Curriculum Vitae
Rev. Kenyatta R. Gilbert, Ph.D.
Howard University School of Divinity
2900 Van Ness Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008
Room 334, Holy Cross Hall • (202) 806-0614
[email protected] • [email protected]
kenyattagilbert.com
@preachingproj
The Preaching Project
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary, Area: Practical Theology (Homiletics) [2007].
Dissertation:A Time to Preach, A Time to Cry: An Investigation into the Nature of Prophetic Preaching in Black Churches during the Great Migration Period 1916 – 40 (247 pages). Committee: James F. Kay (Acting Advisor), Sally A. Brown (First Reader), Peter J. Paris (Second Reader).
M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary [1999].
B.A., Baylor University, Major: Political Science, Minor: Religion [1996].
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Academic
Professor of Homiletics, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [August 2017 – present].
Visiting Professor, Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, TN [July 9-20, 2018, (Intensive)].
Visiting Professor, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rochester, NY [June 11-15, 2018, (Intensive)].
Associate Professor of Homiletics (tenured), Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [May 2012 – 2017].
Assistant Professor of Homiletics, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [July 2006 – April 2012].
Visiting Professor, Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA [Spring 2015, Summer 2015].
Teaching Faculty, Joe Engle Institute of Preaching, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ [July 2016, 2013, 2010].
Teaching Faculty, Cathedral College of Preachers, Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC [July 2006 – 2009].
Adjunct Professor of Preaching, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [January – June 2006].
Adjunct Professor of Preaching, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA [August – December 2004, January 2005 (Intensive)].
Teaching Fellow (Introduction to Preaching), Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ [September 2000 – 2001, 2001 – 2002, 2004 – 2005; (Ministry and History of the Traditional African American Denominations), September 2003 – January 2004].
Teaching Assistant (Advanced Preaching), New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, NJ; Queens, NY [Winter 1999 (Intensive)].
Courses Taught
African American Preaching– D.Min. Intensive – Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School [June, Summer ’18]; Memphis Theological Seminary [July, Summer ’18].
Spiritual Formation and Ministry Leadership– core course that invites Master of Divinity students into an intentional process of spiritual discipline and introspection, personal faith development, and vocational discernment [Spring ‘18; Fall ‘18].
Preaching the Lectionary and Special Occasions– elective course that explores the role and identity of the preacher as the community’s priest in the context of congregational worship. The course places special emphasis on the development of sermons for special services [Spring ‘17, Fall ‘18].
African American Spirituality– D.Min. Seminar [Summer ‘15].
Exodus Preaching– practicum course that examines the key characteristics of prophetic preaching, through an interdisciplinary methodology [Summer ‘15].
Preacher as Theologian– co-taught course that explores the sermon as a method of theological reflection and medium for conveying ideas, doctrines, and perspectives [Spring ’12, Spring ‘16].
Preaching and Practicum– basic course in the fundamentals of preaching and the development of the sermon [Spring ‘06, Fall ‘06, Spring ‘07, Fall ‘07, Spring ‘08, Fall ‘08, Spring ‘09, Fall ‘10, Spring ‘11, Fall ‘11, Spring ‘12, Fall ‘12, Spring ‘13, Fall ‘13, Fall ‘14, Spring ‘14, Fall ’15, Spring ‘16, Fall ‘16, Spring ‘17, Summer ’18, Spring ’18].
African American Prophetic Preaching– advanced course that examines the nature and function of prophetic preaching in the African American lived experience in North America, through an interdisciplinary methodology [Spring ‘08, Spring ‘09, Fall ‘10, Spring ‘11, Spring ‘12, Fall ‘12, Spring ‘13, Fall ‘13, Fall ‘14, Spring ‘14, Fall ‘15, Spring ‘15; Fall ’16, Spring ’17, Spring’18].
Liturgical Theology: Practicum– basic course in chapel preparation and worship leadership [Spring ‘09, Fall ‘10].
Faith Development and Spiritual Formation– course that introduces students to the study of, the resources for, and the practice of, spiritual discipline [Fall ‘08, Spring ‘09, Fall ‘10, Spring ‘11, Fall ‘11, Spring ‘12, Fall ‘11, Spring ‘12, Fall ‘12, Spring ‘13, Fall ‘13, Fall ‘14, Spring ‘14, Fall ‘15, Spring ’16, Spring ’18].
Ministry and Contextualization I– basic course exploring the merger between theology and ministry practice along with practical instruction in academic writing for beginning seminarians [Fall ‘06, Spring ‘07, Fall ‘07, Spring ‘08, Fall ’08].
Rhetoric and African American Public Discourse– basic introduction to the fundamental principles of classical rhetoric and early twentieth-century African American public discourse [Summer ’06].
Preaching Practicum– introductory course on the preparation and delivery of sermons [Fall ’04].
