Homiletics 3 credits Class Time January 11-15, 2016, Free Methodist World Ministries Center, Indianapolis, IN Summary: This course is designed to help you develop a theology of preaching and increase your skills in creating and delivering sermons. It combines theory and practice, including in- class preaching and critique. We will explore the person of the preacher, the pastoral nature of preaching, and the role of the congregation and context in the art of communicating. Instructor: In 2000, Dr. Linda Adams earned her Doctor of Ministry in Preaching and Leadership through the Beeson Pastor Program of Asbury Theological Seminary. An ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church, she has served churches in Michigan, Illinois and New York. During her ten years as senior pastor of New Hope Church in Rochester, NY she also taught preaching at Northeastern Seminary. She loves to preach and loves to guide preachers and aspiring preachers on an exploration of excellence in communicating God s Word. Email: LindaA@fmcna.org. Work phone: 317 616 4744 or 800 342 5531 ex. 230. Cell phone: 585 355 3830. Course Objectives: To discover the distinguishing marks of fine biblical preaching that communicates the gospel in ways that connect with 21 st Century American- context hearers. To evaluate various styles and approaches to preaching in relation to the student s own spiritual gifting, personality, and ministry setting. To gain proficiency in moving from biblical text to sermon to delivery in an oral/aural environment. To integrate theory and practice through hearing and evaluating the preaching of classmates and electronic media sermons, and through preaching and receiving feedback from classmates and instructor. To develop an eye for scripture truth in all of life science, creation, history, the arts, as well as in the drama of the human story. To learn to read an audience and listen to God and depend on His Spirit for the work of preaching. Grading: The standard J- Term scale of grading will be used: 95-100% A; 90-94% B; 80-89% C. Work that does not come up to this level will be improved and resubmitted as a means of learning and grace. Grading weight for the various assignments is given below. Time Expectations: J- Term provides one intensive week of study in Indianapolis, including 5 hours a day in class and 7.5 hours a day of individual study, Tuesday through Friday, with 3 hours of class time on Saturday. Assignments to be completed before and after that week will round out the requirements of the 3- hour course. Resources: Kalas, J. Ellsworth. Preaching from the Soul: Insistent Observations on the Sacred Art. Abingdon, 2003. ISBN: 0687066301 Childers, Jana, Ed. Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process. Chalice Press, 2001. ISBN: 082720230X 1
Additional Readings (choose two for assignments): Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon Press, 1985.. As One Without Authority. Chalice Press, 2001. Farra, Harry. The Sermon Doctor: Prescriptions for Successful Preaching. Baker Books, 2001. Galli, Mark and Craig Brian Larson. Preaching that Connects. Zondervan, 1994. Hybels, Bill, Stewart Briscoe, and Haddon Robinson. Mastering Contemporary Preaching. Multnomah, 1990. (Out of print. You can buy it used from Amazon.com for $.01!) Kelly, Benji. Preaching to Connect Truth to Life. Wesleyan Publishing House, 2012. Killinger, John. Fundamentals of Preaching, second edition. Fortress Press, 1996. Kinlaw, Dennis. Preaching in the Spirit. Warner Press, Inc., 2010. (new edition of an earlier publication) Lewis, Ralph L. with Gregg Lewis. Inductive Preaching: Helping People Listen. Crossway Books, 1983. Long, Thomas G. Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible. Fortress Press, 1989. Lowry, Eugene L. The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form. Westminster/John Knox, 1980.. The Sermon: Dancing the Edge of Mystery. Abingdon Press, 1997. Luchetti, Lenny. Preaching Essentials. Wesleyan Publishing House, 2012. Miller, Calvin. The Empowered Communicator: 7 Keys to Unlocking an Audience. Broadman & Holman, 1994. Robinson, Haddon W. The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today's Communicators. Edited by Craig Brian Larson. Zondervan, 2005. (This one has received top reviews from previous class members, so I m offering it as a recommendation.) Webb, Joseph M. Preaching Without Notes. Abingdon Press, 2001. Assignments Overview: Altogether, you will read two required textbooks and two books of your choice from the additional readings list. On each of the two required books, you will write a 3- page reflection paper; for the two books of your choosing, you will sign a sheet in class verifying that you have read them and then give a 2- minute oral report in class on one of them, capturing the essence of the book for the benefit of your classmates. Before reading anything, you will write a brief reflection paper on what you already know about preaching. You will also preach one 10- minute sermon in class, allowing your classmates and instructor to offer helpful feedback, and you will provide this feedback for the other preachers in the class, on a form provided. This sermon will be recorded for you, and you will submit a self- evaluation. You will also evaluate two electronic media sermons on a form provided and write a final paper after our J- Term week together. 2
