Biblical preaching

WWU offers re-envisioned course with sermon focus

DURING FALL QUARTER, Walla Walla University offered a redesigned biblical preaching course led by Alex Bryan, chief mission officer at Adventist Health and former University Church pastor. The purpose of the class was to facilitate meaningful interactions with experts in the craft and learn about the features of great preaching sometimes not found in traditional textbooks.

The structure of the course was broken down into two parts. Students read and watched sermons, after which they had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the creators of those sermons. Bryan noticed that students seemed really energized and excited to be asking thought-provoking questions. The other half of the class took the form of a preaching laboratory. Students learned to deliver a thesis, read their audience, and perfect their public speaking.

A number of high-level pastors and healthcare executives shared their expertise, including Karl Haffner, Andreas Beccai, Joyce Newmyer, Bill Knott, Sam Leonor, David Jamieson, and Dan Linrud.

“Why not interact with professionals who are plying the trade of preaching, of ministry, interacting with some of their material, and engaging them live in the classroom setting?” Bryan said. The class was designed to prepare students to excel in public speaking, writing, research, and manuscripting, strengthening their candidacy for a wide variety of career paths.

To learn more about how WWU is developing spiritual leaders, visit wallawalla.edu/ theology.