Polishing the Pulpit (PTP) From a First-time Perspective

ptpOur family finally gave into the encouragement of friends and went to PtP this year.  Polishing the Pulpit is a gathering of over 3000 Christians in Sevierville, TN (Gatlinburg area). Here is their website for more information.  I want to share our experience as a first time family attending and also some reasons that held us back from going, so that it might convince others to attend in future years.

Surprises

  1. It was lectureship style.  I know this might sound silly to many of you, but I had heard so much about the various tracts, the practical nature, and interaction that I thought it was more like a workshop.  But it is like a lectureship, in that there are many classes going on at the same time and you choose which one you want to attend.  You do not go to a series of tract lessons unless you choose.
  2. I was surprised with the number of people and the diversity of people.  There were people from all ages, geographical areas, and roles in the church.  I believe this is one reason it is so popular, that despite its name, it serves a wide range of people.  No matter your role in the church from new Christian to church leader, male or female, young or old, you will find something for you.
  3. The facility is great.  The hotel is beautiful and the conference area served the needs very well.  It was great to have it in a vacation area with so much to do.
  4. I knew the Jacksonville church of Christ and the House-to-House folks did things well, but they do things top-notch in their quality, professionalism, and organization.
  5. The number of times some speakers spoke.  There is a lot of repeat in speakers and continuation of themes.  Some spoke as many as 9 times, maybe more.  They had to be exhausted.

Our Favorite Things

  1. It is a great family spiritual retreat.  We combined it with a family vacation by staying from Thursday to Sunday to explore the Smoky Mountains.  It was nice to go to a conference as a preacher and be able to take my family and have them benefit as much or more.
  2. The kid classes were incredible.  The real heros were the teachers and caretakers of the kids.  Our kids were in class each day Monday – Thursday.  The morning was from 8:15 – 11:15 and the afternoon was from 1:15 – 4:15.  They learned a lot of Bible, made friends, and had fun.
  3. Seeing good friends and reacquainting ourselves with some old ones.
  4. Staying in a cabin less than a mile from the hotel.  We rented a cabin for the week cheaper than staying in the hotel for a family of six.  We ate most of our meals there and enjoyed the privacy and experience.
  5. How much my wife was encouraged.  PTP was one of the best things we have done that includes a mutual blessing and enrichment for Amanda.  So many workshops are geared for preachers, but PTP offered many classes on all kinds of areas for Amanda as a wife, mother, and minister’s wife.
  6. The lessons were top-notch.  We heard some great lessons and are still listening to many more on the jump drive they gave attendees that includes all the lessons.  I came away challenged to be a better preacher, father, and husband;  and I got tools to do just that!

Barriers You Should Overcome

  1. It is expensive.  We had not gone for years because of this factor, but we are glad we overcame it this year.  The Seven Oaks congregation helped support the trip and we combined it with our vacation this year.  We likely will not go every year, but it is something you should consider.  Eric Lyons suggested churches rotating an elder and his wife that they send each year.
  2. It is too conservative or legalistic.  Maybe it was me, but I think PTP has the reputation amongst some that it is pretty stiff and conservative.  But all of the lessons we heard were very Biblical, loving, truth-centered, and not bashing, overly negative, or legalistic.  We had a great experience.
  3. It is just for homeschooling families.  While it does lend itself for homeschool families because it takes place after most schools have started, and they do have some ladies’ classes with that as a theme, it is not just for homeschool families.  Families with kids in school can still attend for the weekend only or miss school a few days if you stay for the week.  It is for all Christians.

Thanks for reading.  I know this has been a little longer post, but I had a lot to share.  I hope your family will consider PTP next year.  We are trying to get some more families from Seven Oaks to attend.  

Adam Faughn had a good post on what he saw at PTP you might check out as well.  

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