Sermon Roundtable

2024 Sermon Roundtable Clergy Leader

“It has just been really transformative for the people who participated. That includes me… I would say even for the congregation members who didn’t participate in the feedback group. I think the congregation has seen consistently stronger preaching because of the program.”
— 2024 Sermon Roundtable Clergy Leader

• Would you like to take your preaching to the next level?
  
• Do you want to feel more connected to your parish, especially in your call to preach the Good News? 
  
• Would you like members of your congregation to be more engaged in weekly Bible study?

If so, then consider trying Sermon Roundtable, a new program developed by the Episcopal Preaching Foundation. This 12-week program is now available at no charge to you or your parishioners, thanks to a grant from The Compelling Preaching Initiative of the Lilly Endowment.

Sermon Roundtable supports parish clergy and lay preachers in their preaching while simultaneously providing opportunities for adult formation and pastoral connection within the parish. Leaders are supported throughout their participation through Preaching Mentors and peer connections.

Each of the eight training modules starts with an hour of independent work that is preparation for a 90-minute group session. For the group sessions, the preacher acts as the facilitator, using easy-to-follow Leaders’ Guides that accompany the on-line materials. For parishes with multiple regular preachers, groups can be co-facilitated or the meeting structure can be adapted to fit your needs. The modular nature of the program allows motivated facilitators to customize the course structure and content.

After the eight-week training phase is completed, the group moves into the four-week implementation phase, applying what they have learned. Roundtable groups are designed to meet weekly to provide feedback on last Sunday’s sermon and discuss the Bible readings for the coming Sunday. In preparing the upcoming Sunday’s sermon, the preacher can then draw from the Roundtable discussion for inspiration. Subsequent feedback, offered in a supportive and effective manner, allows the preacher to learn what techniques and approaches work best for their specific faith community. When the twelve weeks of program materials end, the group can choose what comes next: continue as a feedback and lectionary study group with the same members, or start again with a new group.

Interested in learning more about the program? Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Fall and Spring cohorts. Fill out our contact form, and we’ll be in touch!