This season begins with a fundamental reminder: What is preaching, and what is it for? To explore that question, host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., invites the Rev. Lynn Barger Elliott—a preacher who has inspired him to think about this question in recent months. As a fourth-generation Presbyterian pastor and consultant for the Compelling Preaching Initiative—the Lilly Endowment project that supports this podcast—Lynn brings the wisdom of that legacy to remind us that preaching takes root in lived experience.

0:00 Teaser
1:01 Intro to new season
2:19 Intro to the Rev. Lynn Barger Elliott
3:12 Lynn discuses her familial connection to preaching
4:12 Lynn and her husband's pastoral connection
4:45 Preaching and hobbies coming together through a love of language
7:30 Context on the reflection
9:05 Letter to the Hebrews historical context
10:12 Hebrews 1:1-2, Hebrews 4:12-13
11:15 Rev. Lynn Barger Elliott's Reflection
25:10 What is preaching for you? What is it for?
28:55 How has your work been shaped by the Compelling Preaching Initiative?
30:16 Examples of preaching coming alive in your life
33:30 By telling stories we give people permission to enter our story
34:35 How do you think preachers can address the "scar tissue" in their community?
37:45 Final blessing and credits

Find the transcript for this episode's homily here: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2025/09/08/preach-sacraments-intro-presbyterian/

Learn more about the Preach podcast: https://www.americamagazine.org/author/preach

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