By the first day of October, more than 100 young preachers will be registered for the Festival of Young Preachers in Louisville on January 7-9, 2010. Here is an advance word on what will be expected.
First, each young preacher will have 16 minutes to preach, no more.
There will be a Festival Convener leading each preaching session in each venue (sanctuary, chapel, fellowship hall, and music hall) to keep things moving and on time.
Second, you will have a choice of four preaching themes: birth of Jesus, ministry of Jesus, death of Jesus, and resurrection of Jesus. Pretty simply, isn’t it? We are keeping to the main themes, to say the least. In the next few days all those who are registered will be invited to select a theme. You will then be given a choice of texts and may use these texts for your preaching.
Third, all young preachers will be required to submit in advance a digital copy of the sermon. This is required for three reasons: first, to ensure that everyone is prepared; second, to begin preparation for the e-publication of a book of these sermons; and third, to allow Festival leaders to ensure that all young preachers have adhered to the guidelines.
Fourth, one of these guidelines is to display a sense of appropriateness in the content of the message. Just like a funeral or an ordination or a graduation calls for a narrow range of themes, so this Festival is the place to put aside some things and focus on other things. No agenda preaching will be allowed, by which we mean a focus on divisive issues (homosexuality, global warming, gun control, for instance), no preaching on denominational peculiarities (immersion, or speaking in tongues, or Marian devotion), and no use of stereotypical or derogatory language.
Fifth, we encourage all young preachers to preach in your own style. “Dr. Moody,” one young Nazarene man addressed me, “we are holiness people. How shall we preach at the Festival?” It was, and is, a good question, and my answer then and now: just like you do in your own church! Bring the style and substance of your tradition and preach with confidence and fervor; God will bless your work and everybody will be blessed by your work.
IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED, BEGIN THAT PROCESS TODAY. TIME IS RUNNING OUT. DEADLINE IS OCTOBER FIRST.