Summer 2013/Pasadena
PR511
Nason
PR511: PREACHING PRACTICUM. Doug Nason.
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 9 students. Each student will preach twice during the course. Sermons are to be original work not previously presented for credit in homiletics or other speech and preaching classes. Each sermon will be 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: Course objectives are that students would grow (1) in their understanding of the biblical understanding of Christian communication; (2) in their understanding of the Bible as the foundation and source of Christian preaching; (3) in their understanding of the differences between written and oral communication; (4) in their ability to prepare and deliver biblical messages clearly and relevantly to a contemporary audience; and (5) in their ability to assess both their own preaching and that of others.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for two-hour sessions for two 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. 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 in case there are openings which develop due to dropped registrations.
REQUIRED/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 course, based on texts of the student’s choosing, with outlines and indication of the commentaries and other sources consulted submitted in writing. Regular class attendance, preparation for class, and participation in discussions are required. Any absences must be excused and will require some additional work. Students will complete a self-assessment for each of their sermons.
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, but no more than one preaching or communication practicum may be taken in any two-week period.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.