10 Reasons I Enjoy Visiting the “Pentagon of Preaching”
I always want to go. But as I prepare and then actually attend, I get nervous. Sometimes really nervous. I get butterflies because attending the annual conference of the Evangelical Homiletics Society (EHS) is not your average ministry event. I have the honor of rubbing shoulders with the best in expository preaching. Years ago, I thought of it as attending the Hall of Fame of Preaching, but that metaphor just doesn’t work. Yes, a Hall of Fame includes the best of the best, but it’s also a place of kicking back and simply telling the old stories from past victories. And that’s not EHS.
Instead, attending the EHS conference is like visiting the Pentagon of Preaching—it is the cutting edge for sharpening our preaching of the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). We recently completed our 25th anniversary conference, which was held at Moody Bible Institute & Theological Seminary in Chicago. And despite any nervousness, here are my top ten reasons I love to visit the Pentagon of Preaching.
10. I enjoy serious study, but I’m more of a field general in my service for Christ. Therefore, I’m a pastor who values visiting the Pentagon.
9. After I completed my D.Min. in 2000, I wanted to have a means of continuing to stretch myself. This has been a great option!
8. That personal stretching includes presenting a paper in 2010, “The Heart of Worship and Facility Stewardship—Haggai’s Preaching Theme.” You can read a copy of that paper here. And just recently I was asked to complete a book review which should appear in an upcoming edition of the EHS Journal.
7. This was the 14th time I’ve attended, so have been blessed to visit seminaries across the country.
6. While there are scholarly plenary sessions and paper presentations, it also offers outstanding preaching and inspiring worship.
5. It keeps me humble as I fellowship with highly gifted servants. A number of those heroes of the faith have gone home to Jesus. I’ll always value my interactions with them.
4. While the environment keeps me humble, the actual interactions are always friendly and collegial. Numerous relationships pick up where we left off, even if we haven’t seen each other for a few years.
3. I hear stories of the amazing tapestry of God’s providence in the lives of those who love Him and love quality preaching of His Word.
2. Reason # 2 is really a, “thank you” to the EHS past presidents for 25 years. Those who attended in Chicago are pictured. Scott Gibson is in the middle—Scott was a co-founder of the organization and first president in 1997 (Scott was also president for this 25th year celebration). The second president was Keith Willhite, who was a co-founder with Scott. Unfortunately, Keith is not in the picture of past presidents. At my 2nd conference in 2002, I remember eating dinner with Keith Willhite and Timothy Warren. During that meal, I learned about Keith’s fading health. And… well… God ushered him home before the next conference.
1. And the # 1 reason I love to visit the Pentagon of Preaching: my wife has gone with me the last 3 times, so I can share it with her! During my first 11 conferences, her primary ministry was with our children. Now, they’re all adults, so she has joined me in 2015, 2021, and this event in 2022. I still get nervous, but her presence is a blessing in multiple ways.
Every time I attend, I wonder if I’ll go back. As I said, I love attending, but… over my 23 years of membership, I’ve learned that circumstances often change from year to year. Some years I thought I would definitely attend the next year, but did not. Other years I didn’t think I would go, but last-minute changes allowed my attendance. Either way, I’m thankful for this society and—should the Lord tarry—look forward to what can be accomplished in the next 25 years!
#FacilityMinistryPreachingBooksList
#PreachingBooksList