DESCRIPTION: The course builds a biblical and theological foundation for preaching, through lectures, readings, and written assignments. Through preparing two sermons, hearing and offering constructive feedback, and self-evaluation, students will develop their skills as preachers.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The preaching of the Word of God is central to how God calls people into God's kingdom, forms them as disciples, nurtures the church, and sends it out in mission. Pastoral leaders who are called to preach must proclaim the gospel with joyful boldness, genuine love for their listeners, creativity, and faithfulness to the witness of Scripture.

Learning Outcomes: Students who successfully complete the course will have shown that they (1) have developed a theology of preaching and will grow in their conviction that the biblical text is the proper foundation for a sermon; (2) have developed skills in exegesis, sermon-writing, and delivery that will enable them to bring biblical messages in compelling, faithful, and creative ways to diverse listeners; (3) through analysis of the written and heard sermons of experienced preachers and the heard sermons of their peers, have grown in evaluative skills.

COURSE FORMAT: This course meets two evenings a week for five weeks. The first two weeks will focus on lectures, class discussions, and analysis of sermons we watch, listen to, or read together. The latter weeks will focus on your preaching, with some lectures. The course will also require you to attend at least two church services based in a denominational tradition and/or ethnic composition different from your own, during the five weeks. (If an internship makes this difficult, other arrangements will need to be made, such as attending evening services.)

REQUIRED READING:

Long, Thomas. The Witness of Preaching. 2nd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2005. 200 pages.

Pitt-Watson, Ian. A Primer for Preachers. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1986 (out of print but published through Fuller Bookstore and available used online). 100 pages.

Taylor, Barbara Brown. The Preaching Life. (Or any collection of Taylor's sermons.) Cambridge: Cowley Publications, 1993. 50 pages.

Wright, John W. Telling God's Story: Narrative Preaching for Christian Formation. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2007. 50 pages.

Either: Nieman, James, and Thomas Rogers. Preaching to Every Pew. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001.

OR LaRue, Cleophus. The Heart of Black Preaching. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1999. 80 pages.

Commentaries and other resources as needed to produce two exegetical papers on chosen texts. 40 pages.

Forest of Rhetoric website: http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/Silva.htm (This site will be studied to learn principles of rhetoric as a means of persuasion.) 5 pages.

Several sermons will be assigned to read or listen to during the course. 32 pages.