Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Boston Campus The Center for Urban Ministerial Education FALL 2011 PR500: Introduction to Preaching: Women Called to Preach Sep 30 Oct 1; Oct 28-29; Dec 9-10, 2011 Fridays: 6:00 pm 10:00 pm Saturdays: 9:00 am 5:00 pm Rev. Dr. Marilyn E. Weekes Adjunct Faculty Tel. 617-653-1293 (cell) Email: mweekes2@gcts.edu Office Hours: By appointment at CUME: 90 Warren St., Roxbury, MA. Fall 2011 Course Syllabus Course Description: This course is designed to enhance the preacher who has had little or no formal theological training. Students will gain a basic background of the history and theology of preaching, with particular focus on the role of women preachers in shaping the history of the church. In addition, students will be exposed to rudimentary exegetical methods as it contributes to the homiletical task for Biblical preaching. (Degree goals: M.Div.1, 4, 6; MAUM 1, 3, 5) Course Format: The course will meet on a weekend format on the dates specified above. Course sessions will include lectures, discussions, Scripture readings, assigned articles/sermons on Sakai, individual sermon presentations. Learning Objectives and Outcomes: 1. Students will understand the theological premise for the preaching task. 2. Students will understand key theological arguments for the two
most prominent views on women in ministry. 3. Students will gain knowledge of both historical and contemporary preachers and be exposed to different forms and style of preaching from both men and women. 4. Students will gain understanding of contemporary issues of preachers in general and of women in ministry, in particular, and learn ways to navigate internal and external challenges with integrity. 5. Students will develop a rudimentary understanding of exegetical methods in order to improve their knowledge and analysis of Scripture text. 6. Students will deliver an exegetically crafted sermon and understand basic principles for sermon evaluation. Required Course Texts: Beck, James R. ed. Gundry, Stanley series ed. Two Views on Women in Ministry (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology). Zondervan, 2005, ISBN-10: 031025437X; ISBN-13: 978-01310254379 Hogan, Samuel B. Preaching: Principles & Practice, Student Edition. Boston, MA: Feed My Sheep Publishing, 2000. ISBN: TBD. Mathews, Alice P. Preaching That Speaks to Women. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003, ISBN: 0-8010-2367-X Fry Brown, Teresa L. Can a Sistah Get a Little Help?: Encouragement for Black Women in Ministry. Pilgrim Press, 2008, ISBN: 0829817433.
Optional Resources: Allen, Ronald. Theology for Preaching: Authority, Truth and Knowledge of God in a Postmodern Ethos. Abingdon Press, 1997. ISBN-10: 0687017173; ISBN-13: 978-0687017171. LaRue, Cleophus. More Power in the Pulpit: How America s Most Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster John Knox, 2009, ISBN-10: 0664232787; ISBN-13: 978-0664232788 Lischer, Lischer. The Company of Preachers: Wisdom on Preaching, Augustine to the Present. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2002. ISBN: 0-8028-4609-2 McKenzie, Vashti. Strength in the Struggle: Leadership Development for Women. Cleveland, Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8298-1212-1 McKenzie, Vashti. Not Without a Struggle: Leadership Development for African American Women in Ministry. Cleveland, Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 1996. ISBN: 0-8298-1076-5 Myers, Carol, Gen.ed. Women in Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000. ISBN: 0-8028-4962-8 Pearson Mitchell, Ella, ed. Those Preaching Women: A Multicultural Collection. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-8170-1537-4 Pfeiffer, Charles F., OT ed. and Harrison, Everett F., NT ed. Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1962. ISBN: 0-8024-9695-4. Robinson, Haddon. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. ISBN 0-8010-2262-2 Strong, James. Strong s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. Virkler, Henry A. Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation, 2 nd edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-8010-3138-0.
Assignments: #1 Essay Reflection (250 500 words): 10% Students will present a reflective essay presenting the understanding of their personal call to preach, including to whom, as applicable. This will include the theological premise for their call. Students will identify and critique successes, challenges, fears, and support systems, as applicable, in their contextual journey in preaching/ministerial growth and development. This will include a description of their current audiences and visionary, futuristic audiences. [Be prepared to discuss on Friday, 9-30-11, 6:00 pm. Essay Reflection due12 noon Friday, 10-7-11 via Sakai]. #2 Essay Reflection (500-750 WORDS): 20% Beck, James R. ed. Gundry, Stanley series ed. Two Views on Women in Ministry (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology). Students will identify the two counter views on Women in Ministry and summarily present theological arguments for each by two opposing authors. [i.e., Based on Chapters 1 and 2 or Chapters 3 and 4]. Students will also comparatively reflect on their own past/present denominational and/or local church belief and contemporary issues in the context of the authors theological arguments. [Written essay due 12 Noon, Friday, October 14, 2011 via Sakai]. #3 Critical Reflection (500-750 words): 20% Mathews, Alice P. Preaching That Speaks to Women. Students will address the question: What is preaching that speaks to women in accordance with the author s views? To address the question, students will identify and critique themes from at least five chapters, thinking theologically and comparatively distinguishing your own cultural, denominational and urban life perspective from that of the author. [Critical reflection DUE 12 noon, Thursday, 10-27-11 via Sakai). Students should be prepared to present in group format and discuss in class during the Second Weekend Class Sessions). #4 Essay Reflection & Book Critique (250-500 pgs.): 10%
Based on your reading of Fry Brown, Teresa L. Can a Sistah Get a Little Help?: Encouragement for Black Women in Ministry (or an approved substitute book). If you were mentoring another leader entering the preaching ministry, what primary lessons would you share with them regarding the potential challenges and the do s and don t s in the preaching ministry. Critique the usefulness of your selected book. [Essay Reflection DUE 12 NOON, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2011 via Sakai]. #5 Preaching Principles & Practice: The student will have read Preaching: Principles & Practice, Student Edition by Dr. Samuel B. Hogan in its entirety by November 4, 2011. 5A) Topic: 5% Submit proposed topic, big idea and text(s) to Dr. Weekes by 12 Noon, Friday, November 4, 2011 via Sakai. 5B) Exegetical Essay: 10% Submit exegetical essay by 12 Noon, Friday, November 18, 2011 via Sakai. 5C) Sermon Outline: 10% Submit sermon outline by 12 Noon, Friday, December 2, 2011 via Sakai. 5D) Manuscript & Class Preaching: 15% Submit manuscript in WORD format by 12 Noon, Friday, December 9, 2011 via Sakai. Each student will preach an expository sermon for 20 minutes MAXIMUM time allotted with manuscript. Please note that there will be a minus penalty for unfulfilled requirements (attendance, late work, tardiness).