O.K., Teach Me To Preach
I just returned from a 2 1/2 day preaching practicum, which, a few years ago, is not something I would have imagined attending. I was more than pleasantly surprised.
The practicum was led by Art Azurdia, who is a professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. The practicum consisted of Art teaching on preaching, sermon preparation, and hermeneutics, which is the “theory and methodology of interpreting the Bible”. That was Day One.
Art spoke on sermon preparation in great depth. We studied diagramming verses, parsing verbs, looking for flow, preparing a “telos”, and much more. Art also encouraged us to see the entire Bible as the story of redemption through Jesus Christ. The differing portions of the Bible are all knit together in one great story, which is the story of God redeeming man.
In addition, Art spoke on the idea of Christocentric preaching, which means seeing the entire Bible in its relationship to the Gospel, and understanding how a passage aligns itself with the work of redemption.
Seven Calvary Chapel pastors attended the practicum, and we were each assigned a portion of the Book of Ruth to preach on (Days 2 & 3). We were then critiqued by our peers and by Art. Each guy preached for 30 minutes, and we were then critiqued for 45 minutes. It might sound scary, but it wasn’t, and I found it to be very beneficial. I look forward to implementing some of the steps to sermon preparation that Art suggested we pursue. I am sure that Cornerstone will become a mega church in a matter of months as a result of my new found skills. 
On another note…I didn’t want to go. I struggled to go. I was fighting internally about going. “Why”, you ask? Glad you asked. I’ll tell you why…
1. Art is a Reformed theologian. He is a Calvinist. (Not as extreme as some would like, but a Calvinist none the less). That means he and I disagree on some aspects of theology. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be taught by a guy that I disagreed with. I didn’t want to travel to Central Oregon to argue about theology. Plus, (I say tongue in cheek), Art is not a Calvary Chapel guy. (Sadly, a taboo in some Calvary circles..Not a taboo with me, but with some.)
2. Art is educated, intelligent, well read, etc. I never attended Bible College, and have very little pastoral training. Art is very educated. I am only ed-joo-ma-cated. He teaches at a seminary. I don’t, never have, and never will. Really smart guys usually make me nervous, because most of them either know almost everything, or think they do. I don’t like feeling stupid around really smart guys. If you make me feel stupid, I might bite your ear off like Mike Tyson did to Evander Holyfield. So there, I said it. (thumping my chest and strutting)
3. I didn’t want to leave my wife, my home, my church, my kids, my bed, and last but not least, my dog.
4. I know how to teach/preach, (to some degree). Why do I need to go “learn about preaching”?
It didn’t take long for my concerns to dissipate, and for me to see the value of the practicum. I learned a lot in 2 ½ days. My thoughts regarding preaching were challenged. Things I assumed were dissected and put under a magnifying glass. I was encouraged and bothered. I was excited and angered. But it was all good, because my view of preaching, theology, and sermon preparation were assaulted in love and rebuilt with wisdom and grace.
Art did not try to convert us to his theology. He was extremely respectful of our differing views. He did, however, challenge us on how we approach Bible study and teaching. Both his tradition and ours embrace the teaching and preaching of God’s Word, but having an appreciation of Bible truth and bringing it forth accurately are not always synonymous. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Sadly, many preachers are not being diligent to rightly divide the Word. The result of this many congregations are not being properly fed God’s Word, or learning how to read their Bibles with discernment.
I went to the practicum, not knowing what to expect, and a bit guarded and worried. Yet, I had a sense that I needed to attend, and God blessed me tremendously.
The lesson I would hope to convey is this: Allow yourself to be challenged in what you hold dear. Be sure you understand why you believe certain things about God. Don’t avoid unpleasant emotions at the expense of Christian growth. Don’t deify your Christian tradition, but be willing to see that God is infinitely bigger than your tradition. Truth is non-negotiable, tradition is. Don’t be afraid to interact with others because of some label that is assigned to them. Make up your mind about people after you have met them, not before. We do well to learn from those who are different than us.
Art, if you happen to read this: Thank you. I am sure you have heard that from many, but I now add my voice to that group. I look forward to the next time. Until then, I shall do my best to “Preach the Word”.
13 Responses so far
Steve Hopkins
May 14th, 2009
9:34 am
I was one of the 7 CC pastors who attended this practicum. Prior to the practicum, Bill and I were good friends but now he has become a great friend and one I have the greatest respect for. Before the practicum Bill was a good preacher. But this experience though stretching for us all will only serve to make him a better exegete and proclaimer of the truth.
Bill I am glad you overcame your doubts and came. You contributed to the learning experience with your sermon and your questions.
Chad Myhre
May 14th, 2009
10:05 am
Art was brilliant. The day of information on sermon prep and proper hermeneutics was solid gold. That day could have stretched on into the wee hours of the night and I would have been fine with it.
Getting critiqued was hard. I don’t fully agree with everything that was said about my “content” but I do fully agree and am challenged by the critiques on my presentation. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do anything about that. My mind is like a greasy surface that you’re trying to put stickers on. I need to hold those stickers up there… so being set free from my notes is going to be hard.. (and don’t give me the .. “try it Chad!” exhortation… I’ve tried it.. a lot. many times.. many ways.. all of them disastrous”.. -I’ll try again anyways.
This practicum was awesome!!!!! I encourage any of you guys who are open to improvement (because I know some of you numb skull ding-dong pastors aren’t open and need a good beating in a dark alley) to consider flying out to Oregon (or Wisconsin.. there’s one coming up there soon) and being part of it. I traded in the SPC for this, and it was well worth it a 100 times over.
Here’s the most convincing fact.. one that will amaze all of you and motivate most of you….
It enabled Steve Hopkins to preach well.
