About Mudd
Sadly, we have no connection to the apparel and accessory empire that shares our name. This is Missouri Mudd, born of a muscled bricklayer and telephone company secretary not quite on but near the shores of the Mighty Mississippi. No, Mudd's name's not Missouri. It's Larry. Born and raised in St. Louis, grew up in a devoted family in a liturgical faith denomination. Embraced what would be called an evangelical tradition during undergrad. Bitten by the opera bug, got degrees and gigs. Bitten by the ministry bug, got degrees and ministered. Bitten by the love bug, got married to Cynthia and had children. Enough biting already. Seminary training in homiletics had a tiny chapter on "Narrative Preaching." Want to know what that is? Read the next paragraph! Larry ministers at the Manhattan Church of Christ in New York City, where he serves as an associate minister.
DRAMATIC NARRATIVE PREACHING IS:
Briefly, in contrast to a traditional didactic sermon which discusses and talks about a passage in the Scripture, I speak as the primary character(s) in the story from within the narrative. Some sermons deal with brief, dense passages (such as a parable); others are broader in scope and look through the eyes of a particular disciple over the course of years (Peter, John, Paul, Moses, etc.). More than simple re-enactments, these sermons have all gone through a rigorous process of research and exegesis, then are carefully crafted to convey background and application while bringing the story to life. If possible, they are contemporized in order to make an even stronger connection for the congregation. The end result for listeners is the opportunity to identify with a passage in Scripture far more personally, engaging their imaginations and their own story as the Spirit brings us through His truths, His story. Several themes are dealt with in the twenty narratives developed thus far, from a simple presentation of the basics of the Gospel as the sower in Love Seed, as well as discipleship and evangelism (Peter [Eyewitness News], Paul [Untouchable]), healing (Amazing Grace), spiritual warfare (Legion, Lucifer, Gabriel), etc.
DRAMATIC NARRATIVE PREACHING IS:
Briefly, in contrast to a traditional didactic sermon which discusses and talks about a passage in the Scripture, I speak as the primary character(s) in the story from within the narrative. Some sermons deal with brief, dense passages (such as a parable); others are broader in scope and look through the eyes of a particular disciple over the course of years (Peter, John, Paul, Moses, etc.). More than simple re-enactments, these sermons have all gone through a rigorous process of research and exegesis, then are carefully crafted to convey background and application while bringing the story to life. If possible, they are contemporized in order to make an even stronger connection for the congregation. The end result for listeners is the opportunity to identify with a passage in Scripture far more personally, engaging their imaginations and their own story as the Spirit brings us through His truths, His story. Several themes are dealt with in the twenty narratives developed thus far, from a simple presentation of the basics of the Gospel as the sower in Love Seed, as well as discipleship and evangelism (Peter [Eyewitness News], Paul [Untouchable]), healing (Amazing Grace), spiritual warfare (Legion, Lucifer, Gabriel), etc.
Our Logo
Besides being a pithy play on words, and unrelated to the drinking toast, John 9:1-7 recounts the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. Jesus makes mud with His spit and some dirt, and then puts it on the man's eyes. When the man washes off the mud, he can see.
One of the big message in the story is that Jesus uses something ordinary – in this case, mud – to do something extraordinary. He could have just said, "See", and the man would have seen. Instead, he used some mud to do the job. We hope Jesus is using this ordinary Mudd to do the same thing – to bring healing and sight to your eyes. He's the one doing the healing – we're just the tools – the mud – in His hands. Things may get a little messy in the process, but you get the idea.
One of the big message in the story is that Jesus uses something ordinary – in this case, mud – to do something extraordinary. He could have just said, "See", and the man would have seen. Instead, he used some mud to do the job. We hope Jesus is using this ordinary Mudd to do the same thing – to bring healing and sight to your eyes. He's the one doing the healing – we're just the tools – the mud – in His hands. Things may get a little messy in the process, but you get the idea.
