Embodied Preaching: Motivation and Methods
Please note, this post has been re-posted from an earlier blog that was maintained by the Faithful Preaching Project before it became part of the Sharing Faith Initiative. These posts have been re-shared to maintain the full story of the grant initiative.
Earlier this month, the Faithful Preaching Project welcomed Rev. Dr. Jaclyn P. Williams of Fuller Seminary to the Austin Seminary campus for our first (of eight!) preaching workshops. The workshop was entitled, "Preacher and Artist: Using Actor Training Methodology for Embodied Preaching," and was held in Wright Hall of the Mary B. and Robert J. Wright Learning and Information Center, as well as streamed to Zoom for online interaction.
Dr. Williams’ presentation called on preachers to re-think how the spiritual connects to the physical. Participants were coached on gestures and body language, asked to take a walk to connect to their own bodies, and guided on how the Word of God can lead to a holistic embodiment.
We wish to send our sincere thanks to Dr. Williams for leading this workshop, and to the staff and students who helped put on the presentation. Please enjoy these pictures of the workshop and participant reflections.
“The Embodied Preaching Workshop was packed with good information and ideas! While it’s hard to select the most impactful moment, I would say that Dr. Williams points about holistic preaching made the most impression on me: “I receive God’s Word as an individual before I am the preacher of it and should engage with it through prayer and meditation BEFORE I go to the commentaries and other sources. I should first focus on what I see and sense from the passage.”
I thoroughly enjoyed and gained much from the experience! ”
“The workshop deepened my understanding of the connection between body, mind, and message in the act of preaching. I particularly loved her idea of taking a more holistic approach; where the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of preaching work together to convey a powerful, authentic message.”
Are you interested in more learning opportunities online and here at Austin Seminary? Join us at 2025 MidWinter Lectures!
Registration is open for the 2025 MidWinter Lectures at Austin Seminary! We are thrilled for what is sure to be another wholesome and winsome MidWinters featuring John Pavlovitz, Dr. Wendy Farley, and Dr. Reggie L. Williams as our lecturers, respectively.
While our lectures and worship will be live-streamed, the in-person experience—with lectures, Q&As, conversations, worship, and fun and relaxing social times—has been crafted to offer a lively and engaging connection with the lecturers and other participants. Make your plans now to join us in January!
For registration, schedule, and more information: www.austinseminary.edu/midwinters