McCLURE COMES TO VANDERBILT

by Dee Wade

From the early 1960's through his retirement in 2000, Professor David G. Buttrick established at Vanderbilt Divinity School one of the most respected and unique programs in the country for educating and placing future professors of preaching and worship. To restore the reputation of this important graduate program, the school has been seeking a nationally renowned senior professor in the field, and this week Dean James Hudnut-Beumler announced that John S. McClure will fill this role as a member of the faculty beginning with the fall semester.

McClure will hold the Charles G. Finney professorship, an appropriate fit since Finney was not only a widely acclaimed professor at Oberlin, which merged with Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1966, but was “In his own right a distinguished and popular preacher, teacher and theologian. Vanderbilt is honored and pleased to welcome a new faculty member who so fits the model Finney established.” said Hudnut-Beumler.

“John McClure has established himself as an extraordinarily thoughtful observer of what goes on when people preach and lead worship. His writings run from deeply philosophical to easily accessible practical wisdom for women and men who face the task of weekly preaching.” said Hudnut- Beumler. “Preaching is the great meeting place of all the theological disciplines: Bible, doctrine, philosophical theology, pastoral theology, Christian education. I believe the future pf the Church and its mission begins with first-rate preaching so I chose homiletics,” said McClure. “The greatest satisfaction comes when I am able to help students connect with their deepest identity as preachers of God's word.”

McClure holds degrees from the University of the South, Bachelor of Arts; University of Glasgow, Master of Philosophy; Fuller Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity and Princeton Theological Seminary, PhDoctorate in Theology and Communication in Worship and Preaching. He served as pastor of Ensley Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Ala. Until joining the faculty at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1986 as Henry M. Edmonds, Professor of Ministry and professor of homiletics and liturgics (preaching and worship).