Compelling Preaching Conference

Active Presbyterian preachers, alumni preachers, local reformed tradition pastors, Christian Ministry students, and seminary students are invited to a unique five-day conference of cross-generational learning focused on engaging young adults through digital media and contemporary culture.

The 2024 Compelling Preaching Conference opens with a dinner on Sunday, June 16, and concludes on Friday, June 21 at noon. It will be held on the campus of Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska.

Sessions (see below for presenters and titles) will cover the use of digital media and current culture to reach young adults. Classes will provide practical training for use of appropriate technology and engage in intergenerational dialogue.

Morning prayer and songs will open each day and recreational and social activities are planned. Aspiring and active preachers will engage in peer-to-peer workshops and intergenerational conversation to learn with and from each other.

2024 Conference Details

Dates: Sunday, June 16 (5:00 pm check in) to Friday, June 21 (10am checkout)
Location: Hastings College campus
Cost: None! Accommodations and meals are covered by a grant for the first 25 to register.
Deadline: The deadline to register is May 24.

Registration is open!

Conference Presenters and Topics

Rev. Doodle Harris — The Bible and Harry Potter
Rev. Dr. Laura Mariko Cheifetz — Self-Differentiation and Reintegration: The Challenges and Wisdom of Community vis-à-vis Reservation Dogs and Never Have I Ever
Rev. Ben Hanne — The Bible and Star Wars
Kathleen Turner — Pastors Should Be Seen and Heard: Principles of Lighting and Sound Reinforcement, Part 1
Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow — The Complexity of Community and the Possibilities for Proclamation
Rev. Terrance Klein — The Alpha & Omega of Preaching: Using Anything from Lord of the Rings to Star Trek
Bruce Batterson — Pastors Should Be Seen and Heard: Principles of Lighting and Sound Reinforcement, Part 2
Rev. Dr. Karla Cooper — Rare, Visions, Called
Jarod Rogers — Digital Content Creation in the Church
Michelle Morganflash — Talking with Your Congregation About Trauma
Rev. Dr. Casey T. Sigmon — Stitches, Duets, and Flips: A Model for the 21st Century Preacher as Host
Rev. Brian D. Ellison — Pronouns and Beyond: Words and Identity When We Preach to God’s People

Additional Information

The conference begins on Sunday, June 16 with registration at 5:00 p.m. followed by a gathering event and dinner at 6:00 p.m. at Barrett Alumni Center on campus.

Sessions will be in French Memorial Chapel on campus.

Monday-Thursday Daily Schedule

7:30 a.m. – Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. to noon – Morning Session
Noon – Lunch

2:00-5:00 p.m. – Afternoon Session
5:30 p.m. – Dinner

7:00-9:00 p.m. – Evening session

Friday, June 21 Schedule

8:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Final Session

10:00 a.m. – Check Out

Questions?

If you have questions about the Compelling Preaching Conference, contact:

Rev. Doodle Harris at doodle.harris@hastings.edu, or
Mary Plock, ASPIRE Program Associate, at mary.plock@hastings.edu or 402.705.0675.