Hopes & Dreams
My family has a New Year’s tradition that we call “Hopes and Dreams.” Rather than setting resolutions, we cast our net of imagination towards what we hope will happen in the year to come. It’s a bit like making goals, but without the sense of duty or guilt if it doesn’t come to pass.
Most years, my hopes and dreams also have something to do with my job—with the work I am lucky I get to do—and this year I’m particularly thankful for how the two grant projects bring new hopes and dreams into my life. Thinking about the Faithful Preaching Project and the Children’s Sermons by Children grants, I am looking forward to how God will be at work in the next twelve months.
I hope…
That each member of our preaching cohorts experience the difference that faith-full preaching makes in their own faith and that of their congregation.
That future members of our cohorts of clergy and lay preachers will already be feeling a tug towards a community where they can grow in their preaching.
That our new cohort for Children in Worship will experience engaging and honest conversations that spark new ideas for how to incorporate children as worship leaders and proclaimers.
That the Preaching Workshops led by Jared Alcántara [February 20] and Anna Carter Florence and Jake Myers [November 7] will be refreshing for all attendees looking for preaching renewal.
That we will continue to learn what makes for “Faith-full preaching” and how sermons can best inspire and grow faith in listeners.
That the Austin Seminary community including our Sharing Faith team will continue to learn from the gifts of preachers from small congregations and the children we interview in our Listening Tour.
That with the help of our associate director Amanda Herridge, that we will build ecumenical relationships across Texas with those working in children’s ministry and serve as a resource for those looking for community, connection, and support.
That we will be able to communicate what we are learning with a broad audience to further enrich the life of the church.
That’s a lot to hope for in the coming months! Keep tuning in to our monthly newsletters to hear how we are seeing signs of these hopes and dreams become a reality.
Blessings to you in your ministry!
Carolyn Helsel
Project Director, Sharing Faith Initiative
We are starting our year with a Sharing Faith Workshop called “Holy Curiosity: Wonder Stories to Engage All Worshippers through Lent” , led by Rev. Jen Kindsvatter. Rev. Kindsvatter will lead the group in creating story blocks and practicing scripts that can be used in worship to tell the stories of Lent. Registration for this event has closed, but a recording of the presentation will be shared afterwards.
The first Preaching Workshop of the year welcomes Dr. Jared E. Alcántara, professor of preaching and Director of the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. Dr. Alcántara’s workshop, titled “Compelled to Preach: Convictional Preaching in a Divisive Time”, will guide participants to reflect on what they believe, consider how they might cultivate lives that preach, and discover how to preach recognizably Christian sermons in a divisive time. Registration is now open.
Click here to read more about the Compelled to Preach Workshop & register to attend
Inspiring conversations and a supportive community have been the touchstones of the preaching cohorts in the Faithful Preaching Project. Two cohorts - - the Clergy Cohort and the Lay Preacher Cohort - - will open for applications this Spring. We look forward to welcoming new preachers into these groups for discussions, guidance, and support surrounding delivering faith-full messages.
This Fall, we will welcome Anna Carter Florence and Jake Myers, co-directors of the Preachers Studio for Renewal at Columbia Theological Seminary. More information about the workshop and sign up opportunities will be available later this year.