The Leadership Academy: Preaching Institute (LAPI) is a hybrid continuing education program designed to cultivate compelling preaching that leads to congregational vitality. The program is not remedial; it is designed for preachers at any level who want to improve their preaching to their perceived “next” level. Read program background HERE.

The 10-month certificate program runs February through November each year and includes:

• In-person preaching summit, in February or March
• Cohorts of 10 preachers, each with a facilitator/coach
• Individual coaching and instruction (Zoom or in-person)
• Self-paced online classes offered through the Leadership Academy
• A listener feedback group created in your preaching context

Applications for the LAPI Class of 2026 will open on this page on May 1, 2025.

All Class of 2025 applicants will be notified of their status no later than September 30, 2024.

PROCTOR LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, FEB 17–20, LITTLE ROCK, AR. Through the power of prophetic preaching, informed teaching and social activism, clergy, and laity strategize together on behalf of those most vulnerable and marginalized in the world. Conference attendees hear from the foremost African American theological scholars, grassroots and political leaders, emerging leaders, and practitioners. https://sdpconference.info/2025-conference/.

PREACHING GRANTS FOR LOCAL WORSHIPING COMMUNITIES Connect participants in your grant programs to smaller preaching grants: The Vital Worship, Vital Preaching grants program provides awards of up to $25,000 for one-year projects to strengthen preaching and worship in the U.S. and Canada. These grants aren’t intended to supplement your Compelling Preaching grant but to promote preaching-related work in the local context. The next proposal deadline is April 25. More information: https://worship.calvin.edu/grants/info.

PANEL DISCUSSION HOSTED BY LANCASTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Preaching and Music: Powerful Partners in Proclamation by the Rev. Dr. Catherine Williams. Attend in person or online, Feb. 27, 2025, 2–4pm. Free registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-rt-rev-dr-nathan-d-baxter-fund-for-african-american-studies-forum-tickets-1219355869229.

FESTIVAL OF HOMILETICS, “Preaching to Heal the Divide,” Atlanta, May 12–15, 2025. Thirty-three years ago, a few hundred pastors from around the country gathered to learn and converse about preaching in a contemporary context. Today, the Festival of Homiletics is a wide-reaching, four-day conference designed to inspire discourse about preaching and worship in the context of modern society among our thousands of participants. https://festivalofhomiletics.com/