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Equipping Preachers

Explore these Opportunities to Train and Strengthen Preachers

Cultivating the Gift of Preaching

In October 2023, the Lilly Endowment awarded a $1.25 million grant to the Synod of the Covenant to identify, train, and support emerging preachers.  This ministry will add 140 trained preachers to the Synod over four eighteen-month cycles, beginning in the summer of 2024. 

 

Click here to read the press release.

Click here to read the grant application.

 

The Synod is searching for a director for this new ministry.  Click below to see the job description for this half-time position with full Board of Pensions benefits.  Please contact Synod Exec Chip Hardwick with interest or suggested candidates at chip@synodofthecovenant.org.  Applicants will be considered beginning 12/1/23.

Workshops For Frequent Preachers

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 One of the congregational vitality goals within the Matthew 25 initiative is Spirit-inspired worship. In the Reformed tradition, the central aspect of worship is the preaching of the Word as it points to the scriptures, which point to Jesus Christ. To this end, the Synod is offering monthly Zoom preaching workshops. Featuring preaching scholars from across the country,  each zoom will be held the first Wednesday of the month from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend live.

No upcoming events at the moment

Upcoming Workshops

There will be no preaching workshop in December. God bless you as you prepare for Advent!

Past Workshops

  • A Refresher Course in the Basics of Sermon Preparation
    A Refresher Course in the Basics of Sermon Preparation
    A Refresher Course in the Basics of Sermon Preparation
    Wed, Oct 04
    Oct 04, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Oct 04, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Rev. Dr. Cleo LaRue
  • Standing in the Breach: Preaching and Conflict.
    Standing in the Breach: Preaching and Conflict.
    Standing in the Breach: Preaching and Conflict.
    Wed, Aug 02
    Aug 02, 10:00 AM
    Aug 02, 10:00 AM
    Rev. Dr. Aimee Moiso Associate Director, Louisville Institute
  • Acceleration, Amplification, Accumulation, Alienation: Preaching in Times Like These
    Acceleration, Amplification, Accumulation, Alienation: Preaching in Times Like These
    Acceleration, Amplification, Accumulation, Alienation: Preaching in Times Like These
    Wed, Jun 07
    Jun 07, 10:00 AM
    Jun 07, 10:00 AM
    Rev. Dr. Wes Avram Senior Pastor of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
  • Caring for the Preacher’s Soul
    Caring for the Preacher’s Soul
    Caring for the Preacher’s Soul
    Wed, May 03
    May 03, 10:00 AM
    May 03, 10:00 AM
    The Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes President Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary
  • Preaching About Racism in an Era of CRT Bans
    Preaching About Racism in an Era of CRT Bans
    Preaching About Racism in an Era of CRT Bans
    Wed, Mar 01
    Mar 01, 10:00 AM
    Mar 01, 10:00 AM
    Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel. Blair Monie Associate Professor of Homiletics, Austin Presbyterian Seminary
  • Post-Pandemic Preaching
    Post-Pandemic Preaching
    Post-Pandemic Preaching
    Wed, Feb 01
    Feb 01, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Feb 01, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    The Rev. Peter J. M. Henry, Ph.D., Pastor, Davidson College Presbyterian Church (NC)
  • Exploring the Themes of Lent 2023
    Exploring the Themes of Lent 2023
    Exploring the Themes of Lent 2023
    Wed, Jan 04
    Jan 04, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Jan 04, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Chip Hardwick, Executive, Synod of the Covenant

