There are some great resources and events around at the moment to help those who preach to reflect on the how and why of their preaching ministry.
We’ve highlighted three different opportunities for clergy, licensed readers and anyone who preaches in our churches and fresh expressions to continue to learn and think about how they communicate the gospel. Andy Smith, Warden of Readers for the diocese commended the opportunities, saying “In today’s challenging times, preaching remains an essential part of the “Mission Toolkit.”
But, more than ever, the preacher must imaginatively engage with Scripture to show God at work in their context; must deliver the Gospel message of Hope in short, sharp lessons as well as the conventional “long-form” homily.”
New Wine Preaching Conference Saturday 7 November 10am - 2pm
Hosted by Holy Trinity, Leicester with input from a number of nationally respected practitioners including Simon Ponsonby, Lucy Peppiatt, Vaughan Roberts, Donna Lazenby and Phil Knox. An on-line half day conference, Jitesh Patel (Associate Vicar at Holy Trinity, Leicester, one of our Resourcing Churches, and Assistant Director of St Mellitus College, East Midlands) explains “as well as having input from a number of key speakers it will have an interactive element.”
Booking is £10 plus booking fee via this Eventbrite link
Minister’s Muse
A different style of opportunity is offered by “Minister’s Muse”, a weekly live Youtube broadcast in which Wendy Dalrymple, Rector of All Saints with Holy Trinity, Loughborough is joined by three preachers who discuss the coming Sunday’s Gospel, Epistle and Old Testament readings, and how they would go about preaching them. The guests are drawn from various theological traditions, and in addition to preachers looking for help with Sunday’s sermon, there is a growing number of lay Christians who watch the episodes.
“I believe scripture is meant to be listened to in the context of community, so being able to look together at the bible with different people is much richer than preparing a sermon just on my own. I also wanted to expand and be challenged in my own thinking” before adding “the only problem is it doesn't always make writing my sermon easier as I come away with more ideas than I started with!” reports Wendy.
Filmed every Tuesday live at 12:15, you can also catch up with past episodes on the All Saints Youtube channel here
College of Preachers
The College of Preachers is offering a whole series of training events over the Autumn and Winter, follow this link to their website, where details of all of their training opportunities and booking details can be found.