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  • Worship

    • Fall Preaching Conference
    Preaching the Gospel of Mark to a Restless Culture

    with Professor of Preaching Dr. Thomas G. Long


    9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Thursday, October 9, 2008

    Calvin Theological Seminary Chapel
    3233 Burton SE
    Grand Rapids, MI 49546


    Dr. Thomas G. LongThe Gospel of Mark has long been a favorite of preachers all over the world and is also the key gospel featured in the Year B of the Common Lectionary that begins in Advent 2008. For our Fall Preaching Conference we welcome back Dr. Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Long is an internationally acclaimed preacher and teacher of preaching and is the author of numerous books including his recently revised "The Witness of Preaching," "Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible," and "Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian." At this conference Dr. Long will help us review the main themes of Mark's Gospel and will also ponder how best to preach those themes to our contemporary culture. Dr. Long will also be the preacher at the worship service that will open this one-day event.


    Schedule (show | hide)

    9:00 a.m. Check-in and coffee
    9:30 a.m. Opening Worship
    Thomas G. Long, preaching
    10:15 a.m. Break
    10:30 a.m. Session One:
    Tearing the Heavens Apart: the Big Ideas in Mark’s Gospel
    In this session, while keeping our current context in mind, the focus will be on the text of the Gospel of Mark itself—its structure, literary style, setting, and content. By looking closely at several key passages, we will explore some of the major social themes and theological ideas in the Gospel.
    12:00 p.m. Lunch (Seminary Student Center)
    12:45 p.m. Session Two:
    Go, Tell His Disciples: Mark Confronts the Church Today
    In this session, while staying grounded in the text of the Gospel, we will turn our attention to the contemporary context. We will examine ways that the Gospel of Mark addresses and interacts with issues in culture and congregations today.
    2:00 p.m. Conference Concludes

    Suggested Lodging Options (show | hide)

    • Prince Conference Center

      Calvin College

      616-526-7200
      1-866-526-7200

      Free continental breakfast
      Wireless internet access

    • Ramada Plaza Hotel

      3333 28th St. SE

      616-949-9222
      1-800-2Ramada

      Free continental breakfast
      Free high speed wireless internet
      Water park with pools, Jacuzzi
      Restaurant on site


    Brochure (pdf)


    Registration is full and now closed.

    • $15/individual
    • $5/student
    This event is sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary