PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.,
P.O. Box 897
Tucker, GA 30085
Phone:770-569-3384

CONTEMPORARY HOMILETICS
Synthesizing Courses (Level 3) - MP30604 - 1.5 Credits
Contemporary Homiletics will explore the current distinctive needs of congregations in their multiple context and how the preacher can develop particular sermonic characteristics to address those needs in faithful, engaging, and prophetic ways.
Learning Objectives
In addition to the objectives the learners identify for themselves, participants who successfully completes this course will be able to:
- Equip learners with the exegetical tools to find compelling intersections of the text, the congregation, and the culture.
- Consider the contexts of the sermon (the worship service itself, the social location(s) of the congregation, local and global social and political events and trends) and begin to acquire tools to consider and appropriate these contexts to produce relevant preaching.
- Engage with literature/story and culture to create inspiring and engaging sermons
- In all courses: Demonstrate strengthening of inter- and intrapersonal assets as described by Marks 1.1, 3.5, 7.6,8.1., 8.2, 8.3, 8.4,and 8.6.
- Maintaining Christian community in the course
- Strengthening inter- and intra- personal assets
Required Texts
- Florence, Anna Carter. Preaching as Testimony. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.
- Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr. Reading for Preaching: The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets, and Journalists. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2013.
- John S. McClure. Other-wise Preaching: A Postmodern Ethic for Homiletics. Chalice Press (December 1, 2001)
Additional Books and Resources:
- Jones, Kirk Byron. The Jazz of Preaching: How to Preach With Great Joy and Freedom. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2004.
Affordable
PATHWAYS believes that quality theological education should be available to any who want it. That’s why we provide a cost-effective online theological program accessible to all. 4-week Explorer courses are only $124, 6-week courses just $375, 9-week courses Supervised Ministry courses are $500, and our 12-week UCC History and Polity course is only $650.
Flexible
Because classes are not bound by geography and have a flexible weekly schedule, PATHWAYS courses are able to fit into the rest of your busy life. Courses typically involve weekly readings and discussion in a facilitated online forum, offering practical, open-minded education and a learner-centered environment where participants can bring their own questions and insights.
Accessible
Our courses have between 4 and 15 participants. This allows for deep and productive discussions in the online forum. We know that a small class size allows the participants to develop learning relationships with each other and for facilitators to push participants to a more indepth learning experience.