Upcoming Opportunities
The Sharing Faith Initiative offers engaging workshops and online cohorts designed to deepen faith-sharing and strengthen ministry leadership. Open to lay and ordained leaders, our learning opportunities provide practical insights, meaningful dialogue, and hands-on experiences that equip participants to share their faith with authenticity and confidence. All opportunities are free with workshops seeking registration and cohorts requiring application and acceptance.
Clergy Cohort is seeking applicants!
Applications are open for the next Clergy Cohort!
The Clergy Cohort is designed for preachers currently employed at small mainline churches. This cohort will run for two years, typically meeting twice a month online for coaching and learning. The schedule aims to avoid busy times like back-to-school, Christmas, and Easter. Each Fall and Spring, the cohort will gather for a retreat at Mo-Ranch in Hunt, TX for rest and regrowth.
Eligibility Requirements:
Masters of Divinity graduate
Employed at a small congregation (<150 in attendance)
Employed at a church in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Arkansas
Ability to connect to Zoom for online meetings
Ability to attend four in-person retreats over the next two years
Applications will close on May 15, 2026. The cohort will be announced June 1, 2026.
Do you want to learn more about the Clergy Cohort? Please visit its page on our website to learn and see more.
Do you have questions about the Clergy Cohort? Please reach out to us by email at sharingfaith@austinseminary.edu with any questions.
Do you know someone who might be interested in being a part of this cohort? Please feel free to share so they can know of this free opportunity!
Interested in a cohort for those without a Masters in Divinity? The Faithful Preaching Project also has one-year cohorts for lay preachers. An application for a new group will open in May 2026. These groups have also been insightful in sharing feedback and resources among preaching peers and professors of homiletics.
Preaching Workshop with Anna Carter Florence and Jake Meyers
Save the date for preaching workshop lead by Anna Florence and Jake Myers, two professors at Columbia Theological School who also co-direct the Columbia Preachers Studio for Renewal.
Preaching Workshop with Rev. Dr. Jared E. Alcántara
Dr. Jared Alcantara, Director of the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching at Truett Theological School leads a workshop entitled “Compelled to Preach”
Sharing Faith Workshop: Holy Curiosity with Rev. Jen Kindsvatter
Rev. Jen Kindsvatter will lead the group through a hands-on workshop titled "Holy Curiosity: Wonder Stories to Engage All Worshippers through Lent". Participants will leave the workshop with completed lesson plans and manipulatives (all free!).
A Sharing Faith Workshop with Carol Wehrheim (Zoom)
Join us for a workshop with Carol Wehrheim! Carol has written and edited church school curriculum for years, including serving as general editor of Feasting on the Word resources for children’s sermons. In this online-only workshop, Carol will lead the group through best practices for telling Bible stories in congregational worship.
Preaching Workshop with Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie
Preaching Workshop led by Dr. Alyce McKenzie, Director of the Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at SMU.
Preaching Workshop with Rev. Dr. Lisa Cressman
“Spirituality For Preachers: Preaching Is Your Life, Your Life Is Preaching”