Last week the Synod of the Covenant turned to its partner, Science for the Church, to arrange a talk and question-and-answer session on a timely topic, “The Psychology of Polarization.”
How do hymns do theology? How much interpretive work is possible within the limits of poetic expression? How does any of this make for more compelling and memorable sermons?
The Rev. Dr. Catherine E. Williams, Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship and the Director of Chapel Worship at Lancaster Theological Seminary, handled all those questions and more during a fascinating and engaging talk last week as part of the “Equipping Preachers” series offered most months by the Synod of the Covenant.
According to the Rev. Dr. Chip Hardwick, when you Google “Why are Presbyterians like that?” one of the top five questions asked is, “Why are Presbyterians called the ‘frozen chosen’?” Hardwick, executive for the Synod of the Covenant, recently preached at a regional gathering of immigrant new worshiping community and church leaders in Cincinnati. Hardwick brought greetings on behalf of the synod, which spans most of Ohio and all of Michigan and as of 2022 had 623 churches reporting 82,264 members, to a group that included the praise team from Korean Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati and other regional leaders as well as immigrant leaders from California and Georgia.
In an approach that presents any number of spoiler alert challenges, the Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto nonetheless recommends that preachers read Luke backwards.
Last week, Tim Pollock, commissioned ruling elders and commissioned pastors coordinator for the Synod of the Covenant, offered a webinar full of ideas on extending ministry networks to municipal and nonprofit agencies. Watch the hour-long broadcast here.
The Rev. Dr. Neal Presa spent 90 minutes last week helping preachers in the Synod of the Covenant to embrace preaching that’s prophetic and apocalyptic.
“Rediscovering Lost Treasure: Old Testament Resources for Christian Faith and Life” is the title the Rev. Dr. Dennis Olson gave to an online talk he delivered earlier this month as part of the Synod of the Covenant’s “Equipping Preachers” series.
During the Synod of the Covenant’s Equipping Preachers webinar last week, the Rev. Dr. Cindy Halvorson worked with participants to engage John 2:1-11 — an account of Jesus’ first miracle — through the eyes of the person of their choice as part of the story of Jesus transforming water into wine during the wedding at Cana.
Now that they’ve turned the corner on Advent and Christmas, preachers are, ready or not, turning their attention to Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14 and runs through Easter Sunday, March 31.
