DESCRIPTION: This course will consider the theology, calling, and practice of
preaching. It will provide the opportunity to study and to reflect on the
vision and challenge of preaching in pastoral ministry, and to develop in the
practice of preaching.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The gospel of Jesus Christ comes to us as
kerygma, the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God for our
sake and for the sake of the world. This means that preaching holds a
distinctive place in the spiritual life of the Church, a place that needs to be
understood both for what it is and what it is not. Many in leadership in the
Church are called upon to preach, and the calling, labor, and joy of preaching
needs to be competently and humbly embraced and developed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Each student will have the chance to (1) read about and
reflect on the ministry of preaching; (2) develop their own coherent vision of
the role of preaching in the church and their own sense of call to such a
ministry; (3) learn from other preaching models and examples;(4) develop their
own skills in preaching by preparing and preaching two sermons.
COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet for the first several weeks twice each week; and
thereafter, it will meet once per week as an entire class, and once per week in
preaching practica, led by teaching assistants with peer feedback.
REQUIRED READING: