Fall 2016/Pasadena

PR500

Lamb

PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Lisa Lamb.

DESCRIPTION: This course PR500 introduces students to the theology and practice of preaching as an integrating focus that draws from and informs the whole Master of Divinity curriculum. Preaching is taught and learned within an extended conversation between students and the professor which is shaped by the calling of the church to proclaim the Word of God in service of God’s mission. Preaching is addressed as an act of congregational worship, and as a means by which the diverse gifts and ministries of God’s people bear witness to God’s reign in and for the world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated (1) competence in biblical interpretation through faithful use of the whole canon of Scripture in proclaiming the gospel; (2) capacities for engaging listeners through preaching as a formative activity within the context of worship; (3) an understanding of how the theology of the Church and its historical developments, including the practice of preaching, inform the proclamation of the gospel in the present; and (4) competence in preaching as a theologically reflective practice that serves the Church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in the whole of life.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice weekly in two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom. The course integrates lecture, discussion, reading, critical reflection, and practicum components. Practicum components include preaching sermons, assessment of sermons, and reflecting on the process of preparing and delivering sermons. The practicum component is led by the professor and requires participation by the whole class. Students preach a minimum of three sermons for which they receive feedback, evaluative comments, and guidance to encourage continued reflection, learning, and growth. Students also engage in self-assessment and reflection after preaching each sermon. In addition to class discussion following each sermon, students are able to consult individually with the professor.

REQUIRED READING: 830 pp. of required reading

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, 2nd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0664229436, Pub. Price $26.00 [240 pp.].

Lowry, Eugene. The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form (Expanded Edition). Westminster John Knox, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664222642, Pub. Price $22.00 [140 pp. assigned]

Taylor, Barbara Brown. The Preaching Life. Cowley Publications, 1993. ISBN: 987-1561010745, Pub. Price $17.95. [100 pp.].

Troeger, Thomas and Leonora Tubbs Tisdale, A Sermon Workbook: Exercises in the Art and Craft of Preaching. Abingdon Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-1426757785, Pub. Price: $24.99 [100 pp. assigned].

Course Reader. Readings by Barth, Bonhoeffer, and others, including sample sermons from throughout history, will be required and available on Moodle through eReserves. [100 pp.].

Select Required Reading: Students will choose ONE of the five texts below (150 pp.):

Gilbert, Kenyatta. The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching. Fortress Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800696276, Pub. Price $20.00 [160 pp.]

Childers, Jana, ed. Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process. Chalice, 2001. ISBN: 978-0827202306, Pub. Price $28.99 [224 pp.].

Gonzalez, J. L., and P. A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $21.99 [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 $14.99 [160 pp.].

LaRue, Cleophus J. I Believe I’ll Testify: The Art of African American Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664236779, Pub. Price $20.00 [144 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barnes, M. Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802829627, Pub. Price $20.00.

Brown, Teresa L. Fry. Delivering the Sermon: Voice, Body, and Animation in Proclamation. Fortress, 2008. ISBN: 978-0800604479, Pub. Price $15.00.

Bush, Michael D., editor. This Incomplete One: Words Occasioned by the Death of a Young Person. Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN: 978-0802822277, Pub. Price $16.00.

Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon Press, 1985. ISBN: 978-0687659944, Pub. Price $24.99.

LaRue, Cleophus J. I Believe I’ll Testify: The Art of African American Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664236779, Pub. Price $20.00.

Lischer, Richard. The Company of Preachers. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802846099, Pub. Price $38.00.

Lose, David. Preaching at the Crossroads: How the World—and Our Preaching—Is Changing. Fortress, 2013. ISBN: 978-0800699734, Pub. Price $19.00.

Massey, James Earl. Stewards of the Story: The Task of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2006. ISBN: 978-0664229818, Pub. Price $20.00.

Nieman, James R. and Thomas G. Rogers. Preaching to Every Pew: Cross Cultural Strategies. Fortress Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800632434, Pub. Price $18.00.

Powell, Mark Allan. What Do They Hear? Bridging the Gap between Pulpit and Pew. Abingdon Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687642052, Pub. Price $16.99.

Wilson, Paul Scott. The Four Pages of the Sermon: a Guide to Biblical Preaching. Abingdon, 1999. ISBN: 978-0687023950, Pub. Price $27.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 830 pages of required reading (19%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4]. [42 hours].
2. Attend and participate in class, including the practicum component (10%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours].
3. Prepare and preach sermon #1 and 2 with self-assessment (2 parts): (a) Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context (s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.]. Preaching will include sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Complete a homiletic self - assessment that sets specific goals for continuing improvement and growth in preparing and preaching sermons (20% each, 40% total). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [36 hours].
4. Preach sermon #3 (2 parts): Prepare and preach a sermon and write a reflective essay—(a) Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context (s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.] Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Write a 500-word assessment that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s vocational plans for serving the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life (24%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [32 hours].
5. Write a 900 word “preaching autobiography” at the beginning of the course describing: 1) the student’s experience and perceptions of preaching - as a preacher, listener, and participant in communities of faith; 2) the student’s hopes and goals for the class; 3) the student’s sense of calling to the ministry of the Word in service of God’s mission (3%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [4 hours].
6. Write a 900 word reflective essay based on the student’s reading, class work, and personal experience that: 1.) Describes what is distinct about the student’s particular voice and perspective 2.) Identifies moral, social, and cultural injustices within the student’s particular community that are addressed by the proclamation of the gospel 3.) Describes a specific theological/social/economic/cultural issue in the student’s particular context that is illuminated and addressed by the gospel (4%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 4] [6 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Homiletics requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the Worship, Preaching, and Communication requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). Meets the core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) in the 144 MDiv Program and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA Programs.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.