Steve Bell – Bio
Psalms, Saints & Ancient Prayers: Nourishing the Faith Community

Several songs from Steve Bell’s extensive body of work will be highlighted in this workshop. It models how to use our Christian treasury of psalms and ancient prayers, as well as the lives of particular saints, to fashion and nourish the faith community. We will explore how preachers can use similar principles in their sermons to inspire more faithful living.

Paul Scott Wilson – Bio
Gospel In Sight: Allowing Art Works to Speak in the Sermon

So many events in this world are upsetting that people hunger for and need the beauty of God’s Word. Preaching can enhance expression of this beauty in part by allowing art works to speak alongside scripture. Artists see things we may not see, but preachers are artists of the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they may find connections between art and the gospel that artists may or may not see or articulate. This workshop will explore a few pieces of art. It will model how art can be used in sermons to illumine the beauty of faith

Sarah Travis – Bio
Deeply Grieving: Preaching Traumatic Texts in Advent

The Advent hymn, “Lo! Christ Comes with Clouds Descending”, captures both the hope and the deep grief of the season of Advent. We preach to people who have experienced trauma. We look to scripture to find hope in texts that were written by traumatized people, for traumatized people. This workshop considers both the ways that people experience trauma during Advent, and how we may approach texts to find hope and light in dark times. Drawing on lectionary scripture texts, we will explore themes of trauma and ask how our preaching can avoid retraumatizing people, to speak a word of peace to uneasy hearts.

Anna Carter Florence – Bio
A Parable Universe: When Preachers Start Looking for Parables in Everyday Things

An essential requirement for preachers is the development of a strong and supple homiletical imagination—to ask, “What is God up to, in this world? Where is the Spirit at work? What language will I borrow to make this vivid, for my listeners?” A great way to keep that imagination moving is to take up a new practice: a “parable of the week” field trip and writing exercise. It’s something Anna’s preaching students do every week; many of them are still doing it, years later. In this workshop, you will learn how to get started with your own “parable of the week” exercise, and how the parables we compose can spark and enliven our sermons.

Sheryl Spencer – Bio
Bringing Life to the Dead: Employing the Writer’s Craft in Funeral Sermons

The strength of our words matters more than ever in the funeral sermon. In a few short minutes, the preacher’s sacred responsibility is to honour the mystery, beauty, meaning, pain and glory of a life – and its accompanying death – while also offering pastoral consolation to the ones who remain. Sheryl will use her own and others’ experiences not only to offer wisdom on the importance of funerals and the funeral sermon, but also to give tips from writers on listening, observing, spiritually preparing, and employing other resources to uncover and express the luminous details of a life lived and a death experienced.

Three Open Sessions available to all attendees. NO NEED TO REGISTER!

Poetry Reading
Featuring in-person readings by the poets, Margo Swiss, John Terpstra and Malcolm Guite and hosted by David Kent of the St. Thomas Poetry Series.

The Strength of Our Words
A panel discussion on the 2025 theme facilitated by Paul Scott Wilson and featuring panelists Karoline Lewis, Sarah Han, Scott Hoezee and Jason Byassee.

Panel Discussion
Topic and participants, TBD.

Pamela McCarroll – Bio
Eyes to See and Ears to Hear: Trauma-informed Preaching toward Hope

This trauma-informed approach for preaching draws on Luke’s Road to Emmaus and builds on lived experience of congregants. We will consider how trauma responses show up in congregational settings, shutting down capacities for perception and presence, and for community and relationship building. We will then explore trauma-informed practices that can help support the preaching of the Word and nourish the building of community. The workshop will include a presentation and group reflection and discussion.

Karoline Lewise – Bio
The Strength of the Word: Preaching John’s Gospel for This Time and Place

The Word became flesh is the distinctive and powerful Christological claim of the Fourth Gospel — the Word that creates, rebirths, and brings believers into the fold of God’s abundant love. This workshop will explore the unique voice the Gospel of John might have in inspiring our homiletical imagination, especially in our current contexts that challenge our preaching voices. Taking the possibilities and promises of preaching John’s Gospel seriously, our preaching will be strengthened as persistent witness to God’s love for the world.

Malcolm Guite – Bio
Poetry and the Preacher

What might poetry and preaching have in common? How does the preacher respond to poetry in the Bible? How might poetry be effectively woven into sermons? These questions will be explored with examples in this practical workshop.