Preaching from Jeremiah: Text to Sermon– homiletics course addressing the major theological themes of the prophetic book of Jeremiah and the development of hermeneutical strategies for preaching from the Old Testament [January ’05, (Intensive)].
Introduction to Preaching– intensive introduction to preaching and the designing and delivery of sermons [Fall/Spring ‘00 – 01, Fall/Spring ‘01 – 02, Fall/Spring ‘04 – 05].
Ministry and History of the Traditional African American Denominations– congregational studies course exploring the historical profiles of historic African American denominations and their leaders [Fall ‘03].
Ecclesiastical
Associate Minister, Instructor in Church Institute, The People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD [2006-present]
Pulpit Supply, Northeastern Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC
[October 2007; March 2008; August 2015]
Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset, NJ
[2001 – 2006]
Associate Pastor, Concord Baptist Church of Christ, Brooklyn, NY [1998 – 2000]
Seminary Intern, Machakos Town Baptist Church, Kenya, East Africa;
[Summer 1998]
Seminary Intern, Hallelujah Worship! Princeton University Religious Life
Department, Princeton, NJ [1997 – 1998]
Associate Minister, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Waco, TX [1993 – 1996]
Denominational Endorsement:
Licensed [October 1993]
Ordained [September 1997]
AWARDS AND HONORS
HU-Teach Award, Center for Excellence Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, Course Redesign (online teaching), [Summer 2015].
Andrew Mellon Fellowship (inaugural class), Summer Faculty Scholars Award, Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University, [Summer 2013].
Emerging Scholar Award, Faculty Senate, Howard University, [2011].
Honorable Mention, Outstanding Syllabus Award, Howard University’s Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Assessment (CETLA), [2007].
Dissertation Fellowship, The Fund for Theological Education, [2005 –2006].
Princeton Doctoral Fellowship in Practical Theology, Princeton Theological
Seminary, [2000 – 2004].
Doctoral Grant, American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, [2000].
Full-Tuition Grant, Princeton Theological Seminary, [1996 – 1999].
The David B. Watermulder Prize in Church Leadership, Princeton Theological Seminary, [1999].
Jagow Prize in Homiletics and Speech, Princeton Theological Seminary, [1999].
Jagow Scholarship in Preaching, Princeton Theological Seminary, [1998].
SCHOLARSHIP AND PUBLICATIONS
1. Book Publications
The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching (Fortress Press: Minneapolis, 2011) 170 pp.
This practical theology homiletics text analyzes the biblical, theological and sociocultural elements appearing in African American preaching in North America. Apart from its critique of contemporary homiletics, this book asserts that the survival of both Black churches and African America at large is tied to preachers recovering a trivocal approach to preaching that incorporates the scriptural voices of prophet, priest, and sage: three distinctive hallmarks of the African American pulpit. This first volume is a constructive effort to examine the historical contributions of African American preaching, the challenges it faces today, and how it might become a renewed source of healing and strength for at-risk communities and churches.
A Pursued Justice: Black Preaching from the Great Migration to Civil Rights (Baylor Press, Fall 2016) 210 pp.
This book profiles three ecclesiastically inventive clerics of the first half of the twentieth century whose strident voices gave birth to a distinctive form of prophetic preaching. Their radical response to injustice and suffering, both in and out of the Black church, not only captured the hopeful imaginations of participants in the largest internal mass migration in American history but inspired the homiletical vision of Martin L. King, Jr. and subsequent generations of preachers of civil disobedience.
Exodus Preaching: Crafting Sermons about Justice and Hope(Abingdon Press, Spring 2018). 135 pp.
This practical companion is an exploration of the African American prophetic rhetorical traditions in a manner that makes features of these traditions relevant to a broad audience beyond the African American traditions. It provides readers a composite picture of the nature, meaning, and relevance of prophetic preaching as spoken Word of justice and hope in a society of growing pluralism and the world-shaping phenomenon of racial, economic, and cultural diversity.
This book details, distinctively, the symbolic significance African American preachers have invested in the Exodus story, the messianic witness of Jesus, and the prophetic literature for developing and shaping sermons. Included in the book are dozens of practical suggestions and five practical exercises to equip the reader for preaching in new ways and in new environments.
2. Published Essays/Book Reviews/Articles
Juried Essays
“From King to Common: Exodus Imagery and Sermonic Lyricism in the Age of Hip-Hop,”Liturgy, Vol. 32, no. 2. [2017].
“Making the Unseen Seen: Pedagogy and Aesthetics in African American Prophetic Preaching,” Homiletic,Vol. 34, no. 2[2009]. URL:http://ejournals.library.vanderbilt.edu/homiletic/viewarticle.php?id=96&layout= abstract
“The Prophetic and The Priestly: Reclaiming Preaching as Practical Theology.” Koinonia XVI: The Princeton Seminary Graduate Forum[2004], 118 – 39. URL: http://www.ptsem.edu/koinonia/index.html.
