Winter 2017/Fuller Online

PR500

Lee

PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Ahmi Lee.

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 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 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.

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 10 members. Sermons address the particular contexts of listening groups and are videoed and posted on the class Moodle 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: Approximately 800 pp. of required reading.

Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Harper and Row, 1977. ISBN: 978-0060611569, Pub. Price $17.99 [112 pp.].

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, 2nd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0664229436, Pub. Price $26.00 [240 pp.].

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

Willimon, William H. A Guide to Preaching and Leading Worship. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0664232573, Pub. Price $18.00 [106 pp.].

Select Reading: Students will choose ONE of the three texts below:

Gonzalez, Justo L. and P.A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978- 0687088508, Pub. Price $21.99 [152 pp.].

Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817013035, Pub. Price $14.99 [160 pp.].

LaRue, Cleophus J. I Believe I’ll Testify: The Art of African American Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664236779, Pub. Price $20.00 [144 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: The syllabus will include a list of recommended readings.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Approximately 800 pages of required reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4]. [42 hours].
2. Regularly and actively participate in various course activities via Moodle (20%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].
3. Prepare and preach sermon #1 and 2 with self-assessment (2 parts): (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 (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [36 hours].
4. Signature Assignment: Preach sermon #3 (2 parts): Prepare and preach a sermon and write a reflective essay—(a) 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 [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Write a 500-word assessment that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s vocational plans for serving the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [32 hours].
5. Write a five-page critical response paper based on the course content (i.e., readings, lectures, discussions, and practicum experience) and one of the three texts on different pulpit traditions that identifies moral, social, and cultural injustices within the student’s particular community that are addressed by the proclamation of the gospel (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 4] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502.

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.