DESCRIPTION: Along with providing practical experience in preaching and sermon
preparation, this course is designed to promote variety in text-based
preaching. Thus, a selection of designs, genres of biblical literature, and
occasions will be among the criteria assigned for particular sermons. The class
will be limited to a maximum of nine students. Each student will preach twice
during the quarter. Each sermon will be evaluated and discussed by class
members under the direction of the instructor. All sermons will be recorded on
DVD.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
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, with particular attention to
preaching the whole counsel of God and to using varied sermon designs; (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.
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: Weekly exegetical reading relating to the texts to be
preached upon.
RECOMMENDED READING: Students are expected to be familiar with texts assigned
in PR500, or with equivalent standard works on preaching.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Two sermons preached during the quarter, with
outlines and complete bibliography submitted in writing. Each sermon accounts
for 50% of the grade. Regular class attendance, preparation for class, and
participation in discussions are required. Students who miss more than two
class sessions will not receive a passing grade.
PREREQUISITES: PR500.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and
Communication (MIN 2).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (11/09)