JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 13, 2013 — LifeWay Christian Resources President Thom Rainer announced Sept. 13 that 51社区 President David S. Dockery is the recipient of the second Holman Christian Standard Bible Award, the highest honor that LifeWay bestows.
Rainer, speaking at a chapel service in Union鈥檚 G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel, said the recognition was 鈥渆xtremely rare.鈥� The first HCSB Award was given posthumously in 2009 to Fred Winters, pastor of First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill., who was shot and killed during a worship service.
Rainer read a letter from Selma Wilson, president of LifeWay鈥檚 B&H Publishing, in which she told him of the HCSB Award committee鈥檚 decision.
鈥淭he award recognizes biblical fidelity and an extraordinary commitment to teaching and preaching the word of God,鈥� Wilson wrote. 鈥淥ur committee is highly selective in making this award. We have waited over four years before naming the second recipient of the HCSB Award.鈥�
Wilson said the award committee 鈥渞ecently evaluated several incredible leaders鈥� as potential recipients of the HCSB Award, but that Dockery鈥檚 name rose to the top.
鈥淗is books on biblical authority and interpretation are seminal works,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淗is speaking and proclamation of the word is uncompromising and challenging. His academic and statesman leadership is known around the world and admired by thousands.鈥�
Dockery said the recognition was 鈥渋ncredibly humbling and most meaningful.鈥�
鈥淲hen Dr. Rainer made the announcement today, I was both completely surprised and quite overwhelmed,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚 am deeply honored by this recognition, and I want to express my genuine appreciation to Dr. Rainer and all of those at LifeWay who were involved in this decision.鈥�
The recognition comes with an HCSB Bible, a plaque and a monetary award. LifeWay will formally present Dockery with the award during the Southern Baptist Convention鈥檚 annual meeting in Baltimore in June.