Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Hamilton PR 926A/B: The Preacher and the Message Syllabus: Fall 2016 & Spring 2017 Dr. Scott M. Gibson Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Hamilton Campus Hours by Appointment (978) 646-4152 sgibson@gcts.edu Monday 6:00-9:00 p.m.: 18 September, 16 October, 13 November, 11 December, 5 February, 5 March, 9 April, 23 April, meeting at Dr. & Mrs. Gibson s home during the fall semester and Dr. & Mrs. Arthurs home during the spring semester. I. Course Description The Preacher and the Message is the unique mentoring component of the Master of Theology in Preaching program. Students will meet with the preaching faculty and occasional guests to discuss what it means for the preacher to interact with his or her congregation, people, spouse, and ministry priorities. The class will meet at the Gibson s home for a meal and a presentation and discussion. PR 926A and PR 926B together constitute one course. Students who register for PR 926A must take PR 926B in the spring in order to receive any credit for the course. This course is limited to Th.M. students only. II. Course Relation to the Curriculum The Preacher and the Message is one of the two required courses of the Master of Theology in Preaching degree. The course serves as the mentoring component for all Master of Theology in Preaching students. III. Course Goal and Objectives Goal: Develop a cohort mentoring experience for Master of Theology in Preaching students as they explore aspects of what it means to be a preacher and what it means to preach as one develops a theology of preaching. Objectives: As a result of this course students should: (1) Articulate a basic concept of what it means to be a preacher. (2) List the characteristics of our current culture and what impact these characteristics have upon preaching. (3) Verbalize how a preacher deals with others in terms of hospitality and manners. (4) Articulate current trends in preaching and to analyze these trends critically. (5) Define and understand preaching and plagiarism. (6) Articulate and apply the seven lessons for new pastors. (7) State why preaching is conducted for the purpose of maturing others in the faith. (8) Demonstrate the importance of excellence in the preparation of and reading of Scripture in public. (9) Articulate a theology of preaching. 1
IV. Course Textbooks Required: Jeffrey D. Arthurs, Devote Yourselves to the Public Reading: The Transforming Power of the Well Spoken Word (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2012). ISBN-13: 978-0825442193 Barry H. Corey, Love Kindness: Discover the Power a Forgotten Christian Virtue (Tyndale: Wheaton, 2016). ISBN-10: 149641196X ISBN-13: 978-1496411969 Scott M. Gibson, ed., Making a Difference in Preaching: Haddon Robinson on Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999). ISBN-13: 978-0801090929 Scott M. Gibson, Preaching with a Plan: Sermon Strategies for Growing Mature Believers (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012). ISBN-13: 978-0801091599 Scott M. Gibson, ed., Preaching Points: 55 Tips for Improving Your Pulpit Ministry (Wooster, OH: Weaver Books, 2016). ISBN: 978-1-941337-54-7 ISBN: 978-1-941337-65-3 Scott M. Gibson, ed., Preaching to a Shifting Culture: 12 Perspectives on Communicating that Connects (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004). ISBN-13: 978-0801091629 Mary S. Hulst, A Little Handbook for Preachers: Ten Practical Ways to a Better Sermon on Sunday (Downers Grove: IVP, 2016). ISBN-10: 0830841288 ISBN-13: 978-0830841288 J. Ellsworth Kalas, Preaching in an Age of Distraction (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014). ISBN-10: 0830841105 ISBN-13: 978-0830841103 Timothy Keller, Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism (New York: Viking, 2015). ISBN-10: 0525953035 ISBN-13: 978-0525953036 Jonathan Leeman, reverberation: how God s word brings light, freedom, and action to His people (Chicago: Moody, 2011). ISBN-13: 978-0802422996 V. Course Requirements and Grading 1. Attendance at all sessions. 2. Write a five to eight (5-8) page single-spaced paper on your theology of preaching. The student will provide a biblical and practical statement of your theology of preaching. Due on 23 April 2018 at the last class meeting of the spring semester. 3. Read Gibson, Preaching Points: 55 Tips for Improving Your Pulpit Ministry and report what you have learned from reading this book in a discussion that will take place on the first evening of class, 18 September 2017. 2
