Summer 2018/Pasadena
PR500
Lamb
PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 162 hours). Lisa Washington 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 willhave 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 for five weeks in four-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 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: 850 pp. of required reading
Gilbert, Kenyatta. The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching. Fortress Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800696276, Pub. Price $20.00 [160 pp.]
Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, 3rd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664261429, Pub. Price $30.00 [200 pp. assigned].
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: 978-1561010745, 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 [50 pp. assigned].
Course Reader. Readings by Barth, Bonhoeffer and others will be required and available on Canvas through eReserves. [50 pp.].
Select Required Reading: Students will chooseONEof the three texts below and read 150 pages:
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.].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Barnes, M. Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Eerdmans, 2008. 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, 2010. ISBN: 978-0687659944, Pub. Price $24.99.
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:
(a) Submit exegetical notes that support the sermon. Preach the sermon as assigned, submitting a written manuscript of the sermon. (20% per sermon, 40% total).
(b) Complete self-evaluations for the sermons that set specific goals for continuing improvement. (5% each, 10% total). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [40 hours total].
(a) Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon. Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. Submit manuscript and preach. Upload video to Canvas. (20%). [20 hours total].
(b) Watch the videos of four peers and offer them feedback. [6 hours]
(c) Write a 1000-word assessment that reflects theologically on the third 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. The essay will integrate course readings and lecture content, and will describe what is distinct about the student’s particular voice and perspective. It will reflect on the student's context, identifying moral, social, and cultural injustices within the student’s particular community that are addressed by the proclamation of the gospel, and describe a specific theological/social/economic/cultural issue in the student’s particular context that is illuminated and addressed by the gospel. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [10 hours].
PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502. It is recommended that students take preaching courses towards the end of their program. Students should endeavor to find an opportunity to preach for a congregation for the final sermon, which will be delivered outside the classroom; if that is not possible they maygather a listening group of at least 5 adults.
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.