This fall, the Kerygma Initiative launched the Preaching & Homiletics Innovation Lab at Eastern University (PHIL-E). Led by Dr. David Stark, the eight-month program features two cohorts of clergy—one from the Philadelphia area and one from congregations across North America. Cohort participants were selected from American Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, and non-denominational traditions. These women and men serve within a diverse range of cultural contexts. Five cohort members are seminary alumni, and fifteen other members are connecting with Palmer for the first time through the PHIL-E cohort. What brings this group together is a commitment to advancing prophetic preaching, thinking creatively about the shared task of proclamation, and strengthening our collective gospel witness in the public square.
One PHIL-E cohort member describes the experience as energizing for his ministry. "The opportunity to learn, listen, and workshop with a global cohort has invigorated my preaching process. A shot of homiletical steroids in a task that can become stagnant or quotidian." (Rev. Malcolm McLaurin, Church of the Holy Cross, Redmond, WA)
Each month, cohort members have a unique opportunity to be in dialogue with leading scholars in the field of preaching. During the first few months, PHIL-E cohorts have met with Dr. Donyelle McCray to consider how things like dance, song, and quilting might stretch and reshape the genre of the sermon. Dr. Trey Clark led cohort members to explore Black contemplative preaching and spiritual leadership, and Dr. Sunggu Yang used insights from cubism, architecture, and film to engage intra-dynamic, experiential questions about the "who" and "why" of preaching.
“It is a gift to be able to learn from theologians who are doing insightful work in the area of preaching innovation and the arts. And when you add opportunities to gather with fellow clergy to reflect on how we can share the Gospel in ways that expand the genre of preaching...that is what I call over-abundance!”
Following each conversation with an author, participants are encouraged to adapt one or more homiletical methods in their sermons and share what they learned with their peers. Through this process, cohort members draw upon current homiletical theory to improve practice, reimagine sermon formation, and reenergize congregational engagement.
Cohort members also receive individualized coaching from Dr. Stark and support from two Kerygma Initiative Research Fellows: James Williams, a PhD Candidate in homiletics, and Jimmy Arthur Atkins, a Doctor of Ministry student in the prophetic preaching and teaching track. The Preaching & Homiletics Innovation Lab at Eastern University seeks to build upon the rich and enduring legacy of Palmer Theological Seminary to equip leaders to preach the whole gospel to the whole world.