Summer 2008/Pasadena
Five-week Intensive: June 23-July 25
PR500
Gordon/Frymire
PR500: HOMILETICS. Carolyn L. Gordon and Jeffrey W. Frymire.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give a general introduction to the
theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery.
The person of the preacher, the nature of preaching, and principles of sermon
construction will be discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course seeks the following goals for each student:
Cognitive: theoretical knowledge relating to theology of preaching, sermon
design, and delivery; Affective: deepened appreciation for the
dialogical quality of preaching and the needs of the listener in the preaching
process; Skills: capacity to craft a sermon that engages the biblical
text, the context of the audience, theological issues, and the hearts and minds
of listeners; and to deliver it meaningfully.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The spoken witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has
always been a primary means of communicating the faith. It continues to be a
powerful tool for planting, teaching, and nurturing faith in Christ. Biblical
preaching is the principal public form of this witness, and skill in biblical
interpretation, sermon preparation, and proclamation is expected of those who
are called to serve as ministers of the Gospel.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet four days each week for two-hour sessions
for five weeks. The course has both lecture and practicum components. The
practica are small groups of students led by teaching assistants under the
direction of the professors. In these groups students will preach two sermons
(both recorded), on which they will receive feedback from group members and the
teaching assistant. Each student will have the opportunity to receive personal
feedback from the professor on one of the two preached sermons.
REQUIRED READING:
- Allen, Ronald, ed. Patterns of Preaching. Chalice, 1998
(selected portions).
- Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox,
1989.
- Massey, James E. Designing the Sermon: Order and Movement in
Preaching. Abingdon, 1980.
- Select Reading: Students will choose one of the four texts
below:
- Childers, Jana, ed. Birthing the Sermon: Women
Preachers on the Creative Process. Chalice, 2001.
- Gonzalez, J. L., and P. A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic
Preaching. Abingdon, 2005.
- Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an
Asian American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999.
- LaRue, Cleophas J., ed. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most
Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster/John Knox,
2003.
RECOMMENDED READING: The syllabus will include a list of recommended
readings.
ASSIGNMENTS: Preparation and preaching of two sermons, including submission of
exegetical journal and manuscript for each. Attention to all assigned text and
oral assignments. Several brief written exercises, including evaluations of
written and live sermons. Grade will be based on written assignments and
exegetical journal. Because the sermons in this class are presumed to be among
the student's first sermons, they will simply be graded pass/fail. Though not
graded as to form, content, or presentation, they will be carefully evaluated
and discussed in class and with the professor. Attendance at the practicum
groups is mandatory, and grade may be reduced for absences not excused.
PREREQUISITES: NE502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and
Communication (MIN2) and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA
programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (4/08)