Winter 2008/Pasadena
PR514
Shuster

PR514: MAKING DOCTRINE LIVE (Two Units). Marguerite Shuster.


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 recorded on DVD.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: In addition to the goals for regular preaching practica--that students would grow both in their conviction that the biblical text is the proper foundation for preaching and in their skill in unfolding the biblical text in a way that is compelling to hearers; that they might increase their skills in framing content in a coherent and interesting way; that they might improve their delivery skills; and that they might gain acuity in evaluating both their own preaching and that of others--this specialized practicum aims to help students to appreciate key doctrines of the church as a critical component of a vital preaching ministry and to find accessible and accurate ways of conveying Christian doctrine in preaching.

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.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for a two-hour period each 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.

REQUIRED READING:

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.)

RECOMMENDED READING:
Rutledge, Fleming. Help My Unbelief. Eerdmans, 2000.

Sayers, Dorothy. Creed or Chaos. (Selected essays only.) Various editions; repr. Sophia Institute.

Van Harn, Roger, ed. Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed. Eerdmans, 2004.

ASSIGNMENTS: Two sermons preached during the quarter, with outlines, exegetical notes, and indication of the commentaries, theological works, and other sources consulted submitted in writing. Each sermon accounts for 50% of the grade. 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.

PREREQUISITES: PR500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/07)