Preacher's Post

Preacher's Post

From the Executive Director, The Rev. Anne S. Howard

It’s a new year, and several new projects are underway at The Beatitudes Society that encourage our student leaders to raise their voices – articulate voices! - for justice:

First up: We are launching a new feature at www.BeatitudesSociety.org. “Preacher’s Post” is a weekly column in our Beatitudes Blog for preachers, and those who have to listen to them!

I’ll be posting some sermon bits and pieces for those preparing for Sunday’s sermon, and inviting our students and others to bring their commentary and their preaching ideas to the table as well.

We’re doing this in response to folks who say either “how can I preach about justice without turning off my congregation or emptying out the pews?” or “why don’t I ever hear my pastor engage the tough issues?”

And we’re doing this because we are committed to the fresh learning and energizing give-and-take that happens when older, more wrinkled pastors (like me) sit down at the table with fresh new preachers (our students and new alums).

It’s my hope that we might spark some lively conversations, and even more importantly, some lively preaching. I hope you’ll be part of our post.

Next: We’re also developing a new small group curriculum about progressive Christianity and the links between faith and justice advocacy for use at our schools and in churches. It’s a big project, with a trial launch due this summer.

And finally: We’re making plans for an invitational preaching workshop for our students and alums, both clergy and lay, who want to practice and hone their pulpit skills in community with others.

These projects, of course, require funding, and so I hope you’ll consider an investment in our students. We need their voices tomorrow, calling, as Martin Luther King Jr. did, for justice to “roll down like water” and so we need your support today. Thank you.

 

In Christ's peace,

Anne

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