Spring 2009/Pasadena
PR500
Shuster
PR500: HOMILETICS. Marguerite Shuster.
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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: (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. (4) And
that they might gain acuity in evaluating both their own preaching and that of
others.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: 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.
COURSE FORMAT: 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. (Please
note: This group session may meet at a time other than the class hour.) In
these groups students will preach two sermons (both recorded on DVD), 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.
REQUIRED READING:
- Pitt-Watson, Ian. A Primer for Preachers. Baker, 1986.
- Either Nieman, James and Thomas Rogers. Preaching to Every
Pew. Fortress, 2001
or Mathews, Alice. Preaching that Speaks
to Women. Baker, 2003.
- And a combined total of at least 200 pages of sermons from
one or more of the following (more than one preacher must be
represented, and only sermons count for the page requirement):
- LaRue, Cleophus J. Power in the Pulpit.
Westminster John Knox, 2002.
- 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.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- 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.
- Strunk, William, Jr. and E. B. White. Elements of Style. 4th ed.
Longman, 1999.
ASSIGNMENTS: Preparation and preaching of two sermons, including submission of
a brief or outline and exegetical notes for each. Reading of Pitt-Watson,
Nieman and Rogers or Mathews, and 200 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 (50%) and the professor's
assessment of the second sermon (50%). Attendance at the practicum groups is
mandatory: grade will be reduced for unexcused absence, and more than two
absences will result in failing the class.
PREREQUISITES: NE502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and
Communication (MIN2).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/09)