Summary

This workshop audio will help participants begin to explore the possibilities and homiletical impact of engaging in an ongoing, vigorous program of reading for preaching.

Listen Online

Details

People often assume that preachers who read widely are on the prowl for illustrations. These people are right. Preachers are hunter-gatherers, searching not only the world's literary masterworks but also contemporary fiction, journalism, and biography. But preachers are not merely in search of useful stories. Reading deepens the preacher's knowledge of human cries of the heart. In fact, the preacher's reading deepens preaching because it deepens the preacher. In this workshop, Neal Plantinga and Hulitt Gloer discussed their highly successful "Imaginative Reading for Creative Preaching" seminar, which the two have co-led the last five years as a multi-week summer program. This workshop will help participants begin to explore the possibilities and homiletical impact of engaging in an ongoing, vigorous program of reading for preaching.

Presented at the 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship.

Recent Media Resources

Parable of the Good Samaritan

This worship service focuses on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. The Holland Christian High School Symphonic Orchestra, directed by Scott VandenBerg, leads the music with accompaniment from Alexis VanZalen. Calvin University’s Awakening group leads congregational singing featuring a selection of emerging bilingual Korean-English songs. Andrea Bult delivers the message, and students from Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Noel Snyder, guide the liturgy.  

March 12, 2025 | 68 min video
The Friend at Midnight

This worship service centers on the story of the friend at midnight in Luke 11:5-13. Sandra McCracken, in collaboration with the Calvin University Worship Apprentices and their mentor, Paul Ryan, lead congregational worship. Janette Ok delivers the sermon, and Becca Tellinghuisen leads the scripture reading.  

March 12, 2025 | 53 min video
Parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son

This service of the word and table includes a message on Luke 10 from Kevin Adams, who reflects on the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son. Communion is celebrated following the message. Proskuneo Ministries leads the music, and the Calvin University Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Joanna Wigboldy, guides the liturgy. 

March 12, 2025 | 74 min video