Learning Cohorts
Cohort registration is available now. See below for details.
Learning cohorts will gather small groups (6-8 participants) of preachers both online and in-person for shared learning around new models of proclamation. These gatherings will be a time of deep connection, spiritual formation and reflection on God’s word, as well as a time to share and cultivate practical tools for preaching in diverse contexts. Cohorts will gather weekly for six weeks, with new cohorts beginning throughout the year. As a cohort member, preachers will benefit from:
- The leadership of an experienced, active preacher
- The collective wisdom and experience of 6-8 other preachers
- New ideas, tools, feedback and encouragement to experiment with new styles of preaching
- Funds to purchase resources that support experimentation (e.g., a projector, objects for listeners to hold, etc.)
- Funding for private preaching coaching (up to four sessions)
- Funding for private spiritual direction (up to four sessions)
In order to participate, cohort members will commit to:
- Attend weekly gatherings for 6-8 weeks
- Experiment with new methods of preaching in their own context
- Engage meaningfully with other cohort members to provide support and feedback
- Pray for their cohort members and cohort leader
- Participate in program evaluation and research
All active and aspiring preachers are invited to participate, including students and preachers in nontraditional contexts. New cohorts will be offered in spring 2025. Interested preachers can click the link below to be notified of future cohort openings.
Cohort Schedule
Cohort 1 | Leaders: Mindy Smith and Mary Hulst
Schedule: Virtual, Tuesdays at noon (Sept. 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21)
Spaces available: 10
Description: Sermon workshops in which participating preachers will send sermons in advance for the group to view and provide feedback. Preachers can also bring a text for an upcoming workshop to build a sermon. Cohort will also provide space for personal check-ins, prayer and support.
The Rev. Mary Hulst currently serves as university pastor at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she has been since 2009. Prior to her current post, she spent eight years serving as the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Mindy Smith is the associate director of the Whitworth University Office of Church Engagement in Spokane. She previously served as a campus pastor and spent ten years developing campus ministry programs at the university, teaching pastoral care and ministry training classes, and preaching regularly during weekly community chapel.
To join this cohort, register here >>>
Cohort 2 | Leader: Emily Kuenker
Schedule: In person, dates/times will depend on availability of interested preachers
Spaces available: 8
Description: Are you interested in an in-person preaching cohort in Spokane? In our sessions we will work with Scripture, explore various tools preachers need at the ready, and encourage one another to use the unique voices God has given us as instruments of truth-telling, peacemaking and transformation.
The Rev. Emily Kuenker is a pastor, preacher, writer, artisan bread baker and chai connoisseur. She holds a master's of divinity from Luther Seminary and was the recipient of the seminary's Graduate Preaching Fellowship. She has studied homiletics and peacemaking in Palestine, Northern Ireland, Colombia and the Southern United States. Emily currently serves as campus pastor & organizer for Greater Spokane Campus and Young Adult Ministry.
To join this cohort, register here >>>
Congregational Research
Cohort participants will also be invited to engage in deeper research with their congregations, faith communities or other listener groups. This research aims to help preachers discern the effectiveness of integrating new preaching styles into their unique context and to develop a more detailed picture of the effectiveness of new preaching styles. The study will utilize focus groups and listener surveys to gather data. Preachers who utilize available funds for preaching resources will be required to participate. For more information about the Compelling Preaching Initiative’s research activities, visit the Resources & Research page.