Preaching Practicum 1996 Held In Dallas

Dallas, Texas - Preaching Practicum 1996, which took place in Dallas May 7– 10, was conceived and developed by two Dallas pastors, Dr. George Mason of Wilshire Baptist Church and Dr. Allen Walworth of Park Cities Baptist Church. Leading the practicum was Dr. John Holbert, preaching professor at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

“As friends and colleagues,” Mason said, “Allen and I respect each other’s preaching and have a common understanding of the nature and value of preaching in the contemporary church. The impetus for the conference grew not only out of our common vision but also out of our love of teaching. We consider the practicum as a gift from ourselves and our churches to those who would find it beneficial.”

Walworth recalled that his most memorable continuing education experience in preaching was an annual event held at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. This kind of gathering is not too common any more, Walworth added, so he and Mason said, “Why can’t this kind of experience be available to our younger ministers, and why shouldn’t we do it?”

Focusing on the improvement of preaching, the practicum included sessions on “Reading Texts/Imagination,” “Reading the Pew,” and “Reading Culture/ Arts.” In the session on imagination, Walworth stimulated preachers to use all the senses in order to more profoundly experience a biblical text. For example, he pointed out that it is impossible to fully understand the man crippled from birth without physically feeling his pain and humiliation, so to capture his experience, preachers should role play his limitations while preparing their sermons.

Mason focused on the many factors preachers must consider when preparing sermons in the session on reading the pew. He guided participants to think about the various contexts that are part of the task, including factors such as gender, race, marital status, age, region, denominational background, and class. Preachers, he noted, must also consider carefully what kinds of cultural references— to TV, movies, literature, and theologians, for instance—are appropriate for their congregations.

Dr. John Killinger, university professor at Samford University in Birmingham, AL, and author of a number of books on preaching was originally scheduled to be a facilitator. When he became ill just before the first session, Holbert stepped in to lead two sessions and was very well received. In one session he presented an overview of preaching today, recommending use of an inductive approach— experiencing a biblical text with a single conclusion and a more narrative form— instead of relying just on the old standby deductive approach.

Holbert’s session on culture and the arts stressed the importance of the preacher’s engagement with other literature and media in order to make connections for their congregations and to give spiritual meaning to everyday life.

The facilitators also led small-group sessions on working with specific biblical texts and held preaching labs with critiques. Time was allotted for informal exchange of ideas and for fellowship as well. Services led by Mason and Walworth provided time for worship and allowed the leaders to demonstrate their own preaching styles.

Targeted primarily to younger ministers pastoring churches in smaller towns, the conference drew participants from around the state of Texas and from as far away as Mississippi. They represented not only small-town churches, but also small to medium-sized churches in major urban centers, churches in decline, and brand-new churches. Several were seminary students serving pastoral internships.

Virtually every participant voiced a hunger for fellowship and the desire to meeting like-minded people in ministry as key reasons for attending. Several said they feel isolated as they work day-today in situations with little intellectual stimulation and too few opportunities for professional interaction.

The focus on preaching rather than church growth, money-raising techniques, or administration, participants said, made the format appealing. They also cited the limited group size (maximum 24) and the collegiality of the small group setting as key benefits. The fact that the conference was organized and led by ministers rather than universities or seminaries was another reason for the practicum’s success.

Despite differing situations and needs, every minister found the experience and exposure valuable. One participant commented that it was “not a quickie [but] allowed for depth and exploration.” Another observed, “The sessions were all very insightful, especially with the dialogue that followed.”

Walworth stressed the value of the opportunity to practice with peers. “We preachers do not often have the chance to get feedback from someone who can talk about homiletic issues, preaching styles, and sermon delivery. Also, as the craft of preaching changes, we all need to broaden our base of understanding.” Above all, he added, “We are caught up in the mystery of the Word and want to release that mystery to our congregations. We want to offer them this gift the best way we can.”

Part of the cost of the practicum was underwritten by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Texas Baptists Committed. Both organizations share Mason’s and Walworth’s interest in nurturing and encouraging young Baptist clergy, and their financial contributions made participation possible for ministers affiliated with churches without the resources to support extensive professional development. Dr. Mason said, “We’re grateful for the support of this valuable enterprise. We hope that this focused attention on preaching will be a long-term blessing to the Kingdom of God.”

Based on the participants’ responses and their own assessment, Mason and Walworth are considering hosting a similar practicum next year. “We’re open to broadening our focus beyond Texas and inviting pastors in other denominations, but we intend to keep the number small,” Walworth said.

August 1996