Winter 2021/Fuller Online

PR517

Lamb

PR517: PREACHING FOR OCCASIONS (4 Units: 160 hours). Dr. Lisa Lamb.

DESCRIPTION: PR517 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 for funerals, weddings, and holidays.

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: 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 (3) sermons (normally to listening groups of a minimum of 5 members--depending on evolving quarantine restrictions, this requirement will likely be waived). 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: 600 pages required:

Bartlett, David, Kimberly Bracken Long, and Barbara Brown Taylor, editors. Feasting on the Word: Advent Companion: A Thematic Resource for Preaching and Worship. Pub. Price: $30.00 [100 pp. assigned]. This book is available as an e-book on Amazon.com for 9.99.

Bush, Michael D. editor. This Incomplete One: Sermons Occasioned by the Death of a Young Person. William B. Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN: 978-0802822277, Pub Price $16.00, Kindle edition $14.40 [100 pages].

Jones, Kirk Byron, editor. The Abingdon African American Preaching Library. Abingdon, 2006. ISBN: 978-1426733963, Pub. Price $27.99,Available as an e-book in the Fuller Library. [Read Advent and Lent sermons: 100 pages].

McKenzie, Alyce. Making a Scene in the Pulpit: Vivid Preaching for Visual Listeners. Westminster John Knox, 2018. ISBN: 978-0664261566, Pub. Price $25.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library and also available as an e-book on Amazon.com. [150 pp.]

Rutledge, Fleming, Three Hours: Sermons for Good Friday. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2019. [50 pages] Publisher list price: 18.00. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library.

Readings on preaching for holidays, weddings, and funerals, and several exemplary holiday, funeral and wedding sermons will be linked to for watching/reading/listening [100 pages].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Augustine of Hippo. Sermons to the People: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Sermons. Trans. William Griffin. Doubleday, 2002. ISBN: 978-0385503112.

Chapell, Bryan. The Hardest Sermons You’ll Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310331216.

Erdman, Chris. Countdown to Sunday: A Daily Guide for Those Who Dare to Preach. Brazos Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1587432033.

Long, Thomas. Accompany Them with Singing: A Guide for the Christian Funeral. Westminster John Knox, 2009. ISBN 978-0664233198.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Sermons of Saint Bernard on Advent & Christmas. Aeterna Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1785161063.

Willimon, William. Worship as Pastoral Care. Abingdon Press, 1982. ISBN: 978-0687463886.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Preaching Autobiography: In a 6-minute video posted the first week, you will introduce yourself to the class, reflecting on 1) your experience of preaching – what’s hardest and most joyful for you, as a student and a listener; 2) your hopes and goals for the class; and 3) your understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission, particularly for occasions such as weddings, funerals, and holidays (2%). You will also respond to the videos of all your peers. [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [3 hours].
2. A minimum of 600 pages of required reading (12%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] and will be assessed in three 600-word forum posts worth 4 points each. [36 hours].
3. Prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment.

1. Sermons: 4 pp., 12% each x2=24% of grade
2. Exegetical Notes: 3-4 pp., 6% each x2= 12% of grade
3. Self-evaluations with theological reflection: 1 p., 4% each x2= 8% of grade

(22 total points per sermon = 44%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [54 hours].

4. 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 student’s preaching context(s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.] (12%). Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel (6%). (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 (8%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 4]. [26 hours].
5. Participate actively via online peer reviews of 5 sermons each time (150 words per sermon). (10%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [36 hours].
6. Final Reflection. Write a 1200 word final paper that reflects theologically on: (1) your experience in the class, with reflection on the readings and 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) one thing you always want to do in a wedding sermon, one thing you never want to do in a funeral sermon, and one deepened conviction about preaching for holidays. (6%). [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. (If we are still quarantining, this requirement will of course be waived.)

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.