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Tim Brown

President and Henry Bast Professor of Preaching

A.B. Hope College

M.Div. Western Theological Seminary

D.Min. Western Theological Seminary

"As a young man and a new convert in the late 1960s, I can still see the aging and ill Henry Bast ascending the pulpit to preach. I thrilled then, as I do now, to the gospel he preached. He spoke winsomely of the risen Christ, with the full authority of the Word of God. I've pledged myself to the task of raising up a new generation of preachers in the Reformed Church in America to do the same!"

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A Goodly Heritage: Essays in Honor of the Reverend Dr. Elton J. Bruins at Eighty (Contributor) (Eerdmans, 2007)

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Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible, Contributing Editor (Commentary on Ephesians) (Harper-Collins, 2005)

    • CM103 Seminar in Congregational Studies
        This seminar cultivates the art of knowing a congregation (or other ministry site), its social and historical contexts, its culture and identity, its process and institutional logic. Students will practice various methods for studying and critically reflecting on congregational life in light of their vocation as practicing theologians. 1.5 credits.
    • CM548 Keeping and Talking the Word
        A course designed to both consider and practice the centuries long spiritual discipline of scripture memorization. With specific consideration to the nature and history of the oral transmission of the scriptures and building on specific training in contemplative exegesis, each participant will prepare and perform selected portions of the biblical witness and participate in a larger group performance of the same.
    • CM555 Seeker Sensitive Preaching
        Investigates, evaluates, and implements strategies for preaching in a "post-Christian" culture. The course will evaluate the phenomenon of "seeker-sensitive worship" and offer a vision for preaching that is both responsive to the Reformed heritage and sensitive to contemporary culture.
    • CM567 Spirituality for Preaching
        Participants explore and exercise the classic disciplines of the Christian life that for centuries have sustained those whom God has called to preach. The course focuses on a "contemplative exegetical" reading of St. Paul's letter to the Colossians. In alternating rhythms of lectio continua and lectio divina, prayer, silence, meditation, and mutual encouragement, participants ready themselves for "a long obedience in the same direction."
    • TF104 Introduction to Theology and Worship
        This introductory course combines concerns that would usually be considered separately in courses in theology and worship, as a reflection of the deeply held Reformed and ecumenical conviction, lex orandi, lex credendi. Holding these two basic realities together, we will seek to deepen our understanding of the core aspects of the Christian faith, explore how theology and worship both shape and are shaped by the other, gain a growing capacity for thinking critically about our theology and worship, and develop skills for worship leadership.

Memorization Video

Background

Tim Brown brought twenty years of preaching and pastoral experience to the task of teaching homiletics when he arrived at Western Theological Seminary in 1995. After 13 years of inspiring and teaching the next generation of pastors to preach the Word, he accepted the call to lead the seminary as president, starting in July of 2008.

Prior to coming here Tim was the senior pastor of Christ Memorial Church in Holland, Michigan, from 1983-1995. During that time the church became one of the fastest growing congregations in the United States, as well as one of the largest in the Reformed Church in America. In recent years Dr. Brown held a joint position with Hope College as the Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel. While at Hope College Tim participated in a highly charged student spiritual renewal movement that gained national acclaim.

Dr. Brown is a frequent speaker at pastors conferences, college campuses, and church renewal events. He has served on the Reformed Church in America's Board of Theological Education; the Hope College Board of Trustees; and the executive committee of Words of Hope, a worldwide radio ministry; and is currently a General Synod Professor.