Mixed Methods Preaching Conference

Just Preachers, Just Preaching

October 19-22, 2026

The Mixed Methods Preaching Conference gathers preachers, ministry leaders, scholars, and students for 3.5 days of immersive engagement with the craft and calling of preaching. Through preaching labs, plenary lectures, and evening worship, participants will encounter the full range of what it means to stand in the pulpit with faithfulness, creativity, and conviction.

Presented by Christian Theological Seminary, this conference is for those who take preaching seriously — and those who are curious about preaching — and want to grow.

"I Am the Light of the World" stained glass

This year’s conference takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana at Light of the World Christian Church and is hosted by Christian Theological Seminary.

Light of The World Christian Church
Pastor R. Janae Pitts-Murdock
4646 N Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46228

Get Directions

Preaching Labs

Each conference participant is placed in one lab for the duration of the conference based on their first and second choice selections at registration. Lab assignments are first-come, first-served. Each lab is capped at 15 participants.

Available Labs:

Artificial Intelligence and the Anointing: Tools, Theology, and Guardrails for Preachers

Preaching on the Fly: The Art of Homiletical Improvisation

Marginalized Bodies: A New Approach to Preaching about Disability

Womanist Preaching for Desperate Times

Preaching from an Authentic Center: Leaning into the Prophetic

Lab placement confirmations will be sent by September 1, 2026.

Daily Schedule Overview

Morning – Lectures and plenary sessions
Afternoon – Preaching lab sessions
Evening – Evening worship service featuring preaching, Monday – Wednesday (open to the community, no registration required)

Meals & Amenities

Registration includes:

Breakfast daily (Tuesday–Thursday)

Lunch daily (Monday–Wednesday)

Thursday box lunch — by prior selection only

Snacks and refreshments throughout each conference day

- Conference swag bag (early and general registration only)

MMPC Key Dates

Date	Action
May 8	Registration opens — Early Bird rate begins
June 30	Early Bird rate ends
July 1	General rate begins
September 1	Lab placement notifications sent to registrants
September 8	Refund Request Deadline
October 1	Registration Deadline to Receive Swag Closes
October 19	Conference begins — Late/On-Site registration available at venue
October 22	Conference ends (12:10 PM EST)

Meet Our Speakers

Conference participants will attend worship services and instructive sessions featuring some of the most profound voices of our time.

Rev. Traci Blackmon

Andre E. Johnson, PhD

Rev. Jason C. Reynolds

Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes

Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson II

Rev. Frank A. Thomas, PhD

Rev. Lisa Goods, PhD

Rev. Dr. Milton Keys

Rev. Dr. Andrew Wilkes

Rev. Dr. Anastasia Holman

Rev. Dr. Aisha R. Lovens

Rev. Dr. Reginald W. Williams Jr.

CEU Documentation

Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) issued by Christian Theological Seminary. CEUs may be considered for technical professional development or spiritual formation. Add the CEU option ($50) at registration and select your track:

CEU

Track	CEUs Awarded
Preaching Labs only	1.2
Lectures/Plenaries & Preaching Labs	1.9
All Activities (including Evening Worship)	2.3

Certificates will be emailed within two weeks of the final conference day to the registration email address. Hard copies available upon request.

Institutions sponsoring eight (8) or more participants for CEU documentation are invited to contact the planning team for a discounted group rate. Please reach out at  MM**@*ts.edu.

Listener Research Initiative

As part of the LEI Compelling Preaching Initiative, the Mixed Methods Preaching Conference is committed to hearing from those who listen to preaching. We believe the listening experience is central to understanding what makes preaching compelling — or what keeps it from being so. Throughout the conference, listeners of preaching will have several opportunities to share their experience and perspective:

Data collection conversations with conference team members (3 short questions)

QR code access to a brief digital survey available throughout the conference

A dedicated data collection booth on-site

Your voice as a listener matters. We look forward to learning from you.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Full refunds will be issued for cancellations submitted on or before September 19, 2026. Requests must be submitted in writing to  MM**@*ts.edu.

After September 19, 2026, registration fees are non-refundable. Registrations may be transferred to another participant by submitting a written request to MM**@*ts.edu prior to the start of the conference, including the name and contact information of the replacement participant.

In the event the conference is cancelled by Christian Theological Seminary, registrants will receive a full refund of all registration fees paid.

The $50 CEU documentation add-on fee is non-refundable once the conference has begun.

Photo & Video Policy

Photography and video recording will occur during conference sessions for institutional and promotional purposes. By registering, participants consent to the possibility of being photographed or recorded. Participants who wish to limit their appearance in photography or video are responsible for advising on-site photographers and videographers directly. Christian Theological Seminary cannot guarantee that a participant will not appear in conference photos or video footage.

Code of Conduct

The Mixed Methods Preaching Conference is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants. All attendees, speakers, and guests are expected to engage with one another with dignity and respect. Behavior that is disruptive, discriminatory, or harassing in any form will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the conference without refund.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Mixed Methods Preaching Conference is made possible through the generous contributions of the Lilly Endowment Compelling Preaching Initiative, the University of Indianapolis, and Light of the World Christian Church.