The Accidental Preacher was written to honor the work of esteemed homiletics professor Dr. Rick Stern. The idea for this book demonstrates a mix of intention and chance. In the spring of 2017, Rick informed the dean of Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana, Dr. Robert Alvis, of his intention to retire at the end of the next school year, after nearly 30 years of teaching students how to preach. When several of us heard this, we set out to think of a way to honor him and his numerous contributions to the seminary and to his field. A chance conversation led to this suggestion: "Why don't you have people contribute homilies and gather them into a book?" Some of those whose homilies are included in this book were previous students of Rick, while others are colleagues who have worked with him for years. All responded with an enthusiastic "yes," which is no accident, given their respect for him. Indeed, this book is a liber amicorum-a book of friends who wish to honor Rick and his work.