The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida, had the opportunity to impact the lives and the preaching of present and future priests through a recent homiletics course he taught at Nashotah House in Nashotah, Wisconsin, with additional diocesan help from The Rev. Cynthia Brust.

Titled “Principles of Preaching,” the course was “an introduction to what it means to be committed to the vocation of preaching, the craft of sermon preparation and delivery” and included “a combination of lecture, ‘trying out’ the craft of preaching, learning from our required readings and class discussion that will invite us to learn from each other” per its official description. The course, taught during a residential week, consisted of 15 hours of in-person sessions Nov. 8-12, although one student participated virtually for all sessions. Libby Garfield, who aspires to ordination in the Diocese of Central Florida, was Brewer’s teaching assistant.

Brewer required students to preach three sermons during the course: one in-person and two recorded videos. Students preached their 10-minute in-person sermons once, then revised and preached them again after receiving feedback and making resultant changes. In addition, students wrote a reflection on their own preaching, preaching style and influences along with two 1,000 – 1,200-word book reports using titles from the recommended reading list.

Brust, rector of Christ Episcopal, Suntree-Viera, served as guest lecturer for one 90-minute distance-learning session using the Google Meet platform. “It was a joy and privilege to participate with the homiletics class via Google meet, and I am very grateful to Bishop Brewer for his invitation,” she said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed sharing with and interacting with the group of predominantly, although not exclusively, female students,” Brust added. “I was asked to share about my process for sermon preparation as well as particular things I take into account as a woman when preaching.

“It was fairly easy to outline my approach and style, but I had never really considered the second question – I loved thinking that through,” she said. “The seminary students were lively, incredibly bright and astute, and I found our conversation in the Q&A portion exciting and lifegiving — they represent exceptional hope for the future of the church.”

Brust explained to the students that she approaches preaching as a craft and considers engaging the congregation key to her approach. “I take into particular account the rather sketchy – that is incomplete and often incorrect – view folks have of women in Scripture and seek to correct misconceptions and misinformation,” she said. “In addition, when women are left out of the lectionary but logically and contextually fit a given set of lessons, I reference them in my sermon.

“As a preacher, I intentionally seek to show strength without being harsh; I’m passionate when I preach and sometimes hard-hitting, but I also use humor,” Brust said. “I think it’s important for women to come comfortably, confidently and boldly to the pulpit without feeling we have something to prove.”

Brewer noted on Facebook that 80% of the students in his class were women and that Brust did an “outstanding job (no surprise)” of sharing the teaching.

“I see wonderful preachers in the making in this class,” Brewer wrote. “God is continuing to raise up faithful clergy for his church. To God be the glory!”