April 5, 2014
Yesterday, I returned from Italy with our church group. We visited the highlights of Italy with a focus on religious art. In Florence, I saw with my own eyes Michelangelo’s David. The David stature was colossal, standing 17 feet high much larger than any normal person can be. Besides the original that is now inside the museum, there are others-copies standing just as tall in other parts of the city.
I thought about Dick Ice when I saw Michelangelo’s David. Dick was not 17 feet tall but he was as confident and courageous as David. When Dick was younger, people might have said like Saul said to young David, “You are just a boy! How will you be able to slay the giant Goliath who was 6 cubits and a span tall.” When Dick was serving the American Baptist Churches on the General Board and then as Vice President, the giants that he faced were autonomous regions, states and cities that were at odds with each other. You can say that they were the Philistines. The boundaries were as hard and strong as the armor and the sword that Goliath wore and took to battle. The leadership that Dick provided led us to do mission and ministry together that we haven’t witnessed before.
Great leadership comes from people who step up. David stepped up by going to King Saul to give him a chance when others couldn’t do it. David stepped up to his brothers who wanted him to just stay home and tend the sheep. But David said to Saul that anyone who defies the armies of God will be defeated. Dick knew the kind of challenging foes he will be facing-tribalism, self-interest, competitiveness. While we know that many of these denominational structures have lived out their times, the remaining results and legacy that people like Dick Ice have done continue to be vital parts of our ABC identity today. Dick gave shape and form to our denomination family known as the American Baptist churches. We are in a stronger place because of Dick Ice.
When I saw how big and tall Michelangelo’s David is, I imagined that Michelangelo wanted to make him big enough to battle the giant Goliath. We know that David the shepherd boy didn’t have to be colossal to defeat Goliath. In fact, he was so small that he couldn’t wear the armor that Saul gave him. He went into battle without any armor and just with his sling and 5 small stones that he gathered from the wadi.
Dick too was not a very tall or big person. But when he spoke we all listened. When he would have that wispy smile, we know that he was agreeing with you. When he showed that twinkle in his eyes, you knew that he has something profoundly important to say. Among us, Dick stood tall on his beliefs and principles and he defeated foes who stood against the formation of the ABC family.
While Dick was becoming a national figure in ABC life, he never forgot those who were in the margins. He never led too far ahead that he left some behind. He served Murrow and Bacone to advocate for ministries and needs of Native American brothers and sisters. He directed and served on the boards of Baptist homes in order to ensure that our seniors are treated with respect and their special needs are met. Dick fought for Baptist freedoms not just for Baptists but the freedom of religion for all others so that everyone in the United States can worship freely. Dick was like David who fought off lions and bears to rescue and protect the vulnerable sheep.
We are blessed today to have lived with and witnessed a giant of the faith in Dick Ice. Just like David the shepherd, Dick believed in the living God who gave him strength and courage to persevere and became a leader of his people. We know that David was not perfect just like Dick Ice was not perfect. But to have lived in the same time and place with a servant of the Lord like Dick Ice is to be blessed.
Michelangelo’s colossal David standing 17 feet tall was impressive indeed but to have known and benefited from a colossal of a servant like Dick Ice is a blessing from God. On behalf of our General Secretary, Roy Medley and the American Baptist family, I thank the Lord for Dick Ice and may we continue to learn and grow from his faithfulness.
Don Ng
ABC President, 2014-15