In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Robin Hedgeman draws on the story of Elijah in 1 Kings to explore themes of wilderness, silence, and vocational renewal. She brings pastoral depth to the question of what sustains a preacher through seasons of exhaustion and depletion.

Engaging the moment where Elijah collapses under the broom tree and God meets him with rest and bread before sending him on, this sermon offers a biblical framework for understanding a preacher’s own limits — and the grace that meets them there. It is an honest and generative resource for any Disciples minister navigating the emotional and spiritual demands of pastoral life. Available in English and Spanish.

Rev. Hedgeman is the Senior Pastor of Bethany Christian Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

Recorded at the 2025 Disciples Preaching Retreat.

You might also find helpful:

• Recovering the Soul of Preaching Through Rest — A keynote by Dr. Casey T. Sigmon from the same retreat, on rest, slow preaching, and recovering the soul of proclamation.
• Preacher Panel Discussion: Disciples Preaching Retreat 2025 — Hear Rev. Dr. Hedgeman and the other retreat preachers reflect on their preparation process and preaching vocation.
• The Sound of the Genuine — Dr. Frank Thomas’s retreat keynote on honesty and vulnerability as the foundation of preaching.