Dr. Thomas G. Long Joins First Church as Guest Preacher on May 7th

Join us in worship on May 7th when we welcome Dr. Thomas G. Long to the pulpit. Dr. Long is Professor Emeritus of Preaching at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. He is a Presbyterian minister and sought out preacher and keynote speaker. 

Dr. Thomas G. Long’s primary area of research is homiletics (the history, theory, and practice of preaching). His introductory textbook, The Witness of Preaching, has been translated into a number of languages and is widely used in theological schools around the world. In 2010, Preaching magazine named The Witness of Preaching one of the 25 most influential books in preaching for the last 25 years. Long gave the distinguished Lyman Beecher Lectures at Yale, which were published in his 2009 book Preaching from Memory to Hope.

Long is also deeply interested in biblical studies, practical theology, and liturgy. He has written commentaries on the biblical books of Hebrews, the Gospel of Matthew, and the Pastoral Epistles, and his books on the Christian funeral, Accompany Them with Singing and The Good Funeral (co-authored with noted poet and funeral director Thomas Lynch), have generated interest both in the academy and the media. His book What Shall We Say? Evil, Suffering, and the Crisis of Faith, which addresses the issue of innocent suffering and the goodness of God, was selected as the Book of the Year for 2011, an award given by the Academy of Parish Clergy to the best book published for parish ministry in the previous year.

A recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Long was named by Baylor University as one of the twelve most effective preachers in the English speaking world. Tom will preach at First Church on May 7th and lead a sermon-talk discussion and presentation on his new book on the Parables of Jesus at 12:30 p.m. in the Parlor following worship. No need to register.

Check out one of his sermons below: