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: The course seeks the following goals for each student: Cognitive: theoretical knowledge relating to theology of preaching, sermon design, and delivery; Affective: deepened appreciation for the dialogical quality of preaching and the needs of the listener in the preaching process; Skills: capacity to craft a sermon that engages the biblical text, the context of the audience, theological issues, and the hearts and minds of listeners; and to deliver it meaningfully.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The spoken witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has always been a primary means of communicating the faith. It continues to be a powerful tool for planting, teaching, and nurturing faith in Christ. Biblical preaching is the principal public form of this witness, and skill in biblical interpretation, sermon preparation, and proclamation is expected of those who are called to serve as ministers of the Gospel.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. The course has both lecture and practicum components. The practica are small groups of students led by teaching assistants under the direction of the professor. In these groups students will preach two sermons (both recorded), on which they receive feedback from group members and the teaching assistant. Each student will have the opportunity to receive personal feedback from the professor on one of the two preached sermons.

REQUIRED READING:

Allen, Ronald, ed. Patterns of Preaching. Chalice, 1998 (selected portions) ISBN 978-0827229532 (Pub. Suggested Retail Price: $26.99). 264 pages.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 1989. ISBN 978-0664229436 (Pub. Suggested Retail Price: $24.95). 240 pages.

Massey, James E. Designing the Sermon: Order and Movement in Preaching. Abingdon, 1980. ISBN 978-0687104901 (Pub. Suggested Retail Price: $17.00). 128 pages.

Select Reading: Students will choose one of the four texts below:

Childers, Jana, ed. Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process. Chalice, 2001. ISBN 978-0827202306 (Pub. Suggested Retail Price: $26.99). 220 pages.

Gonzalez, J. L., and P. A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN 978-0687088508 (Pub. Suggested Retail Price: $20.00). 152 pages.

Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN 978-0817013035 (Pub. Suggested Retail Price: $12.00) 160 pages.

LaRue, Cleophas J., ed. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster/John Knox, 2003. ISBN 978-0664224813 (Pub. Suggested Retail Price: $20.00) 191 pages.