A Conversation With Daniel Overdorf

Daniel Overdorf is a professor of ministry leadership and preaching at Johnson university. He holds three degrees: bachelor, MDiv from Lincoln Christian Seminary and doctorate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Additionally, Overdorf has extensive experience pastoring churches as well as authoring various books like One Year to Better Preaching: 52 Exercises to Hone Your Skills.

Early Life and Education

Overdorf was raised in the mountains of eastern Tennessee and southern West Virginia. These early experiences shaped his outlook on life and ministry – instilling values such as hard work ethic and Appalachian storytelling that would later serve him well as a minister.

He graduated from Johnson University, attended Lincoln Christian Seminary for his master of divinity degree, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for his doctorate of pastoral ministry degree. Haddon Robinson played a significant part in shaping his preaching and teaching styles.

Overdorf has taught preaching and pastor leadership since 2005 at Johnson University. He has published several books that explore this sacred task of preaching, while sharing his enthusiasm to nurture future preachers.

Professional Career

Daniel Overdorf has been both a pastor and professor of preaching since 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in preaching from Johnson University, a master’s from Lincoln Christian Seminary, and his doctor of ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Overdorf has served churches across Illinois and Georgia while currently living with his wife Carrie in Knoxville Tennessee – recently publishing Preaching: A Simple Approach to the Sacred Task and teaching students developing their preaching skills at Johnson University where he enjoys watching Haddon Robinson and Fred Craddock influencers have had profound influences over him both personally.

Achievement and Honors

Overdorf’s early experiences shaped his outlook on life and faith, including learning the value of hard work ethic and Appalachian tales. At Johnson University he earned a BA, an MDiv from Lincoln Christian Seminary, and finally, a PhD from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he studied under Haddon Robinson, whose influence greatly shaped his philosophy and approach to homiletics. Overdorf has taught at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee since 2005 as Professor of Ministry Leadership and Director of Preaching Programs. He has received teaching and mentoring awards, served on committees within his department and college, written several books (such as One Yar to Better Preaching), won teaching awards from these bodies and published several other works, such as Applying the Sermon.

Personal Life

Overdorf was raised in the mountains of eastern Tennessee and southern West Virginia, where he learned the value of blue-collar work ethics as well as Appalachian storytelling traditions. These early influences helped form his perspectives on life and preaching ministry; these influences led him to pursue degrees at Johnson University’s BA Preaching Program before earning MDiv at Lincoln Christian Seminary and DMin at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary respectively. Since 2005 he has served on Johnson University faculty where he teaches ministry leadership programs; additionally he loves cheering his children at softball or basketball games or choir performances; his wife lives close by in Knoxville Tennessee