Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Hamilton PR712 & PR912-Sams Visiting Professor: The Millennial Preacher, Leader, and Listener Syllabus: January 2019 January 7-11 Chris Rappazini Cell Phone: (850) 225-7611 christopher.rappazini@moody.edu chrisrappazini@gmail.com I. Course Description This course examines the intricacies of Millennials and their roles as preachers, leaders, and listeners. Special attention is given to a Millennial s leadership characteristics and how those characteristics influence a Millennial s homiletic. This course is not specifically designed for Millennials; rather, students from other generations are encouraged to enroll. Multiple perspectives will help enrich the class and learning environment. II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum Millennials carry several reputations with them as they develop into adulthood and move from being the interns to the leaders, hourly wage earners to bosses, youth pastors to lead pastors. Some might view them as being overly confident and excessively needy, born of coddling parents and everyone gets-a-trophy coaches (Taylor, 2014). Others might look at Millennials more positively and claim their upbringing has led them to prefer flexible jobs, a steady work life balance, and spending essential time developing close personal relationships (Altizer, 2010). Regardless of one s perspective, Millennials are here to stay for the next several decades and are taking on more leadership roles in the marketplace and in ministry. In this course, we will focus on the millennial preacher, leader, and listener and discuss how this specific generation might influence the world with the gospel through the way they preach, lead, and listen. III. Course Objectives The student who successfully completes this course will: Understand key attributes and characteristics of the millennial generation as well as other generations. Identify and analyze millennial leadership trends, specifically in the lives of Millennials they work alongside or possibly in their own life. Create methods and practices of preparing and preaching sermons that may be different from previous generations. Design and preach a sermon specifically for millennial listeners. 1
IV. Course Texts Required: A. Thom Rainer and Jess W. Rainer. The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation. (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2011) (ISBN: 9781433670039). B. David John Seel Jr., The New Copernicans: Millennials and the Survival of the Church (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018) (ISBN: 9780718098872). C. Brian Tucker & John Koessler, All Together Different: Upholding the Church's Unity While Honoring Our Individual Identities (Chicago: Moody, 2018) (ISBN: 9780802418081). D. Matthew Kim, 7 Lessons for New Pastors: Your First Year in Ministry (St. Louis: Chalice, 2012) (ISBN: 9780827234888). For Th.M. Students: E. Andy Stanley, Next Generation Leader (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2003) (ISBN: 9781590525395). V. Course Procedures Class sessions will involve lecture, discussion, viewings, as well as and sermons from students in class. VI. Course Requirements 1. Attendance Policy: Attendance for lectures and student sermons is mandatory. Since this is a one-week intensive class, you should prepare to be present, on time, and ready each day. The value of this class for you and others will depend on your commitment and participation. 2. Due Dates and Late Penalties: Late work will not be accepted. 3. Read ALL Assigned Reading. Please try to read Thom and Jess Rainer s The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation AND David John Seel Jr. s The New Copernicans: Millennials and the Survival of the Church BEFORE the beginning of class. All reading DUE 1/18. Pre-course work: 4. The Millennial Preacher Paper: Based on the readings of Rainer and Seel Jr., assess how and why the preaching of a Millennial may look and sound differently than a preacher from another generation. What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of this approach to preaching? What Millennial characteristics will you adopt in your preaching? How? Why? (2,800 3,000 words). DUE: 1/7. 2
Week of (1/7-1/11) course work: 5. Film Paper: Movies provide a way to experience a myriad of situations with a measure of detachment that is impossible in real life, (Beaumont, 2009, p. 26). Watch both The Intern, and Money Ball. Thinking critically, how do these films relate to leadership and generational differences? How does one of the two films negatively reinforce the multi-generational dynamics it is intended to defeat? Instead of giving a summary of the films, integrate the readings and discussions from the class. (1,300 1,400 words). DUE: 1/9. 