NOTE: A high resolution photo of McClure is avaiable for download, click here. NASHVILLE, Tenn.–From the early 1980s through his retirement in 2000, Professor David G. Buttrick established at Vanderbilt Divinity School one of the most respected and unique programs in the country for educating and placing future professors of preaching and worship. To restore the reputation of this important graduate program the school has been seeking a nationally renowned senior professor in the field, and this week Dean James Hudnut-Beumler announced that John S. McClure will fill this role as a member of the faculty beginning with the fall semester.
McClure will hold the Charles G. Finney professorship, an appropriate fit since Finney was not only a widely acclaimed professor at Oberlin, which merged with Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1966, but was in his own right a distinguished and popular preacher, teacher and theologian. "Vanderbilt is honored and pleased to welcome a new faculty member who so fits the model Finney established," said Hudnut-Beumler.
"John McClure has established himself as an extraordinarily thoughtful observer of what goes on when people preach and lead worship. His writings run from deeply philosophical to easily accessible practical wisdom for women and men who face the task of weekly preaching," said Hudnut-Beumler.
"Preaching is the great meeting place of all the theological disciplines: Bible, doctrine, philosophical theology, pastoral theology, Christian education. I believe the future of the Church and its mission begins with first-rate preaching so I chose homiletics," said McClure. "The greatest satisfaction comes when I am able to help students connect with their deepest identity as preachers of God’s word."
McClure is a leading proponent of "collaborative preaching," a method which includes laity in sermon brainstorming and development outlined in his book "The Roundtable Pulpit: Where Leadership and Preaching Meet." In his recent book, "Other-wise Preaching: A Postmodern Ethic for Homiletics," he builds upon that foundation and uses the best of contemporary philosophy to help move preaching away from a focus on the self–well-being and salvation–toward a focus on "others"–social and ethical witness.
A prolific writer, McClure has as his goal to help train confident, articulate, visionary preachers. In addition to numerous articles, his publications include "The Four Codes of Preaching: Rhetorical Strategies"; "Proclamation 5: Aids for Interpreting the Lessons for the Church Year, Pentecost 1"; "Best Advice for Preaching, and Telling the Truth: Preaching about Sexual and Domestic Violence"; co-written with Nancy J. Ramsay. He is a contributing reviewer and serves on the editorial board of the journal "Homiletic."
McClure holds degrees from University of the South, Bachelor of Arts; University of Glasgow, Master of Philosophy; Fuller Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity and Princeton Theological Seminary, Ph Doctorate in Theology and Communication in Worship and Preaching. He served as pastor of Ensley Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Ala. until joining the faculty at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1986 as Henry M. Edmonds Professor of Ministry and professor of homiletics and liturgics (preaching and worship).
In announcing to the Louisville Seminary community that McClure has accepted the call to lead one of the few doctoral programs in the field of homiletics, Acting Seminary President Milton J. Coalter said, "the selection of John McClure for this position is an acknowledgement of his remarkable expertise, a sign of Vanderbilt Divinity School’s good eye for talent and a compliment to Louisville Seminary where his substance and promise was first recognized."
McClure is a member of the American Academy of Religion and is currently president of the North American Academy of Homiletics.
Media contact: David Glasgow, (615) 322-2207 david.glasgow@vanderbilt.edu