The Art & Craft of Preaching

November 5, 2004

William Turner

More than 500 alumni and friends from throughout North Carolina and across the country attended a sold-out Duke Divinity School 2004 Convocation & Pastors’ School, The Art & Craft of Preaching.

Seminars, lectures, worship and alumni events highlighted the program, held Oct. 11-13, which explored the context, theory and practice of preaching. Guest lecturers included such renowned theologians as author Marva Dawn; Thomas Long of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology; and Peter Gomes of Harvard University.

Among the seminars were "Imaginative Exegesis," "Bible Study Programs for the Local Church," "Preaching from Genesis," and "Forgiveness in Film and Fiction." Participants also had the opportunity to worship together and renew ties with old friends and classmates.

In one session, United Methodist Bishop and former Duke Chapel Dean William Willimon preached a sermon followed by a panel discussion and critique with Dawn, Gomes, Duke Divinity Professor Stanley Hauerwas, and Fleming Rutledge, an ordained Episcopal priest engaged in evangelistic ministry. Hundreds of participants packed Griffith Film Theatre at Duke’s Bryan Center to watch as master preacher Willimon created a live laboratory for demonstrating the craft of preaching.

"It isn’t every leader in the church who would publicly and openly embrace a critique of his preaching, especially immediately following the sermon," said Janice Virtue, associate dean for continuing education at Duke Divinity School. "Will’s willingness to do so demonstrates his commitment to strengthening the art and craft of preaching for the sake of the church."

For additional information about the event, please contact the Center for Continuing Education at Duke Divinity School, div-conted@duke.edu, toll-free, (888) 845-4216 or local (919) 660-3448.