Reflections on the Conference: Elizabeth Evans

"How to you read a text before you begin to write? How do you preach an inspired message when you are afraid it is too powerful for words?"

"How do you like being in a multi-staff congregation? Or would you rather have your own church?"

"Open-toed, red, black or green shoes? What is your favorite to preach in? Or do you like to wear shoes at all?"

"How do the early days of married life work in the pastorate? How do you breastfeed, take maternity leave and find good babysitters when you are the one leading the congregation?"

These any many more were among the questions asked and answered during a five day conference at the Cathedral College of Preachers this past week. I journeyed alongside 40 other fabulous women preachers under forty year old guided by Dr. Anna Carter Florence, a professor at Columbia Theological Seminary. We came from the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, and even a few Baptists (only four though) church. The idea for this event came out of the Young Women Clergy Project which is an online community of shared ideas for ministers under 35 years old in which I belong.

Each of these women came with their unique calls and church experiences. Many of us were associate pastors, several were solo pastors in churches with small membership, and some were even chaplains. Yet, we united by our love both of preaching and living into our calling with enthusiasm and verve.

As usually is the case with most conferences I attend, the best part of the experiences are the relationships nourished while you are there. Especially at an event geared toward a population of women who could honestly say to me "I know how you feel," it was great to share not only meals but the conversations that came along with them. We all seemed to bond instantly and form the unique type of support group that only a retreat setting could provide.

However, this time, I also enjoyed the experience of preaching twice to a group of five peers. The first sermon I preached on Tuesday afternoon was titled, "The One Thing" which I previously shared with my congregation two weeks ago (click on the link to listen to it). After preaching, I received both positive and constructive feedback-- the kind that is more meaty than the usual "You did a good job" or "I enjoyed your  today" that I get while shaking hands at the door after Sunday worship. I also was reminded that I'm more of a Baptist than I even realize. (My use of scripture throughout the sermon was a unique characteristic of my sermon, I learned.)

On Thursday, I proclaimed a second time, a mini-sermon called "More than Pennies" from I Corinthians 16. It was a text that I began to work with before the conference began, and then put together as much of it as I could by our afternoon session that day. It was a stewardship sermon that I look forward to preaching one day in the near future to our folks here (as most congregations are in the summer, we are in trouble financially as people go on vacation and we fall behind on our budget).

I can't wait for future gatherings like this to occur. What a joy it was to be with my preaching sisters from across the nation if even just for a week!
Reprinted, with permission, from Elizabeth's blog .  The Rev. Elizabeth Evans is an American Baptist pastor serving in Maryland.  She is a graduate of Duke University School of Divinity.