Book Reviews
Paula McGee, “Brand® New Theology: The Wal-Martization of T. D. Jakes and the New Black Church” in Theology Today, Vol. 75, no. 3, [Oct. 28] pp. 406-408. URL: https://journals-sagepub-com.proxyhu.wrlc.org/doi/pdf/10.1177/0040573618787747e
Frank A. Thomas, “Introduction to The Practice of African American Preaching,” Encounter, Christian Theological Seminary [2017].
Dale P. Andrews and Robert London Smith, Jr., eds., “Black Practical Theology,” Homiletic, Vol. 40, no. 2[2015].
Adam L. Bond, “The Imposing Preacher: Samuel DeWitt Proctor and Black Public Faith,” Homiletic,Vol. 39, no. 2[2014].
Duncan MacPherson, “The Splendour of the Preachers: New Approaches to Liturgical Preaching,” Homiletic, Vol. 38, no. 2[2013]. URL: http://www.homiletic.net/ojs/index.php/homiletic/article/view/3879
Michael Walzer, “In God’s Shadow: Politics in the Hebrew Bible,” Homiletic, Vol. 38, no. 2[2013]. URL: http://www.homiletic.net/ojs/index.php/homiletic/article/view/3870.
Book Reviews (External Reviewers)
Exodus Preaching: Crafting Sermon about Justice and Hope
David Schnasa Jacobsen, Homiletic, Vol. 43, no. 2[2018].
A Pursued Justice: Black Preaching from the Great Migration to Civil Rights
Richard Lischer, “Preaching in the Promised Land,” Christian Century, [May 2017]. URL: https://www.christiancentury.org/review/preaching-promised-land
Andrew Wilkes, “Crafting the Prophetic Voice,” Sojourners, [January 2017].
URL: https://sojo.net/magazine/january-2017/crafting-prophetic-voice
J.B. Blue, Homiletic, Vol. 41, no. 2[2016].
URL: http://www.homiletic.net/index.php/homiletic/article/view/4323
The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching
Brandon McCormick, Homiletic, Vol. 36, no. 1 [2011].
URL: http://www.homiletic.net/index.php/homiletic/article/view/3447/1653
Michael D. Royster, “The Trivocal Approach,” Expository Times, Vol. 123: 45[August 2011].
URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00145246111230010705
Timone A. Davis, “The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching,” New Testament Review[2011]. URL: http://augsburgfortress.org/media/downloads/9780800696276Reviewnewtestamentreview.pdf
Book Endorsements (Others Works)
Leah D. Schade, Preaching in the Purple Zone (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2019).
Frank A. Thomas, How to Preach a Dangerous Sermon (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2018).
Paul Scott Wilson, Four Pages of the Sermon (revised) (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press 2018).
Alyce M. McKenzie, Making a Scene in the Pulpit(Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press 2018).
Marvin M. McMickle, The Making of the Preacher (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press 2018).
Song Park, King’s Speech (Eugene: OR, Cascade Books 2018).
David Schnasa Jacobsen, Theologies of the Gospel in Context: The Crux of Homiletical Theology, Vol. 3 (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books 2017).
Frank A. Thomas, An Introduction to African American Preaching (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press 2016).
Jared E. Alcántara, Learning from a Legend: What Gardner C. Taylor Can Teach Us About Preaching (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books 2016).
Book Chapters/Articles
“What is Exodus Preaching?” Ministry Matters (August 20, 2018).
“Relentless Hope: Prophetic Imagination in a Time of Despair,” Sojourners Magazine, (January 2018).
“Hidden Figures: Black Women Who Spoke Truth to Power,” Big Story AP -Associated Press, (February 15, 2017).
“What Shaped Martin Luther King’s Prophetic Vision?” New Republic, (January 16, 2017).
“Prophetic Preaching and Theological Reflection” in T&T Clark Companion to African American Theology, eds. Frederick L. Ware, Antonia M. Daymond, and Eric Lewis Williams (2018) submitted.
“A Promising Trivocal Hermeneutic for 21st Century Preaching: Justice, Transformation, and Hope,” in Toward a Homiletical Theology of Promise, The Promise of Theology series, Vol. 4, ed. David Schnasa Jacobsen (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2018).
“Making the Unseen Seen: Pedagogy and Aesthetics in African American Prophetic Preaching,” in Readings in African American Church Music ands Worship, Vol. 2, ed. James Abbington (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2014), 291-305.
“The Preached Word: Holistic Practices in Urban/Suburban Churches (Metropolitan Atlanta, GA),” in Equipping the Saints: Promising Practices in Black Churches and Communities: A Resource Guide (Lilly Institute Grant, National Research Project, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC, (October 2014).