2023

  • Preaching in the Valley of Dry Bones
    Preaching in the Valley of Dry Bones
    Preaching in the Valley of Dry Bones
    Wed, Nov 02
    Nov 02, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Nov 02, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery
  • Exploring the Themes of Advent 2022
    Exploring the Themes of Advent 2022
    Exploring the Themes of Advent 2022
    Wed, Oct 05
    Oct 05, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Oct 05, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Chip Hardwick, Executive, Synod of the Covenant
  • Sunday’s Sermons for Monday’s World
    Sunday’s Sermons for Monday’s World
    Sunday’s Sermons for Monday’s World
    Wed, Sep 07
    Sep 07, 2022, 10:00 AM – Sep 08, 2022, 11:30 AM
    Sep 07, 2022, 10:00 AM – Sep 08, 2022, 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Sally Brown
  • When Good News is Harder to Find: Preaching in the Wake of Trauma
    When Good News is Harder to Find: Preaching in the Wake of Trauma
    When Good News is Harder to Find: Preaching in the Wake of Trauma
    Wed, Aug 03
    Aug 03, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Aug 03, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Kimberly Wagner
  • O Say Can you See: Images and Illustrations in a Virtually Saturated World
    O Say Can you See: Images and Illustrations in a Virtually Saturated World
    O Say Can you See: Images and Illustrations in a Virtually Saturated World
    Wed, Jun 01
    Jun 01, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Jun 01, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Teresa L. Fry Brown, PhD
  • Preaching Jokes to Power
    Preaching Jokes to Power
    Preaching Jokes to Power
    Wed, May 04
    May 04, 2022, 10:00 AM
    May 04, 2022, 10:00 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Jake Myers
  • Preaching in Polarized Times
    Preaching in Polarized Times
    Preaching in Polarized Times
    Wed, Apr 06
    Apr 06, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Apr 06, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Angela Dienhart Hancock
  • “Stretching into Prophetic Preaching”
    “Stretching into Prophetic Preaching”
    “Stretching into Prophetic Preaching”
    Fri, Feb 18
    Feb 18, 2022, 10:20 AM
    Feb 18, 2022, 10:20 AM
    Chip Hardwick, Interim Executive, Synod of the Covenant
  • Getting Helpful Listener Feedback
    Getting Helpful Listener Feedback
    Getting Helpful Listener Feedback
    Wed, Feb 02
    Feb 02, 2022, 10:00 AM
    Feb 02, 2022, 10:00 AM
    Chip Hardwick, Interim Executive, Synod of the Covenant
  • Preforming the Word...Online
    Preforming the Word...Online
    Preforming the Word...Online
    Wed, Jan 05
    Jan 05, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Jan 05, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Jana L. Childers

2022

  • From/To: Preaching that Accords with Covenant and Commission
    From/To: Preaching that Accords with Covenant and Commission
    From/To: Preaching that Accords with Covenant and Commission
    Wed, Dec 01
    Dec 01, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Dec 01, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Timothy Matthew Slemmons, Professor of Homiletics and Worship, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
  • The Peoples’ Sermon: Preaching as a Ministry of the Whole Congregation
    The Peoples’ Sermon: Preaching as a Ministry of the Whole Congregation
    The Peoples’ Sermon: Preaching as a Ministry of the Whole Congregation
    Wed, Nov 03
    Nov 03, 2021, 10:00 AM
    Nov 03, 2021, 10:00 AM
    The Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan, Homiletics Professor, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
  • Exploring the Themes of Advent 2021
    Exploring the Themes of Advent 2021
    Exploring the Themes of Advent 2021
    Wed, Oct 06
    Oct 06, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Oct 06, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Chip Hardwick, Interim Executive, Synod of the Covenant
  • What Poets Can Teach Preachers About Surviving, Thriving, and Talking About What We Do
    What Poets Can Teach Preachers About Surviving, Thriving, and Talking About What We Do
    What Poets Can Teach Preachers About Surviving, Thriving, and Talking About What We Do
    Wed, Sep 01
    Sep 01, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Sep 01, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Anna Carter Florence
  • Opening Your Listeners to New Perspectives
    Opening Your Listeners to New Perspectives
    Opening Your Listeners to New Perspectives
    Wed, Aug 04
    Aug 04, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Aug 04, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Chip Hardwick, Interim Executive, Synod of the Covenant
  • Preaching about Racial Justice without Losing Conviction or your Job
    Preaching about Racial Justice without Losing Conviction or your Job
    Preaching about Racial Justice without Losing Conviction or your Job
    Wed, Jun 02
    Jun 02, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Jun 02, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Chip Hardwick, Interim Executive, Synod of the Covenant

2021

Preaching & Teaching: Lifelong Learning 

Alma College

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If you would like to be on a supply preaching list, Alma College, in Lake Huron Presbytery, is offering a short course called ‘Preaching and Teaching:  The art and science of inspiring hearts and minds through spoken words.’  It is designed to help prepare you more thoroughly than the Maumee Valley Presbytery offering. Taught by Denise Anderson, former co-moderator of the PC(USA), Andrew Pomerville, chaplain of Alma College, and Chip Hardwick. Sessions will be held four successive Thursday evenings by Zoom beginning July 8, 2021. For more information or to register, visit Preaching & Teaching: Lifelong Learning: Alma College. Questions? Please contact Andrew Pomerville at pomervillead@alma.edu.

Me? A Preacher? :  A Preaching Workshop

If you have been wondering about what it might be like to preach in your home church, a two-day workshop coordinated by Maumee Valley Presbytery will be very helpful for you!  “Me? A Preacher?:  A Preaching Workshop” will be held on Saturday May 8 and 22, 9:30 am -12:30 pm via Zoom. Rev. Jeanne Gray, pastor of Collingwood Presbyterian Church, and Synod Interim Executive Chip Hardwick, will be the leaders.  Learn more here:  Me? A Preacher?: A Preaching Workshop (maumeevp.org).

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