Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/736680
CHURCH RESOURCE ENGAGE 11 The Preaching Initiative What is the most important thing your pastor does? If you're in need, it's a phone call or a personal visit. If you have kids, it's to hire a qualified children's director. If you're a senior, it's the knowledge that he or she cares for you. Pastors are expected to flourish in multiple roles—shepherd, counselor, visionary, accountant—but none are more visible than the role of preacher. The Denver Seminary Preaching Initiative helps aspiring and current pastors meet the ongoing demands of this public role. The Initiative, funded by the Lilly Endowment in 2013, provides preaching- related coaching within a community of people seeking to sharpen their communication skills. Participants join preaching clusters—peer-based learning groups that meet regularly. Each cluster has a facilitator, typically a Denver Seminary graduate, who guides and mentors group members along the way. While each group operates with freedom to meet its individual needs and interests, the primary focus is to give participants practice and feedback on their sermons with trusted peers. Moreover, the Initiative has hosted conferences featuring exceptional communicators, including Chuck Swindoll (Stonebriar Church in Texas), Chris Dolson (Blackhawk Church in Wisconsin), and Denver Seminary alumni David Daniels (Pantego Bible Church in Texas) and Robert Gelinas (Colorado Community Church in Aurora). These events exhibit great preaching and provide students and local pastors with opportunities to interact with experts in their craft. Denver Seminary students also benefit from the Initiative with new courses in preaching. Those in the MDiv program can now take at least three additional semesters of advanced preaching electives. Our prayer is that God will continue to bless those who communicate God's Word week by week in this most visible role. For more information, visit denverseminary.edu/ preachinginitiative. Perry Marshall DIRECTOR OF THE PREACHING INITIATIVE Perry Marshall has been the Director of the Preaching Initiative since its inception in 2013. Perry earned an MDiv from Denver Seminary in 2012, and is now pursuing a ThM. He and his wife, Katy, have three children. His favorite color is blue. He hates mushrooms. sat on Denver Seminary's board for over 20 years, and still managed to serve six weeks of active duty each year in the Air Force Reserves. Lyle's daughter, Beky Hazelton, said of her father, "The best way to sum up my dad is through his life verse, 1 Corinthians 15:58: 'Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain' (ESV)." In recognition of his pioneering work, Denver Seminary awarded Lyle an honorary doctor of divinity in 1970. BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING To honor such an extraordinary man and his life's work, Beky and her husband, David, used Lyle's estate to endow a memorial fund with $100,000. The fund provides tuition assistance for African-American and other racial minority students to complete their master's training at Denver Seminary. An old adage says that you fulfill your purpose either in life or in death, and if you are really blessed, like Jesus, then you may fulfill it in both. Lyle Adams was certainly twice blessed. His actions while alive, and now this memorial fund, will stand as a testament to a life well lived. The Rev. Dr. Lyle M. Adams Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund is a fitting legacy for Lyle's life. If you or your family would like to honor a family member through a scholarship or estate gift, please contact Jessica Mills at 303.357.5891. Denver Seminary is once again privileged to participate in Colorado Gives Day. Mark your calendar for December 6, when every dollar donated to Denver Seminary through coloradogives.org will be increased by a portion of a $1 million incentive fund. Will you partner with us to support our students and grow the kingdom? December 6 is Colorado Gives Day!