Preaching Sitting Down

Who was it?

First reformer to host communion in Vernacular- German.

First reformer to publish "Theses".

First Catholic Priest to renounce his monastic vows in reformation.

"These future Swiss Anabaptists were immersed in the ideas and outlook of Andreas Karlstadt, absorbing much more of his outlook than did Zwingli....
Karlstadt had published 151 Theses in April 1517, but it was Luther's 95 Theses of October 31st, 1517, that caught the attention of Europe and sparked the Reformation. Karlstadt defended Luther's theses and participated with Luther in the public debate...
Following his appearance and condemnation before the imperial diet of worms in April 1521, Luther for his own safety was removed to the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach. In his absence, Karlstadt pushed reform in Wittenberg. He performed the first reformed communion service on Christmas 1521 - in German, wearing lay clothing. He became the first reformer to repudiate his monastic vows, including celibacy, and married 16 year old Anna von Mochau in January 1522. The Town Council enacted a new welfare system advocated by Luther and Karlstadt, and Karlstadt pushed for removal of images from churches. Unwilling to wait for official permission, and unruly mob acted on its own to destroy number of images. 
The rapid pace of Reform upset both the Elector Frederick as well as Luther.... Luther sided with the conservatives and attack Karlstadt. A writing of Karlstadt was censored and his preaching was curtailed....
Karlstadt  felt betrayed by his colleagues.  Gradually he withdrew from Orlamünde, the source of the churchly stipend that paid his salary. There  Karlstadt became increasingly disillusioned with Academia (He was university professor). He rejected academic titles as contrary to Christ's words to call no man "master" and adopted 
A life quite close to the peasant style.  Called "Brother Andreas" in Orlamünde, he encouraged interpretations and discussion during sermons, which he delivered while sitting in the midst of the congregation. He translated Psalms into German and collaborated with the Town Council in removing the organ and the images from the church building. He abolish the baptism of infants."


- J. Denny Weaver. Becoming Anabaptist. 2nd Edition