The Byberg Preaching Workshop is dedicated to developing the preaching skills of ELCA pastors in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. We have traditionally done this through a three-day, two-night workshop held on the Oregon coast. We are currently discerning how to best do this in the future, given the vast changes in our culture and church. If you have suggestions, please contact the Byberg Committee member in your Synod.

Workshop registration is also open to pastors from other Synods, as well as to rostered persons from other traditions.

The Byberg Preaching Workshop committee is comprised of one representative from the four ELCA Synods.

Oregon Synod: Melinda Wagner and Joseph Medley

Southwest Washington Synod: Eric Utto-Galarneau

Northwest Washington Synod: Tor Berg

Northwest Intermountain Synod: Wes Howell

Workshop History:

Our founder was Jonas Byberg, who left a bequest to assist ELCA pastors to strengthen the art of the sermon.

Jonas was an inventor and farm machinery manufacturer who was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Silverton, Oregon. He bequeathed property to the American Lutheran Church to establish the Byberg Homiletics Fund. He directed that income from the fund be used to develop the skills of Lutheran preachers in the Pacific Northwest. The fund has subsidized annual workshops since 1992.

Further donations are welcomed and encouraged, and can be sent to:

Rev. Melinda Wagner

Byberg Committee Co-Chair

First Immanual Lutheran Church

1816 NW Irving Street

Portland, OR 97209