The Bridge for Early Career Preachers
Supporting You and Your Path
The Bridge for Early Career Preachers provides resources, continuing education, and a supportive community for those who are moving from aspiring to active preaching ministries.
The Bridge for Early Career Preachers seeks to support those who are in their first seven years of congregational ministry and preaching at least one-third of the opportunities in a calendar year.
As such, we aspire to serve those who are in a transitional stage, moving from “aspiring” to “active” preachers, setting the stage for long-term growth in preaching ministry. We recognize that those graduating from seminaries and other institutions for theological education graduate with few courses devoted to preaching, and that the week-to-week work of preaching requires significant labor that is disproportionate to that education.
Seminaries cannot teach everything graduating students need to know about preaching, and those entering preaching ministries have few support structures for their specific preaching needs amidst increasing ministry demands. We seek to “bridge” that gap with continuing education, fostering supportive networks, encouragement, and resources.
The Bridge for Early Career Preachers is funded by a generous grant from The Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative.
Partners
We are privileged to work with our talented partners who support two emphases of cohort and the work we do:
Peer Coaching: Rev. Mandy England Cole
Digital Engagement in Preaching: TheoTechnics
Leadership
Rich Voelz
Titles:
Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship, Director of The Bridge Center for Early Career Preachers
Email:
Programs & Calendar
Cohorts
Each year, the Bridge will form a 30-person cohort of those who are in their first seven years of their preaching ministry and who are preaching at least a third of the opportunities in their ministry setting. Cohorts will engage in the following:
Quarterly Workshops:
Quarterly, half-day online (3) and in-person (1) workshops will address these main themes as they relate to preaching: significant social issues, diverse communities, digital technologies, and supportive relationships.
Peer Coaching Groups and Individual Coaching:
Cohort members will benefit from peer coaching groups and individual coaching sessions facilitated by a certified homiletic peer coach.
Digital Technology Consultation:
Cohort members will participate in digital media consultations individualized for their ministry settings.
Bridge Retreats:
Annual Bridge retreats will bring cohort members to Richmond, VA for continuing education, community, worship, and rest.
Public Programming
Webinars:
Public webinars are offered four times annually, with panelists speaking to issues of concern for early career preachers. You can access previously offered webinars on YouTube. Some previous topics include: Preaching & Identity, Preaching & Mental Health, Preaching & Ecology, Preaching & Christian Nationalism, Preaching in the Digital Age, and Preaching & Spirituality.
The Bridge for Early Career Preachers’ Preachercast:
A short-format monthly podcast reflecting on early career preaching will feature experienced practitioners, scholars, and cohort members.
Calendar
June 2026 TBD Optional Cohort Check-in/Conversation
July 2026 TBD Optional Cohort Check-in/Conversation
August 2026 TBD Optional Cohort Check-in/Conversation
September 15, 2026 Online Cohort Workshop: Preaching & Creativity
*September 21, 2026 Webinar: Preaching, Embodiment, and Performance
October 2026 2027 Cohort Application Opens
November 2026 2027 Cohort Application Deadline
*November 16, 2026 Webinar: Preaching & Intergenerational Ministry
December 2026 2027 Cohort Announcement
December 7, 2026 2026 Cohort Final Gathering
*Events open to public
