Spring 2018/Pasadena

PR517

Lamb

PR517: PREACHING FOR OCCASIONS (4 Units: 160 hours). Dr. Lisa Lamb.

DESCRIPTION: PR517 is designed as a 4-unit practicum in preaching that follows PR500 in the sequence of required preaching courses. The course provides students with an opportunity to work the “Developing” and “Mastery” levels of competence by preparing, preaching, listening to, responding to, and assessing sermons in a classroom setting. Instructors lead students through the following steps: assessing one’s prior preaching experience; setting personal goals for the class; preparing and preaching sermons; receiving feedback on sermons and engaging in self - assessment; making specific plans for continued growth and improvement; reflecting on one’s experience during the class; setting goals for continued learning and growth in preaching after completion of the class. This course will emphasize preaching for funerals, weddings, and holidays.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course students will have demonstrated (1) competence in biblical interpretation through faithful use of the whole canon of Scripture in proclaiming the gospel; (2) capacities for engaging listeners in preaching as a formative activity in the context of worship; (3) an understanding of how the theology of the Church and its historical developments, including the practice of preaching, inform the proclamation of the gospel in the present; and (4) competence in preaching as a theologically reflective practice that serves the Church’s vocation of proclaiming the gospel in the whole of life.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice weekly in two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom. The course is focused primarily on practice, but also requires a moderate amount of outside reading to assist in the process of creating and reflecting on sermons. The practicum is led by the professor and requires participation by the whole class. Students preach a minimum of three (3) sermons for which they receive feedback, evaluative comments, and guidance to encourage continued reflection, learning, and growth. Students also engage in self-assessment and reflection after each sermon. In addition to class discussion following each sermon, students are able to consult individually with the professor.

REQUIRED READING: 600 pages required:

Bartlett, David, and Barbara Brown Taylor. Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol. 1: Advent through Transfiguration. Westminster John Knox Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0664239626. Pub. Price: $35.00 [130 pp. assigned].

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. God is on the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter. Trans. O.C. Dean, Jr. Westminster John Knox, 2012. ISBN: 978-0664239206, Pub. Price $14.00 [100 pages assigned].

Bush, Michael D. editor. This Incomplete One: Sermons Occasioned by the Death of a Young Person. William B. Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN: 978-0802822277, Pub Price $16.00 [100 pages].

Erdman, Chris. Countdown to Sunday: A Daily Guide for Those Who Dare to Preach. Brazos Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1587432033, Pub. Price $14.99 [120 pages assigned].

Willimon, William. Worship as Pastoral Care. Abingdon Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0687463886. Pub. Price: $25.99 [50 pp. assigned].

Eight Exemplary Holiday, Funeral and Wedding Sermons will be linked to for watching or E-Reserves for reading [100 pages].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Augustine of Hippo. Sermons to the People: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Sermons. Trans. William Griffin. Doubleday, 2002. ISBN: 978-0385503112, Pub. Price $19.00.

Chapell, Bryan. The Hardest Sermons You’ll Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310331216, Pub. Price $19.99.

Long, Thomas. Accompany Them with Singing: A Guide for the Christian Funeral. Westminster John Knox, 2009. ISBN 978-0664233198, Pub. Price $25.00.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Sermons of Saint Bernard on Advent & Christmas. Aeterna Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1785161063, Pub. Price $6.34.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Preaching Autobiography: In a 5-minute impromptu talk the first day, you will introduce yourself to the class, reflecting on 1) your experience of preaching – what’s hardest and most joyful for you, as a student and a listener; 2) your hopes and goals for the class; and 3) your understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission, particularly for occasions such as weddings, funerals, and holidays (2%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4].
  2. A minimum of 600 pages of required reading (12%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] and will be assessed in three 600-word forum posts worth 4 points each. [36 hours].
  3. Prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment.
  1. Sermons: 4 pp., 12% each x2=24% of grade
  2. Exegetical Notes: 3-4 pp., 6% each x2= 12% of grade
  3. Self-evaluations with theological reflection: 1 p., 4% each x2= 8% of grade

(24 total points per sermon = 48%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [54 hours].

  1. Preach a third sermon and provide an essay that includes assessment with theological reflection (2 parts): (a) Prepare and preach a sermon. Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the student’s preaching context(s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.] (12%). Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel (6%). (b) Write a 500-word assessment that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s vocational plans to serve the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life (8%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 4]. [26 hours].
  2. Participate actively in class via peer reviews of each sermon. (10%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [40 hours].
  3. Final Reflection. Write a 1600 word final paper that reflects theologically on: (1) your work and experience during the class, with goals for continued growth in the practice of preaching; (2) your vocational plans to serve God’s mission through the ministry of the Word, including theological reflection on the particular challenges, opportunities and characteristics of your anticipated ministry context(s); and (3) one thing you always want to do in a wedding sermon, one thing you never want to do in a funeral sermon, and one deepened conviction about preaching for holidays. (6%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [4 hours].

PREREQUISITES: PR500. It is recommended that students take preaching courses towards the end of their program.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the P1 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) in the 144 MDiv program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.