Over 20 years ago, the Festival of Homiletics began as a meeting of 400 pastors who wanted to discuss the best ways to preach. This May, the festival will inspire a multitude more to explore various styles of preaching through lectures, worship and workshops. This year’s theme is Preaching that Matters.
Nashville is the site of the 2013 festival from May 13-17. Three churches will host festival attendees, who will learn from expert preachers like Craig Barnes, president and professor of pastoral ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary; and Nadia Bolz-Weber, founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver.
Luther Seminary’s Karoline Lewis, Alvin N. Rogness Associate Professor of Homiletics, will also speak and preach. The diversity of lecturers allows listeners to hear a variety of perspectives and methodologies for use in their own preaching.
The Festival provides many opportunities to learn. Anna Carter Florence, professor of homiletics at Columbia Theological Seminary, will host a dialogue with noted Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann. Sermons, musical variety shows and workshops will open the minds of participants to new ways of sharing the message.
Single registrations are $285 and registrations of two or more are $270. Full-time seminary students may receive a 50 percent discount. Visit the Festival of Homiletics website for more information.