I've spent the past two days in New York under the tutelage and coaching of Karen DeMauro and John Stapleton. Karen possesses a deep understanding for how our spirituality affects our speaking and presence in the pulpit. She also has a depth of experience and training that makes her coaching seem almost shamanistic. John is a United Methodist minister who has taught preaching at several seminaries for more years than I've been alive. Beyond knowing what makes a good sermon, he knows what it takes to unlock the greatness of our individual personality so that the Gospel may be powerfully proclaimed.
With me at this preaching workshop, entitled Delivering the Gospel, were ministers from a variety of denominations including 2 Catholic priests, 2 Methodists, 3 Lutherans, 2 UCC-ers, and an American Baptist clergy couple. The caliber of preachers gathered this week was simply stunning! The minds, personalities, and passions that composed our little group of 12 were already amazing. Adding delivery coaching from Karen and John honed us (and will continue to hone us) into masterwork preachers. The Holy Spirit's presence and shaping during these two days was palpable.
Yesterday, after two wonderfully full, intense, and exhausting days, we wrapped things up. In closing, each of us shared a couple items we had learned as well as any thanksgivings we had. After hearing these fabulous preachers share their work and then receive the coaching that would take their proclamation to new and incredible heights, I am awestruck at what God is doing in our churches and in our pulpits. I learned, and am thankful for this.
What a cross-section of clergy; of denominations; of America (from Seattle, Ohio, GA, PA, NC, SC, and TN)! When preachers like this, receive training like this, I rejoice that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed powerfully and effectively.
