Just Preachers, Just Preaching:” Mixed Methods Conference Explores the Experience of Preaching
The 2026 Mixed Methods Preaching Conference explores the relationship between the preacher, the listener, and the experience of compelling preaching.
“We want to explore the personhood of preachers – and how that translates to the preaching moment,” said Dr. Courtney Buggs, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Director of the PhD in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric degree program at CTS. She is serving in her first year as Convener of the Mixed Methods Preaching Conference, which takes place October 19–22, 2026, at Light of the World Christian Church.
Bugg suggest the 2026 theme “Just Preachers, Just Preaching” connects the preacher to what we hear in preaching. It is a call to examine who we are, what we say, and why it matters. Some may argue that the preacher is separate from the message, but Buggs believes they are integrally related.
“Meaningful preaching is not abstract,” she said. “I believe it is the public proclaiming of one’s own theological convictions. In the preaching act, we articulate and embody our beliefs about God, the activities of God, and humanity.”
Listening as Part of the Preaching Experience
This year’s conference theme also emphasizes the role that congregations, or listeners, play in the preaching process. Compelling preaching is not only determined by the preacher but perhaps more so by the listening audience. Buggs said it is critical to explore the listeners’ experience of the preached message — exploration that goes beyond good-bad assessment. The promises of compelling preaching emerge between both the participating congregation and the preacher.
According to Buggs, the conference hopes to engage not only pastors or associate ministers and lay ministers, but also congregants who are invested in preaching or are curious about the sacred speech act that we call preaching. This year the MMPC is offering CEUs for those who may need training hours — thereby encouraging, perhaps, a wide range of participants. “I hope that senior pastors and denominational entities will sponsor their associate, lay, and staff ministers to attend, investing in them and their ministries as vital to the life of the church.”
For the first time, Buggs is moving from the background to the forefront of the conference which is presented by Christian Theological Seminary. The conference is an extension of the PhD Program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric. As Director of that degree program, Buggs said it has been especially meaningful to cast this year’s conference vision.
A significant element of that vision is to collect data about the listener experience to help inform future teaching and training of preachers. She said that understanding how the audience experiences preaching really tells us if it is compelling or not. To that end, there will be staff actively asking for attendees to complete a three-question survey about their experiences of preaching from the perspective of a listener. This data collection will occur throughout the event and is open to all participants.
Learning Through Practice
While the experience of the listener is being elevated, the overall focus is still on the craft and calling of preaching. Attendees will attend plenary sessions as well as take part in preaching labs carefully designed to focus on various methods of preaching. The preaching labs are taught by PhD program students, graduates, and clergy associated with the former Compelling Preaching Initiative cohorts. This immersive experience includes instruction, discussion, and direct feedback on your preaching.
“There is real learning happening,” Buggs said. “There will be tools and takeaways for those who participate. If you are a new preacher or thinking about preaching or want to learn a new method, this conference is for you.”
Evening Worship and Conference Registration
The conference also welcomes the public to nightly evening worship featuring preachers like Rev. Traci Blackmon, Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes, Rev. Dr. Andrew Wilkes, and Rev. Jeffrey Johnson, II. Evening worship services are free and open to the public without conference registration.
Buggs said that over the next several weeks, the planning team will finalize the flow of the event. Online registration for the conference is now open, and early bird rates are available until July 1.
For more information or to register, please visit https://www.cts.edu/events/cts-mixed-methods-preaching-conference-2026/
