Summer 2019/Fuller Online

PR512

Reed

PR512: PREACHING PRACTICUM (4 Units: 160 hours). Jeff Reed.

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; 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, 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 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: 675 pages required.

Childers, Jana, ed. Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process. Chalice, 2001. ISBN: 978-0827202306, Pub. Price $29.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [150 pp. assigned].

Gonzalez, J. L., and Pablo A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $22.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [150 pp. assigned].

McEntyre, Marilyn Chandler. Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies. Eerdmans Publishing, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802848642, Pub Price $19.00 [150 pages assigned]

Wiman, Christian. My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2014. ISBN: 978-0374534370, Pub Price $13.00 [125 pages assigned]

Wiberg, Glen. Housing the Sacred. Covenant Publications, 2009. ISBN: 0910452954, Pub Price $9.95 [100 assigned]. Available at https://covbooks.com/products/housing-the-sacred.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bolsinger, Tod. Canoeing the Mountains. Intervarsity Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830841264, Pub. Price $22.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

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

Keller, Timothy. Preaching. Penguin Books, 2016. ISBN: 978-0143108719, Pub. Price: $16.00.

McEntyre, Marilyn Chandler. Word by Word: A Daily Spiritual Practice. Eerdmans Publishing, 2016. ISBN: 978-0802873866, Pub Price $17.99.

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].

  1. 675 pages required reading. (15%) [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] [44 hours].

  1. Prepare and preach two sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment. (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. (35%) [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [40 hours].

  1. Prepare and 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. (25%) [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 4]. [30 hours].

  1. Participate in all online course activities. (19%) [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [40 hours].

  1. Final Reflection. Write a 900 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 (4%).[This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [5 hours].

TOTAL COURSE HOURS: 160/100%

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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.