Spring 2020/Online

PR512

O’Lynn

PR512: PREACHING PRACTICUM (4 Units: 160 hours). Rob O’Lynn.

DESCRIPTION: PR512 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; (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 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. 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.

REQUIRED READING: 860 pages required.

Eunjoo, Mary Kim. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian-American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817013035. Publisher’s price $14.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [160 pp. assigned]

Gonzalez, Justo L., and Pablo A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic American Preaching. Abingdon Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508. Publisher’s price $22.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [135 pp. assigned]

Thomas, Frank A. They Like to Never Quit Praisin’ God: The Role of Celebration in Preaching, rev. ed. Pilgrim Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0829819786. Publisher’s price $16.00. [160 pp. assigned]

Tisdale, Leonora Tubbs. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Fortress Resources for Preaching. Fortress Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0800627737. Publisher’s price $24.00. [145 pp. assigned]

Wilson, Paul Scott. The Practice of Preaching, rev. ed. Abingdon Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687645275. Publisher’s price $29.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [260 pp. assigned]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. The student will complete 860 pages of required reading (% added with discussions). Comprehension and integration of the required reading will be assessed through weekly discussion boards where the student will respond to questions posed by the Instructor (see assignment # 4 below for more details). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] [43 hours].
2. The student will prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment. (40%). Each submission for this assignment is composed on 2 parts: (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. One sermon will be from a passage in the Old Testament and one sermon will be from a passage in the New Testament. Exegetical notes will be submitted with each sermon. Further details regarding the details for exegetical work will be provided. (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. Sermons will be preached before a “listening group” of a minimum of 5 members.[This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [44 hours].
3. The student will preach a third sermon and provide an essay that includes assessment with theological reflection (15%). This assignment is composed of 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 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. Sermons will be preached before a “listening group” of a minimum of 5 members. [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 4]. [23 hours].
4. The student will attend and participate in class sessions by completing online posting assignments (30%). Each post will be a minimum of 250 words, and will answer a series of questions proposed by the Instructor. Questions will come from the required reading and sermon evaluation. The student will also respond to 2 additional postings each week. [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [40 hours].
5. The student will craft a preaching autobiography essay (5%). The student will write an initial 900 word “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; and 3) the student’s understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission. [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [3 hours].
6. The student will craft a final reflection essay (10%). The student will write a final1500 word paper that reflects theologically on: (1) the student’s work and experience during the class and sets goals for continued growth in the practice of preaching; (2) the student’s vocational plans to serve God’s mission through the ministry of the Word, including theological reflection on the particular challenges, opportunities and characteristics of one’s anticipated ministry context(s); and (3) continued learning and formation appropriate for the ministry of the Word within and/or beyond congregational life. [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [7 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.

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.