“Suspicion,” in New Interpreter’s Bible Handbook of Preaching, eds. Paul Wilson, Jana Childers, Cleo LaRue and John Rottman (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008), 55-57.
“Practice Intergenerational Homiletical Brainstorming” – e-book contributor, Renew 52: 50 + Ideas to Revitalize Your Congregation from Leaders under 50, ed. by David J. Lose, (Minneapolis: Center for Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, 2012) 69-70.
Lectionary Essays
“Commentary 2: Connecting the Reading to the World, Luke 19: 1-10,” in Connections: A Lectionary Commentary Resource, Year C, Vol. 3,eds. Joel B. Green, Luke A. Powery, Thomas G. Long, and Cynthia Rigby (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press) submitted.
“Commentary 2: Connecting the Reading to the World, Luke 20: 27 -38,” in Connections: A Lectionary Commentary Resource, Year C, Vol. 3, eds. Joel B. Green, Luke A. Powery, Thomas G. Long, and Cynthia Rigby (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, in progress) submitted.
“Homiletical Perspective: Luke 11: 29-36,” in Feasting on the Gospels: Luke, Vol. 1, eds. Cynthia Jarvis and E. Elizabeth Johnson (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013) 320-325.
“Homiletical Perspective: Luke 11: 37-54,” in Feasting on the Gospels: Luke, Vol.1, eds. Cynthia Jarvis and E. Elizabeth Johnson (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013) 326-331.
“4thSunday in Lent after Epiphany: Micah 6: 1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31; Matthew 5: 1-12,” in Preaching God’s Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year A, eds. Dale P. Andrews, Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, and Ronald J. Allen (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013) 78-82.
“4thSunday in Lent after Epiphany: Jeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 71: 1-6; 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13; Luke 4: 21-30,” in Preaching God’s Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year C, eds. Ronald J. Allen, Dale P. Andrews, and Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012) 78 -82.
“4thSunday in Lent after Epiphany: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13; Mark 1:21-28,” in Preaching God’s Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year B, eds. Ronald J. Allen, Dale P. Andrews, and Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011) 82 – 87.
“Homiletical Perspective: Second Sunday in Lent – Genesis 15: 1-12,” in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol. 2, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008) 51, 53, 55.
“Homiletical Perspective: Third Sunday in Lent – Isaiah 55: 1-9,” in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol.2, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008) 75, 77, 79.
“Homiletical Perspective: Fourth Sunday in Lent – Joshua 5: 9-12,” in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol. 2, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008) 99, 101, 103.
Online Lectionary Essays
“A Service of Healing” — John 11: 28-44,) The African American Lectionary, Kelly Miller Smith Institute of Vanderbilt University [January 11, 2009].
URL: http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp?LRID=64.
“Ash Wednesday” (Luke 4: 1-13), The African American Lectionary, Kelly Miller Smith Institute of Vanderbilt University[February 25, 2009]. URL: http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp?LRID=71.
3. Published Sermons
“Competing Kingdoms,” (Matthew 4), Sermon, First Baptist Church, Washington, DC [October 10, 2018]. URL: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons
“Pinocchio Prophecy,” (Jeremiah 28), Sermon – on air, Day One.org[July 2, 2017]. URL: http://day1.org/7884-the_rev_dr_kenyatta_gilbert.
“People of the Lie,” Sermon, 50thAnniversary of the Martyrdom of El Hajj El Shabazz. Howard Thurman Chapel Service,Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [February 11, 2015].
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK9mE_pyqn8&feature=youtu.be
“How Shall We Live?” (Luke 11: 1-13), Sermon, Duke University Chapel Service, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina [July 28, 2013]. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1vT7o8g4l0
“The Buoyancy of Hope” (Genesis 15: 1-12), Sermon, ITunes podcast, Harvard Memorial Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts [February 24, 2013].
“We Have This Ministry ” (Romans 4:18-5:5), Howard Thurman Chapel Service, Howard University School of Divinity, Pinning Ceremony, Washington, DC [September 15, 2010]. Published in The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011).
“Blighted Hope” in Weekly Word: From the Professor’s Podium, Vol. XXI, no. 4, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [September 17, 2008], 1 – 2.
“The Giving Tree,” in Family Ministry: Empowering through Faith, Vol. 20, no. 3, Louisville, KY [Fall 2006], 41 – 45.
“A Date with Destiny,” in The Princeton Theological Review, Vol. 6, no. 2 and 3, Princeton, NJ [April/May 1999], 39 – 41.
