Winter 2021/Fuller Online

PR500

O'Lynn

PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Robert O’Lynn.

DESCRIPTION: This course 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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will address the content and interpretation of the OT/NT in its historical and contemporary context, which is consistent with MDiv PLO 1: “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” and MDiv PLO 3: “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 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 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: 785 pp. of required reading.

Gonzalez, Justo L., and Pablo A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic American Preaching. Abingdon Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508. Publisher’s price $21.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [70 pp. assigned].

Kim, Matthew D. Preaching with Cultural Intelligence: Understanding the People Who Hear Our Sermons. Baker Academic, 2018. ISBN: 978-0801049620, Pub. Price $24.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [260 pp assigned].

Massey, James Earl. Stewards of the Story: The Task of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2006. ISBN: 978-0664229818, Pub. Price $20.00. Available in e-reader format [50 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. Available in e-reader format [145 pp. assigned].

Wilson, Paul Scott. The Four Pages of the Sermon: A Guide to Biblical Preaching, revised ed. Abingdon Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-1501842399, Pub. Price $34.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [260 pp assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

The student will complete 785 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] [40 hours].
The student will attend and participate in class, including the practicum component (17%). Comprehension and integration of the provided lecture material will be assessed through weekly discussion boards where the student will complete exercises andor sermon evaluations provided by the Instructor [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].
The student will craft a Preaching Autobiography video essay (3%). Record a video version of the “preaching autobiography” essay at the beginning of the course describing: 1) the student’s experience and perceptions of preaching—as a preacher, listener, and participant in communities of faith; 2) the student’s hopes and goals for the class; 3) the student’s sense of calling to the ministry of the Word in service of God’s mission. The video essay will be uploaded to a discussion board in Canvas and the student is required to respond to each peer’s video essay [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [4 hours].
The student will prepare and preach sermon #1 and 2 with exegetical notes and self-assessment (20% each, 40% total). Students are required to complete the following: (a) Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context (s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.]. Preaching will include sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Complete a homiletic self - assessment that sets specific goals for continuing improvement and growth in preparing and preaching sermons. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [44 hours].
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]. [22 hours].
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]. [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502. 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: 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.