4. Read Leeman, reverberation and Gibson, Preaching with a Plan: Sermon Strategies for Growing Mature Believers. Write a report on what you have learned from reading these two books. Based on what you have read in the books and from other preaching courses, comment on at least four of the issues discussed in reverberation and Preaching with a Plan: Sermon Strategies for Growing Mature Believers and write how you might apply them to your own preaching. Limit your report to three (3) single-spaced pages. 16 October 2017. We will discuss reverberation and its contents along with Gibson, Preaching with a Plan: Sermon Strategies for Growing Mature Believers on 16 October. 5. Read Corey, Love Kindness: Discover the Power a Forgotten Christian Virtue and report on what you have learned from reading this book. Based on what you have read in this book, comment on at least four of the issues discussed in Love Kindness: Discover the Power a Forgotten Christian Virtue and write how you might apply them to your life as a preacher. Limit your report to three (3) single-spaced pages. Due 13 November 2017. 6. Read Gibson, Preaching to a Shifting Culture: 12 Perspectives on Communicating that Connects and report on what you learned from reading the books. Comment on at least four issues discussed in Preaching to a Shifting Culture: 12 Perspectives on Communicating that Connects and write how you might apply them to your preaching and understanding of preaching. Limit your report to three (3) singlespaced pages. Due 11 December 2017. 7. Read Arthurs, Devote Yourselves to the Public Reading. Write a report on what you have learned from reading this book. Based on what you have read in this book and from other preaching courses, comment on at least four of the issues discussed in Devote Yourselves to the Public Reading and write how you might apply them to your own preaching. Limit your report to three (3) single-spaced pages. Due 5 February 2018. 8. Read Hulst, A Little Handbook for Preachers: Ten Practical Ways to a Better Sermon on Sunday. Write a report on what you have learned from reading this book. Based on what you have read in this book and from other preaching courses, comment on at least four of the issues discussed in A Little Handbook for Preachers: Ten Practical Ways to a Better Sermon on Sunday and write how you might apply them to your own preaching. Limit your report to three (3) single-spaced pages. Due 5 March 2018. 9. Read Kallas, Preaching in an Age of Distraction. Write a report on what you have learned from reading this book. Based on what you have read in this book and from other preaching courses, comment on at least four of the issues discussed in Kallas, Preaching in an Age of Distraction and write how you might apply them to your own preaching. Limit your report to three (3) single-spaced pages. Due 9 April 2018. 10. Read Keller, Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism and report on what you have learned from reading this book. Based on what you have read 3
in this book, comment on at least four of the issues discussed in Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism and write how you might apply them to your life as a preacher. Limit your report to three (3) single-spaced pages. Due 23 April 2018. 11. Read Gibson, Making a Difference in Preaching: Haddon Robinson on Biblical Preaching. Report that you ve read the book on the final page of the syllabus. 12. Other readings may be assigned. VI. Course Administration A. Attendance Policy Attendance is required for the class. Please make every effort to be on time for class. B. Due Dates and Late Penalties Late work will not be accepted. C. Assistance. Please come to see me with your questions. I have a sign-up sheet located outside my office. VII. Course Outline (Topics are subject to change.) 18 September The Preacher and Preaching 16 October Preaching and Maturing Believers 13 November The Preacher and People 11 December Our Shifting Culture 5 February Preaching and the Word 5 March Upgrading One s Preaching 9 April The Distractions of Preaching 23 April A Perspective on Preaching Keller 4
Name Box Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Hamilton PR 926A/B: The Preacher and the Message Syllabus: Fall 2017 & Spring 2018 Dr. Scott M. Gibson How many class sessions did you attend? I read Gibson (Preaching Points) (check if) all (yes/no) Report on Leeman/Gibson (Plan): (grade). 10% Report on Corey: (grade). 10% Report on Gibson (Shifting Culture): (grade). 10% Report on Arthurs: (grade). 10% Report on Hulst: (grade). 10% Report on Kallas: (grade). 10% Report on Keller: (grade). 10% I read Gibson (Making a Difference in Preaching) (yes/no) Theology of Preaching Paper (grade). 30% What grade would you give yourself for class participation? (Late work will not be accepted.) Course Grade 5