PMN 631 Pastoral Preaching

Dr. J. Michael Shannon

Professor of Preaching Spring, 2010

Cincinnati Bible Seminary

Jan 21, 22

Phone: 513-244-8620 Feb 18, 19

Mar 18, 19

Rationale:

Preaching and Christian communication always overlap with psychology. This was true in the preaching of Jesus and all great communicators to follow. Christian communicators need how to preach to human need without violating the integrity of the Biblical text.

Objectives:

1) Identify the components in preaching that serve in a sense as “corporate counseling.”

2) Identify the major stressors in the typical congregation and develop a strategy to address them Biblically.

3) Become familiar with the preachers and Christian communicators who made pastoral preaching a significant aspect of ministry.

Agenda:

Jan. 21 Morning Session

1) Orientation

2) The Integration of Psychology and Religion: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Afternoon Session

1) Major pastoral concerns in a typical congregation

2) Communicator Profile: Leslie Weatherhead

Jan. 22 Morning Session

1) Preaching about Fear and Worry

2) Communicator profile: Charles Allen

Afternoon Session

1) Preaching about Depression

2) Communicator Profile: Norman Vincent Peale

Feb.18 Morning Session

1) Test

2) Preaching about Guilt

3) Communicator Profile: Robert Schuller

Afternoon Session

1) Student Sermons on pastoral need

Feb. 19 Morning Session

1) Student Sermons on pastoral need

2) Discussion of Fisher book

Afternoon Session

1) Preaching about Grief

2) Communicator profile: J. Wallace Hamilton

Mar. 18 Morning Session

1) Test

2) Preaching about Anger

3) Communicator profile: Brennan Manning

Afternoon Session

1) Student Sermons on Grief

Mar. 19 Morning Session

1) Student Sermons on Grief

2) Discussion of Cothen book

Afternoon Session

1) Preaching on Self-esteem

2) Communicator Profile: Henri Nouwen

Assignments:

1) Each student will do a three page review of the Fisher textbook. Due on February 19th.

2) Each student will do a three page review of the Cothen textbook. Due on March 19th.

3) Each student will preach a message on a subject concerning a pastoral need.

4) Each student will preach a message suitable for a funeral.

5) Each student will do a three page review of a book written by a preacher known for pastoral preaching. The approved list is included below. If you wish to choose a different book, this can be negotiated with the professor. Due April 19th.

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

The Be Happy Attitudes by Robert H. Schuller

God’s Psychiatry by Charles L. Allen

Prescription for Anxiety by Leslie Weatherhead

Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen

Rebuilding Your Broken World by Gordon MacDonald

The Winning Attitude by John Maxwell

Where do you go When it Hurts by Philip Yancey

The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen

Grading:

10% Test

10% Test

20% Sermon One

20% Sermon Two

20% Preacher Analysis Paper

10% Fisher review

10% Cothen review

Textbooks:

The 21st Century Pastor by David Fisher

The Pulpit is Waiting by Joe H. Cothen

Disclaimer:

The professor reserves the right to alter this plan.