DESCRIPTION: Effective preaching requires spiritual availability, sound
exegesis, theological reflection, contextual insight, pastoral sensitivity, and
communication skills. This course is designed to provide the student with
maximum practical experience to prepare, to preach. and to receive sermon
feedback. The objective in this course is not the perfection of individual
sermons. Rather it is to lay a foundation in knowledge and skill for the
student's continued development as a responsible and effective preacher of the
gospel.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The spoken word is God's means of creation,
redemption. and transformation. As image bearers of this God, as members of the
Body of Christ, the speech act remains our primary means of sharing the gospel
of Jesus Christ. Preaching is the foundational work of the Church. The
effective and faithful delivery of the Word of God is the starting point of the
witness and work of the Body, the evangelism, ministry and mission of the
Church.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Course objectives are that students would grow in (1) their
understanding of the importance of having Jesus Christ as their foundation for
preaching as well as their understanding of the importance of the Holy Spirit
in preaching and preparation; (2) their character development as they learn to
engage the text as they prepare their sermons, receive honest feedback from the
instructor and classmates as they preach in class; (3) their sense of a call to
ministry as they are challenged on how they demonstrate their servant
leadership skills, exhibit an understanding of their worldview, and how both
inform their preaching; (4) finding their own voice in preaching as well as
utilizing cultural sensitivity as it relates to their denominational context.
Students will be encouraged to be mindful of class, gender, and ethnicity while
developing and delivering sermons. Finally (5), that students would grow in
their mastery of articulating, integrating, and applying Scripture, theology,
church history, religious heritage, and cultural relevance to their sermon
preparation and delivery.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will be limited to a maximum of 9 students. The class
will meet weekly for two-hour sessions for ten weeks. The first part of each
meeting will be spent in worship where two sermons will be preached by members
of the class. The second part of the class will include informal discussion of
the sermons. Each student will preach twice during the course.