2012 Articles

On Schools of Preaching

Vaughan, Matthew

This essay is intended to (re)introduce schools of preaching to the academic and ministerial communities within Churches of Christ (a cappella). It makes a call for more rigorous and sustained engagement with these schools and their theologies. In doing so, this essay is intended to shed light on a neglected topic and provide an extensive bibliography to lay the groundwork for future research and writing. The essay presents these schools as educational institutions under three broad headings: locating the schools of preaching within a specific historical context (that of the United States in the mid-late 20th century); defining the schools and describing their status as educational institutions affiliated with Churches of Christ today; and providing a framework for their philosophies of education. The essay concludes with general observations and questions about these schools and the impact their witness continues to have on Churches of Christ.