Veronice Miles

Professor Mary Elizabeth McGehee Joyce Professor of Preaching

Rev. Dr. Veronice Miles serves as the Mary Elizabeth McGehee Joyce Professor of Preaching at Wesley Theological Seminary. She holds a Ph.D. in Religious Education and Homiletics from Emory University’s Graduate Division of Religion and an M.Div. from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University with certificates in Religious Education and Black Church Studies. Prior degrees include the B.A., M.Ed., and Ed.S., all from the University of Florida. Her research explores the intersection of preaching and persistently threatening challenges that pervade U.S. culture, including racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and materialistic consumerism. Preaching, she believes, neither ignores nor concedes defeat to the despairing realities of life. Rather, preaching emboldens individuals and communities of faith to live with Hope and respond in the affirmative to God’s “yes” for creation and for our lives. Her publication, Embodied Hope: A Homiletical Theology Reflection (CASCADE Books), explores the human capacity to live with Hope and the power and potential of preaching to amplify Hope’s resonance in our lives and embolden purposeful Hope-filled action. She is in the beginning stages of a second publication, Sisters Who Talk Back (working title), that amplifies Black women’s wisdom and the necessity of their voices for the Christian church and society at large. Veronice has been an ordained Baptist minister since 1999.

Publications

Embodied Hope: A Homiletical Theology Reflection, CASCADE Books, (2021).
“Twentieth Century Women Preachers and Their Sermons” in eds. Robert Ellison & Keith A. Francis A Companion to Preaching and the Sermon, Brill Publishers (anticipated 2023).
“Disciple, Will You Let Me Wash Your Feet?” in eds. Lynn R. Huber, Susan E. Hylen, William M. Wright IV, Narrative Mode and Theological Claim in Johannine Literature: Essays in Honor of Gail R. O’Day, SBL Press (2021, 163–168).
“Hope Flows from the Inside Out,” The Thread, Princeton Theological Seminary, June 2019, Accessible at https://thethread.ptsem.edu/culture/hope-flows-from-the-inside-out.
“Help Wanted: Harvesters for God’s Vineyard (Luke10:1-12, 17-20),” The World is Waiting for You, Pamela R. Durso and LeAnn Gunter Johns, ed., Smith & Helwys Publishing (2014).
“Journey to the Well of Reconciliation (John 4:1-30, 39-42),” The World is Waiting for You, Pamela R. Durso and LeAnn Gunter Johns, ed., Smith & Helwys Publishing (2014).
“Defining Moments and Transformative Possibilities,” Ecumenical Trends, special edition, (January 2011).
“Pastoral Perspective on John 11:1-45,” “Pastoral Perspective on Matthew 21:1-11,” “Pastoral Perspective on Matthew 27:11-54,” Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, Vol. 2, David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor, ed., Westminster John Knox, (2010).

Education

Ph.D. Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University, 2009
M.Div. Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 1999
Ed.S. Counseling and Student Personnel Services, University of Florida, 1981
M.Ed. Counselor Education, University of Florida, 1981
B.A. Psychology, University of Florida, 1978

Research Interests

Preaching Practice
Homiletical Theology
African American Preaching
Womanist Preaching, Thought, and Epistemology
Sermon Studies
Cultural Analysis and Critical Pedagogy

Classes Taught

Foundations of Preaching
In Times Like These: Hope and The Power of Proclamation
Preaching and Worship in the African American Church
Women and the Preaching Life