Forming Communities of Witness in Post-Christian Contexts

Ministry in post-Christian contexts requires improvisatory instincts that are not often taught in traditional approaches to theological education. This seminar, directed by Mark Glanville, offers a pathway for nourishing churches that display the beauty of Jesus in their local neighborhood and a pathway for preaching that responds to complex experiences of faith. Together, we will read and discuss Dr. Glanville’s two most recent books: Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul (IVP Academic, 2024) and Preaching in a New Key: Crafting Sermons in Post-Christian Neighborhoods (IVP Academic, 2025).

Using these books as our starting point, we will explore how to move beyond cookie-cutter approaches to pastoral leadership to build the creative, compassionate, and incarnational churches we long for. We’ll also unpack a vision for preaching that shapes witnessing communities; map a pathway for preaching that nourishes faith in Jesus, understands the complexity of faith, and responds with the word of life; and explore how preaching should aim to nourish communities of hope that receive and extend the healing of Christ in local neighborhoods. 

Topics will include:

• Nourishing leader-full churches

• Worship in poly-rhythms

• Shared life

• Churches that are truly local

• The sins of our kin: living faithfully with our colonial story

• Preaching that nourishes faith in our cultural context today

• Preaching violent texts

• A preacher’s holistic health

• Preaching to nourish incarnational communities

This seminar will be offered at no cost to selected participants. Space is limited. All meals and lodging will be provided. Course readings will be sent to participants in advance of the seminar week. Participants are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the seminar.

Who should apply? 

Pastors, professors, Christian educators, worship leaders, ministry directors, and other interested laypeople are welcome to apply.

apply now 

Schedule Overview

Sunday, June 21

Afternoon/evening – Arrive in Grand Rapids

6:00 p.m. – Informal dinner for participants who have arrived

Monday, June 22–Thursday, June 25

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Classroom time

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Rest, reflection, conversation, creation

4:00 p.m. – Group discussion and sharing

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

Friday, June 26

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Classroom time

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Conclusion