Rev. Theresa Shackleford, a federal prison chaplain from California Dr. Adam Bond, a conference presenter and assistant professor of Historical Studies at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va. Kevin Calhoun, a student at Columbia Theological Seminary

"Glorious" and "spirit-filled" are words the Rev. James Willis Sr. uses to describe November's Power Connection: A Call to Greater Works in Chicago, sponsored by National Ministries, American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin and the Central Sectional Team.

The week-long event was the first black church conference Willis, pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Toledo, Ohio, attended, and he came away "a rejuvenated person," he says.

In the "Preaching for the 21st Century" workshop led by the Rev. Martha Simmons of The African-American Pulpit, Willis learned that the rhythm of preaching has changed. The pace is faster and there needs to be three celebrations now—beginning, middle and end—rather than building to one.

The Rev. Theresa Shackleford, a federal prison chaplain in California who attended the same workshop, remembers that she heard the new rhythm in the great preaching at the conference.

In both preaching and teaching, she says, "We have to realize that people learn in different ways. If you try to hit everyone with the same style, you may be missing a group. For people to walk away with something to transform their lives, you have to teach so they can hear."

"Education is the biggest issue the African-American community faces," says Dr. Adam Bond, a conference presenter and assistant professor of Historical Studies at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.

"Homes are not equipped to prepare children to learn; schools are not equipped to reach students not prepared to learn; a lot of bystanders are not invested in creating solutions for the problems." The church is in a position to help address the concern. Bond believes the local church needs to be a Christian witness in matters of public policy and issues such as sexuality, environmental justice and money.

Dr. Alicia Malone echoed Bond's assessment of the value of education. "Without a proper education, you can't grow and take advantage of conferences like this," she says. As assistant pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio, and a local prison chaplain working with prisoners and their families, she's seen the need firsthand.

"The church has to be community-oriented and focused on education. Our Christology needs to reflect the One who impacted the community with God, who fleshed it out and was God's hands and heart."

Kevin Calhoun, a student at Columbia Theological Seminary, agrees. He sees the conference as a call to renewal, relationship and relevance. "We are called to be meaningfully connected to God's people," he says, "inside and outside of the church."

Calhoun was especially moved by a sermon by Dr. Alan Ragland, senior pastor of the host church, Third Baptist. Learning from the early church in Acts, he noted that, to find favor in the world, the church must redefine relationships and circumstance, pool personal resources (beyond finances), and keep a vibrant joy.

Renewed by glorious worship, armed with new tools for ministry, and supported by a host of new faith friends, conference participants returned to their ministries with their vibrant joy refreshed—a joy they'll need because, as Willis reminds us, "God expects great things from us."

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