Jeff Crittenden – Bio
Remembered Voices – Whispers of Grace and Shouts of Strength  

In this workshop we will consider sermon preparation in a style that is joyous and celebratory. It has roots in the proclamation traditions of African American, Spanish, Brazilian, and Celtic preachers. We will explore Scripture through the eyes and lives of saints and other valiant souls. Our goal is to increase the passion of our people for mission, further equipping them to offer testimony and witness for Christ.

Mark Jefferson – Bio
Rhythms and Algorithms: Embodied Preaching in the Digital Age

Algorithms, AI-generated content and digital platforms increasingly shape our world. How can preachers stay grounded in Spirit-led, embodied proclamation? This interactive workshop examines connections between artificial intelligence, preaching creativity, and theological ethics. Participants will investigate how digital tools can enrich sermon creativity. They will also explore the dangers of disembodiment, surveillance, and other algorithmic limitations. Drawing on rhythm, breath, and community witness traditions, this session encourages preachers to cultivate a personal ethic of proclamation—one that respects both the sacred legacy and presence of the Word and the changing dynamics of our digital age.

Emily Bisset – Bio
Preaching and Poetry – With a Focus on Several Poets

How do we use language in our preaching? My first love was poetry. How poets use words is so different to prose.  Twenty-five years into this preaching and teaching journey, my love has only deepened. In poetry, words are spare, but every word is laden with meaning. Poetry can teach about pace and rhythm; it invites interpretation different from prose. Preaching, at its best, is a wonderful blend of poetry and prose. Conversation with the poets can teach preachers a great deal about economizing words while enriching proclamation of the Gospel. Come join the conversation! We will consider the work of poets such as Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, and Amanda Gorman.

Susan Sparks – Bio
Cross-training for Preachers: Leveraging Lessons from Unexpected Disciplines

Have you ever gotten up Monday morning and thought, “I just don’t have another sermon in me.” Do you ever feel bored with your own preaching? Is your creativity stuck? Well, get in line friends. It happens to everyone. The solution? Cross-training! Like Serenna Williams who studied Mohammed Ali’s footwork to take her tennis game to a new level, join us as we consider lessons from different artisans to level up our own preaching artistry. Examples include singer songwriters, storytellers, spoken word poets, chefs, comedians, novelists, Harley riders, scientists, and more. Open your mind, shake loose some new ideas, and see what transformation can occur!

Sarah Han – Bio
Sparking Gospel Power Within Our Preaching

What if the true power of our sermons doesn’t lie in our eloquence, structure, or insight, but in how clearly, we draw out the gospel of Jesus from every text we preach? In this workshop, we will explore how every passage of Scripture holds within it the power to spark transformation when the gospel is proclaimed. We will discuss practical ways to anchor sermons in the person and work of Christ so that listeners are not merely informed about Christ but invited into an encounter with the living Jesus. Together we will recover the joy and urgency of gospel-centered preaching and learn how to preach not just good sermons, but sermons that burn with resurrection power.

Leanne Friesen – Bio
The Grieving Preacher: Preaching Hope When Your Heart is Broken

All preachers have tried to bring hope and comfort to those who face grief and loss. But what about when preachers are experiencing their own season of grief? What about when you are back at your calling after the death of a loved one? What about when you are grieving yourself for the congregant whose funeral you are leading? In this workshop, participants will discuss how to grieve while we lead others.

Scott Hoezee – Bio
Show, Don’t Tell: Detail and Vividness in Preaching

Alfred North Whitehead said, “We think in generalities but we live in detail.” Too often we preachers settle for generalities, telling the congregation various truths but failing to show them what those truths look like in the concrete specifics of day-to-day living as disciples of Christ. This workshop will explore why story and vivid specificity are the key to effective and compelling preaching. The purpose is to help preachers effectively connect the sermon theme to indelible moments in life during an ordinary week.

Fine-Tuned Preaching is an optional bonus session that provides constructive and encouraging feedback in a small group setting. Each group includes two experienced mentors with extensive expertise in homiletics. Participants are expected to deliver a sermon approximately 12 to 15 minutes in length. Group size is limited to four participants to ensure personalized attention. If demand is high, additional groups may be added. Sessions conclude by 4:00 p.m.

Many attendees have identified Fine-Tuned Preaching as one of the most valuable and impactful components of the LRPF.

There is an addition cost to participate in this session.

Group 1 Gail Ricciuti & Mark Jefferson
Group 2 Karoline Lewis & Scott Hoezee
Group 3 Susan Sparks & Michael Knowles
Group 4 Sarah Han & Paul Scott Wilson