INTRODUCTION TO HOMILETICS
Pacific Northwest Conference (Eastside)
Winter, 2012
Course Description
This course is designed to give a full and practical introduction to the craft of preaching. This will involve an
examination of what preaching is and why we do it, how we use the Bible in preaching, principles of sermon
construction, as well as a preaching lab involving the delivery of sermons in a class setting.
Class Schedule and Location
The class will be held over three weekend intensives at the Wenatchee FMC, Chapel
February 17, 18, March 16, 17, April 13-14. Friday classes will be from 5-9 pm (Bring your own supper!);
Saturdays from 9-5.
Course Objectives
- This course will increase my conviction that the biblical text is the basic foundation for preaching.
- This course will help me grow in my ability to frame coherent and biblical sermon content.
- This course will help me improve my delivery skills.
- This course will help me increase my skills in evaluating my own preaching/speaking.
Course Requirements
- Reading of required texts along with a two page reflection on the readings.
- Attendance and active participation at each session of the class.
- A sermon manuscript, to be emailed to the instructor by March 1.
- A second sermon to be delivered at the final weekend.
- Approximately three hours with a "preaching mentor," learning from his/her practice of preparing and
delivering sermons plus another three hours listening to taped or video sermons.
Instructor
H. Mark Abbott, ordained elder and retired in 2010 as Pastor at Seattle First Free Methodist Church, now
serving as adjunct faculty member at Fuller Seminary in the Northwest and Seattle Pacific University School
of Theology (abbott1945@gmail.com ).
Costs: $150.00 (tuition)
Required Texts (Published books available on amazon.com)
Kenton C. Anderson, Choosing to Preach, Zondervan, 2006
Sondra B. Willobee, The Write Stuff, Westminster/John Knox, 2009
H. Mark Abbott, Having Something to Say and Saying it Well: A Practitioner’s Manual for Preaching,
Winepress, 2011. (It is suggested that students beginning reading here in that its content will frame the class
sessions.)
Credit/Registration:
Introduction to Homiletics is a three semester credit, college level class, offered for continuing education.
No academic credit is available. Arlene Weigand is the Registrar. Please register through the PNW
Conference Office, 3120 3rd W. Seattle, WA 98119 (206-281-5003, arlene@pnwc.org )