John S. Dickerson

This article is about the former journalist for the Phoenix New Times. For the CBS reporter, see John Dickerson (journalist).

John S. Dickerson (born 1982) is a Christian pastor, author[1] and a nationally awarded American journalist.[2][3][4] He has written essays and opinion columns for USA Today,[5] CNN,[6] The New York Times Sunday Opinion Page,[7] and the religion pages of The Washington Post.[8]

In 2004, he joined The Scottsdale Times as a staff writer and later became features editor.[9] While at The Scottsdale Times, his reporting earned honors from the Arizona Press Club.[10][11][12][13] The Arizona Newspaper Association named him non-daily "Journalist of the Year" in 2007.[14] He then took a staff writer position at the Phoenix New Times, an alternative weekly owned by Village Voice Media.[15]

In 2009, he was named winner of the $10,000 Livingston Award for Young Journalists.[16] "The Livingston Awards for excellence by professionals under the age of 35 are the largest all-media, general reporting prizes in American journalism.[17]" Charles Gibson (ABC News), Michele Norris (NPR), Tom Brokaw and Clarence Page are among the judges[18] who selected Dickerson's investigative series about medical regulations in Arizona, "Prescription for Disaster",[19] as the national winner for local reporting. The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies also named Dickerson national winner for investigative reporting.[20] Three of his stories are printed in the book anthology Best AltWeekly Writing 2009 and 2010, published by Northwestern University Press.[21] Dickerson eventually left Phoenix New Times to pastor Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona.[22]

His book The Great Evangelical Recession[23] (Baker Publishing Group, 2013), combines his investigative journalism background with his embedded understanding of American Christianity as an insider. The book documents the decline of Christianity in the United States and suggests potential solutions for American church leaders.[24] Ken Auletta, media critic for The New Yorker, endorsed the book: "A first rate journalist and writer, Dickerson writes with empathy, preferring to explain rather than scold. He's written an illustrious book."[25]

In 2015 Dickerson accepted the role of Teaching Pastor in Residence at Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, California.[26] The same year, HarperCollins publishers' Zondervan released his book, I Am Strong: Finding God's Peace and Strength in Life's Darkest Moments, in which he offers hope to those enduring chronic sickness or loss.,[27][28] On October 28, 2017, Dickerson was announced as the new lead pastor of Connection Pointe Christian Church in Brownsburg, Indiana [29]

In October 2019 Baker Publishing Group released Dickerson's fourth book, Jesus Skeptic: A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity.[30] In Jesus Skeptic, Dickerson presents images and evidence demonstrating that "Jesus really existed and launched the greatest movement for social good in human history."[31]

  1. ^ Baker Publishing Group Author Profile, August 2012 Archived 2014-02-25 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Calvary Baptist grad honored by Gibson".
  3. ^ Hedler, Ken (August 16, 2009). "Achievers: Journalist wins national award, becomes minister". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  4. ^ "Former New Times Writer Honored". 11 June 2009.
  5. ^ "Christmas Hope Eases Suffering". USA Today. December 23, 2015.
  6. ^ Dickerson, John S. (13 November 2016). "How to unite a divided America". CNN.
  7. ^ Dickerson, John S. (15 December 2012). "The Decline of Evangelical America". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  8. ^ Dickerson, John S. (31 January 2013). "What Christians should learn from Dan Cathy". OnFaith. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ The Daily Courier, August 16, 2009 Archived February 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Arizona Press Club Awards, 2004 Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Staff, Arizona Capitol Times (18 May 2009). "Capitol Times reporters take home six Press Club awards – Arizona Capitol Times". azcapitoltimes.com.
  12. ^ Arizona Press Club Awards, 2006 Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Arizona Press Club Awards, 2007 Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Calvary Baptist grad honored by Gibson".
  15. ^ Village Voice Media Awards Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Winners". Archived from the original on 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  17. ^ "About".
  18. ^ "Judges".
  19. ^ Phoenix New Times, investigative report Archived 2010-09-23 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, September 21, 2009
  21. ^ Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, February 5, 2010
  22. ^ Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, August 17, 2009
  23. ^ book page, Baker Publishing Group, January 2013
  24. ^ "The Great Evangelical Recession". 21 February 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013.
  25. ^ JohnSDickerson.com, December 2012 Archived 2012-12-21 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ LaMaster, Lynne. "Steps of Faith for Cornerstone Church and Pastor John Dickerson".
  27. ^ "I Am Strong". www.zondervan.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-20. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  28. ^ Dickerson, John S. (29 December 2015). I Am Strong: Finding God's Peace and Strength in Life's Darkest Moments. Zondervan. ISBN 9780310341925 – via Google Books.
  29. ^ "Meet The Pastor". www.ConnectionPointe.org.
  30. ^ "Jesus Skeptic". www.BakerPublishingGroup.com.
  31. ^ "Jesus Skeptic". www.GoodReads.com.