Hermeneutics to Homiletics: Teaching Preachers to Preach

Wollom Jensen

The Hub, 5
October 31, 2004, 07:00 PM to 07:00 PM

Abstract:

This qualitative study was undertaken to determine human communication and rhetoric components present in homiletics courses offered by the eight Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seminaries in order to define the need to include an overt human communication studies component in their curricula. This component would improve the effectiveness of ELCA pastors? preaching through increasing their understanding of human communication theories and the complexities of effective communication. In addition to reviewing online catalogs containing homiletics course descriptions, a confidential survey was provided to each ELCA seminary professor teaching homiletics to request comments on their courses? human communications components. Based upon the research, homiletics courses in general make up less than 1% of the eight seminaries? total Master of Divinity course requirements; furthermore, human communications and rhetoric components were overall insignificant parts of these homiletics courses. In short, both preachers and congregations are being denied the benefits of more complex communication skills?including information sharing, reflective listening, and effective public speaking in the form of sermons preached. This research?s findings indicate that although the current method of teaching homiletics is popular, the preparation is insufficient to help preachers analyze their audiences, construct and deliver effective sermons, and draw upon the competence required of ministers in contemporary organizational and institutional settings. Due to the Master of Divinity degree requirements imposed upon the seminaries by the ELCA, the seminary boards, and the Association of Theological Schools (the accrediting body), the researcher determined it was not feasible to add more content to the eight ELCA seminaries? current curricula. In addition, in response to action taken at the 1995 Churchwide Assembly requiring active ELCA clergy to take 50 CEUs each year, the ELCA?s Division for Ministry published ?Life-Long Learning and Development for Faithful Leaders? in 1996, which articulates a systematic approach to this life-long learning. Therefore, the researcher proposes drawing upon community colleges? resources?primarily their Continuing Education/Workforce Development programs?to provide an economically, geographically, and time efficient venue for practicing clergy to enhance their preaching skills through formally studying human communications.