DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to give a general introduction to the theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery. The person of the preacher, the nature of preaching, and principles of sermon construction will be discussed.

The spoken word remains a primary means of communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ. Preaching is an essential element in the ministry of the church; and skill in preaching is expected of the great majority of those called to pastoral positions, as well as of evangelists and many other servants of Christ.

The course, meeting twice weekly for two-hour sessions, has both lecture and practicum components. After the first two weeks, one of the two two-hour sessions each week will be spent in a small group of students led by a teaching assistant under the direction of the professor. In these groups students will preach two sermons (both videotaped), on which they will receive feedback from group members and the teaching assistant. Only the second sermon will count toward the grade. It will be evaluated by the professor.

Pitt-Watson, Ian. A Primer for Preachers. Baker, 1986.

Strunk, William, Jr. and White, E. B. Elements of Style. 9th ed. Allyn & Bacon, 1999. (selected portions)

and a combined total of at least 250 pages of sermons from one or more of the following (more than one preacher must be represented):

LaRue, Cleophus J. The Heart of Black Preaching. Westminster John Knox, 2000.

Long, Thomas G., Ed. A Chorus of Witnesses: Model Sermons for Today's Preacher. Eerdmans, 1994.

Rutledge, Fleming. The Bible and the New York Times. Eerdmans, 1998.

Taylor, Barbara Brown. Bread of Angels. Cowley, 1997.

Buttrick, David. Homiletic. Fortress, 1987. (Part I only)

Chapell, Bryan. Christ-centered Preaching. Baker, 1994.

Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon, 1985.

English, Donald. An Evangelical Theology of Preaching. Abingdon, 1996.

Farris, Stephen. Preaching That Matters. Westminster John Knox, 1998.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 1989.

Spurgeon, Charles. Lectures to My Students. Baker, 1996.

Stott, John R. W. Between Two Worlds. Eerdmans, 1982.

Preparation and preaching of two sermons, including submission of a brief or outline and exegetical notes for each. Reading of Pitt-Watson, parts of Strunk & White, and 250 pages from one or more of the specified collections of sermons. Several written exercises, totaling not more than 25 pages. Grade will be based on written assignments and the professor's assessment of the second sermon. Attendance at the practicum groups is mandatory, and grade may be reduced for unexcused absence.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN 2).