Recognizing Presbyterian leaders whose courage, scholarship and leadership have shaped the church's life and witness.
The E.T. Thompson Award is Presbyterian Outlook’s biennial honor named for Ernest Trice Thompson — educator, historian, church journalist and longtime leader of the Outlook. This legacy award celebrates leaders whose service reflects Thompson’s deep commitment to the church’s faith, unity and public witness.
The E.T. Thompson Award honors Presbyterian leaders whose lives and work embody faithful service to the church and its public witness. Presented every two years by the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation board, the award recognizes individuals whose leadership, scholarship, journalism or ministry have strengthened the church and reflected the values long championed by the Outlook. Often regarded as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s functional equivalent of a leadership award, it celebrates sustained contributions that have shaped the life of the church.
The award is named for Ernest Trice Thompson, founder of the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation and co-editor of the Outlook for nearly 60 years until his death in 1985. Thompson was an educator, historian and church journalist known for his prophetic voice in the church’s social witness and his tireless work toward church unity. He also served as moderator of the 99th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1959.
Recipients are chosen for leadership that reflects the convictions and legacy of E.T. Thompson, including:
Dr. Brian K. Blount is a distinguished New Testament scholar, teacher and church leader whose work has shaped both the academy and the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He recently retired as president and professor of New Testament at Union Presbyterian Seminary, where he led the institution from 2007 to 2023. Before serving at Union, Blount was professor of New Testament interpretation at Princeton Theological Seminary, and he has held numerous leadership roles across the theological academy, including serving as president and vice president of both the Society of Biblical Literature and the Association of Theological Schools.
Blount is widely recognized for his influential scholarship and for bringing fresh interpretive perspectives to Scripture. His books include Go Preach! Mark’s Kingdom Message and the Black Church Today, Can I Get a Witness? Reading Revelation Through an African American Lens, and his award-winning New Testament Library commentary on Revelation. He also co-authored Preaching the Gospel of Mark in Two Voices with Gary W. Charles and served as general editor for volumes including True to Our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary. A gifted lecturer, preacher and teacher, Blount is known for his generosity with students and pastors alike, and for his commitment to equipping the church through thoughtful biblical interpretation.
In recognition of his distinctive service to the church and his lifelong contributions to theological education, scholarship and leadership, the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation awarded Blount the 2024 Ernest Trice Thompson Award, honoring leaders whose lives and work reflect the convictions and legacy of E.T. Thompson.
Read the full announcementI could not be happier for Brian (and Sharon). It is a pleasure to see Brian recognized for his lifetime of faithful and inspiring leadership.
Dr. Jacqueline Lapsley, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary
Heath Rada received the 2016 E.T. Thompson Award in recognition of his servant leadership across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including his service as moderator of the 221st General Assembly. An educator, humanitarian leader and advocate for the church's peace, unity and mission, Rada was honored for a lifetime of faithful service to both the church and the broader community.
Barbara Wheeler received the 2014 E.T. Thompson Award in recognition of her decades of leadership in theological education and service to the wider church. As president of Auburn Theological Seminary for 30 years and director of Auburn's Center for the Study of Theological Education, Wheeler helped shape conversations about the future of religious leadership while advocating for justice and faithful engagement across theological differences.
Joseph Small received the 2014 E.T. Thompson Award for his distinguished service as a theologian, teacher and denominational leader in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As director of Theology, Worship and Education for the Presbyterian Mission Agency and a prolific author and ecumenical participant, Small helped deepen the church's theological reflection and strengthen dialogue within the wider Christian community.
John Buchanan received the 2014 E.T. Thompson Award in recognition of his leadership as a pastor, denominational leader and influential voice in religious journalism. As editor and publisher of The Christian Century, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly and longtime pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Buchanan guided the church through thoughtful preaching, writing and public witness.
Laura Mendenhall received the 2012 E.T. Thompson Award in recognition of her distinguished leadership in theological education and service to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Former president of Columbia Theological Seminary and senior advisor to the Texas Presbyterian Foundation, Mendenhall has devoted her ministry to strengthening the church's institutions and leadership.
Syngman Rhee received the 2010 E.T. Thompson Award in recognition of his lifetime of leadership in Presbyterian mission, ecumenical engagement and global reconciliation. A former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly and longtime leader in worldwide mission ministries, Rhee was honored for his efforts to strengthen the church's witness and promote peace and unity.
Cliff Kirkpatrick received the 2008 E.T. Thompson Award in recognition of his decades of leadership in global Presbyterian ministry and his commitment to Christian unity. Serving as stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and later as president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Kirkpatrick devoted his career to strengthening ecumenical relationships and advancing the church's mission around the world.
O. Benjamin Sparks III received the 2006 E.T. Thompson Award in recognition of his decades of pastoral leadership, commitment to peacemaking and service to the Presbyterian Church. His ministry, teaching and long involvement with the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation reflect the convictions and public witness that defined Ernest Trice Thompson's legacy.
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