The Preachers' Oasis 2006

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
May 30-31, 2006

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For two days 21 pastors from several different denominations gathered at the King's University College in Edmonton, Alberta. The two-day "mini-Oasis" was led by CEP Director, Rev. Scott Hoezee, with many of the details of the event arranged by Rev. Johannes Schouten, pastor at Bethel Community Christian Reformed Church in Edmonton.

Topics of instruction and group conversation included a consideration of "The Forms of the Sermon" as well as "What Language Shall We Borrow?" in which participants thought together about what kinds of sources nourish a preacher's imagination and stock his or her homiletical larder with just the right words, metaphors, and images needed to preach effectively.

A key part of the success of Oasis events comes from the congregations of the participating pastors. Upon arriving in Edmonton, Director Hoezee was given a stack of close to 90 evaluation forms that had been submitted by the congregations represented at this Oasis event. This feedback provided invaluable insights for the preachers in attendance as congregations were asked to note both strengths and weaknesses of their pastor's preaching in terms of both Content and Delivery. A wide variety of feedback was received but there were a number of common themes that were noted and that provoked sustained and fruitful discussion in the group.

Participants also workshopped a sermon by Dr. Thomas G. Long and looked at some of the communication strengths of Rev. Rob Bell of Mars Hill Community Church. Rather than being daunted by the skills of such truly excellent preachers, participants noted the things that these people do well and that can easily be transferred into their own sermon toolkits. Working in small groups, participants also worked on various Scripture passages so as to pay attention to some key principles of rhetoric with an eye (or an ear!) toward becoming more effective Scripture readers (a discipline that carries over into also actual sermons as pastors sharpen their overall communication skills).

Times of fellowship, food, and laughter also added to the event as these otherwise highly busy preachers were able to take a break for a couple of days just to be together, to swap stories, and to listen to one another's ideas.

Participants in the Edmonton Oasis included: Fred Bultman, Harry Cook, Russ Graff, Kevin Green, Howard Lawrence, Sheila Loosely, John Luth, Dan Meinema, Martin Mobach, John Ooms, Walter Opmeer, John Pasma, Johannes Schouten, Liz Tyler, Paul Van Stralen, Thomas Vander Ziel, Cecil Van Niejenhuis, Art Verboon, and Karen Wilk.