DESCRIPTION: This four-unit course is designed to deepen the theological insights of preaching students and to sharpen the creative skills that relate to their homiletical work. Special attention will be given to creativity in the use of language, development of the sermon's form, foundational understandings of creativity, narrative preaching, and issues relating to drama and performance in preaching.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course seeks the following goals for each student: Cognitive: theoretical knowledge relating to theology of preaching and aesthetic theory as foundations for imaginative preaching; Affective: Deepened appreciation for the needs of the listener in the preaching process; Skills: increased capacity to use figurative and evocative language in preaching, enhanced presentational skills, and ability to craft sermons in creative, as well as culturally and contextually relevant forms.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Because preaching continues to be the principle means by which the church proclaims the promises of God, preachers benefit by employing creative means by which to engage the hearts and minds of listeners.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Students will prepare and deliver creative sermons for feedback, discussion, and self-evaluation. They will also be responsible for reading material, creative writing, and performance assignments, and a final sermon project in which students prepare and deliver a sermon as a group. Class time will include guests and video presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Childers, Jana. Performing the Word. Abingdon, 1998.

Childers, Jana, ed. Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process. Chalice, 2001.

Frymire, Jeffrey W. Preaching the Story. Warner Press, 2006.

La Rue, Cleophas. The Heart of Black Preaching. Westminster John Knox, 2000

Lowry, Eugene. The Homiletical Plot. Westminster John Knox, 2001.

Schmit, Clayton J. Too Deep For Words: A Theology of Liturgical Expression. Westminster John Knox, 2002.

Wills, Garry. Lincoln at Gettysburg. Touchstone, 1992.

An extensive recommended bibliography will be available in the course syllabus.

1. Read assignments and be prepared to lead in class discussion of material (800 pages).

2. Prepare (including exegetical journal) and deliver 2 sermons in forms or styles new to the student's experience, one of which will be in some form of a first-person narrative.

3. Oral interpretation exercises: 2 exercises with 2 hours rehearsal each.

4. Two creative writing assignments (3-5 pages each).

5. Group assignment: produce and present (for in-class critique and evaluation) a sermon in a creative form.