PC047-612

Preaching I

Credit Points 12 Credit Points (CPs)

Learning Outcomes

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Developing knowledge and understanding of preaching, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice.

B. Be able to

  1. Define the nature and purpose of preaching
  2. Analyse the theological and pastoral issues involved in preaching
  3. Demonstrate skill in preparing and delivering sermons
  4. Present Analytical evidence-based perspectives on preaching

C. Be in a position to

  1. Applying perspectives and skills from ‘Preaching I’ to ministry contexts.

Content

Section A: An Introduction to Preaching

  • Preaching as the ministry of the Word; preaching and teaching; preaching and liturgy.
  • The aims, forms and context of preaching; consideration of classical models.
  • Preaching and the preacher; the person of the preacher; the relationship between preaching and personal spirituality.
  • Biblical Theology and its impact on the practice of preaching.

Section B: Preaching in Practice

  • An introduction to basic principles in exposition.
  • The components of a sermon, including introductions and conclusions, outlining, illustrations, applications, transitions, climaxes.
  • Methods and techniques of public speaking; contemporary methods in preaching.

Section C: Field Work

  • The preparation and delivery of a talk or portions of a sermon in class for critique e.g. introduction, illustrations. Where possible video recording is to be used to assist in the critique. This should be done early in the conduct of the unit.
  • The preparation and delivery of at least two sermons preferably in a church or chapel context.
    i. At least one should be expository. The other may be from a different text type or on a topic or given in an occasional or evangelistic context.
    ii. Full texts or notes are to be submitted to the supervisor, preferably before each sermon is preached. In each case comments are to be obtained from at least one regular preacher present and at least two congregational members.
    iii. The candidate is to write a 500 word critique of each sermon and/or reflect upon the sermon with a supervisor and others, where appropriate.

Notes:
  • Where a candidate has regular preaching engagements outside the conduct of this unit the college may consider it appropriate for the candidate to prepare three or four sermons for critique.
  • Students must be capable of preaching a reasonable sermon before being granted a pass in this unit. If the supervisor believes it is necessary, a student may be required to undertake a program of voice production, public speaking, or additional preaching assignments before satisfactory completion of this unit is approved.
  • It is the responsibility of approved institutions to ensure that appropriately qualified and experienced supervisors are employed for the assessment of sermons, where these people are not the staff member responsible for teaching the unit.
  • Sections A, B and C will be weighted 20%, 20% and 60% respectively.
  • Where the unit is conducted over more than one semester care should be taken not to overload the unit with assessments.
  • It is acceptable to build the assessment of this unit around the student’s two sermons and a written ‘critical and reflective commentary’ on their two sermons where students are asked to reflect on how they have integrated the theory components of the unit into the development, delivery and critique of their two sermons.