DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to offer the maximum possible practical
experience in preaching and sermon preparation. The class will be limited to a
maximum of nine students. Each student will preach twice during the quarter.
Sermons are to be original work not previously presented for credit in
homiletics or other speech and preaching classes. Each sermon will be evaluated
and discussed by class members under the direction of the instructor. All
sermons will be recorded on DVD or USB flashdrive.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Goals for this practicum include (1) 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; (2) that they might increase their skills in framing
content in a coherent and interesting way; (3) that they might improve their
delivery skills; and (4) that they might gain acuity in evaluating both their
own preaching and that of others.
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. Skill in preaching is expected of the great
majority of those called to pastoral positions, as well as of evangelists and
other servants of Christ.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for a two-hour period for two weeks.
The first part of each meeting will be spent in worship where two sermons will
be preached by members of the class. The class will then move to informal
surroundings, where discussion of the sermons will take place in a relaxed
atmosphere. 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. ALSO NOTE: Given the intensive format, two students will
need to preach on the second day of class, so everyone should come
prepared for this possibility.
REQUIRED READING: