Preaching Camp

After driving half-way across the nation, I am now at preaching camp (more officiously known as "The National Preaching Conference sponsored by The Episcopal Preaching Foundation (or Preaching Excellence Program '08)". It has been an interesting time so far, with lots of really good preaching from some excellent guest speakers. We have also broken into preaching groups and given our own sermons (the first of two, so far). In these preaching groups I have heard some incredible sermons. I heard four radically different sermons on the parable of the Sower, all of which were nothing like what I would have preached. I have heard a range of styles and comfort levels. I really have learned a great deal so far and am looking forward to the last two day, though I have to admit to being very tired.
We were given the task of coming here with a sermon on a parable ready to be preached (which we did yesterday). Now, we have to create a sermon for tomorrow, incorporation what we learned thus far. AAAHHHH! The pressure!
My backside is tired of sitting. I am tired of stuffy airless rooms. I am tired of sleeping on a dorm mattress (as thick as two matzos!)But I really love the people that I have met and the lessons I have learned. This experience will definately go down as a postive one!
Though I have to admit a really strong desire to lace into my next sermon the phrase, "This one day at preaching camp...." :-)