The Survey Says…
Friends of Preachers Institute, thank you for participating in our online poll regarding a Doctor of Ministry degree in Orthodox Homiletics. During April and May, we asked you, our readers, what you would like to see in an advanced professional degree in Orthodox homiletics.
The specific question was:
What would you like to see in a Doctoral program in Orthodox Homiletics?
All in all, there were 194 respondents. Each could vote for as many selections as they wished.
Here are the results:
119 votes Affordability: $50-100 (USD)/ month
115 votes A Study of the Sermons of the Patristic Fathers
102 votes Training in the Orthodox Tradition of communication, from classical rhetoric to new media
100 votes A program that will bring my skill in preaching to a level approaching ‘expert’ in knowledge of preaching, communication, and its history
93 votes I’d prefer a Ph.D. program – an academic degree, not a professional one
78 votes Something I can do while working in my parish, with occasional seminars
62 votes A practical program, honing sermon prep and deliver skills in many venues
58 votes A program which offers a variety of venues; street preaching and evangelism, liturgical preaching, writing, posting on social media, blogging, etc.
24 votes A historical study – primarily
22 votes Something different – to get me out of my comfort zone
These are telling results, and we appreciate your input.
Sadly, not all Orthodox clergy are interested in improving their skill or advancing their education in homiletics, but for those of you who are, the Preachers Institute is preparing to serve your needs, and offer more for you, the preacher in the trenches of parish work, laboring prayerfully to rightly define the word of Truth, and proclaim the Gospel of Christ.
