Spring 2019/Menlo Park

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 meets once weekly for 3.5 hours for a total of 35 hours of classroom work. The remaining 5 hours are completed in Directed Learning Activities. The course is primarily focused on practice with a moderate amount of outside reading to assist in the process of assessing and reflecting on sermon. The practicum is led by the professor and requires participation of the whole class. Students preach a minimum of three (3) sermons for which they receive feedback, evaluative comments, and guidance to encourage continued reflection, learning, and growth. Students also engage in self-assessment and reflection after each sermon. In addition to class discussions following each sermon, students are able to consult individually with the professor.

REQUIRED READING: 600 pages required, including 120 pages chosen by the student from the recommended list in the syllabus.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. 3rd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664261429, Pub. Price $26.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [244 pp; 150 pp. assigned].

Taylor, Barbara Brown. The Preaching Life. Cowley Publications, 1993. ISBN: 978-1561010745, Pub. Price $17.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [180 pp.].

An additional 150 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 $22.99 [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. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library [144 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].

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

The syllabus will include a list of other recommended readings.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Preaching Autobiography: In a 5-6 minute oral presentation, 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. Attend and participate in class (9%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [35 hours].
  4. Directed Learning Activity (Interview and written reflection). Student will interview someone who preaches regularly and will determine their homiletic praxis (preparation, exegetic philosophy, rhythm for writing and practice, etc.), and write a 1000 word reflection on that interview (4%). [This assignment Is related to outcomes #1, 3, 4]. [5 hours].
  5. 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., 5% each x 2 = 10% of grade
  5. Self-evaluations with theological reflection: 1 p., 5% each x 2 = 10% of grade

(22 total points per sermon = 44%). [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. 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.

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.