In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Hall draws on 1 Peter to preach about spiritual sacrifice, vocation, and what it means to be a keystone species in the body of Christ.

Using the ecological concept of the keystone species — organisms whose outsized contribution holds an ecosystem together — Rev. Dr. Hall offers a striking image for understanding the role of preachers and congregations in their communities. The sermon weaves together themes of prayer, spiritual sacrifice, and the vocation of proclamation in a way that will resonate with any preacher seeking a fresh lens for 1 Peter. Available in English and Spanish.

Rev. Dr. Hall is the Senior Pastor at First Christian Church (DOC) in North Hollywood, CA.

Recorded at the 2025 Disciples Preaching Retreat.

You might also find helpful:

• Recovering the Soul of Preaching Through Rest — A keynote by Dr. Casey T. Sigmon from the same retreat, on rest, slow preaching, and recovering the soul of proclamation.
• Preacher Panel Discussion: Disciples Preaching Retreat 2025 — Rev. Dr. Hall and fellow retreat preachers reflect on their preparation process and preaching vocation.
• The Sound of the Genuine — A resource on authentic voice and spiritual integrity in preaching.