Luke A. Powery, the dean of Duke Chapel and associate professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School, has contributed to the volume What’s Right with Preaching Today? The Enduring Influence of Fred B. Craddock, edited by Mike Graves and André Resner (Cascade, 2021).

Fred B. Craddock revolutionized preaching theory and practice by flipping pulpit logic from deductive to inductive—often called the preaching-as-storytelling revolution—and in so doing brought renewed interest and impact to the practice of preaching, effectively rescuing it from an often tedious and moralizing fate. With Craddock, preaching was anything but boring. Rather, it was an exciting and enlightening ride that led to the renewal of faith.

Powery is one of 10 leading voices in homiletics invited to contribute to the book. His chapter, “Invocation Vocation: Preaching and Praying,” has been paired with two personal reflections from people who knew Craddock personally.

Whether as a preacher or someone who listens to preachers, these essays aim to provide encouragement about preaching’s present and future.