Winter 2018/Fuller Online

PR512

Boyd

 

PR512: PREACHING PRACTICUM (4 Units: 160 hours).  Kevin R. Boyd.

 

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; (4) competence in preaching as a theologically reflective practice that serves the Church’s vocation of proclaiming the gospel in the whole of life; and (5) competence in evaluating sermons so that self-improvement may be made.

 

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 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:  694 pages required

Allen, Ronald J. Ed. Patterns of Preaching. Chalice, 1998. ISBN: 978-0827229532, Pub. Price $28.99 [264pp.].

Green, Joel B. and Michael Pasquarello III.  Narrative Reading, Narrative Preaching: Reuniting New Testament Interpretation and Proclamation. Baker Academic, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801027215, Pub. Price $22.00 [198pp.].

Massey, James Earl. Stewards of the Story: The Task of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2006. ISBN: 978-0664229818, Pub. Price $20.00 [126pp.].

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

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barth, Karl. Homiletics. Translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley and Donald E. Daniels. Westminster/John Knox, 1991. ISBN: 978-0664251581, Pub. Price $30.00 [136pp.].

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

Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon Press, 1985. ISBN: 978-0687659944, Pub. Price $24.99 [225pp.].

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

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

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 [144pp.]. 

Lischer, Richard. The Company of Preachers. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802846099, Pub. Price $38.00 [496pp.].

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. 3rd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664229436, Pub. Price $26.00 [240pp.].

Lowrey, Eugene L. The Homiletical Plot. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0664222642, Pub. Price $22.00 [135pp].

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

Wilson, Paul Scott. The Four Pages of the Sermon: A Guide to Biblical Preaching. Abingdon, 1999. ISBN: 978-0687023950, Pub. Price $27.99 [278pp.].

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. A minimum of 694 pages of required reading (20%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].
2. Prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment. Students are required to complete the following: (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. Preaching will include sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Students will submit exegetical notes with each sermon. The professor will provide guidelines for exegetical work. (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 (25%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [40 hours].
3. Signature Assignment: 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 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 (15%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 4]. [20 hours].
4. Preaching Autobiography. 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; 3) the student’s understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission (5%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [5 hours].
5. Students will complete one approved DLA activity (choose from a list of options in course syllabus). (5%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 4]. [10 hours].
6. Regularly and actively participate in various course activities via Canvas (25%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].
7. Final Reflection. Write a 1500 word final 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 will be discussed online. (5%). [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.

 

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.