Winter 2019/Phoenix

PR512

Eidsness

PR512: PREACHING PRACTICUM (4 Units: 160 hours). Joel Eidsness.

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 meets once weekly for three-and-a-half 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 sermons. 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: 670 pages required

Alcantara, Jared, E. Learning From a Legend: What Gardner C. Taylor Can Teach Us about Preaching. Cascade Books, 2016. ISBN: 978-1498226097, Pub. Price $21.00. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library [140 pp.].

Eaton, Philip, W. Sing Us a Song of Joy: Saying What We Believe in an Age of Unbelief. Cascade Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-1532614491, Pub. Price $29.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [220 pp.].

Plantinga, Cornelius Jr. Reading for Preaching: The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets and Journalists. Eerdmans, 2013. ISBN: 978-0802870773, Pub. Price $14.00 [133 pp.].

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

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

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

670 pages of required reading. Students will write a two-page reflection paper on each of the four books (16%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] [30 hours].
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 (40%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4] [52 hours].
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 (20%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 4] [26 hours].
Attend and participate in class (12%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] [35 hours].
Preaching Autobiography. This is an in-class exercise. Each student will be required to give an oral 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 (2%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [3 hours].
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 (5%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [7 hours].
Collect 40 new sermon illustrations—DLA (5%) [This assignment is related to outcomes # 2, 4] [7 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.