The Challenge
Preaching
Among Exiles
Today's churches "find themselves in a context where their most treasured ... symbols of faith are mocked, trivialized, or dismissed."
—Walter Bruggeman
Preaching today must:
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Develop TRUE INTIMACY with Jesus.
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Develop CULTURAL DISCERNMENT.
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Forge INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
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GROUND and MOTIVATE an ambitious generation.
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CURB ENTITLEMENT and self-centered tendencies.
—David Kinnaman
Preaching Burnout
75%
of ministers feel "emotionally exhausted."
29%
have given "real, serious consideration to quitting."
70%
experience loneliness and have no close friends.
Preaching Shortage
The Association of Theological Schools reports that since 2006 total enrollment in theological education has decreased by 9%.
In 1968 the majority of all protestant clergy were under the age of 45, yet in 2017 just
22% were under 45.
It is becoming increasingly more difficulty to find mature, young Christians who want to become preachers.