LINCOLN PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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Rev. Richard Bernard Black, joins us with a distinguished military and ministerial career as Senior Pastor, Lincoln Park United Methodist Church; supervisory chaplain and enlisted airmen in the United States Air Force.  A seasoned leader, dedicated family man, anointed preacher, and humble servant of God, he pastors with a heart for discipleship, congregational growth, and social justice that have been nurtured and developed throughout his 20 years of ministry. 

 

Reverend Black comes from a family of ministry leaders, preachers and teachers in the Methodist and Pentecostal traditions. Born in Gallatin, Tennessee, Reverend Black was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1994.   During his youth, he acknowledged his call to ministry, and prepared for his future service to the men and women of the United States Air Force.  Reverend Black received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics from Tennessee State University.  His deep respect for the Methodist tradition led him to pursue seminary preparation at Emory University, Candler School Theology in Atlanta, Ga.  Rev. Black received his Masters of Divinity in Black Church Studies and Homiletics from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Always committed to perfecting the gifts that God has given him, Rev. Black is currently in the final stages of completing a Doctor of Ministry in African American Pastoral Leadership at Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas and is a Sankofa Scholar.

 

Reverend Black began his pastoral ministry as associate pastor of Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas.  During his time at Emmanuel, Rev. Black provided significant leadership to the growth of the congregation resulting in the completion of a $2.5 million-dollar sanctuary building project. He was soon recognized for his pastoral and leadership skills and given charge of the St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Flatonia, Texas where he served as Senior Pastor.

 

Reverend Black was commissioned as a chaplain in the United States Air Force in 1997 and led the Chaplain Corps in its service to the spiritual needs of the military community.   Reverend Black’s passion for serving God’s people was recognized and awarded in his selection to special assignments within the Chaplain Corps to include Senior Protestant Chaplain at Andrews AFB, MD.  In September 2007, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

Reverend Black has been the Senior Pastor at Mt. Calvary UMC in Charlotte Hall, MD, Zion Wesley UMC in Waldorf, MD, and Shiloh Community UMC in Newburg, MD.  He has also served as a Cemetery Representative at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

Reverend Black is committed to the ministry of social justice and maintains active involvement in several community organizations.  He is a volunteer Chaplain for the Charles County Sheriff’s office and Maryland’s State Trooper H-Barrack.  He is also a member of 100 Black Men of Greater Washington D. C. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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