Assignment Schedule: Before coming to Indianapolis: Write 2-3 pages (total), answering these questions: What have you discovered about preaching from your own personal experience as a listener and/or a preacher? (Please tell me the extent of your experience as a preacher.) What do you think is the goal of preaching? Among all the preachers you have heard, which ones left the most lasting impact? What have you come to especially love about some preaching? What do you hate about some preaching you ve heard? What do you want to learn in this course? Email the paper to me before January 11 or bring a hard copy to our first class session. Read Kalas. Write a 3- page reflection paper. On the first page, list 10 of his one- liners that will shape how you will think about preaching from now on. Then, for two pages, interact with his ideas. Email the paper to me before January 11 or bring a hard copy to class on your first day. (Keep a copy for use in class discussion.) Any time before January 11: Read Childers. Write a 2-3- page reflection paper, interacting with the ideas. NOTE: This book is written by twelve women preachers, representing a wide diversity of theological positions, some of them far afield from Free Methodist understandings. Please avoid focusing on a critique of the writers theology; focus on their theory and practice of homiletics (the science/art of preaching). I bring this book to your attention because most of these pastors have learned to preach to the unconvinced, not simply to declare biblical truth for those already committed to the authority of the Word. More and more listeners in Evangelical worship services in 2013 come from this skeptical angle; we have much to learn about how to reach postmodern people with the message. I also offer the book to you for its rich insights into the process of conceiving and birthing sermons and the variety of methods it describes. This book takes a unique approach in which each contributor writes an essay describing her process of getting a sermon and then gives a manuscript of that sermon. Email this paper or bring it to class on January 11. Any time before January 12: Watch/listen to two sermons online or from a tape or CD or DVD. Complete an evaluation form for each sermon (form is at the end of the syllabus). Bring forms to class on January 12. Any time before January 13: Select two books from the Additional Readings list. Choose books that complement what you already have read or that address an aspect of preaching that is new to you. Use this assignment to scratch where you itch if you feel the need for nuts- and- bolts how- to s you can find some options here. If you crave more theoretical reflection on the nature of preaching, there are options. If you need to zero in on your own spiritual life as a preacher, there are resources for you. Choose a classic or the very latest, based on publication dates. Online reviews can help you know what you re getting. On January 13, name your two books, sign that you have read them, and be prepared to give a 2- minute oral review of one of them. January 14: Each student will prepare a 10- minute sermon to preach in class. (Schedule will be created Jan. 11.) This will be video recorded, and the DVD sent home with the preacher for evaluation during the coming week, including watching the video and completing a self- evaluation form. All listeners will evaluate the sermon in class and give evaluation forms to the preacher. Whether you use a manuscript, an outline, or no notes at all for delivery, you must turn in a manuscript to me at the time you preach. On January 14, all students will preach in class and evaluate one another s preaching. At the time you preach, you will give a manuscript to me. By January 25, email your self- evaluation to me. After that you will receive my evaluation of your sermon, which will interact with your own self- evaluation. Between January 15 and January 25: Write a reflection paper of 5-6 pages in length, setting out your thoughtful analysis of the following questions: 3
What, in your mind, are the primary purposes of preaching in the church? When you hear someone preach, how do you personally gauge an effective sermon? What role will your spiritual formation habits play in your own personal preparation to preach in the power of the Spirit? If you plan to serve as a local church preaching pastor, what process do you expect to use on a yearly, monthly, and weekly basis to plan, create and deliver great sermons? As you consider the various styles and approaches to preaching, what you have learned about the culture of your listeners, and your own spiritual gifting and personality, what do you conclude about how you will preach? Course Requirements: Attend class on time. Since we meet in large blocks of time, you will be allowed only one absence. If absent, you still must turn in assigned work on time. Any unexcused absences beyond one will result in a reduction of your final grade. Complete all assignments and e- mail them on the date they are due. All late assignments