The Institute offers workshops in various regions of the eastern United States, particularly in areas now served by the seminary. Whenever possible, the Institute works with area conferences to design workshops that meet the needs of pastors in their area. Feedback on sermons. The Institute provides specific feedback for sermons. Instructors may occasionally give these in person but will generally respond to videotaped recordings which are submitted along with a written outline or manuscript.
Staff provide a written analysis and offer specific suggestions for improvement for each sermon.
Training for lay listeners. The Institute trains groups of listeners within congregations to give systematic feedback to the participant. Upon request, these groups may serve as a dialogue group to assist the participant in the development of particular sermons. Staff Ervin R. Stutzman serves as director of the institute and dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He has a Ph.D. in rhetoric and communication from Temple University and has many years of preaching and teaching experience.