~ Pastors Teaching Pastors for Parish Ministry ~
(715) 296-0797
Worship Skills
Rev. Eldon Simonson, Instructor
Preaching & Worship Construction
Worship Skills is designed to assist the student in a primary function of the parish pastor. The class will provide the basic tools for the pastor to lead congregational worship celebrations. During the class the student will construct and prepare sermons for delivery. Time will be spent on how to plan the worship service so that all its components support the central theme of the day.
Resources in helping the pastor develop these skills will be considered. Students will also be encouraged to develop a style of preaching and worship leadership that they are comfortable with but does not sacrifice from the main goal. The pastor is there to draw the congregation into the worship experience. One thing will be emphasized throughout the class. In worship, everything in the liturgy, the sermon, even the music and the prayers, is always focused on the WORD OF GOD.
In our Skype contacts we’ll discuss issues and concerns about sermon construction and its delivery. If possible, the student will be recording a sermon actually preached in a worship setting. However, if this is not possible, the student will still be expected to deliver a recorded sermon preached in a private setting that is done as if before a congregation on Sunday morning. A written Manuscript Easter Sermon and a Funeral sermon will be part of the assignment.
Resources in helping the pastor develop these skills will be considered. Students will also be encouraged to develop a style of preaching and worship leadership that they are comfortable with but does not sacrifice from the main goal. The pastor is there to draw the congregation into the worship experience. One thing will be emphasized throughout the class. In worship, everything in the liturgy, the sermon, even the music and the prayers, is always focused on the WORD OF GOD.
In our Skype contacts we’ll discuss issues and concerns about sermon construction and its delivery. If possible, the student will be recording a sermon actually preached in a worship setting. However, if this is not possible, the student will still be expected to deliver a recorded sermon preached in a private setting that is done as if before a congregation on Sunday morning. A written Manuscript Easter Sermon and a Funeral sermon will be part of the assignment.
Section 1: The Balance of Law & Gospel in Preaching.
- Law & Gospel.
- As theology.
- In preaching gospel’s love & law’s accountability.
- Worship as Word and Sacrament.
- Maintain this balance in the worship service.
- Holy Communion and Baptism
Section 2: The Art of Preaching.
- Sermon Construction.
- Developing a plan that works for you.
- Balancing sermon topics between appointed lessons and creating a sermon series.
- Picking a topic.
- Exploring the resources.
- Writing a sermon (week after week).
- Outline.
- Telling stories that work as illustrations.
- Writing to talk.
- Actual preaching.
- Delivery.
- Style.
- Practice which includes the recorded sermon and critique.
Section 3: Worship, the planning and execution of the biggest hour of your week!
- Hymns
- Setting and style
- Funerals, baptisms and weddings
Reading List:
- Law and Gospel (How to read and Apply the Bible) By C.F.W. Walter
- A trumpet in the Darkness By Robert Hughes
- The Supremacy of God in Preaching By John Piper
- Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson
- Concordia the Lutheran confessions
- Sundays and Seasons Guide to worship planning for current year.