Pastor says KBC Practical Preaching Workshop transformed men in his church

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (KT) – Pastor Stephen Brogli of Bethel Baptist Church recently led seven men through a Practical Preaching Workshop, and he offered reflections in an interview with Kentucky Baptist Convention North Central Regional Consultant Andy McDonald.

“The workshop has proven to be a powerful tool for strengthening men, deepening biblical understanding, and enriching the life of the church,” Brogli said. “The long-term impact is already evident, and there is a great anticipation for what God will continue to do through future groups.”

The workshop began with nine participants, with seven completing the full course. Several men stepped away due to various life circumstances, Brogli noted. “That’s a strong number. It’s not unusual for life circumstances to prevent some from finishing, so to have seven complete the training was very encouraging.”

To accommodate schedules, Brogli organized eight sessions over a 12-week span, meeting on Sunday evenings. While no additional workshops have been held yet, the success of the initial effort has sparked conversations about making it a regular ministry emphasis. Initially funded through the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the church is now prepared to allocate $1,000 for future workshops.

Brogli also hopes to develop future preaching mentoring groups, possibly adjusting the name to make it more approachable.

“While we rightly want to emphasize the seriousness of preaching, one of the broader goals is to help men lead devotionals with their families, better understand and handle God’s Word, and grow in biblical literacy.

“Many of our churches are filled with biblically illiterate men, and this workshop helped address that. Those who completed it now have a much stronger understanding of how to rightly divide the Word of God – not just for church life, but for their homes as well.

“We realized that God was doing more than just potentially calling preachers – He was strengthening men spiritually across the board.”

Brogli emphasized that the impact of the mentoring group has been significant.

“There has been tremendous fruit. One of the first things that comes to mind is the sweet fellowship we experienced during our time together. Beyond that, one unexpected result was a deeper respect among the men for pastoral preaching. They now better understand the work and discipline involved in preparing sermons week after week.

“The workshop provided a clear, structured model for sermon preparation, helping them see that preaching is an ongoing, weekly process.”

One of the most memorable moments came when two participants volunteered to preach on a Wednesday night from Philippians 2:1-11. Each delivered messages lasting 25 to 30 minutes with clarity, Brogli said.

“It was one of the sweetest nights we’ve had as a church,” he said. “Their preaching demonstrated real growth, and it helped the congregation see the value of the workshop firsthand. That moment played a significant role in the church’s willingness to support future workshops.”

Additional outcomes from the workshop included stronger relationships among participants, meaningful conversations that extended beyond the curriculum, and noticeable spiritual growth. Two of the men have since become some of the church’s most faithful Sunday School teachers.

While none of the participants have moved into pastoral roles or filled pulpits in the area, Brogli said that was never the primary objective.

“Most of the men entered the workshop simply wanting to better understand and handle the Word of God. That was the common theme," he said. “However, there is one young man—he’s a lawyer—who has shown a deep love for Scripture and strong communication ability. I wouldn’t be surprised if God calls him into ministry, whether soon or in the future.

“Even if that doesn’t happen, the fact that he is actively discipling and teaching children in our church is already a great encouragement.

“Ultimately, our goal wasn’t just to produce preachers, but to equip men to faithfully handle God’s Word in their homes and in the church. That alone is a major win.”

Brogli said the benefits of the workshop have been invaluable.

“One of the biggest takeaways is the importance of intentionally investing in men. Over the past nine years at Bethel, we’ve seen significant growth as more men have learned to rightly handle God’s Word—both at home and in the church. This is something our women and children deeply desire and benefit from. Our church is healthier today because of it.

"While the growth has been gradual, it has been real and lasting. God has steadily raised up godly men who are equipped to lead, teach, and disciple others.”

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This story appeared in Kentucky Today.