On July 15, we were honored to have Rev. Dr. Lawrence J. Clark, II and Rev. Dr. Richard N. Stewart present with us to share The Untold Story of Black Lutheran History, Part 1.
Rev. Lawrence (Larry) Clark is unashamedly African American and unapologetically Lutheran. He earned a BA in United States History from San Francisco State University, an MDiv with an emphasis in Urban & Youth Ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Columbus, OH), and a DMin with honors from the historic Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, GA). Rev. Clark is known as one of those singing preachers and is both honored and humbled to serve as the Senior Pastor of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL. He is one of three chaplains with the Chicago Fire Department and an active ELCA Coach, while also serving on the Leadership Team for ELCA Coaching. Rev. Clark is married to Darlene Gibson-Clark, the First Lady of his life and of St. Mark Lutheran, and they are the proud parents of four children.
Believing that the leader in congregational ministry is primarily a communicator, Rev. Richard Stewart has shaped his ministry and studies around communication and congregational ministry. "As congregational leaders plan, teach, preach, and administer, they focus on sharing both information and the skills for others to pass on information. That information in written and oral speech, music, the pictorial arts, the theater, dance, and in all sorts of human behavior are ways we share the Word of God." Rev. Stewart is Adjunct Professor and Graduate Advisor in Administration, Evangelism, Stewardship, and Communications at United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia, PA). He earned a BA from Wittenberg University and an MDiv from Hamma School of Theology (both in Springfield, OH). Rev. Stewart also earned a DMin from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, where he was an Associate Professor for 33 years. He has also been researching African American Lutheran History for nearly 35 years!
How have we been church, with individuals and with communities? How are we being church? How are we called to be church with all people, with creation, and in an ever-changing world?