Don Brown
May 14th, 2009
10:11 am
Bill, the truth you spoke in your blog ministered to me in a huge way today. Although I am not a pastor it still speaks volumes in how we approach the word of God. Even how we approach our own devotional time. Thank you for your honesty. It makes me even more glad the Lord has put you in my life.
Bill Walden
May 14th, 2009
12:21 pm
Steve, I am glad that you bought me all those good meals….and, oh yeah…thanks for the invite to the practicum and setting it up. It was very edifying. Blessings Hoppy…
pastorbillwalden
May 14th, 2009
12:25 pm
Chad, Don……..love you guys.
Chad, do your deacons deliver the dark alley beatings, or is that you?
Don, glad you are in my life too. I don’t get invited to play on worship teams much….
Susan Prudhomme
May 14th, 2009
1:39 pm
I wouldn’t have thought you needed a course in sermons, Bill, but I guess this just shows how much we all can continue to learn, even in those areas where we are “really good”. What I most appreciate about your comments, though, is the gentle reminder to be open to brothers and sisters of other traditions. Thank you, God, for being bigger than us all!
ryan couch
May 14th, 2009
1:54 pm
Bill,
I’m really glad you came and that you were challenged and blessed.
Art is an amazing guy and I count it a privilege to have learned from him.
Every CC pastor would benefit from his instruction…we have a great heritage of Bible teaching and preaching but unfortunately the principles and tools have not been passed down in a pragmatic fashion.
It was great to hang out with you and the guys…wish we could have spent more time together.
Dave Rolph
May 14th, 2009
2:01 pm
Thanks for sharing that. I’m proud of you. I had the advantage of going to Bible College and Seminary (back in the dark ages) and yet the older I get the more I appreciate learning and enrichment opportunities. I constantly seek out seminars and conferences (and there are tons of them for free online) and I learn from almost all of them. Calvary people are sometimes known for being inbred, only learning from each other. The body of Christ is huge and we all need each other. I heard Rick Warren say recently, “I can learn something from anybody. If there are people you can’t learn from you have an ego problem.”
kathryn kottong
May 14th, 2009
3:23 pm
Hey Bill ~ I really appreciate your comments and admire your courage to do that which is not comfortable. We are a part of a non-Calvary church at this time and I know the Lord is blessing this experience and working in me and Gary in it. We grew so much in the 10 years we sat under your teaching. I’m blessed and pleased to know you are growing upward and outward. Sorry you can’t be at the wedding. We’ll miss seeing you.
Kirsten Howard
May 16th, 2009
9:38 am
Hi Pastor Bill. I really enjoy your teaching. I used to go to Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa College and Career in the 1990’s when you were the Pastor, and I got so much out of your teaching. I met my husband there. I was a new christian then, and I met so many people at College and Career. Keep up the good work. I still go to Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. My husband grew so much from your teaching as well. He got delivered from alcohol while, he was under your teaching. Thankyou so much.
LosPrecios
May 18th, 2009
4:35 pm
Bill,
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you went to and shared your insights about being open, especially the comments of “don’t deify your tradition” and about learning from those who are different from us. I have learned from many across the spectrum: John MacArthur, Dr. Michael Brown, Paul Washer and John Piper. I certainly don’t agree with each one of these men on various points of doctrine but they are godly men from whom I can learn.
Ok, I’ll admit that Preterists and hard-core Replacement Theologians give me the “willies” though.
Praying Heart
May 19th, 2009
7:46 am
Our dear Pastor Bill;
If anything, this past week at ‘Pastor’s Camp’ only shows that you have a teachable and humble servant’s heart. . . . and we are very blessed to have you as our pastor . . . with the added blessing to have your precious bride, Debbie as a model of the Proverbs 31 woman who instead of having her own business heads up the women’s ministry with such humble grace, compassion and love of Christ that you hardly know she’s there as she helps us grow to be more like Jesus in our homes, in our jobs, in the community and in our church family. . .
Our families at home and at church will thrive and blossom according to God’s plan and timing as we commit ourselves to abide in Jesus and obey Him. . . .
He must take us through some deep waters first . . . meaning, our faith will be tested and tried so that we may go deeper with Him. . . and most people don’t pray for hardships, trials and a life that causes them to be solely dependant upon Him . . . but that is the best place to be.
If we can be solely dependent upon Jesus whether we have money, position or possessions or not . . . we will see His love flow in and through our lives and growth will happen . .
We are very blessed to have a pastor and pastor’s wife who love Jesus as you and Debbie do . . .
As we all love Jesus and desire to obey His commands to love Him with all our heart,mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves, the rest will fall into place.
This is a moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day submission to God in our walks with Jesus, staying in His word and listening to His voice as we commune with Him.
Thanks for staying in the trenches with us as we go through our trials . . . we can forgive you for being a Warrior’s fan
, . . . if you are first a ‘most loyal fan’ of Jesus and continue to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct your live as you lead us as our pastor. 
May we all be most loyal fans of Jesus . . . true to the end . . . no matter what we see happening around us or how we may be feeling about what’s happening in our life. . . . may we learn to listen and obey our precious Savior.
Continued blessings to you, Debbie and Jon (who valiantly defeats poisonous snakes as a faithful employee who is committed to his job and to the safety of the people he serves)
Scott Stewart
June 6th, 2009
8:29 pm
Thank you Bill for posting this and being honest in your inner struggles with even attending this seminar. But, you humbled yourself and went and got blessed and learned something and all of those who read this wil be blessed with your example as well as your congregation will be as you apply what you have learned. I agree with what Dave Rolph posted. We all must continue to learn and be humble enough to learn from others despite who we think we are. Espeacially pastors of Gods people who in my opinion have the most important job in the world. You crack me up too as i can totally picture you thumping your chest and strutting. Hilarious. God bless you my brother.
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