AU SOTCM Creates James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching
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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry (SOTCM) is pleased to announce the initial steps in the fulfillment of the Lilly Grant for Compelling Preaching. Step one is the creation of the James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching at the SOTCM. The objective of the Center will be to build resources and provide meaningful education and mentoring opportunities that will cultivate the skills and spiritual maturing necessary to meet the preaching needs within the Church of God.
Named after the former dean of the School of Theology, renowned preacher, scholar, author, and speaker on the Christian Brotherhood Hour, the James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching will provide opportunities for pastors and leaders within the Church of God to be trained in preaching methods and homiletical theology, and address key areas of needs in the pulpit in order to better understand the state of preaching in the Church of God and other churches with affinity to AU.
“We are pleased to announce this new Center for Compelling Preaching in honor of Dr. James Massey, one of the most gifted, inspiring preachers in the history of the Church of God movement,” said Anderson University President John Pistole. “Dr Massey’s service on campus was transformational for many students, faculty and other staff, whether through his preaching, or through his individual and small group conversations. Our hope and prayer is that many current and future students will be blessed through the work at this center.”
In addition, the James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching will add to and continue the legacy and preaching ministry of Dr. Massey. Named one of the most influential preachers of the last half of the 20th century by Christianity Today in 2006, the impact of Dr. Massey on the Church of God and beyond has been immeasurable. The author of 18 books on preaching and numerous scholarly articles and papers, Dr. Massey was known affectionately as the “Prince of Preachers.”
Surviving members of the Massey family, including Placidia Frierson (Gwen Massey’s niece) and Rev. Michael Massey (Dr. Massey’s nephew and a Church of God pastor in Detroit) expressed their excitement that Dr. Massey’s legacy will continue to live on through the Preaching Center.
The Center intends to work with the AU archives (the repository of Dr. Massey’s papers) to provide access to documents, recordings, and original materials related to his preaching efforts and experience. These materials will provide scholars, students, and those interested in the teaching ministry of Dr. Massey with recorded sermons and teaching sessions, documents penned by Dr. Massey, and even sermon notes for use in their research pursuits. Even more, the James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching will spearhead the training arm of the $1.25 million Lilly Grant designed to increase the understanding of preaching for Church of God pastors, associate pastors, ministers, lay ministers, students, and others with a kinship towards the Church of God and Anderson University.
In a second major step, Dr. Jeffrey W. Frymire, a pupil and mentee of Dr. Massey, will direct the Lilly Preaching Grant and be the full-time director of the Center. Frymire is an AU and SOTCM graduate and a long-time Church of God pastor and educator who has pastored Church of God congregations in Pennsylvania, Florida, Indiana, and California, as well as having taught preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary, Princeton Seminary, and Asbury Theological Seminary.
“Dr. Jeff Frymire is uniquely positioned to launch and lead the James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching at AU,” said Dr. Nathan Willowby, dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. “Dr. Frymire brings to the present, many of the gifts and relationships that Dr. Massey had: experience and influence across the breadth of the Church of God, books on preaching, and pastoral and higher education experience and excellence. I am excited for the ways Jeff will help current and future pastors grow in their preaching as one of Dr. Massey’s students and mentees carries forward the torch of influence that has been so significant in the Church of God and across Christian preaching.”
Frymire will take on the threefold goals of the Center: research to understand; workshops to engage; and coaching to equip. As part of his duties, he will spearhead the development of a group of scholars and writers to research the current state and needs of preaching within the Church of God; provide teaching opportunities, coordinate a group of leading teachers of preaching for educational purposes, and train pastors using conferences, workshops, and clinics (including bringing back the National Preaching Clinic that was a staple of Dr. Massey’s training of pastors for more than a decade); and develop preaching cohort groups, mentoring opportunities, and coaching occasions for Church of God pastors, associate pastors, lay ministers, students, and ministers-in-training.
“It is one of the great honors of my life to help influence the next generation of preachers in the same way Dr. Massey influenced me and my generation,” said Frymire.
What they’re saying about the naming of the Preaching Center in Dr. Massey’s honor and the appointment of Dr. Jeff Frymire…
“I am elated and expectant at the news of the newly formed James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching at AU’s SOTCM. While Dr. Massey, our Prince of Preachers, stands at the helm of our long history as an institution and tradition of forming women and men for the art and craft of the preaching, Dr. Jeff Frymire is also among those gifted and called who have served the task and the church with distinction. This Center and its leadership both honor what we celebrate as our legacy at AU’s SOTCM and, what we believe is our bright hope for the future.” – Dr. Kimberly Majeski, executive director of Christian Women Connection
“I am greatly encouraged that the impactful legacy of Dr. James Earl Massey will be perpetuated to future generations through the training of men and women to effectively proclaim the gospel. Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Frymire in being selected as the initial leader of this significant undertaking.” – Rev. Clifton McDowell, National Association presiding elder
“James Earl Massey’s impact in the Church of God and on the discipline of preaching are far-reaching and continual. A new generation of faithful preachers will be enriched by his legacy through the Center under Dr. Jeffrey Frymire’s able leadership.” – Dr. Leanne Ketchum, assistant professor of preaching and practical theology at Anderson University
“I am excited about the opportunity for preachers to be encouraged and better equipped through the newly established James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching. Under the sterling leadership of Rev. Dr. Jeffery Frymire, the institute will breathe life and learning into pulpits across the nation, bringing fresh insights and sharpened skills to our brothers and sisters who are called to preach the word of God.” – Rev. Dr. Charles Myricks, Jr., Anderson University trustee and senior pastor of the Arlington Church of God
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.