THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
Telephone: 215-248-4616 or 800-286-4616
June Term 2015
Intensive Session: June 1–5
IHM620G Exegetical Options for the Preacher
Instructor:
The Rev. Dr. Shauna K. Hannan
Associate Professor of Homiletics
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA
Telephone: 218.790.9377 (cell)
Email: shannan@plts.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will explore methods for exegeting the biblical text for preaching.
Through seminar discussion, lectures, writing assignments, and the preparation and
preaching of a sermon, students will participate in and evaluate the exegetical options.
Emphasis will be placed on faithfully and creatively attending to the text. Students
will develop and propose their own exegetical method for preaching which is
theologically sound, biblically faithful, and manageable for weekly preaching.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To explore a variety of biblical and contextual exegetical activities for the purpose
of crafting sermons (1.1).
2. To promote faithful and creative interpretive habits to sustain the preacher’s and
the congregation’s life together in ministry (3.3).
3. To develop a collaborative sermon preparation process that is theologically sound,
biblically faithful and manageable for weekly preaching (1.2).
4. To engage a newly developed collaborative sermon preparation process with
one’s congregation (3.2).
5. To reflect critically on one’s biblical and contextual exegetical process and its
effect on the preaching ministry of the congregation (2.1).
SCHEDULE:
Monday, June 1—Thursday, June 4
Monday, June 1:
Tuesday, June 12:
Wednesday, June 3:
Thursday, June 4:
Friday, June 5:
8:30 am–12:30 pm; 2:00–5:00 pm
8:30 am–12:30 pm; 2:00–5:00 pm
8:30 am–12:30 pm; 2:00–5:00 pm
8:30 am–12:30 pm; 2:00–5:00 pm
8:30 am–12:30 pm
+ 10 Hours via Distance Education Component
Hannan - LTSP D.Min. Course (Summer 2015)
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REQUIRED READING
Please note: 1) only certain chapters are required reading, 2) total pages are indicated
after each reference.
Pre-residency: [Total: 150 pp.]
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O. Wesley Allen, Jr., The Homiletic of All Believers: A Conversational Approach
to Proclamation and Preaching (Louisville: WJKP, 2005), 3-37. [34 pp.]
[ISBN 978-0664228606]
Thomas Long, The Witness of Preaching, 2nd ed. (Louisville: WJKP, 2005), 4877. [29 pp.] [ISBN 978-0664229436]
David Lose, Preaching at the Crossroads: How the World—And Our
Preaching—Is Changing (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2013), 97-110. [13 pp.]
[ISBN 978-0800699734]
John McClure, The Roundtable Pulpit: Where Leadership & Preaching Meet
(Nashville: Abingdon, 1995), 11-47. [36 pp.] [ISBN 978-0687011421]
Lucy Atkinson Rose, Sharing the Word: Preaching in the Roundtable Church
(Louisville: WJKP, 1997), 89-131. [42 pp.] [ISBN 978-0664256586]
Residency: [Total: ~125 pp.]
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Jana Childers, “The Preacher’s Creative Process: Reaching the Well.” In
Performance in Preaching: Bringing the Sermon to Life, edited by Jana Childers
and Clayton J. Schmit. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008), 153-168. [15 pp.]
------------------, Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process
(St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2001). [One chapter (your choice) ~15 pp.]
Cleophus J. LaRue, Power in the Pulpit: How America’s Most Effective Black
Preachers Prepare Their Sermons (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009).
[One chapter (your choice) ~10-15 pp.]
Sondra B. Willobee, The Write Stuff: Crafting Sermons that Capture and
Convince (Louisville: WJKP, 2009), TBD.
Other articles and additional chapters of required books as assigned.
Post-residency: [Total: varies.]
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Choose One of the following required for book review (TBD in class):
o Kim L. Beckmann, Prepare a Road: Preaching Vocation, Community
Voice, Marketplace Vision (Cambridge: Cowley, 2002). [143 pp.] [ISBN
978-1561012060]
o Chris Erdman, Countdown to Sunday: A Daily Guide for Those Who
Dare to Preach (Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2007). [206 pp.] [ISBN 9781587432033]
o Alyce M. McKenzie, Novel Preaching: Tips from Top Writers on
Crafting Creative Sermons (Louisville: WJKP, 2010). [176 pp.] [ISBN
978-0664233228]
Hannan - LTSP D.Min. Course (Summer 2015)
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o Pamela Ann Moeller, A Kinesthetic Homiletic: Embodying Gospel in
Preaching (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1993). [98 pp.] [ISBN 9780800626501]
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Pre-Residency
1. Writing:
a. 1000-1200 word essay articulating your actual (not ideal!) sermon
preparation process; that is, reflect on and report how you move from text
to sermon. What do you do with the biblical text? Why do you do what
you do? How do you attend to the context? Why do you do what you do?
