Spring 2018/Online

PR512

Murphy

PR512: PREACHING PRACTICUM (4 Units: 160 hours). Rev. Dr. R. Kevin Murphy.

DESCRIPTION: PR512 is designed as a 4-unit preaching practicum 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 an online/group 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; 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.

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, online 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 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

Edwards, J. Kent. Deep Preaching: Creating Sermons That Go Beyond the Superficial. B&H, 2009. ISBN: 978-0805446951, Pub. Price $19.99 [202 pp.].

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. 3rd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664229436, Pub. Price $26.00 [244 pp; 150 pp. assigned].

An additional 250 pages of reading from two of the following:

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 [160 pp.].

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

Taylor, Barbara Brown. The Preaching Life. Cowley Publications, 1993. ISBN: 978-1561010745, Pub. Price $17.95 [180 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. God Is On The Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter. Trans. O. C. Dean, Jr Westminster John Knox, 2012. ISBN 978-0664239206, Pub. Price $14.00 [100 pages assigned].

The syllabus will include a list of other recommended readings.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Preaching Autobiography: In a 5-6 minute video, introduce yourself to the class, reflecting on 1) your experience of preaching - as a student and participant in communities of faith; 2) your hopes and goals for the class; 3) your understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission (2%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [1 hour].
  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 posted book reports worth 4 points each. [40 hours].
  3. Prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment.
  1. For the first sermon the student will choose a biblical text which clearly emphasizes God's invitation to relationship (covenant).
  2. For the second sermon the student will choose a biblical text which clearly emphasizes God's challenge for God's people to be every day missionaries (kingdom).
  3. Sermons: 4 pp., 12% each x 2 = 24% of grade
  4. Exegetical Notes: 3-4 pp., 6% each x 2 = 12% of grade
  5. Self-evaluations with theological reflection: 1 p., 6% each x 2 = 12% of grade

(24 total points per sermon = 48%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [40 hours].

  1. Preach a third Lenten or Easter Season 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, ecclesiastical, 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 (24%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 4]. [30 hours].
  2. Regularly and actively participate in various course activities via Canvas. (9%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [41 hours].
  3. Final Reflection. Write a 1500 word final paper that reflects theologically on: (1) your work and experience during the class, with 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) continued learning and formation appropriate for the ministry of the Word within and/or beyond congregational life. (5%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [8 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.