4. Grant Projects
Faculty Collaborator—Atlanta, Georgia research team; Project: Equipping the Saints: Promising Practices in Black Congregational Life, Alton B. Pollard III, Principal Investigator, Howard University School of Divinity, funded by Lilly Endowment Grant [2012 -2015]. URL: http://blackcongregations.org
Recipient, First Book Grant for Minority Scholars, Louisville Institute, Project: “Cry Out! Prophetic Word and African American Preaching,” [2009 – 2010].
PRESENTATIONS
Endowed Lectures
“Hidden Figures: Black Prophets Before and Beyond King,” Aggie Agora Friday Lecture Series, Texas A&M College of Liberal Arts, College Station, TX [September 27, 2017]. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTOc6j3QZo4&t=3030s
“A Promising Trivocal Hermeneutic for 21stCentury Preaching, Part I and II,” The Bishop Alfred E. and Mamie White Endowed Heritage Lecture Series, Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC [February 10-11, 2017].
Lectures
“No Excuses Accepted” – 8-Week Bible Study, Fall Bible Institute, People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD [2018].
Men’s Fellowship Three-Part Lecture Series, Lecture 1 – “Practicing What is Preached: The Prophetic Challenge for Black Evangelicals,” Lecture 2 – “Practicing What we Preach: The Black Church’s Prophetic Ministry in America,” Lecture 3 – “Practicing Where we Preach: Community-Shaped Prophetic Evangelism,” People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD. [December 7, 2016, January 4, 2017, March 25, 2017].
“Four Tasks of Sermon Preparation,” Lecture, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC [November 19, 2015].
“Exodus Imagery and Sermonic Lyricism,” Black Religious Scholars Group Consultation, West Mitchell CME Church, Atlanta, GA [November 20, 2015].
“The Art of Black Preaching,” Lecture, 10thAnnual Conference on Black Preaching, Baptist University of the Americas, San Antonio, TX [September 1-2, 2015].
“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop: Prophetic Preaching and King’s Death Instinct,” Faculty-Student Colloquium, Lecture, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [February 25, 2015].
“Preaching Theodicy: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” Lecture, The Charles E. Booth Preaching Conference, Columbus, OH [May 21, 2014].
“The Bastardization of the Prophetic Word,” Lecture, E.L. Harrison and John D. Bussey Lecture and Preaching Series, Missionary Baptist Ministers Conference of Washington, DC and Vicinity, Washington, DC [May 19, 2014].
“We Wear the Masks,”Lecture, E.L. Harrison and John D. Bussey Lecture and Preaching Series, Missionary Baptist Ministers Conference of Washington, DC and Vicinity, Washington, DC [May 20, 2013].
“The Trivocal Impulse: A Call to Holistic Preaching,” Lecture, Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA [February 25, 2013].
“Faces of the Black Preacher,” Lecture, Harvard Memorial Church, Cambridge, MA [February 24, 2013].
“The Future of African American Preaching,” Lecture, Preaching in the African American Tradition course, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA [December 11, 2012].
“What is Prophetic Preaching?” Lecture, Worship as Resistance course, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ [February 16, 2012].
“Practices of Freedom and Justice: The Black Diaspora,” Lecture, Freshmen Seminars, Howard University, Ernest Just Hall, Washington, DC [October 1, 2012].
“Prophetic Preaching in the Urban Situation,” Lecture, H.J. Morris Living Laboratory of Black Church Praxis, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Vallejo, CA [April 21, 2012].
“We Wear the Masks,” Lecture, Reading Group, Samuel Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA [February 24, 2012].
“Prophetic Preaching in African America,” Lecture, Preaching in the African American Tradition course, Dr. Wayne Croft, Sr., Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA [December 13, 2011].
Sermons/Addresses/Workshops
Sermon, Thanksgiving Worship Service, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Houston, TX [November 20, 2018].
Sermon, Pastoral Installation Service, Rev. James Buck, Jr. Grace Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA [April 30, 2017].
The Preaching Project, Spring Workshops, People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD [April 8 and June 17, 2017].
“Attending to the Little Graces,” Keynote Address, Baylor Black Alumni Gala: Honoring Robert L. Gilbert and Black Firsts, Baylor University, Bill Daniel Student Center, Waco, TX [November 17, 2017].
Sermon, Thanksgiving Worship Service, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Houston, TX [November 20, 2016].
“Homiletics Lab,” Workshop, DC Baptist 140thAnnual Gathering, The People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD [October 28, 2016].
“Leadership and Ethical Decision Making,” National Forum of Black Public Administrators, Workshop, Howard University, Washington, DC [September 16, 2016].
“A Personal Narrative: Love of God, Family, Self, and Neighbor,” Keynote Address, Men’s Ministry Conference, First Mount Zion Baptist Church, Dumfries, VA [September 10, 2016].
