The School of Theology announced that it has appointed David Stark to be the new instructor in homiletics. Stark is currently a doctoral candidate focusing on homiletics and Old Testament. His appointment becomes effective on July 1, 2018.

When asked to comment on his appointment, Stark stated, “I am excited to join the seminary at the University of the South. I look forward to teaching and researching preaching in this beautiful place where students, faculty, and staff are so well-formed by communal worship and so committed to learning and service.”

Stark is an ordained elder in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. He has served as pastor of rural and urban congregations, as visiting instructor at the University of Leipzig, Germany, and as the 2017–2018 Teaching Fellow for the Styberg Preaching Institute at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He holds a B.A. from Anderson University, an M.Div. from Duke University Divinity School, and an M.A. from Boston College Graduate School.

His research interests include the hymnic works of Charles Wesley, preaching as resistance, and Old Testament hermeneutics. His dissertation examines the role power has played in Old Testament interpretation and explores alternative approaches from aspects of African American preaching and Jewish-Christian dialogue. He is under contract as a contributor for a forthcoming book titled, The Old Testament for Preachers, and currently serves as the English language editor for the International Journal of Homiletics.

The academic dean of the School the Rev. Canon James Turrell is looking forward to Stark joining the faculty. “David Stark brings a unique combination of scholarly depth, ministerial experience, and teaching skill to the position in homiletics. He will make a great contribution to the formation of our students and their growth as preachers.”

Stark will also be an integral part of the School’s Advanced Degrees Program that convenes in Sewanee each summer. The preaching track has been one of the most successful in the program’s history. “David’s training in the parish as well as in the academy stands him in excellent stead to take over the reins of our very successful doctor of ministry in preaching program,” explained the Rev. Dr. Benjamin King, professor of Church history and director of the Advanced Degrees Program.