Matthew D. Kim and Paul A. Hoffman, Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity (Baker Academic, 2022).

What's the primary argument of your book?

My co-author (Dr. Matt Kim) and I believe pastors and preachers are called by God to promote the gospel of reconciliation. They can do so by following an actionable, seven-step model that will equip them to proclaim healing and peace to their fractured churches and world. The steps are: the theological, contextual, personal, positional, methodological, practical, and categorical.

All preaching starts with Scripture (the theological step). In particular, we present a reconciling metanarrative that can be used to convey the grand story of the Bible. We then move onto examining our local and national history (contextual step), pursuing maturity in Christ through spiritual disciplines (the personal step), embracing the role of the Holy Spring to bring conviction and change (the positional step), focus on what unites us, including shared doctrines, shared identity, shared mission and shared experiences (the methodological step), engage in particular pre-sermon, mid-sermon, and post-sermon practices (the practical step), and regularly proclaim salient texts and themes (the categorical step). 

What led you to study this subject?

We felt compelled to co-write this book because, like so many others, we have been deeply disheartened by the rancorous divisions tearing apart the body of Christ in the USA, and beyond. Our divides are tragic because they break God’s heart, discredit our gospel witness and deny our identity in Christ and the reality of Heaven. The Scriptures teach we are united as one body in Christ (cf. Jn. 15, Eph. 2, 1 Cor. 12) and that in Heaven right now, every tribe, tongue, nation and people group are worshipping the Lamb (Rev. 7:9).

How does your book contribute to the field?

This book presents a fresh, robust, and practical pathway that will equip speakers and leaders with the tools needed to confront the four “isms” bedeviling Western culture: ethnocentrism, sexism, classism, and partisanism. Moreover, this book is an exercise in hopeful realism: on one hand, it identifies the ugliness of our divisions; on the other hand, it retains a dogged faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his mandate for Christians and churches to embrace and embody the message and ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5). 

This book is not just for preachers. It is for ministry leaders and Christians who care deeply about cultivating reconciliation and unity in our churches and communities. We think the book has a broad appeal and application. 

What does it mean to you to be a scholar in the Wesleyan tradition?

This is a great question! I would like to reframe it a bit. I am convinced my scholarship and ministry were enriched by my PhD residencies at NTC. Being immersed in the Wesleyan culture and community the school affords was a special gift. That said, this query calls for more reflection on my part and I am on it!  At the same time, I must say I also benefited from the diversity of students (theologically, geographically, etc.) I met, befriended, interacted with, and learned from. I am so grateful for NTC!

How do you see your scholarly work as part of your ministry?

I try to keep both entities integrated and mutually informing. For instance, I am a pastor and much of my scholarship is rooted in theological reflection on my ministry work. As I reflect on my pastoral responsibilities and efforts, my scholarship challenges and deepens it. Simultaneously, I pray my ministry keeps my scholarship honest and grounded. Let’s be clear: this is far easier said than done! That’s why my ultimate goal is to maintain a continual dialogue between scholarship and ministry. 

What are some of the differences between writing a doctoral thesis and writing a scholarly monograph?

Since I completed my thesis, I have written two books: the first is a popular-level book (Reconciling Places, Cascade Books, 2020) and the second book is an academic-ish book. So technically, I have not written a monograph. However, I can say this: since completing my doctoral studies, I have felt more freedom to write in my more natural voice, rather than a more confined, academic voice. In my first book I struggled with the transition to discover and articulate my voice. I think I hit the mark with my second book.  

What made NTC and Manchester ideal places to undertake your doctoral studies?

So much to say and so little space! Regarding NTC: the community is intimate, friendly, and rigorous. A rare combo indeed! Regarding Manchester: the subject of my thesis is urban missiology, and I cannot imagine a better place to study that topic. The city is endlessly dynamic: vibrant, diverse, and exciting—a true gem. 

What are some other projects in progress or ones you're looking forward to post-publication?

Since I completed my PhD in December of 2017, I have written a number of chapters in books and articles—both academic and popular. I am working on two projects that I hope will receive book contracts in the coming years. One is on Christian identity, and the other is on how to preach peace to ourselves and our congregants amid our anxious age. 

What advice do you have for recent doctoral graduates who want to publish their theses?

First, do some self-examination. How is your energy and motivation level after finishing your thesis? Many scholars are wiped out and may need to take a break and get refreshed. Grant yourself the self-care and rejuvenation you may need. Second, how do you want to pursuing publishing the content of your thesis? Give serious consideration to your audience and the format/style. And please know you have multiple options. Do you want to publish your thesis as a monograph? If so, recognize your primary audience is scholars rather than the wider Church. If yes, identify your preferred publishers and get to work. However, be prepared to receive a few rejections but don’t… give… up! 

Next, if you don’t want to publish your thesis as a monograph, how do you want to publish it? As a popular work? I did that and it was challenging on many different levels. Do you want to publish your thesis as a series of articles or blog posts? Or do you want to take a core idea from your thesis and make it into a new piece of research. Answering these questions are critical as they will determine your direction.