Partners in Preaching 7136 Arbor Glen Dr. Eden Prairie, MN  55346-3114 Patricia Hughes Baumer, M. Div, Executive Director Tel:   952.975.9470 info@partnersinpreaching.org www.partnersinpreaching.org

Nature of Work Partner's in Preaching is a national ministry of consultation, training, and formation to prepare and support men and women, ordained and lay, to share in the Church's ministry of liturgical preaching.  Partners has conducted several Diocesan-wide programs in locations around the country and locally has prepared more than 100 lay preachers currently serving in parishes of this Archdiocese. Here in the Twin Cities, Partners' eight-month basic training/formation program, "Empowering a New Voice", is offered bi-annually in locations accessible to participants from all areas of the Archdiocese.  Evening and weekend sessions incorporate theory and actual preaching experience in workshop settings with mentors and peers. Candidates are prepared for the ministry of "Lectionary-based liturgical preaching" in a variety of settings, including weekday services of Word and Communion, wake services, and preaching within the Sunday Assembly.  A minimum of three candidates is required from a parish initially implementing the lay preaching ministry.  Any number of additional candidates may be prepared in subsequent programs. Continuing education for the lay preaching ministry is offered by the Twin Cities Lay Preaching Network, which meets annually for prayer, ongoing formation, and mutual support.

Target Audiences Pastors.....Deacons.....Parish Liturgists.....Pastoral Associates Partners In Preaching collaborates with pastors and parish leadership to determine the potential for lay preaching in each specific parish community, to select candidates for training and formation, and to prepare the members of the parish to receive this new ministry.  Both call and commissioning to this ministry occur within the parish.  At the conclusion of the program, Partners does offer the calling community a recommendation of readiness for candidates' commissioning for the preaching ministry.

Potential Uses The Vision of Partners In Preaching is that local faith communities have competent, diverse, and empowered lay voices for ritual preaching.  Members of the faith community are eager to receive the Word of God.  Lay preaching is a collaborative ministry that enables ordained ministers to welcome trained and gifted colleagues to share with them the privilege of breaking open the Word within worship. Contact Partners In Preaching for specific information about future programs, or to schedule a parish consultation.