Winter 2014/Pasadena
PR500
Gordon
PR500: HOMILETICS. Carolyn L. Gordon.
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. Price $26.99 [264 pp].
Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 1989. ISBN 978-0664229436, Pub. Price $24.95 [240 pp.].
Massey, James E. Designing the Sermon: Order and Movement in Preaching. Abingdon, 1980. ISBN 978-0687104901, Pub. Price $17.00 [128 pp.].
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. Price $26.99 [220 pp.].
Gonzalez, J. L., and P. A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $20.00 [152 pp].
Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN 978-0817013035, Pub. Price $12.00 [160 pp.].
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. Price $20.00 [191 pp.].
RECOMMENDED READING: The syllabus will include a list of recommended readings.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Preparation and preaching a minimum of two sermons. (50%)
Because the sermons in this class are presumed to be among the student’s first sermons, they will simply be graded pass/fail. Though not graded as to form, content, or presentation, they will be carefully evaluated and discussed in class and with the professor.
Submission of an exegetical journal and manuscript for each sermon. (20%)
Students will attend a worship service (outside of their own) and write a critical review of the sermon preached. (10%)
Attendance at the practicum groups is mandatory, and grade may be reduced for absences not excused. (15%)
Student will write a five-page paper of their theology and philosophy of preaching. (5%)
PREREQUISITES: NE502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.