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Preaching Excellence: Deacons of Province 1 (Online)
March 3, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - March 5, 2023 @ 6:30 pm
The online conference’s central focus will be the unique voice of the deacon as a reflection of the diaconate’s mission to represent the Church to the community and the world to the Church.
“The mission of the diaconate has never been more central to the needs of the Church,” said EPF’s Dean of Faculty Stephen Smith. “Deacons point us in the direction where the Church can be of service in the world in these increasingly dismaying times, and to be fully effective in this role the diaconate needs to speak powerfully and authentically from the pulpit. We hope that these conferences will play a role in lifting the diaconate to this role.”
The program will emphasize the deacon’s unique opportunity—and responsibility—to speak the sometimes uncomfortable truths that may be less acceptable coming directly from the incumbent priest.
In addition to preaching to peer feedback in small, moderated preaching groups the participants will hear from highly-respected guest faculty:
– The Rev. Kimberly Jackson, Georgia State Senator and Vicar of the Church of the Common Ground, a street ministry in Atlanta.
– The Rev. Dr. Stephen Smith will present a refresher workshop on exegesis and sermon preparation
– Ryan Bonfiglio, Ph.D. of Candler School of Theology will present The Bible and Poverty, a reminder that the alleviation of poverty is one of the most dominant themes in both Old and New Testaments.
– A panel discussion will discuss how preachers are responding to the new challenge of preaching in the digital age and leveraging the power of social media to expand the reach of their ministries.