Preaching a Focus of Annual Symposium
. The annual Symposium on Worship will take place on the campus of Calvin College and Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich., from January 29-31, and, among the many workshops and presentations, learning how to become a better liturgist and preacher is a focus.
Registration is still open. And this year you may also register for the entire conference or for individual days.
This year's preachers and workshop presenters include Craig Barnes, pastor of Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Penn., professor of pastoral ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and author of numerous books. Note that Barnes (who has just published his newest book, The Preacher as Minor Poet) is doing a major seminar on Thursday, January 29, on the theme of "Preaching the Parables of Jesus."
Other presenters include Marva Dawn, teaching fellow in spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver, B.C.; Frank Thomas, pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn. and author of several books on preaching; Mary Hulst, assistant professor of preaching, Calvin Theological Seminary; Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and Luke Powery, assistant professor of homiletics, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ.
"This promises to be a rich learning event," says Rev. Scott Hoezee, Director at Calvin Theological Seminary. "If you have not already registered but can make it to part or all of this year's event, please do so."
Online registration details and more about the dozens of presenters coming to this year's Symposium are on this page from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship:
Meanwhile, says Hoezee, keep in mind that the fourth annual "Preachers' Oasis" seminar is slated for July 27-31, 2009. "Each year we gather a group of pastors for a rich, relaxing, and informative time of reflection on the preaching craft, of sharing ideas with preaching colleagues, and of individualized coaching and mentoring for each Oasis participant," he says.
For more details on the seminar and to view the brochure online, visit this page:
http://www.calvinseminary.edu/continuingEd/details/2009/preachersOasis.php?pNav=ed
In addition to the Oasis, the Center is sponsoring--in conjunction with Calvin College's Seminars in Christian Scholarship Office--two other continuing education opportunities in July 2009:
- "Imaginative Reading for Creative Preaching" with Dr. Neal Plantinga and Dr. Hulitt Gloer: This seminar will help preachers reflect on how a program of general reading across a wide variety of literary genres feeds the preaching life. To learn more and to apply, visit this page: http://www.calvin.edu/scs/2009/Plantinga/
- "From Text to Sermon" with Dr. Frederick Dale Bruner and Rev. Scott Hoezee will also take place. Dr. Bruner's two-volume commentary on Matthew has long been a favorite for preachers and his forthcoming commentary on the Gospel of John promises to deliver still more insightful treasures to preachers everywhere, says Hoezee. To learn more, please visit this page: http://www.calvin.edu/scs/2009/Bruner%20Hoezee/
