DESCRIPTION: In the preaching tradition of many denominations, evangelistic preaching assumes a prominent role. For others, this tradition has largely disappeared. Yet there is an ongoing need for such a proclamation within the context of the church's pastoral and evangelistic task. This course will explore this unique preaching genre, providing insights and skills for the practice of this demanding task.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Goals for this course include the following: to develop an appreciation of the relationship between preaching and the church's evangelistic mandate; to examine the cultural contexts in which such preaching occurs; and to enhance the ability of the student to achieve effectiveness in this task.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: To equip students in the art of evangelistic preaching with the local congregation as the primary focus. Additional attention will be given to the cultural dynamics at work which provide the backdrop for evangelistic preaching.

COURSE FORMAT: This two-unit course will be taught once per week in two-hour sessions. It will follow a lecture/preaching/discussion format, incorporating material from required texts, the professor's experience, and student interaction.

REQUIRED READING:

Students are expected to be familiar with the texts assigned in PR500, or with equivalent standard works on preaching. In addition, the class will, of course, be familiar with exegetical and theological references relating to the texts, passages, or themes to be preached upon.

The following books will be useful as you build your preaching libraries. I will refer to them in our class sessions:

Kalas, J. Ellsworth. Preaching from the Soul. Abingdon, 2003.

Scheuer, Jeffrey. The Sound Bite Society: Television and the American Mind. Four Walls Eight Windows, 1999.

Webb, Stephen. The Divine Voice: Christian Proclamation and the Theology of Sound. Brazos Press, 2004.

1. Regular attendance for each class session and appropriate participation. Any absence from class beyond one absence requires an excuse from either a mortician or ecclesiastical official, whichever comes first. A negative grade adjustment results from two absences.

2. The preparation and delivery of two evangelistic sermons.