Our morning began with an interactive map where participants could drop a pin sharing where they were joining us from. This map isn’t complete yet, but we wanted to share this current view as a work in progress. Watch for a chance to add yourself to this map during tomorrow’s opening sessions.

Speakers today shared resources like Lisa Cressman’s downloadable PDF available with a sign-up at this link, a chart from Jana Childers’ session available here, and a poem from Sister Simone that you can view here.
Our animal companion highlight of the day was a curious cat and kitten who intently listened in to Bishop Yvette Flunder’s sermon during worship this morning.

Now, let’s take a closer look at today’s events.
Bishop Yvette Flunder got us off to an amazing start this morning and had us on the edge of our seats with her sermon “Are You Ready For the Second Book of Acts?”
I miss not being at @FestHomiletics in person as you miss the energy in the room. So as I await the beloved Bishop Yvette Flunder…feel her love and energy as she sings "Thank you Lord". #Homiletics2021 https://t.co/E1vR3wutTk
— Rev. Jeff Doucette (he/him/his) (@revjeffdoucette) May 19, 2021
When listening to Bishop Flunder during the opening worship causes you to re-write your entire Pentecost sermon because the Spirit speaks to you. PREACH, PREACHER!
— David Harris (@PastorDLHJr) May 19, 2021
"We are called to make change happen." #Homiletics2021
There are 2 preachers I want to be like when I grow up: Bishop Yvette Flunder and The Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor. They can preach the clouds out of the sky and the seeds to the sun. Today I give thanks for Bishop Flunder and her message. #Homiletics2021
— Julie Kelly (@missofdivinity) May 19, 2021
"Before we [the Church] become obsolete, it will take dedication and commitment to craft an authentic welcome."
— Carrying trauma for as long as I can remember (@ReverendKimB) May 19, 2021
Bishop Yvette Flunder #Homiletics2021
And on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/lloydabruce/posts/4056794727731741
Will H. Willimon’s lecture “Future Preaching: Whatever God Wants To Say and However God Wants to Say It” on our Premium Access left us with these memorable quotes.
"The church of the future may not look like the church we've worked so hard to preserve. This is a hazard of a living transforming God who challenges the status quo."
— Carrying trauma for as long as I can remember (@ReverendKimB) May 19, 2021
Will Willimon #Homiletics2021
And on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.k.shelton/posts/10159498958634391
Miguel De La Torre brought his own embodied experience to a CHALLENGING text:
Are you requiring non-White people to circumcise their identities in order to join your churches? @DrDeLaTorre #Homiletics2021
— Carrying trauma for as long as I can remember (@ReverendKimB) May 19, 2021
"what makes you think we want to come to your white churches after you dismissed and denied us for centuries?" A serious question to consider and more importantly answer. @MiguelDeLaTorre #Homiletics2021
— Julie Kelly (@missofdivinity) May 19, 2021
Lisa Cressman led us in practicing: writing out the text with your non-dominant hand, questioning the pericope title given by editors, creating a mind map to “sprout” ideas, comic strip, or God diagram.
The wide-ranging dialogue between Dr. Karoline Lewis and Bishop Yvette Flunder began with this declaration:
“We are in an active reformation, right in the belly of it.” ~ @bishop_flunder #Homiletics2021
— John C. Borthwick (he/him/his) (@jborthwik) May 19, 2021
While Sister Simone inspired those participating with the Premium access:
"We are called together in that Pentecostal moment," @sr_simone says: "to let ourselves be changed" by the good news of an inclusive gospel "AND be willing to talk about it." #Homiletics2021 pic.twitter.com/7RVRZgbAeK
— Friends Journal (@friendsjournal) May 19, 2021
A fabulous opening question for listening sessions with the community:
— Carrying trauma for as long as I can remember (@ReverendKimB) May 19, 2021
"What do churches get wrong about ______________?"
But don't ask the question unless you're prepared for the answer and are willing to do something about it.#homiletics2021
It was a powerful day indeed!
Has been a very intriguing Day 3 lineup with insights into the cultural biases/lenses we bring to both our preaching and hearing of the gospel and the need to be aware and transparent about them. #Homiletics2021
— Matt Gorkos (@RevGork) May 19, 2021