Preaching & Speaking
I am exciting to be with your congregation to share God's Word!
A biography and a short biography for printing can be found at this link. See also below.
Call or email Blake for more information.
Help Me with some information
After we schedule a preaching date, I will need your help with some details. Please send me the specifics, please, on things like:
Worship time(s).
Exact street address that I should use for my GPS.
Order of worship/bulletin, if available.
Dress expectations: suit, clergy robe, or business casual (or, in some cases, casual-casual!).
Anything you think I need to know about the service/do in the service: communion, pastoral prayer, seasonal liturgy, etc.?
Should I plan to read the scripture for my sermon, or is the Word read by a liturgist?
Do you need me to provide any Powerpoint/multimedia slides for the sermon? If so, to whom should I send it?
I've found it works best if there is a local on-site contact for that morning who can let me know any worship particulars. It also helps in case there is a transportation problem (flat tire, etc.) or illness on Sunday morning.
Suggestions
Could there be a liturgist who does announcements & local traditions?
Could I have a quick moment early in the service, such as announcements or the passing of the peace, to introduce myself?
Short Biography for Printing & Event Introductions
Blake Bradford is passionate about coaching and encouraging Chrsitian leaders. Blake is a District Superintendent in the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and Dean of the Appointive Cabinet. A co-author of Mission Possible: A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness and IMPACT! Reclaiming the Call of Lay Ministry and author of Stregthening Decision-Making and Governance, Blake has pastored churches of different sizes and contexts, including serving as executive pastor of a 3500-member congregation in Little Rock. Before his appointment to the Cabinet, Blake served the Arkansas Conference Center for Vitality as a congregational coach, consultant, and conflict transformation mediator. Dr. Bradford, a graduate of Hendrix, Vanderbilt, Iliff School of Theology, and Perkins School of Theology at SMU, has taught at conferences and trainings across the country. Blake also holds a second-degree black belt, which he believes might possibly have been his best training for ministry. Learn more and download resources at www.blakebradford.org.