How does what you do connect to your theology of preaching? How and
at what points in the process do you engage others?
2. Posting and Responding (on Moodle):
a. By May 26—Post “Sermon Preparation Process”
b. By May 31—Read all other colleagues papers and respond [2 contact
hours]
3. Reading and Online Discussion:
a. Read:
i. Long, Witness, chs. 3-4.
ii. McClure, Roundtable, chs.1-2.
iii. Rose, Sharing the Word, chs. 4-5.
iv. Allen, chs. 1-2.
v. Lose, Crossroads, ch. 6.
b. By May 26, engage in an online threaded discussion (using the prompts)
[2 contact hours]
Residency (June 1 – June 5)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Attendance and active participation in all sessions.
Completion of all reading.
Completion of assignments related to collaborative exegetical process.
Prepare and present a draft of a “Proposed Collaborative Exegetical Process.”
Post-Residency (June 6 – August 13) [All guidelines to be provided]
1. June 6-21—Test elements of your “Proposed Collaborative Exegetical Process” in
your preaching setting and prepare conversation partners as necessary.
2. By June 22—Post on Moodle final “Proposed Collaborative Exegetical Process”
3. June 22-26—Read and Respond to colleagues’ papers [2 contact hours]
4. June 27 – August 2
a. Post 1 “Book Review” video or VoiceThread and watch/listen to and
engage in online threaded discussion in response to colleagues’ “Book
Reviews” [2 contact hours]
Hannan - LTSP D.Min. Course (Summer 2015)
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b. Engage your “Collaborative Exegetical Process” for the preparation and
preaching of TWO sermons
5. By August 9—Post 5-minute video or VoiceThread reflecting on the sermons you
preached after engaging the “Collaborative Exegetical Process”
6. By August 13—Respond to colleagues’ presentations [2 contact hours]
EVALUATION
Course grade will be determined as follows:
Overall Participation
Pre-Residency Assignments
Residency Assignments
Post-Residency Assignments
10%
20%
40%
30%
SEMINARY POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS:
(Plagiarism, Electronic Submission of Papers, Extensions, etc.)
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All written assignments, including on-line postings, papers, quizzes and examinations, are to be
the original work of the student. Where ideas or quotations are taken from other authorities, the
authority is to be properly cited. As allowed by the instructor, students may work together to
research and discuss assignments but, except where assignments are designated as group
assignments by the instructor, papers submitted by students working together must be clearly the
work of each individual student.
Papers submitted electronically are to be in the manner and format specified by the instructor.
Papers that do not arrive on time electronically in readable form will be considered late for grading
purposes.
Final papers and exams will be returned to students via Campus Mailboxes. Students wishing to
have papers returned to them by mail are required to supply a stamped, self- addressed envelope
for this purpose. Contact the Mailroom (215-248-6303) for information on obtaining a Campus
Mailbox.
Requests for extensions beyond the semester are to be submitted to the instructor in writing prior
to the end of the semester. Extensions will not be granted by the instructor for longer than 2 weeks
beyond the end of the term (i.e., the date by which final coursework is due). Requests for longer
extensions are to be submitted on the appropriate form to the Dean or Director Graduate Studies.
All students are expected to comply with all seminary policies as spelled out in the Catalog and
Student Handbook, including but not limited to those on inclusive language, plagiarism, Academic
and Social Conduct, and Harassment. Both documents may be found on the seminary website
(Ltsp.edu).
Consult the Student Handbook for information concerning Grading Practices, Student Complaint
and Grievance Procedures, and the Rights, Responsibilities and Freedoms of Students. The
Handbook may be found at https://ltsp.edu/academics/the-ltsp- experience/student-services/.
Any student with a need for accommodation based on the impact of a diagnosed disability is
required to contact the Coordinator of Student Services (215-248-6312 or hrodrickschnaath@ltsp.edu) to design appropriate accommodations specific to this course. The Disability
Policy may be found in the Student Handbook, available at https://ltsp.edu/academics/the-ltspexperience/student-services/.
Any student wishing the assistance of a writing tutor should contact the Coordinator of Student
Services, per above, for a list of recommended tutors. Payment of tutors is the student’s
responsibility.
Hannan - LTSP D.Min. Course (Summer 2015)
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