Matthew D. Kim, PhD

Education

PhD, University of Edinburgh
MTh, University of Edinburgh
MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
BA, Carleton College

Research Interests

Pastoral Leadership
Pastoral Ministry
Homiletics
Ecclesiology
Congregational Studies

Courses Taught

PhD in Preaching Seminars
Leadership for Congregational Ministry

Publication Highlights

• Chasing Holograms: Redefining and Reforming Our Christian Identity (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2028)
• The Ministry Mentor: Best Practices for Pastoral Leaders (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2027)
• Words of God for the People God: An Introduction to Homiletics (Grand Rapids: MI: Baker Academic, 2026)
• Co-Editor, We Follow Christ: A Women’s Guide for Discerning God’s Call (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2025)
• Co-Author, How Do You Teach That?: Explaining Peculiar Passages of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2025)
• Becoming a Friendlier Church: 5 Small Steps for Overcoming Our Unintentional Unfriendliness (Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2025)
• Co-Author, Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2022)
• Co-Editor, La Predicación Bíblica: El principal acompañamiento para la predicacion y la enseñanza (Florence, SC: Publicado por Monsgo, 2022)
• Preaching to People in Pain: How Suffering Can Shape Your Sermons and Connect with Your Congregation (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2021)
• Co-Editor, The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching: A Guide from Genesis to Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2021)
• Preaching to Possible Selves: A Contextual Homiletic for Second Generation Korean Americans (New York: Peter Lang, 2021)
• A Little Book for New Preachers: Why and How to Study Homiletics (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2020)
• 7 Lessons for New Pastors: Your First Year in Ministry, 2^nd ed. (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2020)
• Co-Author, Finding Our Voice: A Vision for Asian North American Preaching (Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2020)
• Co-Editor, Homiletics and Hermeneutics: Four Views on Preaching Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018)
• Editor, No Program but Time, No Book but the Bible: Reflections on Mentoring and Discipleship in Honor of Scott M. Gibson (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2018)
• Preaching with Cultural Intelligence: Understanding the People Who Hear Our Sermons (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2017)
• 7 Lessons for New Pastors: Your First Year in Ministry (St. Louis: Chalice, 2012)
• Preaching to Second Generation Korean Americans: Towards a Possible Selves Contextual Homiletic (New York: Peter Lang, 2007)

About Dr. Kim

Matthew D. Kim is Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership and holder of the George W. Truett Endowed Chair in Preaching and Evangelism at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. In January 2025, he will also become the director of the PhD in Preaching program.

Before joining the Truett faculty in 2022, Dr. Kim taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for ten years as the George F. Bennett Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology serving as the director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching and as director of Mentored Ministry. Before starting his teaching ministry, Dr. Kim served in pastoral ministry as a senior pastor, college minister, and youth pastor in Colorado and Massachusetts.

A past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society, Dr. Kim serves on the editorial board of The Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. He is a member of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He has been invited to lecture, preach, and teach at many churches, colleges, and seminaries across North America. He’s also been a guest on numerous podcasts, including “The Holy Post,” “Church Pulse Weekly,” and “The Two Cities.”

Dr. Kim is the award-winning author and editor of more than a dozen books, including Preaching to People in Pain, The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching, Preaching with Cultural Intelligence, and Preaching to a Divided Nation. Additionally, he has published over 75 articles and chapters in various journals, magazines, and edited volumes.

Dr. Kim has several book projects under contract, including Chasing Holograms: Redefining and Reforming Our Christian Identity (Zondervan Academic), The Ministry Mentor: Best Practices for Pastoral Leaders (Baker Academic), Words of God for the People of God: An Introduction to Homiletics (a “next generation” introductory preaching textbook) (Baker Academic), How Do You Teach That? Explaining Peculiar Passages of Scripture (Zondervan Reflective), and We Follow Christ: A Women’s Guide for Discerning God’s Call (Baylor University Press). 

A native of Chicago, he is a Chicago sports fan and enjoys playing basketball. He is married to Sarah and they have three sons. He and his family are active members of Highland Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.