Testing a New Method of Teaching Homiletics at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

174 Pages·2016·5.09 MB·English

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Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research
2015
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Micheal Lawrence Goetz
Andrews University
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Goetz, Micheal Lawrence, "Testing A New Method Of Teaching Homiletics At The Seventh-day Adventist
Theological Seminary: CHMN 505" (2015). Dissertation Projects DMin. 284.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/284
This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @
Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator
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ABSTRACT

TESTING A NEW METHOD OF TEACHING HOMILETICS
AT THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY: CHMN 505

by

Micheal Lawrence Goetz

Adviser: Dwight K. Nelson
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH

Project Document

Andrews University

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Title: TESTING A NEW METHOD OF TEACHING HOMILETICS AT THE
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: CHMN 505

Name of researcher: Micheal Lawrence Goetz

Name and degree of faculty adviser: Dwight K. Nelson, DMin

Date completed: January 2015

Problem
Preaching has always been at the center of Christianity and the Seventh-day
Adventist Church. It is the most visible part of a pastor’s ministry, and it has a significant
influence on the spiritual journey of a congregation. It is the express desire of the
homiletics teachers at the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary to guide students to be the
best preachers possible.
However, the problem that is a review of the dissertations at the James White
Library revealed that in the last 35 years no attention has been given to evaluating the
effectiveness of methods used in homiletic classes at the Seventh-day Adventist
Theological Seminary.
Method
A semester-long approach more focused on the discipline of practice was formed
and implemented in one of two biblical preaching classes taught in the seminary. Two
specific focuses were on the impact peer accountability (classmates were paired off and
gave each other feedback) and task repetition (practicing the sermon) make on one’s
preaching ability. The project success was measured by observation of both classes and
interviews with the students using questionnaires to determine what they felt were the
most impactful disciplines.

Results
Overall, 18 of the 20 students and 12 of the 20 in the two classes, respectively,
responded that accountability and task repetition were significantly instrumental in their
growth as preachers. Both classes included peer accountability and the percentage of
students reporting that this discipline was helpful was similar—64% and 67%. In one
biblical preaching class, twice the required practice or task repetition was included. In the
questionnaire, 43% of the students identified it without prompting as a significant factor
compared to only 17% in the class with less required practice. In the questions where the
student preachers were specifically asked to evaluate the impact of task repetition on their
preaching, 71% compared to 33%, respectively, described it as having had a significant
impact.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that the disciplines of peer accountability and task
repetition are vital factors in raising the level of preaching. It also demonstrates a need for
more attention to be given to the homiletical pedagogy at the Seventh-day Adventist
Seminary. Methodology can be a natural emphasis in the preaching classroom, but this
will be a barrier to raising the effectiveness of preaching. Understanding preaching as a
practice helps keep a balance.
Andrews University

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

TESTING A NEW METHOD OF TEACHING HOMILETICS
AT THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY: CHMN 505

A Project Document

Presented in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Doctor of Ministry

by

Micheal Lawrence Goetz

January 2015
© Copyright by Micheal Lawrence Goetz 2015
All Rights Reserved
TESTING A NEW METHOD OF TEACHING HOMILETICS
AT THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY: CHMN 505

A project document
presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Ministry

by

Micheal Lawrence Goetz

APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE:

_______________________________ _________________________________
Adviser, Director, DMin Program
Dwight K. Nelson Skip Bell

_______________________________ _________________________________
Derek Morris Dean, SDA Theological Seminary
Jiří Moskala

_______________________________ _________________________________
Date approved
DEDICATION

To two people who were my first teachers and gave me a love
for nature and for the Word of God.
Mike and Cheryl Goetz
(I call them Dad and Mom)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... vii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... viii

Chapter
1. TEACHING PREACHING .............................................................................. 1

Statement of the Problem and Justification of the Project ................... 1
Statement of Task and Research Process ............................................. 3
Project Context..................................................................................... 4
Definitions of Terms ............................................................................ 8
Delimitations ........................................................................................ 9
Previous Projects Related to This Project ............................................ 10
Venden ........................................................................................... 11
Ward ............................................................................................... 13
Project Summary .................................................................................. 14

2. THEOLOGY OF PREACHING ....................................................................... 16

God’s Word .......................................................................................... 17
Call of God to Preach ........................................................................... 21
What Preaching is .......................................................................... 22
God’s Call ...................................................................................... 25
Biblical Examples: Passionate and Persuasive Preaching ................... 28
Paul’s Example of Strategy ............................................................ 28
Caleb’s Claim on the Word............................................................ 32
Peter’s Preaching Boldness ............................................................ 34
Conclusions From the Biblical Examples ...................................... 35
Teaching Preaching in Scripture .......................................................... 36
Schools of the Prophets .................................................................. 36
Jesus and His Disciples .................................................................. 38
Paul to Timothy.............................................................................. 38

iv