ATLANTA – Dr. Anna Carter Florence, Peter Marshall Associate Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary, will deliver the 2015 William L. Self Preaching Lectures, Feb. 2-3, at Mercer University's McAfee School of Theology.
“Dr. Florence loves preaching and leading in worship,” said Dr. R. Alan Culpepper, dean of the School of Theology. “Her grasp of scripture is fresh and insightful, and she is an engaging communicator. I am looking forward to the burst of inspiration I am sure her lectures will offer.”
Dr. Florence will give a series of three lectures. The first, titled “The Script in the Scripture,” will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2. The second, titled “The Word in Rehearsal,” will follow at 7 p.m. At 9am in THE 126, Dr. Brett Younger, McAfee School of Theology, will present “Humor in Homiletical Drama” before Flroence's final lecture, titled “The Company of Grace” in Day Hall. The final lecture will take place at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3. All lectures will be held in Day Auditorium on the Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus in Atlanta.
Dr. Florence's interests include historical, theological, aesthetic and performative dimensions of preaching and the ways preaching engages other fields and different traditions. Her research focuses on testimony, feminist theology, the role of experience in preaching and the history of preaching women.
She earned her Ph.D. and M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and her B.A. from Yale University.
The cost to attend the lecture series is $65 for the general public, $30 for non-McAfee students, and admission is free for all McAfee students.
Dinner will be held between the first two lectures, at 5:30 p.m. on Monday in the Trustees Dining Room. Reservations are required, and the cost of the meal is included in the registration fee for the general public and non-McAfee students. For McAfee students and non-registered guests who wish to attend the cost is $25.
The registration deadline is Jan. 30. For more information, or to register, contact Diane Frazier at (678) 547-6470 or frazier_d@mercer.edu.
The William L. Self Lectureship was established in order to promote the practice of faithful and effective preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lectures seek to instill in students and pastors a passion for better preaching by providing worthy models and by offering seasoned instruction and encouragement.
The lecture series is named in honor of Dr. William L. Self, a Mercer trustee who has distinguished himself with a national reputation as a gifted preacher, pastor, author, lecturer, motivational speaker and innovator in church growth. Dr. Self achieved considerable acclaim by leading Wieuca Road Baptist Church in Atlanta to a place of prominence in Georgia and the nation. Then, as pastor of Johns Creek Baptist Church in Alpharetta, his leadership and influence brought that church to the vanguard of fast-growing churches.
About the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology
The James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology was established in 1996. Located in Atlanta, on Mercer University's Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus, the School of Theology offers degree programs leading to a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. The School of Theology also offers several joint programs: an M.Div.-Master of Business Administration, M.Div.-Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and M.Div.-Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with a Concentration in Non-Profit. For more information, visittheology.mercer.edu.
