The Rev. J. C. Austin, director of Christian Leadership Formation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, is the featured speaker July 7 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace. The nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org.
An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Austin spent 10 years as a pastor in New York City before coming to Auburn Seminary in 2009. He is a graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the field of theology and public life at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
His sermon for the 7th Sunday of Pentecost, based on Luke 10:1-11,16-20, is entitled “Changing Plans.”
“Sometimes the biggest problem with our plans is that they work,” he says. “Almost by definition, a plan is something we expect to succeed…. But Jesus, pretty clearly, is not concerned about being ‘successful,’ at least not the way that we tend to understand it…. What Jesus is most concerned about is ensuring that as many people as possible get to hear the good news that God’s kingdom has come near. That’s the point. That’s his goal, his definition of success.”
The program includes interviews with Austin conducted by Wallace, who is Day1’s executive producer.
“Day 1,” has been broadcast every week for 68 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.” Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, “Day 1” is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta, Ga.