Details for Contemporary Preaching

This unit addresses the challenges posed to contemporary preaching by our postmodern cultural context, and the dynamics of mediating renewal of the mind through preaching.

The unit Contemporary Preaching is part of the subject area Ministry and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Master of Arts (Christian Studies) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a sensitivity both to the contours of the biblical text and the needs of the
congregations in sermon delivery;     
2. demonstrate an ability to exegete both text and culture;
3. assess different principles of communication and sermon construction;
4. analyse and show a knowledge of contemporary tools of communication available to today’s
preacher; understand the significance of the place of preaching both within the Australian Christian Churches and the wider church. 

Subject Content

1. The spoken word in an image society
2. Action research method in communications research
3. Preaching for the renewal of the mind
4. Preaching that is relevant to the postmodern condition
5. Constructing different types of biblical sermons
6. Communicating to Australians
7. Preaching, technology, and the media

Assessment Methods

Pre-test sermon, post-test sermon, literature review, action research essay.

Prescribed Text

• Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2005.
• Sunukjian, Donald. Invitation to Biblical Preaching. Kregel Academic, 2007.

Representative References

Chapell, B. Christ-Centered Preaching:  Redeeming the Expository Sermon.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Academic, 2005.

Coleson, J. (ed),  Passion, Power and Purpose:  Essays on the Art of Contemporary Preaching.  Indianapolis, IN:  Wesleyan Publishing House, 2006.

Carson, D. A. (ed.). Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Baker Academic, 2005.

Heisler, Greg. Spirit Led Preaching: The Holy Spirit’s Role in Sermon Preparation and Delivery.  Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2007.

Johnston, G.M. and W. Robinson. Preaching to a Postmodern World: A Guide to Reaching Twenty-First Century Listeners. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Book House. 2001.

Kimball, Dan. The Emerging Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.