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Event
Mid-America Preaching Workshop
There is little doubt that the future of preaching is changing. Not only have conventional structures and styles of preaching rightly come into question, but pastors are now faced with the challenge of preaching to an increasing number of people who are often suspect of the church and its teachings and frequently find such teachings difficult to believe in a post-Enlightenment setting.
And as established churches continue to shrink in numbers, the need to connect with potential new participants is felt all the more. Yet many pastors wonder if and how it is possible to meaningfully communicate with established members of the church and at the same time develop sermons that resonate with those outside of the church, including "the nones" (i.e., those with no formal religious affiliation), who comprise the fastest growing religious demographic in the United States.
While concerns such as these will help shape some of the conversations we'll encounter, we'll also explore different questions as well, all depending upon which directions participants wish to take. Some possibilities could include paying attention to the way that in recent years the role and authority of the preacher has often come under question, including monologue approaches to preaching that privilege the experiences of the pastor but perhaps not all of the people. We might also wish to consider whether the preacher is called to speak pastorally or prophetically or maybe a combination of both, and if and how prophetic preaching is possible in established congregations where the perspectives of the pastor aren't necessarily shared by most of the church members. Along similar lines, we can ask to what degree, if any, political issues should be addressed from the pulpit.
In many ways this workshop will explore the questions you bring to the table. It is a "workshop in the round," meaning that it will be more like a conversation among colleagues and less of a presentation by an "expert," which perhaps serves as one way of imagining the future of preaching, if not the only one. In other words, we look forward to what you have to contribute!
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LocationDrury University (View)
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
United States
Categories
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
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