Ken Kinton is an ordained Protestant minister. He has served in the U.S. Navy, and was deployed in the Indian Ocean during the Iran hostage crisis in 1980. Kinton returned to school at 44 years of age after discerning a call to ministry. After receiving a B.S. in Liberal Studies from Medaille College, in Buffalo, NY in 2001 he entered seminary studies at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY. He received a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry in 2003 and a M.Div. in 2006. In 2008 Kinton began studies toward a D.Min at Liberty University with a concentration in Expository and Evangelistic Preaching. He anticipates completing the degree in 2011.
Rev. Kinton has developed and used the preaching method described in his book From Narrative to Homily, not only in his academic pursuits, but in his ministry. It has been instrumental in making him a more effective preacher. His main interest, however, is to help other preachers reach their audiences, and to further the work of the church in the world today. Rev. Kinton believes that narrative preaching is one of the most powerful ways to revitalize the preaching ministry of the Christian church if it is to reach people for Christ. He lives in the Buffalo, New York area with his wife Connie and his two children, where he is active in various civic and church organizations.
Book Recap:
If people are to be truly engaged in the preaching event, and are to experience true transformation, they must feel they are a part of the sermon rather than merely spectators. From Narrative to Homily is concerned with preaching biblical narratives in a sermon setting by reaching people on a level that will resonate with their life experiences. Each of us is impacted at some level by religion, society, and politics. From Narrative to Homily examines and discusses biblical narratives from these three perspectives. It is imperative that we compare and contrast the religious, societal, and political events that shaped Scripture without turning the Bible into a political manifesto for the church today. This book allows readers to understand and emulate the approach that Jesus took toward religion, society, and politics and reflect His passion for social justice, and for the kingdom of God. Ultimately, this book is not about how to preach, but why we are called to preach, and what we ought to be preaching about if real transformation is to take place.
Possible Interview Topics:
The Call to Preach
Preaching that Transforms Lives
Society, Religion and Politics: What Does the Bible Say?
“I Can Relate to that:” Sermons that Resonate with Listeners
Endorsements:
"Ken Kinton has provided an easily readable text that will enable preachers to situate Scripture accounts in such a way as to permit access to those deeper layers of meaning."
Susan K. Roll
Professor, Faculty of Theology
Saint Paul University
Ottawa, Canada
Full review follows...
"The task of the homilist is to unfold the deeper levels of meaning in the Scripture readings of the day and to enable the listeners to apply these insights both to their own lives and to a range of larger ethical issues of our time – and to do that within a short speaking time. While many congregants tend to hear the Scripture readings on a literal level, the richest vein of wisdom and insight usually lies below the surface. Ancient customs unfamiliar to us, confusing turns of phrase, even the literary genres used by the writers of Scripture and the way they affect the text – all of these can prove puzzling for beginning students of the Bible as well as those preparing for formal ministry.
Ken Kinton has provided an easily readable text that will enable preachers to situate Scripture accounts in such a way as to permit access to those deeper layers of meaning. He provides not only a wealth of information to help situate key Scripture passages but homily models to illustrate how a preacher can negotiate the transition from the written word of two millenia ago to the spoken word today. Each chapter contains questions for consideration that can be used to stimulate discussion in a study group or church Bible study.
His book will prove particularly helpful for those such as deacons who undertake ministry without extensive or demanding academic preparation, as well as for students just beginning a formal acquaintance with the rich stories and powerful truths enfolded within the covers of their Bible."
Susan K. Roll Professor, Faculty of Theology
Saint Paul University
Ottawa, Canada
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