wfn.org | World Alliance of Reformed Churches President Leads Taiwan Preaching

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Seminar

Taiwan Church News 2592,  November 4, 2001
Reported by Yu Rong-der,  Written by David Alexander

      Yu-Shan Theological College, an institution of the Presbyterian
Church in Taiwan dedicated to developing leadership for Aboriginal
churches, held a seminar on preaching from October 22 to 24th.  The Rev.
Dr. C.S. Song, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, was
the main speaker.
      Emphasizing the need to practice, practice and practice more, Dr.
Song spoke on delivered five lectures: The Foundations of Preaching; The
Doctrine in the Story and the Story in the Doctrine; Learning Preaching
from Jesus; Theology of Preaching and Preaching Theology; and
Preparation for Preaching.  Various workshops and dialog sessions were
part of the seminar.
      All who attended were asked to prepare by reading two of Dr. Song's
books and to bring a sermon manuscript to share with others.  Dr. Song
said, "Preaching is a divine appointment.  We preach to spread the faith
of the Kingdom of God.  When a pastor is preaching, her own theology is
also revealed."
      In plenary discussions local clergy appealed for instruction on
improving their preaching skills.  They were told to "read more, observe
more, listen more and think more" to see to their own spiritual
development.  Self evaluation of preaching was also urged upon them. The
tension between what comes from the power of God and what is from
natural or worldly power was pointed out as one of the difficult aspects
of preaching.  Dr. Song confessed that his happiest moments are when he
has finished presenting a sermon, characterizing it as both "bitter and
sweet".

For more information: Yu Shan Theological College
yushanth@ms29.hinet.net