The staff of the Festival of Young Preachers has read through more than 100 evaluations submitted by young preachers, mentors, exhibitors and volunteers. Among the most frequent recommendations is this: provide some evaluation of the sermons.
This appeal has come through my email and Facebook messages as well. More than one young preacher has written to say: “Tell me what you think, Dr. Moody.”
Here is my response.
First, watch your DVD and write out your own assessment. Before anybody else gives you feedback take the job yourself. A great deal of what needs to be addressed in the style and substance of preaching can be observed by the young preacher.
Second, take your DVD to your mentor. We estimate more than 60% of the young preachers at the festival were accompanied and introduced by a mentor. Sit down with your mentor (even at a distance, since most of the sermons are now on YouTube–and have been viewed over 3,000 times) and discuss the sermon.
True, I have made notes on all 92 preachers. I am willing to provide some feedback but only after these first two steps of this process have been completed. Already I am setting up a schedule to discuss the event in general and any sermon in particular. In the near future, I will be in Texas and Ohio meeting with young preachers who were at the festival. I hope to visit several of the universities and seminaries in the Louisville region for the same purpose.
Here is the bottom line. This festival (including all of the preaching) was a truly remarkable and inspirational experience for me. Yes, there are avenues of improvement down which we all need to walk; but I was overjoyed by the seriousness with which the young preachers engaged in this festival preaching and the also by their compelling advocacy of the lordship of Jesus Christ. Good job, one and all; and let’s come back next January: twice as many, twice as good, twice as much inspiration!!