Lowry preaches and all that jazz

Eugene Lowry is this year’s guest preacher. He is also a jazz musician.

The Annual Conference’s guest preacher, Eugene Lowry, is truly a Great Preacher — and a jazz musician.

Rev. Dr. Lowry has been interviewed in Odyssey TV’s Great Preachers series, and four recordings feature his music, which relates jazz and Christianity.

From Kansas City, Mo., Lowry was professor of preaching for more than 30 years at Saint Paul School of Theology, after pastoring churches. Now a professor emeritus, his travels as preacher, teacher, and pianist have broadened in scope. Thus he comes to Oklahoma in late May.

He will preach at the Service of Commissioning on Sunday evening, and at the Memorial Service on Monday morning.

During his career, Lowry has preached at events for 20-plus denominations and lectured in 50 theological seminaries. His teaching emphasizes the role of narrative in preaching. He is a clergy member of the Missouri Conference.

His writings include six books on narrative preaching. Among them: "The Sermon: Dancing the Edge of Mystery," "Living with the Lectionary," and "Doing Time in the Pulpit." His keyboard lecture/concerts led to CDs that include "The Sound of Good News," "Inside Out—Music for Steeple and Street," and "Theology of the Blues."