A Refresher Course in the Basics of Sermon Preparation

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This workshop involves a refresher course in the basics of sermon preparation for newcomers and seasoned preachers alike. We will delve into the importance of biblical exegesis, the quest for solid biblical resources, diversity in form and structure in the creation of the sermon, and finally touch upon the necessity of context and lived experience in the sermon preparation process. Karl Barth admonished young preachers to “hug the biblical text.” Thus, in this workshop there will be an overall emphasis on the centrality of scripture for sound biblical preaching.

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Cleo LaRue

Cleophus J. LaRue, Princeton Theological Seminary’s Francis Landey Patton Professor of Homiletics, earned his BA and MA degrees from Baylor University, his MDiv and PhD degrees from Princeton Seminary. He has written seven books on the theory and method of African American preaching and worship. An ordained minister in the National Baptist Convention of America, LaRue is the former pastor of two churches in Texas as well as the former interim pastor of churches in Harlem and Jamaica Queens, New York.