What survives the fire
A Cine•Sermon by Karmen Michael Smith
(headphones highly recommended)
What is a Cine•sermon?
What Survives the Fire is a short cinematic sermon—a cine•sermon—that merges prophetic preaching, poetic theology, and visual storytelling. It asks: What if the world isn’t falling apart—but falling into place?
Created and performed by Karmen Michael Smith, this 14-minute spiritual experience explores the fire as a force not of destruction—but of refinement, revelation, and return.
why it matters
This isn’t just a sermon. It’s a reckoning.
In a time when faith, identity, and justice intersect, this work gives voice to those often exiled from the pulpit. It speaks to the wounded, the wandering, the weary — and calls them back to truth.
Karmen
Michael
Smith
Karmen Michael Smith is a queer minister, author of The 4 Laws of Disruption, and founder of Poor Culture. Known for his voice as a spiritual disruptor, he blends Black church tradition with poetic clarity and cinematic storytelling.
Book Karmen:
Guest preaching (virtual or in-person)
Screenings & talkbacks
Podcast interviews
Panel discussions : A cinematic, spiritual voice for a world in transition. Karmen speaks powerfully on:
Reimagining Faith & Spiritual Experience
Identity, Purpose & Personal Liberation
Art/Creativity as Sacred Disruption
Leading with Truth in a World on Fire