“Real Presence,” Sermon, Sundays at Montreat, Montreat, NC [July 24, 2016]. URL: https://montreat.org/?s=Kenyatta+Gilbert
“The Basics of Sermon Preparation,” Workshop,E.K. Bailey Conference of Expository Preaching, Dallas, TX [July 12-14, 2016].
URL: http://ekbpc.com/speakers/
“The Death Chase,” Sermon, Sunday Worship Service, Grace Episcopal Church, Silver Spring, MD [June 19, 2016].
“Exodus Preaching: Shaping Sermons for the Here and Now” and “From Exploration to Proclamation: Preparing a Trivocal Homiletic Plan,” Workshops, Engle Institute of Preaching. Faculty, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ [June 12-16, 2016]. URL: https://coned.ptsem.edu/kenyatta-gilbert/
“The Church that Shall Survive,” Sermon, 97th Church Anniversary. Takoma Park Baptist Church, Takoma, MD [June 12, 2016].
“What a Mother Failed to See” (John 19: 25- 27), Sermon, Holy Week Service, Calvary Baptist Church, Plainfield, NJ [March 24, 2016].
“When Courage Loses Confidence” (Deuteronomy 1), Sermon, Sunday Worship Service, Olive Branch Community Church, Burtonsville, MD [January 17, 2016].
“Seeing Straight in a Crooked World” (Habbakuk 3), Sermon, Annual Men’s Day, People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD [October 18, 2015].
“People of the Lie,” Sermon, 50thAnniversary of the Martyrdom of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X), Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC. [February 17, 2015].
“Devising a Homiletical Plan.” Lecture, Austin Presbyterian Seminary, Austin, TX [February 16, 2015].
“Simply, Too Common” (Luke 11: 37-54), Sermon, Chapel Service, Perkins Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX [February 6, 2015].
“Preaching Weddings and Funerals,” Workshop, Perkins Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX [February 6, 2015].
“When Courage Loses Confidence,” Sermon, MLK Sunday@TheHill, First Baptist Church of Hillside, Hillside, NJ [January 18, 2015].
“Unmasking the Powers: Preaching and Teaching Social Justice,” Workshop, Black Church Center Conference, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD [December 4, 2014].
“Devising a Homiletical Plan” and “The Person of the Preacher,” Workshops, Capital District A.M.E. Christian Education Conference [November 1, 2014].
“Making a Difference with the Life You Live,” Ephesians 4: 1-3, Sermon, Annual Men’s Day, Mount Zion Pentecostal Church, Washington, DC [October 25, 2014].
“Preaching for Wholeness,” Workshop, Equipping the Saints: Promising Practices in Black Congregational Life, Alumni Convocation, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [October 16, 2014].
Sermon, Homecoming Worship Service, Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Washington, DC [September 21, 2014].
“Metanoiete Kai Poiesate Karpon,” Sermon, Great Preacher Series, First BaptistChurch of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset, NJ, Morning Worship, 7 am and 11 am [September 14, 2014].
“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People,” Lecture, Charles Booth Preaching Conference, Columbus, OH [May 24, 2014].
Sermon, Sunday Worship Service, Byrd Grove Baptist Church, Kents Store, VA [March 9, 2014].
“Simply, too Common,” Sermon, Princeton University Chapel Worship Service, Princeton, NJ [February 23, 2014].
“Celebrating our History by Praising God,” Keynote Address,Annual Prayer Breakfast, The People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD [February 22, 2014].
Sermon, Homecoming Worship Service, Queens Chapel United Methodist Church, Beltsville, MD [October 20, 2013].
“The Mission: Choose to Accept Your Assignment,” Sermon, Men’s and Women’s Conference, First Mount Zion Baptist Church, Dumfries, VA [September 14, 2013].
“Pastoral Renewal Conference and Church Leaders’ Gathering: At the Heart of Leadership.” Princeton Theological Seminary Continuing Education Program, First Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Dumfries, VA [July 20, 2013].
“The Power of a Promise” (Genesis 15: 1-12), Sermon, Sunday Worship Service, Olive Branch Community Church, Sermon, Sandy Spring, MD [February 17, 2013].
“Preacher as Prophet, Priest, and Sage,” Workshop, Black Alumni Reunion, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ [July 27, 2012].
Sermon, Sunday Worship Service, Promised Land Baptist Church, Washington, DC [July 15, 2012].
“Naming Reality in a World of Compassion Fatigue,” Sermon, Philadelphia Fight’s 13thAnnual Prevention and Outreach Summit, AIDS Education Month, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA [June 11, 2012].
“The Character to See it Through,” Sermon, 40thChurch Anniversary Worship Service, Prince George’s Community Church, Bowie, MD [May 6, 2012].
“The Art and Science of Black Preaching,” Workshop, Ministerial Association of Northeastern Conference, Seventh-Day Adventist, Brooklyn, NY [April 24, 2012].
