DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to offer practical experience in preaching
and sermon preparation, with a focus on crafting sermons that will have lasting
impact. When we write and deliver a sermon, our hope is that it will be
remembered. Here we will explore some of the key components of communication
that make one's message likely to be remembered: simplicity, concreteness,
surprise, emotional impact, and story. 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 DVD.
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 and memorable for 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. Sustained attention to what makes preaching
memorable is simply one focused way to consider the qualities that make
preaching effective. It is worth every preacher's time to consider the
principles that allow communication to lodge in memory.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for a two-hour period for two weeks.
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 discuss the sermons.
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. ALSO NOTE: Given the intensive format, two students will need to
preach on the second day of class.
REQUIRED READING: