Do you get asked to preach at the last minute but need more preparation to be able to respond to those short-notice calls? Are you comfortable with a traditional sermon but left wide-eyed when asked to give a children’s sermon or have more flexibility in the pulpit?
From Your Heart to Theirs is for laity and clergy who are striving to build their preaching skills. It is a two-week course with insights into the connection of scripture with events and experiences, even if you haven’t preached that way before, while offering a safe space to practice those skills, and without leaving home.
The course requires using Assignments and Discussion Boards in Blackboard. In addition to those daily Blackboard interactions, two required Zoom meetings will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Eastern). This course session will be led by instructor, Rev. Dr. Kristen Burkhart. She brings a storytelling approach to preaching through practical theology and real life application.
This course will use the book: From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon PARTICIPANT’S GUIDE
This class has been approved by Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. It is the “preaching” class required for Lay Speaker certification. (You are advised to contact your conference or district LSM office to make sure this course is approved for you.)
This course is eligible for 1.0 CEU.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 2
Price: $85
CEUs: 1.0
Required books: Yes
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: Yes, required
Certification or Series: Yes (Lay Servant Ministries)
Read course description for details.
New to BeADisciple?
Read how BeADisciple courses work
Price: $85
About the Instructor
Rev. Dr. Kristen Burkhart has been a pastor in the United Methodist Church since 2006 and currently serves Dandridge (Tennessee) First UMC. Kristen received her Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University and her doctorate from Wesley Theological Seminary.
Kristen knows the method that guided John Wesley guided her family and brought two different backgrounds into one concept of service and worship of Jesus Christ. “The Method we follow matters; it’s part of what binds us and the Holy Spirit’s movement,” she says. Kristen also believes ministry is not always about the major issues or measurable outcomes. “Sometimes it’s about one called person reaching out to another in a season of need and in that moment when one heart connects to another’s we glimpse the heart of God.”
Past Learners Said…
“This is an excellent class for all newly-minted Lay Servant Ministers or Christ Servant Ministers [to] take as one of their first advanced classes; you will not be disappointed.”
“Learning new ways to think about sermon writing, delve into other translations, and choose sermon structure were very welcome…”
“Rev. Beth Perry was an excellent instructor, who was kind, encouraging and provided a very safe environment for the students to be able to explore elements of preaching they were not familiar with.”
