This thesis examines the challenges and opportunities of preaching during a congregational vision process. St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church is a seventy-nine year old congregation in the Northeast metropolitan corner of Baltimore. Maryland. Like many mainline, metropolitan congregations, St. Luke faces mounting challenges for ministry. For preachers of such congregations, understanding the dynamics of change and wrestling with anxiety are part of the preaching process. The preacher shares the congregation’s hopes and fears associated with embracing God’s vision, while helping to guide the process of discernment. Preaching that seeks to understand God’s vision for a congregation is always difficult and always revealing. This journey of discernment can enrich the spiritual understanding of the preacher and the congregation. Mindful of Professor Craig A. Satterlee’s Preaching in Times of Transition and insight from Professor Nancy Lammers Gross’ Play Process are valuable resources to help a preacher understand the opportunities for preaching in a congregational vision process. Additionally, one can leam through Professor Ron Allen’s topical preaching method offers valuable insight for preachers on how to embrace not just the vision parts but the whole vision of God.
