The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad, the Joe R. Engle Professor of Preaching at Union Theological Seminary to Lead Service as Part of the Riverside Church's Distinguished Preacher Series on May 15

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, N.Y., May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its popular Distinguished Preacher Series—featuring some of the most powerful Christian preaching voices of today—The Riverside Church will host the Reverend Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad, the Joe R. Engle Professor of Preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, as she leads service on Sunday, May 15 at 10:45 a.m.

"Dr. Lundblad is an accomplished author, scholar and preacher, and we are honored to have her participate in the Distinguished Preacher Series," said Riverside Church Interim Senior Minister, Rev. Stephen H. Phelps.

An ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Rev. Lundblad—the Joe R. Engle Professor of Preaching at Union Theological Seminary—served 16 years as a parish pastor in New York City.  She has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, and in the D.Min. program of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools.

Dr. Lundblad is currently the President of the Academy of Homiletics and is on the Board of the Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. She has also served as Co-President of The Network for Inclusive Vision (ELCA), and as a member of the local committee for "One Voice," a campaign working for full inclusion of LGBT people in the ELCA. She has preached and lectured at different congregations and educational centers locally and throughout the United States.

Launched in November 2010, previous guest preachers include: The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson (November 2010); The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. (December 2010); The Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. (January 2011); Dr. Suzan D. Johnson Cook (February 2011); and The Rev. Raquel A. St. Clair, Ph.D. (March 2011).

Each participant has brought a history of inspired, reflective and acclaimed standing in the American pulpit. They are all noted for bringing their own special gifts and contributions to both the cultural and theological landscape, helping to nurture and lead devout Christians through the challenges of the world today.

The Riverside Church (www.theriversidechurchny.org) is an interracial, interdenominational and international church built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1927.  The 1,200-member Riverside Church in Morningside Heights has a rich tradition of providing a forum for important civic and spiritual leaders. Past speakers include: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., President William J. Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Fidel Castro, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

SOURCE Riverside Church