Lennett Anderson – Bio
From Pulpit to People: Empowering Advocacy in Community Through Preaching

This workshop will focus on prophetic preaching, by illuminating the rich tapestry of oratory and social justice advocacy within the African Nova Scotian community. The riveting narratives and powerful messages explore the intersection of faith, justice, and community empowerment, inspiring action and solidarity. Join us as we honor this legacy and harness the spirit of prophetic leadership to ignite change and create a more just and equitable world.

Emily Bisset – Bio
Generative Preaching

With good reason, preachers often end up spending too much time and energy trying to explain the Bible or impart knowledge about it. As a result, the congregation can become passive and preachers can fall short of their calling. However, when the Good News is proclaimed, sermons can invite people into an experience of holy possibility, and transformative imagination. This workshop will explore how both congregation and preacher can share an experience of the new thing that God is doing now, among us.

Scott Hoezee – Bio
Preaching the Gospel of John

John’s Gospel, even more than the three Synoptic Gospels, is shot through with a kind of realized eschatological sense.  For John The Kingdom of God is very near and it breaks forth into our present world.  Even John’s Book of Signs conveys this-the miracles of Jesus are for John like arrows that point to the nearness of the kingdom and its ability to make itself present to us in the here and now.  In this workshop we will consider the contours of John and the challenges and opportunities that face the preacher when making sermons from this Gospel.

HyeRan Kim-Cragg – Bio
Preaching for the Planet

This workshop will explore the challenges faced by those who wish to address the climate crisis from the pulpit. These challenges range from choosing scripture and interpretating it, to the predominance of human-centered theology, as well our consumerist lifestyle.

We will explore five homiletical strategies using the acronym of E.A.R.T.H. which stands for: the Elements of Life, Animals in the Bible, Rhythm of Life, Tree of Life, and Hesed (God’s unconditional love). The final strategy culminates with a look at the nature of God, whose love and mercy is at work healing the world.

Jennifer McKenzie – Bio
Preaching with Bent Elbows: Bringing the text closer and being surprised by God

God’s Word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. Do we allow the Word to teach us something new? Preaching with ‘bent elbows’ anticipates the preacher’s own conversion. By bringing the text ever closer, and expecting to be surprised by God, we allow ourselves to read the Biblical text afresh, as if for the first time, every time. We will propose practices and techniques for preparing to preach with bent elbows that include engaging the congregation in both the preparation and delivery of the sermon.