A woman with short curly hair and hoop earrings is participating in a virtual meeting on her laptop, which displays multiple people in a video conference.

Lay Preacher Cohorts

The Lay Preacher Cohorts are groups of preaching coaches and lay preachers - new or experienced - that gather online over an academic year to cultivate more faith-full preaching.

The Lay Preacher Cohorts are entirely online and do not have any geographical constraints within the United States for participation. Each group meeting begins with discussion time as the full cohort, followed by focused small group time with a preaching coach.

The discussions follow themes that were identified during interviews at the very beginning of the Faithful Preaching Project grant. Within the small group time, one preacher is invited to lead a spiritual practice and another preacher gives a sermon and receives instant feedback from the group.

How the Cohort Works

A screenshot of a virtual meeting with 20 diverse people, smiling and engaging from various home settings.

How to apply

The application for the Lay Preacher Cohort 2026-2027 has closed. This cohort will meet over Zoom from September 2026 to May 2027. The 2027-2028 cohort will be formed in summer 2027. and is open to lay preachers at small mainline Christian churches.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Currently preaching at small congregation(s) on regular to semi-regular basis

  • Pulpit-supply, certified, commissioned and/or licensed preachers welcome

  • Ability to connect to online through Zoom

  • No geographical restrictions within the U.S.

Testimonials from participants in Lay Preacher Cohorts

  • A smiling woman with short gray hair, wearing black clergy attire with white stole, earrings, and a lapel pin, standing inside a church with brick walls.

    It has been a joy and a privilege to be included in this program. I have learned a lot about preaching from the teachers and from my fellow students. Having the chance to receive and give constructive feedback on a sermon or two has been very helpful. Overall, it has been a satisfying and highly educational course.

    Teddie McConnell

  • An man with glasses and a white beard, wearing a red shirt, smiles at the camera in a home office setting.

    "The Faithful Preaching Project has significantly bolstered my confidence as a lay preacher. I am deeply grateful for our community of faith where we can learn from one another and grow together. Hearing the experiences and insights of others has been both inspiring and enriching, providing me with renewed strength and a deeper understanding of my calling."

    Armel Crocker

  • A smiling woman with short brown hair, wearing glasses and a colorful top, standing against a yellow background.

    I am so grateful for the Faithful Preaching Project! Sometimes the work we do is very isolating and it is such a blessing to be a part of a group that expands my church community and to learn from such valued leaders. I believe my preaching skills are expanded by hearing the voices of others and by sharing input and feedback. I know the churches that I preach at are benefitting from better, stronger, more focused messages because of what I am learning here.

    Sharon Curry

  • Smiling man with a beard sitting in a black chair in front of wooden bookshelves

    "I’m finding the twice monthly meetings on Zoom to be very informative. I have learned things that are helping me to better form my sermons. Though this is a cohort to help with our preaching, we have also talked about some of the problems we face in the smaller churches that most of us pastor. Thank you for your work on the Faithful Preaching Project. My congregation thanks you also." 

    Larry Sears

  • A woman with blonde hair and glasses smiling indoors near a window with green trees outside.

    “I really appreciated the coaches sharing from the academic side, as well as the spiritual side, for what they do to prepare sermons. The group discussions were not only trying to get our answers but sharing their expertise. I have also learned a lot from my small group when they're preaching. I've had many aha! moments when I thought ‘I didn't look at it that way,’ or ‘I didn't see scripture that way.’ Those addition perspectives have really helped my own preaching.”

    Sherri Dittman

  • Screenshot of a virtual meeting with fifteen participants, some with photos background including bookshelves, religious icons, and sunset scenery. Participants have neutral or smiling expressions, with some wearing glasses.

    As a new preacher, I feel really grateful to have been in this group with practicing lay preachers who have their own churches and have been writing and working with the Gospels for quite an extended time. I feel very lucky to hear the discussions and how they prepare themselves to preach each Sunday. I have built a binder with information that will help me in the future. Thank you!

    Daryl Dirks