Spring 2013/FSNW

PR500

Abbott

PR500: HOMILETICS. H. Mark Abbott.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give a full introduction to the theology and craft of preaching. This will involve an examination of the biblical and theological understanding of preaching, principles of sermon construction, and the practice of material gathering, as well as the actual delivery of the sermon.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Central in the ministry of the church and in the work of the pastoral ministry is the task of preaching. Successful completion of this course should enable the student to hold a Biblical view of the importance of preaching, to know and use the Bible and other resources in the development of sermons, and to deliver a sermon with effectiveness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the successful completion of this course the student will:

1. increase his/her conviction that the biblical text is the proper foundation for preaching.
2. be helped to grow in his/her ability to frame coherent content.
3. be helped in improving his/her delivery skills.
4. be helped to increase his/her skills in evaluating his/her own preaching/speaking, as well as that of others.

COURSE FORMAT: This Course will meet weekly 4 hours for ten weeks. The course has lecture, practicum, reading and sermon listening, and mentorship components. A major component of this course is practicum, in which each student will deliver two sermons before his/her peers. In addition, students will be assigned to spend approximately 5 hours of interaction with a mentor of their own choosing. The mentor will be asked to interact with students about his/her view of preaching and method of sermon preparation, as well as respond to student questions about preaching.

REQUIRED READING:

Abbott, Mark, Something to Say, Say it Well, WinePress Publishing, 2011, ISBN 13: 978-1-4141-1961-8. 127 pages. $14.95.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster, 1989. ISBN: 9780664229436. 198 pages. $24.95.

Strunk Jr., William, and E.B. White. Elements of Style. Prentice Hall, 1979. ISBN: 9781594200694. Selected segments, about 50 pages. $24.95.

And one of the following:

Brooks, Gennifer Benjamin. Good News Preaching. Pilgrim Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780829818222. 142 pages. $25.00.

Craddock, Fred. Preaching. Abingdon, 1985. ISBN: 9780687336487. 222 pages. $23.00.

LaRue, Cleophus J. I Believe, I’ll Testify, The Art of African American Preaching. WJK, 2011. ISBN: 9780664236779. 144 pages. $11.03.

Miller, Calvin. Preaching: The Art of Narrative Exposition. Baker, 2006. ISBN: 9780801012907. 248 pages. $17.00.

Stott, John R.W. Between Two Worlds. Eerdmans, 1982. ISBN: 9780802806277. 335 pages. $22.00.

Willobee, Sondra B. The Write Stuff. Westminister John Knox Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780664232818. 114 pages.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Preparation of two sermons, including submission of manuscripts for each one. First manuscript and sermon presentation - 30%, second manuscript and sermon presentation - 30%.
2. Reading of the assigned books, with a two-page written reaction to each one, at least two hours of listening to taped sermons, along with brief, written responses, brief report on the approximately five hours of interaction with a preaching mentor. (20% total for all three, reading, listening and one page mentorship report)
3. There will be a take-home exercise (20%) over theoretical elements of the course and practical exercises in working with texts.

PREREQUISITES: LG512A-C; NE502

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MIN2 for M.Div; Communication for MAT/BST.

FINAL EXAMINATION: No