Our mission is to support and help improve the quality
of preaching in the Church. For more than twenty years we have been
sponsoring the Preaching Excellence Program (PEP) for Episcopal seminarians.
Today approximately one in ten active parish priests has been a participant
in that program. But what happens after seminary? Is that when our education
in preaching is finished? I believe that preaching matters. It matters
to those of us in the pews and it matters to the world. That’s
why I am so happy to introduce you to our new program. It’s called
Partners in Proclamation (PIP). It is for clergy in the field. These
workshops help you continue to grow in your ability to proclaim the
good news of God in Christ. But it’s not only the program content
of these sessions that is helpful. There’s also the benefit of
working with your colleagues and peers during these days that is so
supportive. Please join us!
Dr. A. Gary Shilling, Founder and Chairman |
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Preaching in a small group can feel intimidating
at first, but quickly the support is felt and preaching improves.
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We still work with seminarians, but we also
work with clergy in the field. We’ll come to you. It doesn’t
matter if you’re a small ecumenical group wanting to work through
the lessons for an upcoming season or a bishop planning a clergy conference.
We’ll work with you to develop a program that will fit your specific
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We call this Partners
in Proclamation because
we hope that when you think of wanting someone to work with you on the
calling, art and skill of preaching, you’ll think of us. This
little brochure highlights some of the people who work with us, and
the kinds of preaching seminars you could host. Contact us (timmulder@tepf.net)
with your ideas and needs. We’re eager to work with you.
Dr. Timothy Mulder, Executive Director
of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation
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Example of a Recent One Day Seminar
Preparing the Way for Advent
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9:00 - 9:15 |
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Welcome |
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9:15 - 10:00 |
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Playing Around: Scripture as Creative Nonfiction |
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10:00 - 11:00 |
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Images & Characters in Luke |
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11:00 - 12:00 |
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The theological themes on the front page of the morning newspaper
and the contemporary themes in the Advent texts
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12:00 - 1:00 |
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Prayer & Lunch |
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1:00 - 2:00 |
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Writing Exercises |
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2:00 - 3:00 |
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How shall I begin this sermon? |
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3:00 - 4:00 |
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How will this preach? |
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Unless you become as a child So says Jesus about
entering the Realm of God. Remember how you used to play with Bible
stories when you were young? When was the last time a biblical text
led you to laugh out loud? Sometimes the best way to get to the serious
meat of Scripture is through laughter and play. Exegesis, commentaries,
Greek and Hebrew can, at time, get in the way of a direct encounter
with the creative spirit of the text. In this workshop we will explore
how scripture itself is a work of creative nonfiction and imagine ways
to engage the text in a spirit of creative play. Sermons, like scripture,
are also works of creative nonfiction. We will learn how to make connections
between the creativity and play of scripture and our own creative insights.
Dr. Virginia Wiles, Dean, New Brunswick Theological Seminary,
Professor of New Testament
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This workshop is based on research in communication
that indicates that listeners make up their mind about the value of
a message during the first minute of a presentation. How can we craft
opening paragraphs for our sermons that help ensure our listeners stay
with us, and how can we deliver on the promise of those opening paragraphs?
(One day)
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Our model for church leadership has been rooted
in maintenance and conservancy, leading to a style of sermon that informs,
reflects and edifies. In contrast, what might preaching sound like for
a mission-oriented church? Can we preach the same way we always have
and expect different results? Come learn new ways to think about yourself
as preacher and the sermon as an agent of the reign of God. (2 days)
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This seminar explores the dichotomy between
the teachings of Jesus found in the synoptic gospels and the teachings
about Jesus which have formed the bulk of the church’s preaching
message. Does the emerging picture of Jesus in his historical context
affect our understanding of his preaching message? Which parts of that
message speak to contemporary audiences? How can we ally our preaching
with the preaching of Jesus in both form and content? (2 days)
Dr. John Dally, Seabury-Western Seminary
Professor of Christian
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This seminar is focused on congregational development
through preaching. After building a theological base we will move to
the practical application of the thesis that there is a link between
the character of the preacher, the character of the congregation and
the character of the gospel proclaimed. They mirror one another.
Many congregations are not equipped for change
or growth. They have become entrenched in one style of leadership or
structured life. Before things can change the character of the preacher
must be converted. So must the character of the congregation. Both can
then be drawn closer together through a new practice of preaching: listening
before speaking, watching for those places where dreams can flourish,
and envisioning a new reality.
Dr. Judith McDaniel, Virginia Theological Seminary
Professor of Homiletics |
