Spring 2019/Pasadena

PR512

Colwell

PR512: PREACHING PRACTICUM (4 Units: 160 hours). Matthew Colwell.

DESCRIPTION: PR512 is designed as a 4-unit practicum in preaching that follows PR500 in the sequence of required preaching courses. The course provides students with an opportunity to work the “Developing” and “Mastery” levels of competence by preparing, preaching, listening to, responding to, and assessing sermons in a classroom setting. Instructors lead students through the following steps: assessing one’s prior preaching experience; setting personal goals for the class; preparing and preaching sermons; receiving feedback on sermons and engaging in self - assessment; making specific plans for continued growth and improvement; reflecting on one’s experience during the class; setting goals for continued learning and growth in preaching after completion of the class.

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 in preaching as a formative activity in 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 vocation of proclaiming the gospel in the whole of life.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets once weekly for three and a half hours for a total of 35 hours of classroom work. The remaining 5 hours are completed in Directed Learning Activities. The course is primarily focused on practice with a moderate amount of outside reading to assist in the process of assessing and reflecting on sermon. The practicum is led by the professor and requires participation of the whole class. Students preach a minimum of three (3) 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 each sermon. In addition to class discussions following each sermon, students are able to consult individually with the professor.

REQUIRED READING: 680 pages required.

Craddock, Fred. Preaching. Abingdon, 2010. ISBN: 978-0687659944, Pub. Price $25.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [224pp].

Gonzalez, Justo L. and P.A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $22.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [152pp.].

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 [160pp.].

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. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [144pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Harper and Row, 1977. ISBN: 978-0060611569, Pub. Price $17.99 [112pp.].

Lischer, Richard. The Company of Preachers. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802846099, Pub. Price $38.00 [496pp.].

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, 3rd Ed. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664261429, Pub. Price $30.00 [240pp.].

LaRue, Cleophus J. The Heart of Black Preaching. Westminster John Knox, 1999. ISBN: 978-0664258474, Pub Price $30.00 [272pp.]

Pitt-Watson, Ian. A Primer for Preachers. Baker, 1999. ISBN: 978-0801070969, out of print but widely available as a used book [112pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 680 pages of required reading (16%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [35 hours].
  2. Prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment for each of the sermons. One of these two sermons will be preached on a text from the Old Testament, and one on a text from the New Testament (42%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [50 hours].
  3. Preach a third sermon and provide an essay that includes assessment with theological reflection (2 parts): (a) Prepare and preach a sermon. 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. (b) Write a 500-word assessment that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s vocational plans to serve the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life (14%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 4]. [25 hours].
  4. Attend and participate in class (17%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [35 hours].
  5. Preaching Autobiography. Write an initial 900 word “preaching autobiography” that describes and reflects on: 1) the student’s experience of preaching - as a student and participant in communities of faith; 2) the student’s hopes and goals for the class; 3) the student’s understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission (3%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [3 hours].
  6. Final Reflection. Write a 1500 word final paper that reflects theologically on: (1) the student’s work and experience during the class and sets goals for continued growth in the practice of preaching; (2) the student’s vocational plans to serve God’s mission through the ministry of the Word, including theological reflection on the particular challenges, opportunities and characteristics of one’s anticipated ministry context(s); and (3) continued learning and formation appropriate for the ministry of the Word within and/or beyond congregational life (5%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [7 hours].
  7. Directed Learning Activities: Attend a worship service that includes the preaching of a sermon. Afterwards, fill out a 500 word assessment for the sermon you heard, based on the criterion discussed in class, and how the sermon is reflective of specific homiletic values addressed in the required reading (3%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4]. [5 hours].

PREREQUISITES: PR500. It is recommended that students take preaching courses towards the end of their program.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the P1 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) in the 144 MDiv program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.