DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to give a general introduction to the theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery. The person of the preacher, the nature of preaching, and principles of sermon construction will be discussed.

The spoken word remains a primary means of communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ. Preaching is an essential element in the ministry of the church; and skill in preaching is expected of the great majority of those called to pastoral positions. Proclaiming through word and example the good news of God in Christ is the work of all the baptized, and so serious attention to how and in what ways the gospel may be brought to life orally in our time is essential to all ministers of the church--lay and ordained.

The course has both lecture and practicum components. After the first two weeks, one of the two two-hour sessions each week will be spent in a small group of students led by a teaching assistant under the direction of the professor. In these groups students will preach two sermons (both videotaped), on which they will receive feedback from group members and the teaching assistant. Only the second sermon will count toward the grade. It will be evaluated by the professor.

Brueggemann, Walter. Finally Comes the Poet: Daring Speech for Proclamation. Fortress Press, 1989.

Leech, Kenneth. We Preach Christ Crucified. Cowley, 1994.

Pitt-Watson, Ian. A Primer for Preachers. Baker, 1986.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989.

Preparation and delivery of two sermons, including submission of a brief or outline for each. Students will be asked, in addition to the required reading and sermon preparation, to write a 10 page paper which develops a theology of preaching. Grade will be based on the assessment of the second sermon and on the paper. Attendance at the practicum groups is mandatory, and grade may be reduced for unexcused absences.

NE502.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN 2).

None.