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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
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.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for a two-hour period. 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, exegetical notes, and indication of the commentaries and other
sources consulted 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 meetings will
not receive a passing grade.
PREREQUISITES: PR500.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and
Communication (MIN 2). The practicum may be taken for credit more than once,
though students are encouraged not to enroll in more than one section during
any given quarter.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (October 2010)