The Importance of Preaching Classes and Practical Ministry Courses
“Are these practical ministry courses really necessary?”
This was the question that I asked throughout college and seminary. In college, I was a Biblical Studies major, and I was able to get out of preaching classes since I was not a Pastoral Ministries major. I didn’t have any practical ministry courses in college, but that was a different story in seminary. When I got to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I could not get out of the three required preaching classes, the required “mentored ministry” classes/credits (I had to be actively involved in ministry in some way, with a mentor to supervise me), and the practical ministry courses.
Needless to say, in the beginning I was upset. Then, I grudgingly accepted that this was an unfortunate but necessary obstacle to obtaining my M.Div. Finally, I waited as long as I could to take the preaching classes and practical ministry courses.
In my naive 20-something year old mind, I didn’t need the practical ministry courses or the preaching classes. My logic was this: I wasn’t called to be a pastor, and therefore these classes were unnecessary. But, although I was not called to be a pastor, I was called to complete this particular degree – Master of Divinity – and of that I was certain.
The funny part that my over-analytical brain decided was most important – although I was getting this “pastor’s” degree, the fact that I wasn’t called to be a pastor meant that I should certainly be exempt from these classes.
The seminary disagreed.
And so, in my second year I began my “mentored ministry” credits by shadowing Pastor Frank Jewett at the Advent Christian Church of Haverhill, in the town of Haverhill, MA. This turned out to be one of the most educational and gratifying experiences of my seminary career. I got to know Frank and his wife, Judy, and spent time with them in their home and with their church body. I soon became a pseudo-member of the church, and my involvement grew. These people soon became my friends, my brothers and sisters, my family away from home. In the end, I accepted that “mentored ministry” was alright, and it was a good thing that I did it.
I wasn’t convinced of the preaching class yet, though.
In my second year, I took my first preaching class. And you know what? I hated it at first. I’ll be honest. Mostly, I was just bitter that I had to sit in this class with all these aspiring pastors and preachers and ministers (almost all men), and I felt like I didn’t belong there. My first sermon was horrendous, but Dr. Matthew Kim was gracious. I slowly began to see the benefit of learning how to preach a sermon, because when you earn an M.Div. people will ask you to preach, or speak, or give a lecture, or prepare a devotion. Learning how to structure a sermon surprisingly helps in preparing all sorts of things. My second sermon was better, and in my final preaching class Dr. Kim and I had a mutual moment of recognition and acknowledgement that I had indeed come a long way. When I preach sermons now, I still use the techniques and methodologies that I learned in those preaching classes. For all that I did not want to take them, the dreaded preaching classes turned out alright.
But I still didn’t understand the purpose of practical ministry courses.
More specifically, I didn’t know why I needed to take Pastoral Ministry. I waited until my third year to take this course, and I took it as a two-week intensive course so that I could get it over and done with as quickly as possible. This course ended up being one of the most valuable courses for me. We talked about everything from how to write a funeral service, to how a male pastor is to properly hold a female during baptism. We spoke with a funeral home director, talked about preaching to different age groups, and wrote a marriage ceremony. We had class discussions on many topics: from “why is the American flag in the sanctuary,” to “what is the importance of having a theology of communion?” to even “how do we minister to women who have had an abortion?” We reviewed case studies from real situations in real churches, covering topics like murder, alcoholism, pornography, and adultery. This class allowed me to have a new perspective when I now attended church and listened to the sermon. I watched pastors do their job with new questions in my mind – “What do you think about including politics in your sermons?” “What should the work of an education committee look like when most church members are adults?” “How often do you visit hospitals, nursing homes, and shut-in church members?” The practical ministry courses taught me to view ministry, wherever that ministry took place, with a new set of glasses, so to speak.
As one of only a few women in these classes, I was aware that most of the men in the seats around me were already active pastors, preachers, and ministers. Several of them were already working in the field, but simultaneously working on their degree with the purpose of ordination (as is the order in many denominational structures – degree, ordination, job placement). But I was surprised to find that I had something to offer with my perspective. I was able to give my two cents when it came to preaching to college aged students and being careful if your sermon includes references to abuse or harm to women. I had a point to make when it came to our discussion on what women’s ministry, or single’s ministry, or adult ministry looked like.
Ultimately, those classes that I once viewed as “obstacles” soon became “essentials” for any person looking to do ministry no matter the workplace.
Those classes affected me and my education, they impacted how I participate in ministry, and they influenced how I do my work in higher-ed administration. I have learned how to talk to people who have different beliefs, I have developed a theology on communion that is very important to me, and I have been able to confidently preach sermons and give lectures.
And these were just the preaching classes and practical ministry courses – I haven’t even touched on the pastoral counseling class! But I suppose we’ll leave that for another discussion.
All in all, I am quite thankful that my seminary required me to take the preaching classes and the practical ministry courses. I do not believe I would be where I am today without them.
Don’t underestimate God, he’ll surprise you with what He deems necessary in the various seasons of your life.