What's Happening with Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative?

As I write this, we are a mere two weeks away from the Second Annual Alma College Preaching Conference! When we gather together in Alma, this June 12-16, we will welcome participants from all eleven presbyteries in the Synod. We are excited to welcome 25 new participants and 4 new mentors into CGPI and welcome back our 18 current participants and 4 mentors for five days of lectures, workshops, worship, and fellowship.

We are delighted to welcome Kimberly Wagner, Assistant Professor of Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary, as our keynote speaker to speak to us about the preaching life. In addition, first year participants will attend workshops on topics that include: An Overview of the Bible, An Overview of Reformed theology, Exegesis for Preachers, Storytelling, and more. And our second year participants will have workshops on topics such as, Preaching for Social Justice, An Introduction to the Book of Confessions, and Putting Together a Worship Service. These workshops will be led by pastors from around the Synod, as well as by CGPI mentors and staff.

Figure 1: Synod Exec, Chip Hardwick, leads the "Overview of the Bible" Workshop at the 2024 Alma Preaching Conference.

We ask that Synod members pray that we will have a Spirit-filled time of worship, fellowship, and learning this June, and that your participants, mentors, and staff will go home excited to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel as workers in the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Matthew J. Aragon Bruce

Program Director, CGPI

matt@synodofthecovenant.org