Fall 2018/Pasadena
PR500
Ackerman
PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Jennifer Ackerman.
DESCRIPTION: PR500 introduces students to the theology and practice of preaching as an integrating focus that draws from and informs the whole Master of Divinity curriculum. Preaching is taught and learned within an extended conversation between students and the professor, which is shaped by the calling of the church to proclaim the Word of God in service of God’s mission. Preaching is addressed as an act of congregational worship and as a means by which the diverse gifts and ministries of God’s people bear witness to God’s reign in and for the world.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students willhave demonstrated (1) competence in biblical interpretation through faithful use of the whole canon of Scripture in proclaiming the gospel;(2) capacities for engaging listeners through preaching as a formative activity within 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 calling to proclaim the gospel in the whole of life.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly in two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom. The course integrates lecture, discussion, reading, critical reflection, and practicum components. Practicum components include preaching sermons, assessment of sermons, and reflecting on the process of preparing and delivering sermons. The practicum component is led by the professor and requires participation by the whole class. Students preach a minimum of three 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 preaching each sermon. In addition to class discussion following each sermon, students are able to consult individually with the professor.
REQUIRED READING: 800 total number of pages required.
González, Justo L. and Pablo A. Jiménez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $21.99 [152 pp.]
Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817013035, Pub. Price $14.99 [160 pp.]
LaRue, Cleophus J. I Believe I’ll Testify: The Art of African American Preaching. Westminster John Knox Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664236779, Pub. Price $20.00 [144 pp.]
Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, 3rd Edition. Westminster John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664261429, Pub. Price $30.00 [200 pp. assigned].
Smith, Christine Marie, Ed. Preaching Justice: Ethnic and Cultural Perspectives. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2008. ISBN: 978-1606081426, Pub. Price $22.00 [160 pp.]
RECOMMENDED READING:
Brooks, Gennifer Benjamin.Unexpected Grace: Preaching the Good News from Difficult Texts. Pilgrim Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0829819380, Pub. Price $20.00.
Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Harper and Row, 1977. ISBN: 978-0060611569, Pub. Price $17.99.
Campbell, Charles L and Johan H. Cilliers. Preaching Fools: The Gospel as a Rhetoric of Folly. Baylor University Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1602583658, Pub. Price $29.95.
Davis, Ellen. Preaching the Luminous Word: Biblical Sermons and Homiletical Essays. Eerdmans Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0802874238, Pub. Price $33.00.
Tisdale, Lenora Tubbs. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Fortress, 1997. ISBN: 978-0800627737, Pub. Price $24.00.
Webb, Joseph M. Preaching without Notes. Abingdon Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0687090884, Pub. Price $17.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
(a) Submit an exegetical journal that supports the sermon, including notes on biblical interpretation and assessment of the preaching context (s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.] Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. Preach the sermon as assigned, submitting a written manuscript and/or detailed sermon outline. (20% per sermon, 40% total)
(b) Complete self-assessments following each sermon that sets specific goals for continuing growth in preparing and preaching sermons (5% each, 10% total).
(a) Submit an exegetical journal that supports the sermon (as above). Preach the sermon as assigned, submitting a written manuscript or detailed sermon outline. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [20 hours].
(b) Write a 1000-word assessment that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s vocational plans for serving the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life. The essay will integrate course readings and lecture content, and will describe what is distinct about the student’s particular voice and perspective. It will reflect on the student's context, identifying moral, social, and cultural injustices within the student’s particular community that are addressed by the proclamation of the gospel, and describe a specific theological/social/economic/cultural issue in the student’s particular context that is illuminated and addressed by the gospel. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [10 hours].
PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502. It is recommended that students take preaching courses towards the end of their program
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Homiletics requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the Worship, Preaching, and Communication requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). Meets the core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) in the 144 MDiv Program and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA Programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.