PC047-812 - Preaching I

  • 3,288 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • Pastoral & Church-Focussed Ministry Unit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, preaching, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice

B. Be able to

1. Examine the nature and purpose of preaching

2. Critique the theological and pastoral issues involved in preaching

3. Demonstrate skill in preparing and delivering sermons

4. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on preaching

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘Preaching I’ to ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A: An Introduction to Preaching

1.  Preaching as the ministry of the Word; preaching and teaching; preaching and liturgy.

2. The aims, forms and context of preaching; consideration of classical models.

3. Preaching and the preacher; the person of the preacher; the relationship between preaching and personal spirituality.

4. Biblical Theology and its impact on the practice of preaching.

Section B: Preaching in Practice

5. An introduction to basic principles in exposition.

6. The components of a sermon, including introductions and conclusions, outlining, illustrations, applications, transitions, climaxes.

7. Methods and techniques of public speaking; contemporary methods in preaching.

Section C: Field Work

8. 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.

9. The preparation and delivery of at least two sermons preferably in a church or chapel context.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 moderation and 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.

Further Information

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PC647.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Adam, P., Speaking God’s Words: A Practical Theology of Preaching (Vancouver: Regent College, 2004).

Brueggemann, W., Cadences of Home: Preaching Among Exiles (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1997).

Brueggemann, W., Texts for Preaching (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1999).

Chapell, B., Christ-Centred Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005).

Chapman, J., Setting Hearts on Fire (Sydney: Matthias, 1999).

Childers, J., Purposes of Preaching (Cambridge, MA: Chalice, 2004).

Craddock, F., Preaching (Nashville: Abingdon, 1990).

Day, D., A Preaching Workbook (London: SPCK, 2004).

Gibson, S., Preaching for Special Services (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001).

Goldsworthy, G., Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

Johnston, G., Preaching to a Postmodern World: A Guide to Reaching Twenty-First Century Listeners (Leicester: IVP, 2001).

Larson, C. B. and H. W. Robinson (eds), The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today’s Communicators (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005).

Loscalzo, C. A., Evangelistic Preaching that Connects (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1995).

Lowry, E. L., The Homiletical Plot: Sermon as Narrative Art Form (Rev. ed.; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001).

Mitchell, J. P., Visually Speaking: Radio and the Renaissance of Preaching (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1999).

Osborne, G. R., The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1991).

Pagitt, D., Preaching Re-Examined: The Role of the Sermon in Communities of Faith (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005).

Robinson, H., Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001).

Robinson, H. and B. Larson (eds), The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005).

Schlafer, D., Your Way with God’s Word: Discovering your Distinctive Preaching Voice (Cambridge, MA: Cowley, 1995).

Stott, J., I Believe in Preaching (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998).

Taylor, B. B., The Preaching Life (Cambridge, MA: Cowley, 1993).

Wilson, P. S., A Concise History of Preaching (Nashville: Abingdon, 1992).

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