Pastors,
The task of preaching is continually before you. Through it, you proclaim the promises of God in Christ to the church and the world. Though preaching is a weekly duty, pastors rarely have the chance to step back and reflect on the deeper craft of preaching or to receive fresh encouragement for the work.
With this in mind, we invite you to join other pastors for a three-day workshop on the task and craft of preaching. Our instructor will be Dr. David Schmitt. The sessions will center around “The Pilgrimage of Preaching.”
In Scripture, God’s word takes on a variety of forms. He uses stories and letters, proverbs and parables, oracles and psalms, to communicate his work of salvation in our midst. When we preach, however, we can sometimes reduce this variety to a small set of familiar forms. Over time, our well-trodden paths can become familiar ruts, both for us and for our people.
The Pilgrimage of Preaching is designed to help preachers grow in the variety of ways in which they proclaim God’s word to God’s people. After considering the basic dynamics of the sermon, we will learn how to structure it in various ways.
Rev. Dr. David Schmitt holds the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Endowed Chair in Homiletics and Literature at Concordia Seminary. The responsibilities of this position include teaching courses in homiletics and literature and serving as a resource to the church at large through writing, speaking, and conducting workshops and symposia. Dr. Schmitt joined the faculty in 1995 and serves as Professor of Practical Theology. He is an academic, but above all, he is a pastor.
VENUE
St. James Lutheran Church is our gracious host for this event. Registration fees include the workshop, several meals, and some books from 1517 Publishing. The registration does not include travel or lodging; the remaining meals are on your own. You can find directions HERE.
LODGING / TRAVEL
The closest airports:
- ORD (Chicago O'Hare International) about 13 miles (45min) from church (UBER is best ground)
- MDW (Chicago Midway International Airport ) about 13 miles (45min) from church (UBER is best ground)
There are many lodging options, some less than 2 miles away. Here are a few for your consideration; booking is on your own.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Monday, August 10
- 6:00p Dinner Provided & informal fellowship @ St. James Lutheran
Tuesday, August 11
- 8:00a Breakfast on your own
- 9:00a Devotions w/1517 Staff & Morning Sessions (2) with Dr. Schmitt
- 11:30a Box-Lunch provided (Jimmy Johns)
- 1:00p Afternoon Sessions (2) with Dr. Schmitt
- 5:00p Dinner on your own (we will pick a location for all who want to attend)
Wednesday, August 12
- 8:00a Breakfast on your own
- 9:00a Devotions w/1517 Staff & Morning Sessions (2) with Dr. Schmitt (close at 11:30a)
*Note: You will be added to our weekly 1517 & Craft of Preaching email lists with your registration.
Event Date
