DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to give a general introduction to the theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery. The person of the preacher, the nature of preaching, and principles of sermon construction will be discussed.

The spoken word remains a primary means of communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ. Preaching is an essential element in the ministry of the church; and skill in preaching is expected of the great majority of those called to pastoral positions, as well as of evangelists and many other servants of Christ.

The course has both lecture and practicum components. After the first two weeks, one of the two two-hour sessions each week will be spent in a small group of students led by a teaching assistant under the direction of the professor. In these groups students will preach two sermons (both videotaped), on which they will receive feedback from group members and the teaching assistant. Only the second sermon will count toward the grade. It will be evaluated by the professor.

Pitt-Watson, Ian. A Primer for Preachers. Baker, 1986.

Strunk Jr., William, and White, E. B. Elements of Style, 3rd ed. Macmillan, 1979. (selected portions)

and one of the following:

Broadus, John A. On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, 4th ed. Harper San Francisco, 1979.

Chapell, Bryan. Christ-centered Preaching. Baker, 1994.

Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon, 1985.

Stott, John R. W. Between Two Worlds. Eerdmans, 1982.

and one of the following:

Buttrick, David. Homiletic. Fortress, 1987. (Part I only)

Davis, H. Grady. Design for Preaching. Fortress, 1958.

Greidanus, Sidney. The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text. Eerdmans, 1989.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 1989.

Spurgeon, Charles. Lectures to My Students, 2nd ed. Zondervan, 1979.

Preparation and preaching of two sermons, including submission of a brief or outline for each. Reading of Pitt-Watson, parts of Strunk & White, and two other selected texts, with brief (2-3 page) written reactions to the selected works. Several short, written exercises related to topics treated in lectures. Grade will be based on written assignments and the professor's assessment of the second sermon. Attendance at the practicum groups is mandatory, and grade may be reduced for unexcused absence.

NE 502.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN 2).

None.