Fall 2020/Fuller Online

PR541

Dr. Rob O’Lynn

PR541: PREACHING JOYFUL DISCIPLESHIP: INVITE, EXHORT, ENVISION (4 Units: 160 hours). Dr. Rob O’Lynn.

DESCRIPTION: PR541 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 joyful discipleship, working on the preaching skills of invitation (to the positive disciplines of faith, such as gratitude and generosity), exhortation (away from the detractors from discipleship, such as worry and greed), and envisioning (casting vision for faithful communities of discipleship).

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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Addresses the MDiv PLO that states “Students will have demonstrated capacities for being theologically reflective practitioners for Christian ministries.”

COURSE FORMAT: The class is conducted online for the equivalent of 40 instructional hours (160 total hours of coursework) 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: 800 pages required:

Hauerwas, Stanley. A Community of Character: Toward a Constructive Christian Ethic. University of Notre Dame Press, 1991. ISBN: 978-0268007355. Publisher’s price $29.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [310 pp. assigned].

Helsel, Carolyn B. Preaching about Racism: A Guide for Faith Leaders. Chalice Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-0827231634. Publisher’s price $24.99 [130 pp. assigned].

Powery, Luke A. Spirit Speech: Lament and Celebration in Preaching. Abingdon Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0687659746. Publisher’s price $21.99 [135 pp. assigned].

Timpe, Kevin and Craig A. Boyd, ed. Virtues and Their Vices. Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0199645541. Publisher’s price $ 39.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [70 pp.--introduction and two chapters of your choice, on one virtue and one vice, related to your sermons].

Tizon, Al. Missional Preaching: Engage, Embrace, Transform. Judson Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0817017040. Publisher’s price $16.99 [160 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together. Harper & Row, 1954. ISBN: 978-0060608521. Publisher’s price $14.99 [120 pp. recommended].

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Touchstone/Simon and Schuster, 1995. ISBN: 978-0684815008. Publisher’s price $17.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [320 pp. recommended].

McKenzie, Alyce. Making a Scene in the Pulpit: Vivid Preaching for Visual Listeners. Westminster John Knox, 2018. ISBN: 978-0664261566. Publisher’s price $25.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [150 pp. recommended].

Willimon, William H. Worship as Pastoral Care. Abingdon Press, 1982. ISBN: 978-0687463886. Publisher’s price $25.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [240 pp. recommended].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. The student will complete 800 pages of required reading (10%). 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 (20%). 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 (17%). 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 (3%). 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 final 1500 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.