will result in an assignment grade reduction of 20% grade per day unless the student presents a reasonable excuse in writing (e- mail) before the class period in which the assignment was due. Participate in class discussions this is a discussion/feedback oriented class. Your participation not only will enhance your learning experience but will greatly assist others in the class. Read all assigned materials. All written assignments should be typed in 11 point font, double spaced. Course Evaluation: Your final grade will be based on my subjective evaluation of your participation and attendance and on the cumulative scores of assignments compared with those of your peers. Participation (attendance, attentiveness, and discussion) 20 Initial Reflection Paper 20 Reflection on Kalas 20 Reflection on Childers 20 Additional Readings (sign that you have read, plus 2- minute oral review) 20 Evaluations of Media Sermons Written Development of your Final Sermon 20 10- minute Final Sermon Presentation 40 Final Paper 30 Total 200 points 10 (5 points each) A B C 190-200 180-189 160-179 Ethics: All forms of plagiarism (ideas, phrasing, quotes, research borrowed without giving credit) are considered a serious offense and will result in a 0 grade for that assignment. 4
IN- CLASS SERMON EVALUATION Preacher Text(s) Evaluator Date SCRIPTURE READING: What did you notice about the reading of Scripture? CONTENT: Does the sermon do justice to the text? Has the preacher developed the thoughts in a logical, persuasive way? Has the sermon been developed in practical ways so the hearer knows how to put it to use in daily life? STRUCTURE: What is the simplest, bottom- line message the listeners will carry away from this sermon? Is it so easy to follow, and so inherently logical, that you can pretty well reconstruct it in your mind? LANGUAGE: How does the sermon s language help the audience see more clearly or feel more deeply about the topic? Does the sermon make good use of illustrative material? Does the illustrative material have variety? (e.g. support, learning devices, interest factors, motive appeals) 5
DELIVERY: Does the preacher use effective body language stance, facial expressions, eye contact, hands? How do you feel about the preacher s voice and the way it is used? Do you feel that he/she is talking directly to you? Is the preacher credible and likeable in the presentation? What is especially helpful about this person s delivery? Where might the delivery be improved? SUMMARY EVALUATION: What do you especially like about this sermon? What troubles you about it? Has this sermon made any difference in your thinking or your projected living? (Evaluation form used by permission from Dr. Ellsworth Kalas.) 6
MEDIA SERMON EVALUATION (Evaluation form adapted and used by permission from Mark Van Valin.) Thesis Was the theme of the message clear? Opening Did the preacher connect with the audience, and quickly gain your interest? Biblical Content Does the sermon reflect a thorough inductive analysis and accurate handling of the text? Illustrations Do the illustrations enhance and clarify the message? Did the preacher use at least three of the five modes of illustration? (check all that apply) Word pictures, stories Quotes Visuals (props, symbols, etc.) Media Hands on participation How many of the seven sources of illustration are used? (check all that apply) Personal Experience History Biography Nature, science Experts in the field or topic Current events The Arts - fiction, film, lyrics, etc. Organization, Transitions and Flow - Were the preacher s thoughts easy to follow? What worked well? What was a shortcoming? Closing and Application Did the preacher end the sermon cleanly, with a compelling final thought or challenge? Did he or she bring the message home? Delivery and Mechanics voice projection, tone, and pace; (if video:) posture, gestures, eye contact, etc. How did the preacher do? Was anything annoying or particularly effective? 7
WORKSHEET FOR SELF- EVALUATION OF VIDEO SERMON 1. Start the video and listen to your reading of the Scripture with your eyes closed. Pause video. Was the reading natural in cadence, or did it sound rote? Did you hear any odd inflections, verbal emphases or phrasings? Note them. Did you discover any new insights in the hearing of the text? Note them. 2. At the end of the Scripture reading, mute the video and watch the first six minutes of your sermon silent movies style. Pause video. Make notes on what you noticed: Mannerisms, gestures, eye contact, stance, body carriage, hands, facial expressions Was anything distracting? What would you like to improve? Did any of the above change after a few minutes? How? What seemed especially striking, graceful or effective? 8
3. At the end of 6 minutes, go back to the beginning of the video and watch the whole sermon with audio and video. What did you notice in watching the sermon that you were not aware of when you were preaching? Does anything in the content now strike you as unclear or extraneous? Was there a God moment when the people and you all recognized the Spirit speaking? How did you handle that touch of grace? As a listener, how are you feeling at the end of the sermon, and why? Final observations? 9