Fall 2019/Pasadena

PR538

Lee

PR538: PREACHING AS LEADERSHIP (4 Units: 163 hours). Ahmi Lee

DESCRIPTION: PR538 is designed as a 4-unit elective in preaching that follows PR500 in the sequence of required preaching courses. This course focuses upon preaching as an exercise in congregational leadership. Students will theologically reflect on various pastoral situations and practice preaching that effectively shapes the congregational culture in light of what God through the Scriptures is saying and doing. 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 (on this topic) as a class. 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 preaching and ecclesial leadership; (2) capacities for engaging listeners in preaching as a formative activity in the context of worship; (3) be able to reflect liturgically, historically and theologically on preaching and leadership; 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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will address the content and interpretation of the OT/NT in its historical and contemporary context, which is consistent with MDiv PLO 1: “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” and MDiv PLO 3: “Students will have demonstrated capacities for being theologically reflective practitioners for Christian ministries.”

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets once weekly for three hours for a total of 30 hours of classroom work. The remaining 10 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: Approximately 700 pages required.

Quicke, Michael J. 360-Degree Leadership: Preaching to Transform Congregations. Baker Books, 2006.

ISBN: 978-0801091889, Pub. Price $14.99 [187 pp. assigned] (Available as an e-book online)

Cormode, Scott. Making Spiritual Sense: Christian Leaders as Spiritual Interpreters. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 978-1620328019, Pub. Price $20.00 [139 pp. assigned] (Available as an e-book online)

Kim, Matthew D. Preaching with Cultural Intelligence: Understanding the People Who Hear Our Sermons. Baker Academic, 2017. ISBN: 978-0801049620, Pub. Price $22.99 [238 pp. assigned] (Available as an e-book online)

Lose, David J. Preaching at Crossroads: How the World—and Our Preaching—Is Changing. Fortress Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0800699734, Pub. Price $19.00 [112 pp. assigned] (Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library)

RECOMMENDED READING: The syllabus will include a list of recommended readings.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Approximately 700 pages of required reading assessed by one-page report per book (15%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4] [30 hours].
  2. Prepare and preach two sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment.

Students are required to complete the following: (a) Prepare and preach a sermon, with particular attention to the place of preaching in worship and preaching as a catechetical/formative practice of the church. Preaching will include sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Students will submit exegetical notes with each sermon. The professor will provide guidelines for exegetical work. (b) Complete a substantive homiletic self-assessment after each sermon that reflects specifically on both strengths and weaknesses and sets goals for continuing improvement and growth in preparing and preaching sermons (50%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [45 hours].

  1. 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, economical, etc.] Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. (b) Write a three-page 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 (25%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 4]. [35 hours].
  2. Attend and participate in class and online learning activities (10%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [40 hours].
  3. Preaching Autobiography. Present a preaching autobiography on the first day of class that describes: 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 (in particular reflecting on their PR500 experience); 3) the student’s understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission (Pass/Fail). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [3 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.