What is the Compelling Preaching Initiative? Who can apply?

With the use of practical technology, this program brings feedback from the pews to the pastor! Through this initiative, participants – priests, deacons, and laity – will ultimately be able to engage in a short-term educational opportunity that Catholic Extension Society will help fund. This opportunity is flexible and will be determined by the participant with the assistance of Catholic Extension Society based on the findings from the first part of this program, which involves examining their preaching and allowing their congregation/audience to provide anonymous feedback and actionable insights. This feedback is not meant to tell participants “what” to preach, but rather “how” to better communicate the message of the Gospel and engage with their audience. This will be done by providing participants with technology-driven data that will offer actionable insights to improve preaching and general effectiveness in communications.

How does the program work?

In today’s technology-driven world, information is the greatest tool at one’s disposal to make strategic decisions, to communicate with impact, to understand an audience’s reaction and to reach new people. . This will be done by providing participants with accessible tools and a tutorial on using technology-driven data that will offer new insights to improve preaching and general effectiveness in their communications (further details in the program guidelines.)

More than ever, it is incumbent upon preachers to know their audiences and adapt their approach to allow people to best receive and internalize information. Technology can provide insight to preachers on their audience’s ability to hear and understand the intended messages of the sermon/presentation.

The participant’s parish will not only benefit from a more effective preacher, but it will be eligible to receive a $1,000 incentive award for its enthusiastic participation in the data collection period.

After assessing their congregation’s feedback, each participant is eligible for up to $10,000 in scholarship funds to pursue an ongoing formation opportunity of their choice!

Please review the Program Overview & Guidelines.

Testimonial

“I told my parishioners I was doing this for them. It’s a little scary, but I’m so grateful to Catholic Extension because I wanted to improve my homilies and I was wondering – how could I do that? And then you guys came along with this program. I even took this to my prison ministry and their feedback was a part of this!” – Father Lincoln Dall, Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi

To Apply:

Applications opening soon.

Complete the Online Application Form linked here by the deadline.

The following must be included with the submitted application:

  • Signed Bishop’s Endorsement Letter (attach to application)
  • Signed Partnership Agreement (attach to application)
  • Optional (and encouraged): 1-2 minute video of preacher applicant speaking to their community/audience, submitted via this link.

For More Information:

Odette Barrientos, Senior Manager of Mission Programs at (312) 795 6128 or obarrientos@catholicextension.org