DESCRIPTION:

This preaching practicum is designed to give students experience in preaching on aspects of some of the great theological themes and in seeing how doctrine addresses people's deep needs and questions. Enrollment will be limited to nine students. Each will preach twice on assigned texts. All sermons will be videotaped.

The spoken word remains an essential means of communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ. Preaching is an essential element in the ministry of the church; and skill in preaching is expected of the great majority of those called to pastoral positions, as well as of evangelists and many other servants of Christ.

The class will meet two consecutive hours per week. The first hour will be devoted to worship involving the hearing of two sermons preached by members of the class. The second hour will be spent in discussion of the sermons and reflection on the theological themes they addressed. PLEASE NOTE: Class attendance is mandatory. If the class is over-subscribed, the first two persons on the waiting list should attend the first class session.

Sayers, Dorothy. Creed or Chaos. Sophia Institute Press, 1996 (selected essays only).

Weekly exegetical and theological reading related to the texts to be preached upon.
(Preachers will be asked to refer not only to commentaries, but also to dogmatic works of their own and/or other traditions.)

Rutledge, Fleming. Help My Unbelief. Eerdmans, 2000.

Two sermons preached during the quarter, with outlines and indication of the commentaries, theological works, and other sources consulted submitted in writing. Regular class attendance, preparation for class, and participation in discussions are required. Students who miss more than two class meetings will not receive a passing grade.

PR500.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2).

None.