Chicago Pastor Otis Moss III to Deliver 2016 William L. Self Preaching Lectures at McAfee School of Theology

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ATLANTA – The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, will deliver the 2016 William L. Self Preaching Lectures March 14-15 at Mercer University's McAfee School of Theology. Dr. Moss will present a series of three lectures on the theme “Blue Note Preaching in a Post-Soul World.”

“The McAfee School of Theology and Mercer University are delighted to be able to host a preacher with the reputation of Dr. Otis Moss III to serve as our 2016 William L. Self Preaching Lecturer,” said Dr. Robert Nash, interim dean of the School. “Across Dr. Moss' career, he has demonstrated that the grand calling of a preacher extends far beyond the pulpit itself and into the lives of the communities and neighborhoods that surround our churches. He serves as a model for effective and powerful preaching in our day.”

Dr. Moss' opening lecture, titled “The Blues Moan and the Gospel Shout,” will take place March 14 at 4 p.m. His second lecture, titled “Blues Sensibility,” will follow at 7 p.m., and his final lecture, titled “Hip-Hop Engagement with a Postmodern World,” will take place March 15 at 10:45 a.m. All lectures will be held in Day Auditorium on the Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus in Atlanta.

A noted author, speaker and activist, Dr. Moss is an ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the United Church of Christ, carrying dual standing in both denominations. Prior to serving as senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, he was pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia.

He has authored three books, and his sermons, articles and poetry have appeared in numerous publications. He is a life member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, board member of The Christian Century magazine and chaplain of the Children's Defense Fund's Samuel DeWitt Proctor Child Advocacy Conference.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Moss has earned degrees from Morehouse College, Yale Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary. He is married to his college sweetheart, the former Monica Brown of Orlando, Florida, and they are the parents of two children, Elijah Wynton and Makayla Elon.

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 the late Dr. William L. Self, a Mercer trustee who 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.

There is a $40 fee to attend the lectures. A dinner will take place in the Trustees Dining Room between the first two lectures. Dinner reservations are required at an additional cost of $25 per person.

For more information, or to register, contact Diane Frazier at (678) 547-6470 or frazier_d@mercer.edu prior to the registration deadline of March 1.

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, visit theology.mercer.edu.