The Dynamic Preacher: Using Sacred Word and Stories to Transform, Liberate, and Connect to People

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Preaching is an act of sacred storytelling that carries the power to liberate, connect, and transform. This experiential, hands-on, course is designed to empower preachers to step into their calling with courage, creativity, and compassion. At its best, preaching is both a deeply spiritual and socially relevant act.  This course invites participants to explore how they can share the sacred stories of their communities, while breaking open the Gospel for their listeners, in order to create change and transformation.

Participants will explore various preaching styles: manuscript, notes, in the round, and without notes. The course delves into sermon preparation, focusing on biblical interpretation, exegesis, and critical approaches, while equipping preachers with tools like how to use metaphors, illustrations, storytelling, and mind mapping to enrich their messages. This course will cover both lectionary-based preaching and situational preaching, preparing students to preach effectively in diverse contexts, from weddings to funerals, and addressing urgent themes relevant to their communities.

This course challenges preachers to embrace the sacred responsibility of preaching with bravery and authenticity. By cultivating both theological depth and emotional resonance, you will learn to create sermons that don’t just inform but transform.  Create sermons that break down walls, build up hope, and inspire communities to live out God’s justice, love, and liberation.

Course will be taught in person at VST and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying via Zoom).

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