The book is available for $10 (including shipping) from Dickinson. For information, call (314) 531-0998, or send your order to “Days in the Life,” c/o 4325 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
Posted Aug. 11, 2006
