On May 5, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, hosted the second Day of Homiletical Reflection with a total of 302 attending. The Day of Homiletical Reflection was designed to interest pastors desiring to improve their preaching skills, students involved in homiletical education, and others interested in joining the newly-formed Lutheran Society for Homiletics.

Dr. Haddon Robinson, the Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, was the main presenter for the event. Sectionals led by Robinson and Concordia Seminary faculty also were held. Issues discussed in the sectionals included use of a first-person expository preaching, the development of a story within a sermon and an outline for a sermon series on the book of Colossians

“I’m very pleased with how the day turned out,” commented Dr. Glenn Nielsen, associate professor of practical theology and director of vicarage at Concordia Seminary. ADr. Robinson not only gave us much to consider about preaching in today’s world, he also modeled excellent communication skills. His ability to speak to us, weaving together teaching with real life illustrative material, kept us engaged throughout his presentations.”

Dr. Dale A. Meyer, professor of practical theology and occupant of the Gregg H. Benidt Chair of Homiletics and Literature at Concordia Seminary, interviewed Robinson about his experiences in homiletics, the preacher as a person and the development of Robinson’s techniques for first-person preaching.

The afternoon closed with a meeting of the Lutheran Society for Homiletics. The next year’s Day of Homiletical Reflection will take place on May 4, 2005.

Audio files of the three sessions involving Robinson are available in RealAudio format on Concordia Seminary’s Web site (https://stg.csl.matchbox.host/Convocations.htm) for free download or online listening.

For information, contact Dr. Glenn Nielsen at (314) 505-7211 or nielseng@csl.edu.