Sermon, Worship Service, 64thChurch Anniversary, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Vallejo, CA [April 22, 2012].
“A Differential Diagnosis” (1 Corinthians 13: 1-7), Keynote Address, Philadelphia Fight’s 1st Annual HIV/AIDS Faith Leaders and Community Summit, 1st District Plaza, Philadelphia, PA [June 11, 2011].
“Don’t Wake the City” (Luke 19:28b-40), Sermon, Palm Sunday Service, Trinity Episcopal Church, Washington, DC [April 17, 2011].
“Living Above the Mountaintop” (1 John 4: 7-8), Keynote Address, Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon, Cashion Academic Center, Baylor University, Waco, TX [January 19, 2011]. URL: baylorlariat.com/2011/01/20/1109/ [January 20, 2011].
“The Courage to Move Out” Sermon, (Deuteronomy 1:6-8), Miller Chapel Service, 9am; 10am; and 11am, Baylor University, Waco, TX [January 19, 2011].
“We Have This Ministry” Sermon, Pinning Ceremony, Thurman Chapel Service, Howard University School of Divinity[September 15, 2010].
“Mind the Gap” (Mark 15: 42-47, 16:1-8), Sermon, Easter Sunrise Service, Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Howard University,Washington, DC, Sunday, 7am [April 12, 2009].
“Travel Light and Live with Few Regrets,” Keynote Address, Ralph Bunche Retreat, Howard University, Leesburg, VA [October 5, 2018].
“Conquering Canaan-like Complexes” (Joshua 5:9-12), Sermon, Howard Thurman Chapel, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [April 23, 2008].
“Blighted Hope” (Philippians 4: 10-13), Sermon, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Word of Truth, Residential Conference, The Cathedral College of Preachers, Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC [April 3, 2008].
“Accept No Excuses” Keynote Address, Kente Graduation Ceremony, Baylor University, Waco, TX [April 29, 2006].
“Spooling: Reaching and Reflecting,” Keynote Address, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration,Baylor University, Waco, TX [January 22, 2002].
Papers
“From King to Common: Exodus Imagery and Sermonic Lyricism,” Performance workgroup paper, Academy of Homiletics 50thAnnual Meeting, Nashville, TN [November 21, 2015].
“Trivocal Preaching in African America: Recovering the Preacher’s Voice,” Justice, Ethics and Preaching workgroup paper, Academy of Homiletics Annual Meeting: Preaching and the News, Atlanta, GA [November 2010].
“We Wear the Masks: Faces of the Black Preacher,” SBL Paper: Homiletics and Bible Study Section, Atlanta, GA, Hanover Hall F [November 2010].
“The Prophetic and Priestly Word: Reclaiming the Preaching Ministry,” Preaching and Hermeneutics workgroup paper, Academy of Homiletics 2008 Annual Meeting: Preaching and Violence, Boston, Mass. [December 2008].
Panel Presentations/Interviews/Podcasts
Interview, “What is Exodus Preaching?” The Meeting Housewith Dwight A. Moody, Radio [May 10, 2018].
Interview, “CBF Podcast with Andy Hale,” Cooperative Baptist Fellowship[May 2, 2018].
Interview, “A Conversation with Fred Stella,” Part I and II, Common Threads, WGVU Public Media Radio[March 19/26, 2018]. URL: http://wgvunews.org/post/dr-kenyatta-gilbert; URL: http://wgvunews.org/post/dr-kenyatta-gilbert-part-ii
Interview, “Conversation on Black Preaching,” The Witness: Pass the Mic Podcast with Tyler Burns[February 2018]. URL: https://soundcloud.com/passthemicpodcast/a-conversation-on-black-preaching-with-dr-kenyatta-gilbert
Interview, “The Dream and the Preacher King,” Give and Take Podcast with Scott Colins Jones, Episode 75[January 2018]. URL: https://giveandtake.fireside.fm/75.
Interview, “A Conversation with Walter Brueggemann and Kenyatta Gilbert,” Sojourners [December 13, 2017]. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-rVAtK5gPo&t=1s
Panelist, “To Serve and Protect,” Girl Scout Award Forum, Gandhi Brigade Youth Media, Silver Spring, MD [June 5, 2017].
Panelist, “Preaching Exodus as a Paradigm for Liberation,” Society of Biblical Literature -Homiletics Section, The Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, TX [November 2016].
Interview, “A History of Prophetic Black Preaching that Doesn’t Start or End with Dr. King,” in Religion Dispatches[August 26, 2016]. URL: http://religiondispatches.org/author/kenyatta_gilbert/.
Panelist, “The Value of Using the Lectionary,” The Black Ministers Conference of Montgomery County, The People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD [May 5, 2016].
On-air guest, “Open Letter to Donald Trump” The Perri Small Show, Talk of Chicago, WVON 1630AM[December 10, 2015].
“Black Pastors Rail Against Closed-Door Meeting with Trump, Citing Racist Language and Incitement,” Interview, ThinkProgress.org, Alice Ollstein.
URL:http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/11/30/3726336/trump-black-pastors/[November 30, 2015].
Panelist, “The Preacher’s Words Matter” Equipping the Saints: Promising Practices in Black Congregational Life, Alumni Convocation, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [October 16, 2014].
Panelist, “Houses of Worship: A Forum for Creative Expression,” Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Washington, DC [March 29, 2011].
Guest, One Nation: Religion and Politics: “Assessing the State of the Union Address,” Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly, Wesley Seminary at Mt. Vernon Square, Washington, DC [January 26, 2011].
URL: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/assessing-the-state-of-the-union-address/8007/[January 27, 2011].
On-air guest, “The State of the Black Church in America,” Show #16, Interfaith Voices, WAMU 88.5, American University, Washington, DC [April 14, 2010].
URL: http://interfaithradio.org/node/1299[April 2010].
Panelist, “Battling ‘Almighty Debt,” CNN Special Screening, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC [2010].
Panelist, Our Live Public Forum “Religion in 2008 Election,” Interfaith Voices WAMU.88.5, All Souls Unitarian Church, Washington, DC [June 4, 2008]. URL: http://www.interfaithradio.org/node/499 [June 12, 2008].
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Society of Biblical Literature [member 2008 – present]
Society of the Study of Black Religion [member 2009 – present]
American Academy of Religion [member 2005 – present]
Academy of Homiletics [member 2000 – present]; Executive Secretary, Black Caucus [2014 –2015]; Vice-President, [2015 – 2016]; President, Black Caucus [2017-2020]
Day One.org Board Member [2017 – present]
SERVICE
Howard University School of Divinity
Faculty Coordinator, Seminarians’ Day of Preaching [F/S 2009-present]
Moderator, SGA Student Forum [2018]
Member, Religious Education Search Committee [2017]
Chair, Master of Divinity Committee [2016 – present]
Moderator, Faculty- Student Colloquium [Spring 2017]
Chair, Convocation and Lectures [2015]
Chair, Lectures Committee [2014]
Faculty Secretary[Spring 2013]
Chair, Pastoral Theology, Care, and Counseling Search [Spring 2013]
Member, Academic Affairs Committee [2012]
Member, Chapel Worship and Lectures Committee [2012]
Chair, Admissions and Recruitment Committee [2011 – 2013]
Member, Governance, Mission, and Evaluation (Self-study) Subcommittee [2011- 2012]
Member, Convocation Committee [2011 – 2012]
Chair, Chapel Worship and Lectures Committee [2010 – 2011]
Member, Grievance Committee [2010 – 2011]
On-site Coordinator, Metropolitan Interdenominational Center Technical Assistance – MICTAN, HIV/AIDS seminars [2010 – 2011]
Chair, Financial Aid Committee [2008 – 2009]
Chapel Coordinator [2009]
Chair, Chapel Worship and Lectures Committee [2007 – 2009]
Howard University
Voting Member, Dean Search Advisory Committee [2017]
Voting Member, Provost Search Committee [2014]
Voting Member, Faculty Handbook Revision Committee [2011-12]
Faculty Panel Judge, Graduate Research Day [2009]
Faculty Participant, Humanities Seminar [2009]
W.E.B. DuBois Scholars Program, Princeton, NJ
Faculty [Summer 2003]
Princeton Theological Seminary
Member, Taskforce on Racial Reconciliation [1997]
President, Association of Black Seminarians [1997 – 1998]
Member, Black Concerns Council [1997 – 1998]
Member, Koinonia Graduate Student Fellowship [2000 – 2007]
Ecumenical/Ecclesial Works
“Day One: Being Still” All-In: 21 Day Lenten Devotional, eds., Kenyatta R. Gilbert and Darchelle Green, People’s Community Baptist Church [2016].
Consulting Reader, 2 Kings, for Common English Bible, eds., David L. Petersen, Joel B. Green, Elizabeth Caldwell and David deSilva. (Nashville: The Christian Resources Development Corp., 2011).
Contributor to Liberation and Unity: A Lenten Devotional Guide, ed., Rev. Michael E. Livingston. (Princeton, NJ: The Consultation on Church Union, February 25, 1998).
CREATIVE WORKS
The Preaching Project: Restoring Communities Through Spoken Word [2011 – present]
The Preaching Project, an on-line teaching instrument, provides theological and practical guidance for Christian preaching; fosters intergenerational dialogue within a respectful and theologically-diverse community of clergy and scholars; devises useful strategies to address the myriad crisis points affecting the health of African American “villages” and promotes the nurture of the preaching life of ministers serving African American churches and communities.