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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Theological Seminary professor Dr. Burrell D. Dinkins. Dr. Dinkins passed away on January 7th, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of academic excellence and dedication to his students and staff.

Dr. Dinkins was a beloved educator who inspired countless students and colleagues throughout his career. He was known for his passion for integrating Wesleyan theology and pastoral counseling, especially his narrative approaches to counseling, teaching, and preaching. His approach was exemplified in his book Narrative Pastoral Counseling, published by Xulon Press in 2005. He had the keen ability to encourage intellectual curiosity in all who worked with him, and he mentored many future theologians and practitioners. His contributions to both the academic community and the broader pastoral care field will not be forgotten.

Dr. Dinkins received his degree in psychology from ¹ú²úÊÓƵ College (now University) in 1955, and a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Sacred Theology in pastoral counseling from Emory University.

In October 2022, Dr. Burrell Dinkins was awarded emeritus faculty status, an honorary rank given to a person with distinguished service to ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Theological Seminary. Dr. Dinkins served as the E. A. Seamands Professor of Pastoral Leadership on the Seminary’s Kentucky Campus from 1992–1999, working closely with the students in the former Beeson cohort. He served another seven years on the Florida Dunnam Campus serving as the Johnson Professor of Pastoral Counseling until his retirement in 2006. Prior to coming to ¹ú²úÊÓƵ, Dr. Dinkins served as the minister of pastoral care and counseling at Roswell (Georgia) United Methodist Church, professor of pastoral care and counseling at Oral Roberts University School of Theology, and director of pastoral care and counseling of the Atlanta-Emory District of The United Methodist Church.

In addition to his extensive experience in the United States, Dr. Dinkins spent several years working in Brazil. While in Brazil, he served as the interim president of Instituto Philadelphia De Londrina in the state of Parana. He also served as a professor of pastoral care and counseling at a large Christian school in Sao Paulo and pastored several churches in southern Brazil. Dr. Dinkins worked to develop a pioneering program of clinicians that brought together a team of doctors, nurses and chaplains that merged their vocations into a holistic healing team.

Dr. Dinkins is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis Amelia Diehl Dinkins, 88. He is survived by his five adult children, son Randy (wife Billie), daughter Ruth (husband Bob), son Walter (wife Becky), daughter Susana (husband Ray), and son Paul (wife Susan), and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

¹ú²úÊÓƵ Seminary extends its heartfelt condolences to Dr. Dinkins’s family, friends, and students. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm at Wesley Village Retirement Community in Wilmore, Kentucky.