Recharged, Renewed & Refreshed: Highlights from Polishing the Pulpit - Sevierville 2026
- Ray Reynolds
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Attending “Polishing the Pulpit” (PTP) this week was an incredibly uplifting and encouraging experience. We really appreciate the elders support for encouraging us to attend! Having attended PTP since the early 2000s, it is remarkable to reflect on how much this event has grown. In those early years, back when celebrating the 10-year anniversary was a major milestone, the stage was graced by dynamic gospel preachers like Wendell Winkler, Johnnie Ramsey, Tom Holland, and J.J. Turner. Their powerful messages helped lay a strong foundation for what PTP has become today. The elders of the Jacksonville Church of Christ, and the founding directors of PTP, may not have the faintest idea of how powerful and inspirational this workshop has been for the churches of Christ. Heaven only knows the magnitude of this beloved event.
While the core mission remains rooted in mastering the delivery of God’s Word in the pulpit, the scope of the workshop has expanded far beyond preaching and youth ministry. PTP now offers tailored tracks for practically every phase of ministry: children, pre-teens, teens, singles, college-age, married couples, elders, deacons, and specialized sessions covering evangelism, worship, and pressing topics within the brotherhood. I remember eating fellowship meals at the church building in Atlanta, eating at a restaurant in Jacksonville, and even having breakfast at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, looking around the table and asking, “Where do you preach?“ Now we ask, “Where do you live? Where do you worship?”
Narrowing down everything to love about PTP is almost impossible, but five highlights always stand out: 1) the awe-inspiring congregational singing, 2) the insightful keynote lectures, 3) exploring the vendor booths, 4) having dedicated time to reconnect with lifelong friends, and 5) forging new relationships in Christ. Events like PTP remind us of the biblical imperative to lift one another up as we walk the path of faith together. As the Scriptures remind us: “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." (I Thessalonians 5:11) and "...exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13). We all need this kind of encouragement!
Our major highlights this year included hearing some of our favorite speakers. If I had to choose five favorites it would be “How to Complicate Obedience Without Realizing You’re Doing It” by Scott Cain, “Jesus the Psychiatrist” by Cliff Goodwin, “Jesus the Oncologist” by Steve Higginbotham, “Jesus, the Neurologist” by Dan Winkler, and “Becoming the Church Your Community Can’t Ignore” by Steve Higginbotham. My friends Jeff Archey and Jeff Johnson did a marvelous job serving as the emcees of the event. All of the keynotes were really encouraging. We look forward to listening to many more on PTP365.
Leaving the workshop, hearts are full, spirits are refreshed, and faith is renewed! We are ready to go back into our communities to encourage, edify, and serve. However, it is my prayer that all attendees will come back to their home congregations and shine their light! Let’s preach the gospel. Let’s encourage others. And, most of all, let’s get ready for Jesus to come again!
You are loved.
Ray Reynolds, PhD
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