In May, Point University’s Center for Compelling Preaching hosted its first Compelling Preaching Conference at Trinity Anglican Church in Atlanta.
The conference theme was “Inhabiting the Text,” and attendees heard from guest speakers Dr. O. J. Heyward of Rennaissance Church of Christ and Kris McDaniel of Trinity Anglican Church.
During the first of six sessions, Dr. Heyward helped attendees to clarify the goal of preaching. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that as we speak, we’re helping individuals know that the King is coming and we’re getting them prepared for his arrival,” he said.
In the following sessions, McDaniel encouraged attendees to be intentional in their study of the Bible. “We don’t treat the Bible like a Denny’s buffet,” he said. “We let it come to us versus us coming and picking and choosing what we like. If your sermon prep is your devotional time, you’re probably missing something in your life.”
The conference served as an opportunity for pastors, ministry leaders and lay people to connect with others while being encouraged and equipped to teach and proclaim the Word of God.
“Our first Compelling Preaching Conference was a tremendous success, and also a testimony to the broad reach of Point University,” said Dr. Joshua Rice, professor of biblical studies. “I know that I personally met participants who are Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostal, and of course, many from the Stone-Campbell tradition, all there to elevate biblical preaching.”
“We had 68 preachers from across the southeast at our Compelling Preaching Conference,” said David Allgire, executive director of the Center for Compelling Preaching. “Our goal is ‘resourcing, recharging, supporting and activating preachers in this digital and divided culture.’ The teaching at the conference was so effective for our preachers because it was a great combination of both the head and the heart, including a lot of sermon preparation help as well as inspiration for the mission of preaching. I think a lot of our preachers left with some great tools and a sense of renewal.”
The Center for Compelling Preaching exists to “cultivate practices among aspiring and active preachers to help them proclaim the gospel to diverse audiences in engaging and effective ways.” In one-year preaching peer groups, preachers are trained through collaboration, support and development. To learn more about the Center for Compelling Preaching, please visit point.edu/ccp.
