Gunter Camp & Conference Center
436 Fannie Crosby Road
Batesburg, SC 29006
PASTORS' PRAYER & TRAINING RETREAT
April 25-26, 2025
Cultivating Congregational Conversations
“The Times, They Are A-Changing”
– Bob Dylan
In Preaching at the Crossroads: How the World – And Our Preaching – Is Changing, David Lose effectively examines how our current world is undergoing radical change, due to a confluence of Postmodernism, Secularism, and Pluralism. He goes on to suggest a way forward for preaching: how we might move from a performative homiletic (where the preacher does most of the homiletical work for the congregation) to a participatory homiletic (where the preacher collaborates with the congregation in the formation, delivery, and response to the sermon). This workshop explores ways to make this shift in the life of a local congregation.
The practices and methods we will explore in this workshop intend to engage the congregation in the sermonic process and enhance the preaching ability of the preacher, so as to enrich the whole church in the preaching life of the church. This will result in a people who are not only more biblically literate – they know the content of the Bible, but also biblically fluent – they know how to use the Bible in faithful ways. Since the purpose of preaching is not information but transformation, this means that our congregations will be better equipped to translate biblical doctrine into lived experience.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
If you wish to register after the deadline, please contact Rev. Jeremy Reese at Jeremy.reese@southcarolinanazarene.com.
PRICE
Single Occupancy: $80.00
(Includes Single Room for 1 Person, All Meals and Training Materials)
Double Occupancy: $120.00
(Includes Single Room for 2 People, All Meals and Training Materials)
No Lodging or Cabin Owners: $45.00
(Includes All Meals and Training Materials)
Shared Dorm Room: $55.00
(Includes All Meals and Training Materials)
"Pastors' Prayer & Training Retreat" Designation
Or Mail Check to (Postmarked by April 9th):
"SC District Church of the Nazarene"
Attn: Treasurer
150 McSwain Drive
West Columbia, SC 29169
SCHEDULE
Friday, April 25th
4:00pm-6:00pm - Registration
5:30pm-6:30pm - Supper
6:30pm-7:45pm - Session 1
8:00pm-9:00pm - Session 2
9:00pm - Late Night Snack
Saturday, April 26th
8:00am-8:45am - Breakfast
9:00am-10:30am - Worship & Round Table Discussions
11:00am-12:00pm - Session 3
12:15pm - Lunch
SPANISH TRANSLATION AVAILABLE!
SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Michael Jackson
Dr. Michael Jackson (MJ) is beginning his 15th year as professor of Homiletics and Hebrew Bible at Trevecca Nazarene University and also serves as Director of the TNU More and Better Preachers Initiative. This initiative is made possible through the Lilly Foundation’s Compelling Preaching Initiative. Before he came to TNU in 2010, MJ pastored for more than 30 years in North Carolina, Georgia, Kansas City, and Jacksonville. He has been married to his lovely wife (and Grant Assistant) Cheryl for 50 years and they have two sons and 12 grandchildren.
DR. CRAIG SHEPPERD
Dr. Craig Shepperd has been serving Trevecca as the Professor of Youth and Family and Ministry and Director of The Calling Cooperative since July 2022. Craig has served in the Church of the Nazarene as a youth and young adult pastor, missionary, lead pastor and educator in Croatia, Kansas, Kosovo and Oklahoma. Craig and his wife, Anita, were married in September 2000. They have two children, Jude and Edie. When Craig is not serving at Trevecca he enjoys playing golf, reading, watching TV with his family and traveling.
Worship Leader
Justin Willis
South Carolina native, Justin is the worship leader at Anchor Church. Born and raised in the church of the Nazarene, Justin made the decision to pursue a life with Christ at an early age. He was involved in various South Carolina Nazarene district events, such as Impact, where he gained his love for worship by touring the state with a choir and band. It was also at events such as this where he met his wife, Bethany. Justin graduated from The College of Charleston with a Computer Science degree and is now a software developer for an IT company. With his family’s musical history, and ever-expanding library of favorite worship songs, Justin’s main focus in leading music is to help prepare hearts for true worship of God.