DESCRIPTION: This preaching practicum is designed to give students experience
in preaching messages that are delivered with minimal or no reliance on
manuscript or notes. Enrollment will be limited to nine students. Each will
preach three times during the course--once for five minutes, once for ten
minutes, and once for fifteen minutes. All sermons will be videotaped. Some of
the sessions will include lecture and discussion; other sessions will involve
preaching and class feedback.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course objectives for this practicum
build on the objectives for all preaching practica--that students should learn
to prepare and deliver biblical messages which are faithful to the text of
Scripture and effective as a personal communication of the gospel. Students
would grow in their understanding of the differences between written
communication and spoken communication. Students would grow in their
understanding of both the possibilities and the pitfalls of preaching without
notes. Students would grow in their ability to prepare sermons in a way that
would allow the preacher to fully attend to the listeners rather than to
written notes or manuscript. The goal is increased interaction between the
speaker and the listeners, and a more effective presentation of the truth.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: 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. Preaching without relying on written notes can
increase interaction and effectiveness.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for a two-hour period each week. Three of
the sessions will be devoted to orientation, lecture, discussion, and class
exercises. Seven of the sessions will be devoted to preaching brief messages
without notes--five minutes, ten minutes, and fifteen minutes in length. On
preaching days, there will be presentation of messages followed by discussion
of the sermons.
PLEASE NOTE: Class attendance is mandatory, including the
first class session. If the class is over-subscribed, the first two persons on
the waiting list should attend the first class session.
REQUIRED READING: