We preach on Sunday. Start over on Monday. And repeat.
But what if there was a space or a rhythm you could test your sermon in real-time, get meaningful feedback from people who actually understand the weight of preaching every week, and walk away better equipped to bring your best to the pulpit?
That’s exactly what Pastor Matt Wolf found when he stepped into a preaching cohort through Denver Seminary’s Compelling Preaching Initiative (CPI). And after leading a cohort for a year, he’s convinced every pastor should find—or start—something like it.
What Is a Preaching Cohort?
A preaching cohort is not a traditional preaching class, and it’s not a denominational review board. It’s a group of 8–10 pastors, mostly lead or teaching pastors, who meet monthly to listen to one another preach, provide real feedback, and sharpen each other.
“We’re peers,” Wolf said. “I lead it, but I’m not coaching from above. I’m in the trenches with them. This is iron sharpening iron.”
Wolf’s cohort meets monthly for two hours:
- Hour One: One pastor preaches their upcoming sermon, usually from their own pulpit.
- Hour Two: The group watches a curated video from CPI (think: Tim Keller, Bryan Loritts, and others) and discusses its themes.
The cohort is part of a nationwide initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment, with Denver Seminary serving as the local anchor. Wolf, who teaches preaching courses at Denver Seminary, was invited to lead a cohort by CPI’s Director, David Ward. He agreed and saw the benefit immediately.
“One of the hardest things about preaching is that people in your church can’t give you helpful feedback,” he said. “They either don’t know how, or they feel like they’re being critical, and that’s not what you want from your congregation.”
But peers? They get it.
Why It Works: Feedback, Friendship, and Focus
Each preacher receives structured, constructive feedback. Wolf uses a rubric he developed for his seminary classes, assessing both biblical clarity and presentation.
But what makes the feedback powerful is the spirit, not the structure.
“We set the tone from day one,” Wolf explained. “This is about building each other up. We’re not here to compare or tear down. We’re here to bring our best and always get better.”
Interestingly, some of the most powerful insights didn’t come from giving or receiving critiques; they came from watching others preach.
“You notice what works,” he said. “You start spotting clarity issues or moments that landed really well, and then you learn how to create more of those in your own preaching.”
Over time, the group evolved into something more than just a monthly workshop. It became a community. A safe place. A relational net.
“We were there to preach,” Wolf said, “but we also ended up sharing real stuff, what was hard in our churches, in our families. I just played golf with two of the guys recently. We’ve become real friends.”
What Makes a Cohort Work?
When asked what helped his cohort thrive, Wolf didn’t hesitate:
- Relational invitations. He didn’t send out a mass email; he reached out to 12 people he had some connection with, and 10 said yes.
- Clear expectations. “This is work,” he told participants. “Tell your board this will make you a better preacher. We meet during the day, once a month. If you can’t commit, that’s okay, but don’t half-show up.”
- Respectful diversity. The cohort included pastors from multiple denominations. The goal wasn’t theological uniformity, but sharpening the craft of preaching.
- Time management discipline. “Some people struggle with preaching simply because they’re bad at managing their week,” he said. “You can’t improve if you don’t make time to prepare well.”
Wolf added, “We weren’t aiming for perfection—we were aiming for growth. And I saw it.”
Why Preaching Matters More Than You Think
If you’re a pastor, you already know that preaching matters. But Wolf believes it deserves more weight than most of us give it.
“Preaching is the one skill that moves the needle fastest in your church,” he said. “When you preach better, people understand the Gospel more clearly. They grow faster. They invite friends. They give more. They serve more. It impacts everything.”
That’s why he invests nearly half his workweek into sermon prep—and why he believes every pastor should set aside time to sharpen their axe.
“You can’t just throw it together Saturday night,” he said. “You’re preaching God’s Word to God’s people. That deserves your best.”
What If You’re Bivocational or Can’t Commit?
Not everyone can dedicate two hours a month to a formal cohort, and Wolf is aware of this.
But he still urges pastors to create space for feedback and growth.
“Even if you don’t have a cohort,” he said, “you probably know a few other pastors. Grab coffee. Swap outlines. Call someone before Sunday and talk through your message. That’s still sharpening the axe.”
And if you can join or lead a cohort?
“Do it,” he said. “It will change your preaching. And it might just change your life.”
Want to Join a Cohort?
If you’re in the Denver metro area, there are two preaching cohorts currently running. Reach out to Matt Wolf or Dave Ward at Denver Seminary to explore options or to get access to the Compelling Preaching Initiative resources.
Outside the area? Consider starting your own. Use a preaching book, sermon planning calendar, or the CPI videos as a jumping-off point—and build a rhythm of feedback and friendship into your preaching life.
Your preaching matters. It’s not the only thing you do, but when you bring your best to the pulpit, you help shape disciples, clarify vision, and shepherd hearts in powerful ways.
As Wolf put it:
“Best, and always better. That’s what I want to bring to the Lord.”
If this was helpful and you’d like to connect with Matt Wolf to discuss this more, you may reach him at mwolf@arisedenver.com.
