"From Text to Sermon" held at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

July 21-25, 2008

Led by Frederick Dale Bruner and Scott Hoezee

This was a new seminar for the Summer of 2008 and it proved to be a wonderful success. Nearly three times more people applied to be part of this seminar than there were available spots. In the end, twenty pastors were chosen to participate, though two had to drop out just prior to the seminar due to personal reasons. The eighteen pastors who gathered for the week at Calvin Seminary came together eager to learn from one of the best Bible teachers and commentators working today: Dale Bruner. In addition to a seminal book on the Holy Spirit written in the early 1970s, Dr. Bruner distinguished himself for his deep biblical understanding in his two-volume landmark commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Most people agree that this may be the most useful commentary ever written for preachers.

Figure 13: Dale Bruner Leads Discussion on John 4

This "From Text to Sermon" seminar showcased Dr. Bruner’s skills in helping spark in preachers the very ideas about the biblical text that make for lively sermons. Each of the five days began with Director Hoezee leading the group in a time of Morning Prayers. Then Dale Bruner spent the next three hours delving deep into a biblical text. The main texts on which Dr. Bruner made presentations were: The Samaritan Woman at the Well in John 4, The Man Born Blind in John 9, The Raising of Lazarus in John 11, The Crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew 27, and The Resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 28.

For each passage Dale Bruner began by asking the group to stand as he then recited his own, memorized translation of the original Greek text. Seminar participants were energized and enthused by how much meaning Dr. Bruner gleaned from each passage just by providing such an insightful translation. Following this recitation of the text, Bruner then walked the group through the text verse by verse, providing insights all along the way that bristled with knowledge and understanding and that began, immediately, to spark preaching ideas in the minds and hearts of the participating pastors.

Figure 14: From Text to Sermon Seminar Participants

Following the morning presentation, the group then had lunch together each day in the Staff Dining Room of Calvin College. The members then went out for a few hours of independent study and reflection in Calvin College’s library, coming back together at 3:30 each afternoon for a final wrap-up discussion that drew together the welter of ideas each pastor had hit upon in the afternoon’s reflection time and following Dr. Bruner’s morning presentations. Because of the thoughtful way Dr. Bruner chose this texts, the pastors in attendance were able to engage in a wide variety of conversations on how to preach narrative texts in ways that do not destroy the story elements of the passage, how to talk about suffering and death in sermons, how to deal with the acute theological and pastoral questions people have as they listen to sermons, and how to preach true hope and joy to a culture that is in such great need of these gospel gifts. In addition to focusing on a given day’s specific biblical text, the afternoon sessions also provided opportunities to engage in wider-ranging discussions about preaching as well, covering a variety of topics as pastors were able to share with one another some of their own "best practices" as well as some of their own frustrations. All in all, this provided a rich learning environment as both seasoned preachers and those who were still quite new to the preaching ministry were able to encourage one another and interact with one another in ways that seldom happen in the hustle and bustle of ministry life.

Figure 15: A Presentation on the Great Commission

The seminar was a success at every level. Below are a few of the comments shared by the participants:

I want to thank you for hosting the seminar "From Text to Sermon" with Dale Bruner. I appreciated the opportunity to spend time digging into some of the gospel texts. So often in the work of pastoral ministry I become so accustomed to working fast and furious that it was a real privilege to work with other pastors and scholars who engage in thoughtful reflection on the text of Scripture. The week was refreshing, enjoyable, and stimulating.

I wanted to say thanks for this past week. It was such a blessing to spend the week studying the Gospels. I am very grateful to Scott Hoezee, Dale Bruner, and all those who made it possible for me to travel to Calvin and spend the week seeking to improve as a preacher. It was as enriching as it was enjoyable. Dale truly helped open up the text and taught me new ways to study the text, word by precious word, so that I might be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit rather than rushing through it to find a sermon. It was such a rich blessing, and I (and hopefully the congregation!) am very grateful.

Figure 16: From Text to Sermon Dinner at Local Restaurant

The pace was perfect and the expectations were fair for pastors in ministry. Digging into the text together was the most helpful thing of all! The facilities were excellent and the seminar was great!

I found the From Text to Sermon seminar simply outstanding. I return home from some preaching conferences feeling guilty that I don't work harder or depressed that I'm not a better preacher. However, I returned from this conference reinvigorated by the Spirit, by Dale and Scott’s wonderful leadership and by the inspiring fellowship with other attendees. It was so good simply to be taught and challenged by wonderful biblical scholars who are genuine servants. It was good, too, to have some time to simply reflect on texts without the pressure of turning them into the next Sunday's message. I'm grateful to the Center for Excellence in Preaching, Calvin Seminary and the Calvin Summer Seminars for generously making this all possible.

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