5512.5 Kerygma: Communicating the Gospel Duration: 1 semester Credit points: 12 SEMESTER 2, 2007

COURSE and MODULE COORDINATOR: Dr Wynand de Kock BA (Hons), MDiv, ThD ACADEMIC PRESENTER: Revd Dr John Mark Capper BE (Hons), BTh (Hons), Dip Min, Dip Soc Sc, PhD PRACTITIONER PRESENTER: Troy Arnott BA AppSc, MDiv.

THEOLOGICAL SEMINAR* To be advised ORIENTATION DAY* To be advised READING PHASE and FIRST WEEK 9 July RESIDENTIAL PHASE: 8 October (1.00pm-10.00pm), 9-11 October (9.00am – 5.00pm), 12 October (9.00am -1.00pm) COMPLETION DATE: 30 November 2007 * For new students only.

Location: New Community Ringwood, Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood

h3. Learning Outcomes

The primary purpose of this module is to guide the learner toward the development of a biblical foundation for the study, research, and practice of proclamation in the local church. During the learning process, learners will be introduced to different theories of communication and exposed to the challenges identified by communication scholars and faced by those working in the field of communication. The emphasis of this module will be on understanding the role and function of communication in and from the life of the local church. Special attention will be given to the primary message of the church and how this is communicated in our culture.

On successful completion of the module a learner will be able to:

• Describe the biblical and theological foundations for the practice of kerygma in the local church.
• Define the nature and essence of proclamation.
• Demonstrate critical and analytical skills regarding the interconnection of human communication and Christian faith.
• Identify the basic theoretical and theological concepts pertaining to communication in and from the local church
• Demonstrate knowledge about and be able to describe current issues in the field of communication with regard to the local church.
• Propose a personal theology of proclamation.
• Employ practical theological research methodology to identify a specific pastoral concern.
• Design and implement a practical theological intervention to address a particular pastoral concern

h3. Module Content

In the Christian tradition, kerygma has a very specific meaning. It refers to the preaching or proclamation of the message of the Gospel: that is, the good news that through Jesus Christ salvation, redemption and healing has come to the world. Although one could make the case for kerygma referring specifically to one form of proclamation – that is, preaching – in this module an expanded understanding of the term kerygma will be developed (epistemology).

The essentials of the Kerygma are explored through an overview of the role of prophets in the Old Testament and the significance of the Gospels in the New Testament. Special attention is given to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ preaching.

This theme is continued as we explore how the church proclaimed Christ throughout the centuries. This introduces two important doctrines, namely the doctrine of revelation and the doctrine of Christ.

The learner is encouraged to consider the challenges faced by the local church to proclaim Christ in a 21st century context. If the “medium is the message” the church has to be conscious of how it presents itself in a contemporary world. Different models and modes of communication are explored. Learners will be required to articulate the contextual nature of proclamation while being able to highlight the positive and negative implications of this awareness.

Since narratives make up a large segment of the biblical corpus, storytelling as an ancient art form, (as used not only by Jesus and biblical writers but in one way or another in all cultures,) is identified and affirmed. Narrative theologies in their numerous forms are identified, and the different kinds of questions they raise for preachers and theologians are addressed. Learners are encouraged to go beyond matters of method and technique to ask important theological questions about narrative, the arts and multi-media as they relate to proclaiming Christ in their current and emerging contexts.

h3. Teaching Strategies

Learners will learn through reading, cohort groups, lectures, discussions, personal and group research and assessment comments on their work.

h3. Residential Phase: Intensive week

|Day|Time|Content|Presenter| |Monday 8/10|1.00pm–10.00pm|Reflection on reading and initial feedback on research findings|Wynand de Kock| |||Proclamation in Ringwood|Troy Arnott| |Tuesday 9/10|9.00am-5.00pm|The Essentials of the Gospel (Historical View)|John Capper| |||The Essentials of the Gospel (Contemporary View)|Troy Arnott| |Wednesday 10/10|9.00am-5.00pm|The Power of Text and Narrative in Contemporary Society (Derrida, Lyotard and Foucalt)|Wynand de Kock| |||a) Shaping a Message from the Text I |John Capper| |||b) Shaping a Message from the Text II |Troy Arnott| |Thursday 11/10|9.00am-5.00pm|a) Gospel and the Arts|Wynand de Kock| |||b) Reflections on the Gospel, Media and the Arts in the Local Church|Troy Arnott with John Capper and Wynand de Kock| |Friday 12/10|9.00am-1.00pm|Practical Theological Reflection on Kerygma |Wynand de Kock|

h3. Prescribed Texts

Text books are available for purchase from the Leo Harris Resource Centre until sold out.

Buechner, F. (1977). Telling the truth: The gospel as tragedy, comedy and fairytale. New York: Harper San Francisco. Schultze, Q. J. (2000). Communicating for life: Christian stewardship in community and Media. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

h3. REQUIRED WORK

1. Exam 1000 words 10% Due Date: Monday 15 October 2007

The exam question will be sent to students two weeks before the due date. Students are required to read all the weekly readings prior to the first day of the residential week and fortnightly meeting in cohort groups to discuss the issues raised in the reading. The exam question assesses your knowledge of the weekly reading, it is open book and prepared at home integrating as much of your reading as possible into your answer. Use only your weekly reading in answering the question.

2. Reflection Report 1000 words 10% Due Date: Friday 5 October 2007

For one of the required texts, students are required to write a paper summarizing what they believe to be the most important ideas from the readings, why they feel they are significant, and how they relate to the student’s ministry context.

3. Research Project 30% Due Date: Friday 30 November 2007

Students are required to undertake a basic empirical research project in the Cohort Group. The aim of the research project is to identify the pastoral concerns in the area communicating the Gospel. The preliminary findings should be made available during the residential phase of the module. The Research Project is to be submitted by the Cohort Group. See the Empirical Research Project booklet for complete details regarding the development and submission of the Research Project.

4. Major assignment/project 5000 - 6000 words 40% Due Date: Friday 30 November 2007

In discussion with the module co-ordinator (both in-class and by e-mail), students choose a communication and faith issue that requires theological reflection. Students are required to research this topic, and reflect on the process of going about formulating theological perspectives on this topic. In this task the student should: engage some of the material read and discussed in class and reflect upon key ideas—both methodological and theological—related to the issue; report on some of the major literature in the area, and apply theological conclusions in their ministry context.

5. Intervention Report 1500-2000 words 10% Due Date: Friday 30 November 2007

In order to take the theological method to its logical conclusion, Cohorts are required to plan and implement an intervention to address a pastoral concern identified in the empirical research project. Each student is required to reflect critically and constructively on the process of identifying the pastoral concern, the cohort’s plan of action to address the pastoral concern and the overall outcome of the intervention.