Next climb up the mountain

I mentioned a couple of posts ago about pitching base camp as the New Kind of Preacher program begins here in Chicago.  Now I am looking up the mountain as the first lap of the climb leads up to the First Annual Preaching Forum on October 24th. It's being held in the seminary's Lindner Conference Center, funded by the generous Lilly grant.  Invitations have gone out.  The Director, Lauren Visser, and I have been working on the details for many weeks. In these final days I know that prayer remains the most vital ingredient.  So, hoping that others may join me in extra praying, I have written a short prayer to focus my own thoughts.


Gracious God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who alone makes your new things happen, we commit to you the First Annual Preaching Forum.
May your invitees come with open hearts and minds, sensitive to your will for their lives.
May your presence be magnified as lead-worshipers prepare and help the forum to worship.
May your voice be heard through the preaching, and your vision seen through the main sessions.
May your encouragement and challenge be experienced in the panel and groups.
May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Lord, nothing of eternal significance can occur unless people humbly depend on you.  Help every person involved to trust and obey every step of the way.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.


And, if you happen to be around Northern Seminary, Lombard on October 24th. we would love to see you there! Details at seminary.edu/NKPForum!