DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to offer the maximum possible practical
experience in preaching and sermon preparation. The class will be limited to a
maximum of nine students. Each student will preach twice during the quarter.
Sermons are to be original work not previously presented for credit in
homiletics or other speech and preaching classes. Each sermon will be evaluated
and discussed by class members under the direction of the instructor. All
sermons will be recorded on video tape.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Goals for this practicum include (1) that
students would grow both in their conviction that the biblical text is the
proper foundation for preaching and in their skill in unfolding the biblical
text in a way that is compelling to hearers; (2) that they might increase their
skills in framing content in a coherent and interesting way; (3) that they
might improve their delivery skills; and (4) that they might gain acuity in
evaluating both their own preaching and that of others.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The spoken word remains an essential 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.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for a two-hour period each week. The first
part of each meeting will be spent in worship where two sermons will be
preached by members of the class. The class will then move to informal
surroundings, where discussion of the sermons will take place in a relaxed
atmosphere. PLEASE NOTE: Class attendance is mandatory. If the class is
over-subscribed, the first two persons on the waiting list should attend the
first class session.
REQUIRED READING: