Katrina Olson
Assistant Professor of Worship, Ritual, and Community Engagement
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
M.A., Vanderbilt University
Th.M., Calvin Theological Seminary
M.Div., Calvin Theological Seminary
B.Mus., University of Western Ontario
M.A., Vanderbilt University
Th.M., Calvin Theological Seminary
M.Div., Calvin Theological Seminary
B.Mus., University of Western Ontario
Biography
An ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church in America, Olson brings to UPSem experience in homiletics, liturgics, pastoral theology, worship leadership, and theological education.
Olson earned a Ph.D. in Homiletics and Liturgics and a Master of Arts from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology in Worship from Calvin Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Education from The University of Western Ontario.
She has taught at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Lexington Theological Seminary and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Olson’s ministry experience includes worship leadership, parish preaching, sermon coaching, leadership development, and work with the Compelling Preaching for a Climate-Changed World Project. She is active in the Academy of Homiletics, the North American Academy of Liturgy, and the American Academy of Religion.
Research Interests
Olson's scholarship and teaching explore how preaching and worship form Christian imagination, deepen relationships with God and neighbor, and equip communities for faithful ministry in a changing world.
Selected Publications
Her doctoral dissertation, Worship Wider, Worship Deeper: Coorienting Relationship in the Christian Imagination, develops a constructive and evaluative model for examining formation in worshiping communities, with particular attention to more inclusive and thoughtful preaching and worship.
In 2026, T&T Clark published Olson’s first monograph, Transformative Preaching and Worship: A Strategic Practical Theology for Developing the Christian Imagination.