The Rev. R. Karl Watkins, ’09, of Yankton, S.D., is a United Methodist pastor who recently retired after 40 years of proclaiming the gospel in Iowa, South Dakota and Ohio. He first heard about Working Preacher in 2007 when he was enrolled in Luther Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program in biblical preaching, and he’s used the site ever since.
“Working Preacher is the best site out there. I regularly tell others about it and recommend it to them,” he says.
Pastor Watkins says:
- The site provides good, solid biblical scholarship from authors who are current in their field and who are mindful of working preachers.
- The Sermon Brainwave podcast at the beginning of each week helps spark creativity in his preaching.
- The commentaries and text are great to share with other preachers.
Working Preacher is the resource that preachers like Watkins use week-in and week-out. Which is why Watkins is a monthly Sustainer of Working Preacher. “It’s an easy way to give. I don’t have to remember to write a check—it’s just one of my regular contributions. I know that it’s done, and I don’t have to worry about it,” he says.
If, like Watkins, you use Working Preacher on a regular basis, please consider joining him and other Working Preachers by making a monthly gift of $15 or more. Every new Working Preacher Sustainer gift received in November will be matched—dollar for dollar, up to $2,000—for the first three months of your monthly giving to support resources like Working Preacher.
“This website helps us preachers do just that—proclaim the gospel,” Watkins says. “If you value the ongoing support and inspiration from Working Preacher like I do, give a gift today.”
Gifts to Luther Seminary’s Sustaining Fund keep resources like Working Preacher, Enter the Bible and God Pause free for church leaders in places like South Dakota, Iowa, Ohio and beyond. With your ongoing support, Luther Seminary continues to provide excellent free resources to enrich faith lives around the world.