Greetings from Atlanta, Georgia—specifically from Peachtree Road United Methodist Church! Pastors Sarah Humphrey, Jim Watrud, and I (your trusty “New York Lutheran contingent”) are here with over 1,400 other clergy for the 33rd annual Festival of Homiletics. It’s a fancy name for what’s essentially a week-long preaching boot camp with about two dozen of the best preachers and professors around. The theme this year? “Preaching to Heal the Divide.” If ever there were a timely topic, this is it.
Continuing education isn’t just for doctors and lawyers—preachers need it too! And we’ve found that the most meaningful learning often comes through hands-on, real-life experiences. While we’re brushing up on our homiletic skills here, we’re also thinking ahead to how we can pass along that same passion for faith and learning to our younger members back home.
One of the best ways to do that? Let them lead.
Youth-led worship has deeper roots than you might think. It started back in the 1800s with the rise of Sunday Schools, which were designed to give young folks in growing cities a foundation in Christian faith. As the decades rolled on, churches began creating youth groups with their own style of worship—complete with music, drama, and a little more energy than your average Sunday morning.
But it wasn’t just about keeping kids busy. The focus shifted to leadership. Youth-led services gave young people a chance to do more than sit in the pews—they got to preach, sing, read Scripture, and bring their faith to life. And when kids are trusted with leadership, amazing things happen. They don’t just learn about the church—they become the church.
That’s exactly what we’ll celebrate this Sunday, May 18, at 9:30 AM during our Youth Sunday worship. Our Sunday School and Confirmation students will lead us in praise, prayer, and proclamation. I’ll still be there in my usual role—preaching, baptizing, and offering Holy Communion—but you might notice a few new tricks I picked up at preacher school! Our worship bulletin is attached.
Come support our youth, enjoy their leadership, and be inspired by the next generation of faith in action.
Easter Joy!
Pastor Marc
