Helping preachers thrive in the craft, process, & spirituality of preaching
Timely & practical support for the Day-in, Day-out work of preaching
Backstory Preaching is an online, ecumenical ministry
We help Anglican and mainline preachers:
prep sermons more efficiently
preach more compellingly
and connect with God in the process
To meet a variety of needs and learning styles, we offer:
independent eCourses
6-week live courses guided by a mentor
a 10-month preaching Mentorship program
The Collectives—a preacher’s go-to resource for all things preaching: this year-round community supports compelling preaching with tools, courses, workshops, and events for continual education and growth
All offerings are Designed to nurture the preacher’s Own spirituality
To foster an authentic, sustainable preaching ministry, everything we do and offer is rooted in prayer—so the preacher preaches with their whole life.
Seasoned preachers, lay preachers, & new preachers all report growth and renewed vitality
Our resources are useful for both lectionary and non-lectionary preachers alike. Seasoned preachers, lay preachers, and new preachers all report growth and renewed vitality in their preaching as a result of participating in Backstory Preaching.
In addition to the paid programs mentioned above, we offer a blog and numerous free resources distributed across our social media channels and by email in our weekly newsletter.
Backstory Preaching also works with adjudicatory leaders to provide trainings or courses for groups of preachers. Reach out to Lisa Cressman, Founding Steward, to learn more.
Interested in supporting the ministry of Backstory Preaching?
You can support Backstory Preaching's scholarships for preachers as well as the creation and distribution of free, practical resources shared weekly with preachers around the world. You'll contribute to spreading the good news globally by helping preachers thrive in the process, craft, and spirituality of preaching. Furthermore, you'll be supporting a unique, women-led ministry whose staff and mentors live out BsP's values of being trustworthy, gracious, and generative practitioners among our preachers.
(Please note: BsP is an LLC rather than a non-profit in order to more nimbly respond to the needs of preachers. As a result, donations will not be tax-deductible, though their impact is incalculable.)
Meet The Founding Steward
About LISA
The vision for Backstory Preaching woke the Rev’d Dr. Lisa Cressman in the middle of the night, and she’s been trying to keep up with the Holy Spirit ever since.
She is Backstory Preaching’s Founding Steward, sharing insights from more than 25 years as an Episcopal priest, preacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader.
She is the author of The Gospel People Don’t Want to Hear: Preaching Challenging Messages (Working Preacher Books, 2020), Backstory Preaching: Integrating Life, Spirituality, and Craft (The Liturgical Press: Collegeville, 2018), and Craft an Effective Sermon by Friday, a guest preacher, preaching instructor, and keynote speaker.
Lisa is a Certified Daring Way® Facilitator, holds a BS in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.Div. from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA., and a D.Min. in Practical Theology from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.