What do you call a gathering of preachers?

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What do you call a gathering of preachers? A quick search online suggests the collective noun might be a 'converting' of preachers, or perhaps a 'pulpipitude' of preachers. But after a day of networking and inspirational continuing education they should perhaps more accurately be called a gusto of preachers.

Nine lay preacher candidates completed their studies during the Lay Ministries Weekend 2011 at the Centre for Theology and Ministry (CTM, Parkville), and were awarded the Uniting Church Certificate in Lay Preacher Studies. These lay preachers will each prepare and lead a number of worship services for assessment before being accredited by their presbytery as Lay Preachers within the Uniting Church.

President of the Lay Preachers’ Association, Dr Jill Tabart, and President of the Uniting Church National Assembly, Rev Alistair Macrae, were both on hand to celebrate the achievements of these lay leaders. Other certificates were also presented at the weekend for accredited Lay Preachers who have undertaken intentional continuing education over the past two years.

Dr Tabart opened the weekend with an address on the future of lay ministry, and Synod Cross-Cultural Mission and Ministry Unit team member Charlie Navallo spoke on Cross-cultural Ministry in a Multi-cultural Church. Other leaders, both lay and ordained, offered a dozen workshops including the Basis of Union, the DML Children’s Picture Book Collection, and Communicating the Christian faith in a Digital Age. Rev Macrae spoke on the theme ‘Broadening our Horizons’ during the closing dinner of the weekend.

The two presidents each underscored the significant ministry that lay people exercise within the Uniting Church, and Lay Preachers returned home ready to continue leading worship and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ with gusto.

Pictured are Dr Jill Tabart (Synod Lay Preachers' Association President), lay preacher candidates Robin McConachie, Robert Munton, Colin Thomson, Jay Brooks, Margaret Bennett, Margo Siestma, John Russell, Karen Robertson, Joan Hall, and Rev Alistair Macrae (National Assembly President), with Rohan Pryor (Synod Lay Leadership Educator) kneeling.

Photo: Ken Tabart