Spring 2020/Fuller Online

PR501

Harris

PR501: PREACHING IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TRADITION (4 Units: 160 hours). Antipas Harris

DESCRIPTION: This course provides the required preaching practicum for students by critically exploring the oral interpretation of Scripture though the historical, theological, ecclesial, and aesthetic tradition of the African American Pulpit. PR501 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.

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 with attentiveness to the African American Pulpit; (2) capacities for engaging listeners in preaching as a community forming activity from the context of African American worship; (3) an understanding of how the theology of the American Black Church and its historical developments, including the practice of preaching, inform the proclamation of the gospel in the present; and (4) competence in preaching that articulates the theologically reflective practices of African American preaching that serves the Church’s vocation of proclaiming the gospel in the whole of life.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Address the MDiv PLO that states “Students will have demonstrated capacities for being theologically reflective practitioners for Christian ministries.” Address MAICS Area of Interest Class “Students will have demonstrated capacities to pursue vocations that engage the mission of God globally.” Address the MDiv PLO that states “Students will have demonstrated capacities to engage diverse cultural contexts for transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry.” Address the MATM/MAT PLOs that state “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.”

COURSE FORMAT: The class is conducted online for the equivalent of 40 instructional hours (160 total hours of course work) and includes posts and video presentations by the professor, class discussion, individual and collaborative learning activities, required reading and written responses, and the preparation and preaching of three (3) sermons to listening groups comprising a minimum of 5 members. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. Sermons address the particular contexts of listening groups and are videoed and posted on the class Canvas site. Students receive feedback, evaluative comments, and guidance for continued learning and development from the listening group, class members, and the professor. Students engage in self - assessment and reflection after preaching each sermon. In addition to online discussions following each sermon, students have the opportunity to consult individually with the professor through a variety of venues. While the sermons will address the particular listening groups, they must be preached in a way that draws upon the African American preaching tradition.

REQUIRED READING: 744 pages required

Brown, Teresa L. Fry. Weary Throats and New Songs: Black Women Proclaiming God’s Word. Abingdon, 2003. ISBN: 978-0687030132, Pub. Price $29.99 [252 pp. assigned] [not available as e-book].

Gilbert, Kenyatta R. Exodus Preaching: Crafting Sermons about Justice and Hope.Abingdon Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-1501832574, Pub. Price $21.99 [156 pp. assigned] [available as e-book].

Thomas, Frank, Introduction to the Practice of African American Preaching. Nashville: Abington Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-1501818943, Pub. Price $34.99 [160 pp. assigned] [available as e-book].

Thompson, Lisa L. Ingenuity: Preaching as an Outsider. Abingdon Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-1501832598, Pub. Price $29.99 [176 pp. assigned] [available as e-book].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Lowry, Eugene L. The Sermon: Dancing the Edge of Mystery. Abingdon Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0687015436, Pub Price $21.90 [127 pp.] [not available as e-book].

Simmons, Martha and Frank Thomas, ed. Preaching with Sacred Fire: An Anthology of African American Sermons, 1750 to the Present. W. W. Norton & Co., 2010. ISBN: 978-0393058314, Pub. Price $49.95 [992 pp.] [not available as e-book].

Tisdale, Lenora Tubbs. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Fortress, 1997. ISBN: 978-0800627737, Pub. Price $24.00 [176 pp.] [available as e-book].

Ware, Frederick. African American Theology: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664239503, Pub. Price $30.00 [256 pp.] [available as e-book].

* Student who have already read required texts in a previous course may substitute those texts with texts that the professor approves for this course, preferably from the recommended list above.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 744 pages of required reading. Additional reading for exegetical and theological work in specific sermon preparation is expected. [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 3] [35 hours].

2. Attend and participate in class. Regularly and actively participate in various course activities via Canvas (5%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].

3. Preaching Autobiography. Write an initial 800 word (only) “preaching autobiography” that describes and reflects on: 1) the student’s experience of preaching - as a student and participant in communities of faith; 2) the student’s hopes and goals for the class; 3) the student’s understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission (3%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [3 hours].

4. Prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment. Preaching will include Christ-centered sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Students are required to complete the following (a) Prepare and preach a sermon, with particular attention to the place of preaching in worship and preaching as a catechetical/formative practice of the church. Students will submit exegetical notes with each sermon. (The professor will provide guidelines for exegetical work.) (b) Complete a substantive homiletic self-assessment after each sermon that reflects specifically on both strengths and weaknesses and sets goals for continuing improvement and growth in preparing and preaching sermons (40%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [40 hours].

5. 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 preaching context(s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.] Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. (b) Write a 200-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 (20%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [25 hours].

6. Choose a sermon by an African American (YouTube, DVD, etc.) to review and then write a 800-word sermon analysis. Evaluate sermon (of your choice), using the theories presented in class. (18%). [This assignment is related to outcome #3]. [12 hours].

7. Final Reflection. Write a 1000 word final paper that reflects theologically on: (1) key components of the readings and experience in the class that stood out to you as helpful in during the class and sets 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) continued learning and formation appropriate for the ministry of the Word within and/or beyond congregational life (14%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [5 hours].

PREREQUISITES: PR500. It is recommended that students take preaching courses towards the end of their program. Students must be able to gather a listening group of at least 5 people for each sermon that will be delivered.

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. Option to meet the C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015).

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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.