MOORE-Oklahoma pastors and church leaders gathered at Moore,First on Feb.2 for the 2026 Priority of Preaching Conference, an annual event designed to sharpen their skills in delivering impactful sermons. The conference, hosted by Oklahoma Baptists, centered on the theme “Preaching That Gives Life,” exploring how to revitalize the spiritual core of congregations through effective communication.
renewing the Message: Oklahoma Pastors Focus on Gospel Confidence
The annual conference provided insights into delivering sermons that resonate with both conviction and relevance.
- The 2026 conference emphasized unwavering confidence in the Gospel message.
- Speakers highlighted the dangers of altering or manipulating Scripture during sermons.
- Attendees learned strategies for connecting biblical texts to contemporary life.
- The importance of recognizing that not everyone will remain faithful was a key takeaway.
The conference commenced with a worship session led by the Moore, First worship team, followed by a welcome address from Oklahoma Baptists executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher. greg Gilbert, senior pastor of Louisville, Ky., Third Avenue, delivered the opening keynote, drawing from Romans 1:16-17 to underscore the importance of preaching with boldness and assurance.
“We can have unshakable confidence in the Gospel of Jesus as it is indeed powered by the god of the Universe,” gilbert stated,emphasizing the Gospel’s inherent power,its gracious nature,and its global invitation. He also urged pastors to proactively engage with those who haven’t yet embraced faith.
Following an introduction by Brett Selby, Oklahoma baptists Central Regional Ministry partner, Ben Panner, Director of Workshops for the Charles Simeon Trust, addressed the critical need for faithful biblical interpretation. Panner, referencing verses from 2 Corinthians and 2 Peter, cautioned against pastors adding to or subtracting from Scripture in their sermons, a practice he warned carries notable consequences.
“When a preacher adds or subtracts from Scripture, there can be disastrous consequences,” Panner explained. He reminded attendees that pastors bear a divine responsibility to proclaim God’s Word accurately, as any deviation from its truth has eternal implications.
After a lunch break, Panner returned for a third keynote, building on his earlier points. He provided practical guidance on how to remain faithful to the biblical text while concurrently making it relevant to modern audiences. Panner emphasized that all of Scripture ultimately points to Christ, with the Old Testament foreshadowing His arrival and the New Testament revealing His life and teachings.
“The person and saving work of Jesus is the unifying interpretive center of the Scriptures according to the Scriptures,” Panner said.
Gilbert and Panner then engaged in a question-and-answer session, addressing attendees’ inquiries about their presentations and broader aspects of preaching. Gilbert concluded the conference by examining the books of 1 & 2 Timothy, suggesting how they can inform sermon readiness. He recounted Paul’s experience of facing abandonment from former companions while imprisoned, illustrating that even the most respected leaders will encounter those who fall away.
“Paul had crystal clear clarity that people will not be with him until the end, but the Lord will,” Gilbert observed. He concluded with an encouragement for pastors to consistently seek strength and reassurance from god,even during times of hardship.
Those seeking further facts about upcoming events for pastors can visit oklahomabaptists.org/pastors.
Worth a look