6. The Millennial Sermon: Building off the principles you have learned in PR601 and other preaching classes, choose a sermon you have previous preached and preach it again. However, for this course, preach it using some of the Millennial Preacher s characteristics as discussed in class. Also, your intended listening group is predominantly from the Millennial generation. Submit both an old manuscript and a current manuscript so the changes are clear. Written and verbal feedback will be given afterward. This sermon should be approximately minutes in length. DUE: 1/11. Post-course work: 7. All Together Different Paper: Read ALL of All Together Different. Address the following issues DUE 1/18: What are some of the biggest challenges facing Millennials working in ministers today? Suggest how ministries can overcome those generational challenges. (1,400 1,500 words). Then evaluate the various generation in your current church culture. What are some practical steps you,or your church, could take to overcome those challenges? (1,400 1,500 words). 8. Assistance: Please come and see me with any questions whatsoever: whether it is family emergencies, class concerns, or nervousness about public speaking I am here to help. Please don t hesitate to ask. For Th.M. students: 9. Wedding Ceremony: You have been asked to conduct a wedding ceremony for two Millennials. Draft a complete wedding ceremony that could be used as a template for conducting any wedding. Then, using the two people of your choice, write a ceremony that includes them. DUE 1/18. 3
VII. Course Evaluation and Grading Assignment Point Total Percentage Readings and Participation 60 pts. 15% All Together Different Paper 100 pts. 25% Film Paper 40 pts. 10% The Millennial Preacher Paper 100 pts. 25% The Millennial Sermon 100 pts. 25% Total 400 pts. 100% Grading Scale: A 99-96 % B 91-88 % C 82-78 % D 73-71 % A- 95-94 % B- 87-86 % C- 77-76 % D- 70 % B+ 93-92 % C+ 85-83 % D+ 75-74 % F 69-0 % VIII. Course Calendar Date Subject Work Day 1: Introduction Regarding Millennials Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Getting to know one another Getting to know the class Getting to know Millennials Generational Differences Viewing: The Intern Day 2: The Millennial Leader Millennials in the Workplace Millennial Leadership Characteristics Viewing: Money Ball Day 3: The Millennial Preacher Due: The Millennial Preacher Paper Session 5 Millennial Preaching (Part 1) Due: Film Paper Session 6 Millennial Preaching (Part 1) Day 4: The Millennial Listener/Congregation Session 7 Session 8 The Culture Shift Bridging the Gap Day 5: Millennial Sermons Session 9 Sermons Due: The Millennial Sermon Session 10 Sermons The professor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus and to take into consideration factors such as the student s diligence and attitude in giving the final grade. 4
IX. Bibliography A. Donald R. Sunukjian, Invitation to Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2007). B. Stephen Nelson Rummage, Planning Your Preaching (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2002). C. John Stott, Between Two Worlds (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1982). D. Haddon Robinson and Craig Brian Larson, The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today s Communicators (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005). E. Haddon Robinson, Making a Difference in Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999). F. John Koessler ed., The Moody Handbook of Preaching (Chicago: Moody, 2008). G. Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005). H. Scott Gibson, Preaching with a Plan (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012). I. Howard Schultz, Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul (New York: Rodale, 2011). J. Andy Stanley, Deep and Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012). K. Warren Bennis, On Becoming a Leader (Philadelphia: Basic Books, 2009).(2 nd edition) L. Bill Robinson, Incarnate Leadership:5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009). M. Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, Strengths-Based Leadership (New York: Gallup, 2008). N. Bryan Chapell ed., The Hardest Sermons You ll Ever Have to Preach (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011). O. Aubrey Malphurs and Will Mancini, Building Leaders (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004). P. Jim Collins, Good to Great (New York: HarperCollins, 2001). Q. John Piper, The Supremacy of God in Preaching (Baker: Grand Rapids, 1990). R. McIntosh and Arn, What Every Pastor Should Know (Josey-Bass). S. Bonem, Mike and Roger Patterson. Leading from the Second Chair: Serving your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing your Dreams (Jossey-Bass, 2005). T. Vanhoozer, Kevin and David Gibson. The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2015). U. Lee Eclov, Pastor s Service manual, EFCA xc 5
Appendix A Reading Report Please fill out this sheet and let me know how much of the required reading you did on time this semester. Indicate by either checking if you did all or how many pages you read. Thom Rainer and Jess W. Rainer. The Millennials David John Seel Jr., The New Copernicans Brian Tucker & John Koessler, All Together Different Matthew Kim, 7 Lessons for New Pastors: Your First Year in Ministry ThM Students: Andy Stanley, Next Generation Leader Grand Total 6