A belated congratulation to The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ for winning the 2007 Shalom Award from Eden Theological Seminary. From Eden’s website:

Eden students presented the 2007 Shalom Award to The Reverend John Dorhauer, Missouri Mid-South Conference Minister (United Church of Christ), during Spring Convocation on April 10, 2007. This is the first Shalom Award to be given in six years.

The vision of shalom calls upon people to exhibit courage and leadership as they seek to speak and embody that vision in love. Since 1973, the community of Eden Theological Seminary has recognized special people who have labored to make the vision of shalom a reality in God’s world.

Dorhauer was nominated by Eden students Rick Oberle, Leah Atkinson and Jeff Mignerone. In making the nomination, the students said, “We feel that Reverend Dorhauer has exhibited this courage and leadership in exceptional ways in his ministry with the local UCC churches in the Missouri Mid-South Conference. Over the past year, as local churches reacted to the resolutions approved at General Synod XXV during the summer of 2005, Rev. Dorhauer’s efforts have redoubled in an attempt to open lines of communication, heal perceived wounds caused by distrust and misinformation, and be a pastoral presence to congregations, clergy and laity who are seeking to discern God’s will in their lives and their congregations.

“Rev. Dorhauer has gone ‘above and beyond’ the call of his office, dedicating his time and energy in incredible ways to focusing God’s call in the lives of the people of the United Church of Christ. The lives of prophets are never easy as they call people to address issues of injustice and oppression, and Reverend Dorhauer has dedicated himself to this Missio Dei. As members of the Eden community, we lift his actions up as examples for our ministries as well, and we hope that this Shalom Award in some small way be a token of our thanks for his fine leadership and faithful example.”

The Reverend Dorhauer graduated from Eden in 1988 with a Master of Divinity degree. Learn more about his call and experience at Eden.

John was a good friend to me when I was at Eden. He is well regarded throughout the United Church of Christ and has become a well known blogger on the site Talk to Action.  Let me note that my understanding is that John was chosen for this award over Jim Wallis.  This speaks volumes about the respect John holds in the Eden community and the UCC.