Content

This unit engages students in the theological, hermeneutical, and pastoral dimensions of Christian preaching within the worshipping community. It explores how Scripture, tradition, and context interact in shaping the ministry of proclamation, and examines diverse homiletic approaches that inform contemporary preaching practice. Students critically reflect on interpretive method, theological coherence, pastoral responsibility, and the formative role of preaching in the life and witness of the Church. Through sustained engagement with biblical texts, theological integration, and reflective refinement of homiletic choices, the unit supports the development of preaching that is contextually attentive, theologically grounded, and pastorally wise.

Unit code: DL8801Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Liturgy

Proposing College: St Francis College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Evaluate the theological, hermeneutical, and pastoral principles that shape Christian preaching.

2.

Interpret biblical texts using appropriate exegetical and theological methods for preaching

3.

Apply exegetical findings and theological reflection to craft preaching that is theologically coherent and contextually attentive.

4.

Synthesise insights from diverse homiletic approaches and articulate their implications for contemporary preaching practice.

Unit sequence

One foundational unit in Biblical Studies

Pedagogy

Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and text-based tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

Childers, Jana, ed. Birthing the Sermon: Women Preachers on the Creative Process. Chalice Press, 2001.

Cooling, Margaret. Preaching That Shows. SCM Press, 2022.

Craddock, Fred B. As One Without Authority. Chalice Press, 2001.

Dykstra, Robert C. Discovering a Sermon: Personal Pastoral Preaching. Chalice Press, 2001.

Florence, Anna Carter. Rehearsing Scripture: Discovering God’s Word in Community. William B. Eerdmans, 2018.

Kim-Crag, HyeRan. Postcolonial Preaching: Creating a Ripple Effect. Lexington Books, 2021.

Loader, William. Following Matthew: A Commentary for People on the Road. Cascade Books, 2025.

Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster John Knox Press, 2016.

Shercliff, Liz. May She Speak in the Name of the Father: Patriarchy, Preaching and the Gospel. SCM Press, 2026.

Stevenson, Peter K. SCM Study Guide to Preaching. SCM Press, 2017.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio 0 100.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 15 Apr, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-04-15 09:48:10 +1000