Fifth Annual
Training for Lay Preaching
An Overnight Workshop

Time: Nov 2-3, 2007: Friday 5:30 pm - Saturday 3 pm
Place: Living Water Spiritual Center
         93 Halifax Street Winslow, ME (207)872-2370
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Oct 20th, 2007

Sponsored by The Committee on Baptismal Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Maine
 ****MEMBERS OF ALL DENOMINATIONS WELCOME****
Leader: Clifton F. Guthrie, Ph.D., Circle Professor of Religion and Humanities, Husson College

This workshop is for laity who are being asked to preach in their local churches, those who feel inclined toward this ministry, or anyone who would like to learn what it feels like to prepare a sermon or gain new preaching skills. We will not only talk about preparing to preach and share good re-sources, but practice our sermons with one another, hearing ourselves into better preaching.

Workshop Objectives:

  • To give participants practice in moving from text to sermon.

  • To learn about and use resources for sermon development.

  • To discuss Clifton Guthrie's book, From Pew to Pulpit-A Beginner's Guide to Preaching (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005)

Preparatory Work:

Prior to the workshop, all participants should read the whole of From Pew to Pulpit and review the corresponding website: www.pewtopulpit.com

Choose one of the gospel lections for the upcoming Sundays of Advent, Year A (Revised Common Lectionary):

  •  Matthew 24:36-44

  • Matthew 3:1-12

  • Matthew 11:2-11

  • Matthew 1:18-25

Prepare the text for preaching, using the method in the book up through chapter 6. Bring your study notes, and your Main Idea and Purpose Statements with you and be prepared to talk about them in discussion.

"When times get tough and God needs to speak a fresh Word to the Church or to the World, God calls the laity to preach. Many revivals in our Christian history have been stimulated by the re-emergence of lay preaching. That is why I am full of hope for the Church that more laity in our own day are being gifted by the Spirit to do this ministry."
--Cliff Guthrie

Cliff Guthrie is professor of Religion and Humanities at Husson College and has been professor of Preaching and Worship at Bangor Theological Seminary.  He earned the Ph.D. from Emory University in Atlanta in 1996. As a layperson himself, in the Episcopal Church, he is especially interested in teaching new preachers and lay preachers.
   

Registration Form: Lay Preaching Workshop

Conference Fee: $60 Non-refundable deposit: $30. Fee includes 3 meals and overnight. 
(the food at Living Waters is excellent!)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 20th. (Early registration with email address is important, so the book, From Pew to Pulpit, can be sent to you to read in preparation for the workshop).
***Make checks payable to: Diocese of Maine***

Print out form and Mail to: Bob Smith, 35 Prospect St., Caribou, ME 04736 Tel: (207) 498-2580 :Email: rsmith19@maine.rr.com
or Liz Parlett, P.O. Box 138, South Gardiner ME  04359, Tel: (207) 582-9219, E-mail: elfyane@adelphia.net

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Special Dietary Needs?

Applications for Scholarships for Episcopalians are available through the Frederick B. Wolf Fund at The Diocesan Web Site: www.diomaine.org