'Now is not the time to relax: Rev. Ed Arrington II acquires his second doctorate at 72

CANTON − After a lifetime of music and ministry, the Rev. Edward Arrington II says there's still much more to learn.

It's why, at age 72, he just earned his second doctorate.

Arrington said his goal is to become an even better minister.

On June 25, the Massillon native graduated from the Newburgh Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana, with a doctorate in philosophy in Biblical studies.

"At 72, I am not looking to sit back and retire and sip mint juleps," he said with a laugh. "I was proud of myself, walking across that stage. At this age, I want to go forward just as fast as possible, not backward."

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Arrington earned his first doctorate in strategic leadership in 2021 from Faith International University in Tacoma, Washington.

"The second degree opened up a whole new sense of learning and digging deeper into the (Bible)," he said. "You want to make the best presentation out of every sermon you possibly can. You can't study on Saturday night and have a positive Sunday experience. It takes hours to prepare."

Currently, Arrington is an associate pastor at his childhood church, Friendship Baptist in Massillon, under the Rev. Troy Richardson. He previously served as a senior pastor in Youngstown, and as an associate pastor in Warren and at Peoples Baptist Church in Canton where his brother, the Rev. Walter Arrington, is the senior pastor.

Arrington, who says he prefers the King James Bible, said that even if a person is called by God to serve in ministry, education is a necessity.

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'You have to dig deeper than what you see'

"The Bible says 'study to show yourself approved unto God,'" he said. "You have to dig dipper than what you see. In that verse you're reading in the Bible, there's more to it. What's the context? The culture? The time period? And what happened before that verse? And, then, what comes after the verse? So, when you're called to preach, you can read the Bible over and over again, but the true discernment comes when you've learned how to dig deeper."

In addition to ministry, Arrington is a retired music educator who served as Canton City Schools' head band director from 2001 to 2007. A 1974 graduate of the University of Akron, he earned his master's in music education from Ohio State in 1985. He taught music in West Point, Virginia, Warrensville Heights, Newton Falls and in Youngstown, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 1991, Educator of the Year in 1992, and won the Trumball County Educator's Award in 1978.

Though he is an alumnus of the Massillon Tigers Swing Band, Arrington said some of his fondest memories are taking the field as the maestro of the McKinley High School Marching Band.

"It was a joy for me each week," he said. "The students worked hard to be the best. They stayed on the practice field longer than the football team. The rivalry in Stark County was the cat's meow for me. When I lived in Virginia, I got homesick. We moved back because our family is here, and because of Northeast Ohio sports. There's a work ethic and tradition here."

Arrington said though the pandemic forced the world to slow down, it's time for churches to step up involvement their communities.

"Because the children need us to come back; the community needs us to get back, and other believers need us to get back," he said.

Arrington credits his family, including his wife, Sheila; his sister Mamie Bodiford Williams; his brother; and their cousin Curtis Perry III for their encouragement.

His sister, he said, checked on his progress weekly.

"It was never a week that went by that she didn't ask me 'How's it going?'" he said.

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A brother's praise: 'An amazing task'

Arrington said his younger brother, who also has a doctorate, possesses a tremendous gift for understanding Greek and Hebrew, which was a big help to his study.

Walter Arrington said he admires his brother's perseverance, focus and desire to help others.

"He's obviously goal-oriented and a hard worker because even in his 70s, to have pressed on to that level of achievement, it's undeniable," he said. "Many would have given up ."

Arrington calls his brother's recent achievement "an amazing task."

"His stick-to-it-ive-ness is amazing," he said. "My hat is certainly off to him for his dedication and for wanting to make a difference with others by helping them to achieve."

Longtime friend Gayle Danzy of Massillon is one of Arrington's biggest admirers.

"I have known him at least since 1970," she said. "He is a humble, excellent man of God who has been steadfast in pursuing greatness."

Danzy, who plays piano, noted that they've performed together.

"We have been playing together for years," she said. "We have recorded in the studio and will be releasing our music soon. We are now working together with community development projects for the Stark County area."

Asked what advice he would give those thinking of furthering their education, Arrington replied, "Just start."

"Pick your school, pick your subsequent classes and get a degree at any level," he said. "Once you're successful, you'll want to continue."

Arrington added that age should never be an impediment to learning new things.

"To me, life is like a football game," he said. "When you get to the fourth quarter, you dare not put on the brakes and just relax because the enemy or opponent will quickly overcome your lead. In the two-minute warning, I want the best; I want Tom Brady at the helm. Being 72, I want to know and learn all the things I haven't learned about the Bible our Lord Jesus Christ, and, just, relationships. Now is no time to relax, with the condition and the affairs of the world. Now is the time to rev up."

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: CGoshayREP.

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: No retirement for Rev. Ed Arrington, who earned 2nd doctorate at 72