Wednesday was the watershed day.
Yes, it began to rain, interrupting three perfectly beautiful days of sunshine and breeze; but more than that, weariness took its toll. Preaching three sermons in three days, even eight minute sermons, is a tough task for young, inexperienced preachers. Many were up late and early, reading, conferring, writing, practicing. It was a grueling three days.
In and around the preparing and preaching, three guest presenters engaged the young preachers in dialogue: David Emery, from Middletown Christian Church, Bob Russell, formerly of Southeast Christian Church, and Amos Jones, a layman of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington DC. Today, Rick Stern comes in from St. Meinrad and tomorrow Teresa Stricklen drives over from Louisville. But mostly, it has been about the preaching: getting ready and doing the job.
We declared a Sabbath, of sorts, for Thursday. Spend the previous evening relaxing and sleeping, we told the young preachers, and spend the morning in coaching sessions with our three seasoned preachers: Rich Voelz from Vanderbilt, Tommy Valentine, from Lexington Avenue Church, in Danville, Kentucky, and Lee Huckleberry, from Howard Park Christian Church in Clarksville, Indiana. I also have served as worship leader and preaching coach.
Wednesday, a local reporter spent the day on site, writing a story to follow-up a story last week; tomorrow, a writer from the Kentucky Christian Magazine will be at the camp; and today, a Doctor of Ministry student will be present to initiate his research into the work of the Academy.
Friday morning the young preachers will preach their last sermon and we are exploring how to broadcast them live through the computer and internet. Stay tuned!!
Already we are tweaking the template and planning for three or four Preaching Camps for next year. It has a good beginning to the Academy of Preachers.