The Academy of Preaching
Year One and Year Three
Rev. Dr. Derek Weber

WORKSHOP DETAILS Second Tue of Jan-Jun and Sep-Nov Jan 9, 2007 @ New Life UMC, Mexico, IN Feb 13, 2007 (location TBA) Mar 13, 2007 (location TBA) Apr 10, 2007 (location TBA) May 8, 2007 (location TBA) Jun 12, 2007 (location TBA) Sep 11, 2007 (location TBA) Oct 9, 2007 (location TBA) Nov 13, 2007 (location TBA) Year One sessions meet 9:30-11:30AM; Year Three sessions meet 1:30-4PM $60 per year APPOINTED NIC MINISTERS ONLY Skill area 1 or 9 - What?

The Academy of Preaching is a three-year, intensive program sponsored by the Ministry Development Division, and certified by the General Board of Discipleship. Participants in the Academy will have an opportunity to explore the preaching process within the framework of a quality program of ministry development. As they study, they will have peer group support and interaction, and develop a trained congregational listening group.

The purpose of the three-year program is to offer more than just the inspiration of a one-time event. The intent is to provide a context and setting for actual exploration and change in one’s preaching ministry. The three-year process will involve a variety of learning and preaching experiences, settings and resources.

The academy has identified three primary components, which can impact the preaching “moment” and process in a positive way. These three areas will serve as a framework of study:

Year One (2007/2009): The Theology and Theory of Preaching

Year Two (2008): The Communication Environment

Year Three (2007/2009): Homiletics/The Practice and Technique of Preaching

Each participant hosts the group during the course of the program. The group meets at least eight times a year with the Dean. In addition, during the course of the year participants attend the Bishop’s Convocation on Preaching and Ministry Development events focused on the preaching ministry. They are to have two reference papers or other projects written on assigned texts and sent to Dr. Weber for assessment, and at least one sermon is discussed in the peer group each year. During the course of the Academy, participants will be guided in developing congregational response groups for their preaching. Successful completion of the three-year Academy will entitle the participant to become a member of the United Methodist Academy of Preaching from the General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee.

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REV. DR. DEREK WEBER is the Academic Dean. Dr. Weber is a United Methodist elder, and a member of the North Indiana Conference. He is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis and received his M.Div. from Perkins School of Theology. In 1993 he received his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh, where he also taught both preaching and media/communication courses. He is the author of Discerning Images: The Media and Theological Education, used widely in UK seminaries, as well as articles on preaching and media in various worldwide journals.