Spring 2016/Pasadena
PR523
Moore
PR523: CREATIVE PREACHING. (4 Units: 160 Hours). Joy J. Moore.
DESCRIPTION: This four-unit course is designed to deepen the theological insights of preaching students and to sharpen the creative skills that relate to their homiletical work. Special attention will be given to creativity in the use of language, development of the sermon’s form, and issues relating to drama and performance in preaching. Issues relating to media use in proclamation will also be addressed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this class, students will demonstrate (1) theoretical knowledge relating to theology of preaching and aesthetic theory as foundations for imaginative preaching; (2) attentiveness to the needs of the listener in the preaching process; (3) written and oral capacity to use figurative and evocative language in preaching; (4) presentational skills with multi-media, and (5) ability to craft sermons in creative, as well as culturally and contextually relevant forms.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion. Students will prepare and deliver two sermons for feedback, discussion, and self-evaluation. They will also be responsible for reading material, creative writing, performance assignments, and a final sermon project in which students prepare and deliver a sermon using multiple media forms. Class time will include guests and video presentations.
REQUIRED READING:
Boltz-Webber, Nadia. Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television ISBN: 978-1596270862, Pub Price $1.00 [176 pp.].
Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Harper & Row, 1977. ISBN: 978-0060611569, Pub. Price $17.99 [112 pp.].
Childers, J., & Clayton J. Schmit, Eds. Performance in Preaching: Bringing the Sermon to Life (Engaging Worship). Baker Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801036132, Pub. Price $26.99 [256 pp.].
Lowry, Eugene L. The Homiletical Beat: Why All Sermons Are Narrative. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1426751431 Pub. Price $16.99 [128 pp.].
Thomas, Frank A. They Like to Never Quit Praisin’ God: The Role of Celebration in Preaching. Cleveland, OH.: The Pilgrim Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-8298-1978-6 Pub. Price $16.00 [183 pp.].
Moodle articles and viewing assignments.
RECOMMENDED READING: An extensive recommended bibliography will be available in the course syllabus.
Keller, Timothy, Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism. Viking, 2015. ISBN: 978-0698195097, Pub. Price $9.99 [320 pp.]
Lose, David J. Preaching at the Crossroads: How the World – And Our Preaching – Is Changing. Fortress Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0800699734, Pub. Price $19.00 [124 pp.].
Taylor, Barbara Brown. An Altar in the World. HarperOne, 2009. ISBN: 978-0061370472, Pub Price $14.99 [240 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Read assignments and be prepared to lead in class discussion of material (approximately 800 pages). (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, & 5]. [40 hours].
Five Homiletic responses to assigned themes. (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3, & 5]. [10 hours].
Prepare (including exegetical journal) and deliver 2 sermons in forms or styles new to the student’s experience. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,2, 3, & 5]. [45 hours].
Final project: produce and present for in-class critique and evaluation) a sermon with a multiple media component. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,2,3,4, & 5]. [25 hours].
PREREQUISITES: PR500.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN 2).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None. Class will meet during Finals Week.