DESCRIPTION:

Not everyone who is called to preach has an opportunity to engage the disciplines required for the M.Div. degree--languages, exegetical method, etc. Furthermore, not everyone called to preach belongs to a church or denomination that requires the M.Div. Designed especially for such persons, the purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the elements of sermon preparation and delivery without the prerequisites associated with the M.Div. It will place emphasis upon the character of the preacher and the challenge of communicating the Gospel in today's cultural milieu.

Preaching continues to occupy a special place among most congregations we are called to serve. It certainly holds center stage in God's methodology for communicating the Good News. We must therefore prepare as best we can to proclaim this Good News, and in such winsome ways as to adorn that Gospel with lives of integrity and speech that flows with graciousness.

Class will meet for two-hour sessions twice a week. The course has both lecture and practicum components. Each student will preach two sermons, each sermon to be accompanied by a brief or outline. These sermons will be video-taped, and a critique session will follow when the sermon will be discussed by fellow students and the instructor. Only the second sermon will count toward the final grade. The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

Davis, H. Grady. Design for Preaching. Fortress Press, 1977.

Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr. Not the Way It's Supposed To Be: A Breviary of Sin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.

Scheuer, Jeffrey. The Sound Bite Society: Television and the American Mind. New York: Four Walls, Eight Windows, 1999.

And one of the following novels:

Hassler, Jon. North of Hope. Ballentine Books, 1991.

Howatch, Susan. Glittering Images. Crest, 1996.

Percy, Walker. The Second Coming. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1980.

1. Preparation and delivery of two sermons, including submission of brief or outline for each.

2. A five-page critique of one of the three novels.

3. Faithful attendance; unexcused absence will result in grade reductions.

At least one course in biblical studies; two or more would be preferable.

This course will meet the requirements for CO500 and CO503 in the M.A. in Theology--Biblical Studies and Theology format and in any M.A. program requiring CO500 and CO503. This course will not meet the MIN2 requirement in the M.Div.

None.