THE art of preaching was in the spotlight when the Emmanuel Community offered a module of its School of Mission last month.
“School of Preaching” attracted 50 people from 18 years to those of retirement age.
“We live in a very secularised world,” School of Mission director Shayne Bennett said.
“If people don’t hear the Gospel in the marketplace they probably won’t hear it at all.
“The School of Preaching was designed to equip men and women, both young and old, with skills to tell the Gospel story in a way that is both relevant and compelling.”
Topics covered “Crafting a message”, “Preaching one on one”, “Being shaped by the Word”, with presenters including Missionaries of God’s Love founder Fr Ken Barker, menALIVE director Robert Falzon and Evangelise Now! founder Jan Heath.
“Preaching has a new dimension when it comes under the anointing of the Holy Spirit,” Fr Barker said in his address.
“If a preacher doesn’t move under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, he doesn’t move anyone at all.”
“Moved” by the experience were various participants – taking home various new strategies.
“I learnt how to use my personal stories to help spread the Word, and also how to structure a talk or my testimony,” Monique Singh, from the St Stephen’s Cathedral parish, said.
Nicholas Davis, from Redcliffe City parish, said he appreciated “the topics and learning from other people from various generations”.
Emmanuel’s Robert de Weger said he learned “a greater love for Scripture, a greater purpose as an evangelist and better ways to proclaim the Gospel message”.
The School of Preaching was held at the Emmaus Centre for Renewal and Evangelisation in Paddington from March 19-21.
Its format evolved around keynote sessions, workshops and small-group times.
Another module of formation from the School of Mission will be held in the second half of 2010.
