The SDB Council on Ministry is collecting nominations for two annual SDB Pastor Awards: The David L. Taylor Pastor’s Heart Award and the Excellence in Preaching Award. Now is the time to submit a nomination: the deadline for submissions is July 1, 2026.
David L. Taylor Pastor’s Heart Award
The David L. Taylor Pastor’s Heart Award is an annual recognition award established in honor and memory of Pastor Dave Taylor, who is a beloved pastor to many SDBs. This award honors Pastor Dave’s legacy by recognizing a pastor who consistently exhibits a pastor’s heart and is a blessing to others.
Whenever we speak of the pastor’s heart, we normally think of a pastor who has a genuine calling on their life to shepherd God’s people. We would normally think of them as having a gentle spirit and as one who has the spirit of being able to sit with a person and listen to them unfold their lives. They would be a person who could be trusted with confidential information yet helpful in counseling others biblically. They would celebrate wildly with those who saw God’s blessings and favor and commiserate with those who experienced suffering and loss.
The recipient of the David L. Taylor Pastor’s Heart Award must be a called pastor of a member church or a retired pastor in a member church in the SDB General Conference USA & Canada and over the age of 18.
Anyone can nominate a David L. Taylor Pastor’s Heart Award candidate. The submission should include a brief biography of the candidate (including but not limited to contact information, SDB church service, and family information) and a summary of how they exhibit a pastor’s heart. Submissions may be sent to cgreene@seventhdaybaptist.org.
Excellence in Preaching Award
The Excellence in Preaching Award is an annual preaching award established to honor a commitment to excellence in the preparation and delivery of sermons to a congregation, as well as commitment to instilling the desire for excellence in preaching in a generation of other preachers, evangelists, and pastors.
The recipient of the Excellence in Preaching Award must be a member of a member church in the SDB General Conference USA & Canada and over the age of 18. The sermon used for entry in the competition must have been preached within 12 months of when the award will be announced (July 25, 2026).
Anyone can nominate a candidate for the Excellence in Preaching Award, including the candidate. The submission will include a brief biography of the candidate (including but not limited to contact information, SDB church service, and family information) as well as a sermon submission (preferably video). Submissions may be sent to cgreene@seventhdaybaptist.org. Submissions will be judged on faithfulness to the biblical text/context, gospel connection, clarity/understanding, application to today’s audience, and delivery.
The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2026.
