Meet our Speakers: The Rev. Dr. Lawrence T. Richardson

Rev. Dr. Lawrence T. Richardson serves as the Associate Conference Minister for Church Vitality and Transitions in the Michigan Conference UCC. He is a graduate of St. Catherine University, Liberty Seminary, and Berkeley School of Theology (Doctor of Ministry with an interdisciplinary focus on Spiritual Formation). Lawrence has a number of professional development training, degrees, and certifications including Professional Leadership Coach, Master Life Coach, Executive Certificate for Religious Fundraising training, OWL (Our Whole Lives) Sexuality and Faith Curriculum Instruction Certificate, and Master in Digital Marketing.

Lawrence is a poet and writer, the author of the creative nonfiction memoir, I Know What Heaven Looks Like: A Modern Day Coming of Age Story. He writes about and advocates for LGBTQ people, people of color, and the flourishing of all; with his works appearing in Huffington Post Religion, The Root, and Believe Out Loud; receiving awards and commendations for his service, including the Humanitarian Award from Black Transmen Inc. and the Stellar Award for his work in global communication. A Minnesota native, Lawrence was ordained at a Unity Fellowship congregation in Minneapolis in October 2004 and received Privilege of Call in the Minnesota Conference UCC in March 2013 after 6 years of serving local UCC congregations in a variety of roles and volunteering at the Conference-level.

Lawrence currently serves on the United Church of Christ Board of Directors, chairing the Recruitment and Outreach committee. Prior to his role on the Michigan conference staff, Lawrence worked for 10 years as a consultant with church leadership and consulting group, Convergence, was adjunct faculty at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, was a media trainer for Auburn Seminary, served on the national UCC staff, was a church planter, and local church pastor.