Preaching
Dr. Robbie Phillips
One of the great truths revealed in the scriptures and in the life of Jesus Christ is that God is personal. In Isaiah God states that he has thoughts that are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), John 3:16-17 reveals a God with feelings of love for humanity, Genesis 6 records God’s decision making (even His regret) and Jesus talks of God as seeking to achieve goals (John 5:36, 17:18).
In the Isaiah passage mentioned, God addresses Himself as “I” and us as “you”. In addition, God communicates to humanity through His written word and invites us to communicate to Him through spoken prayers. If all this “person” type stuff has a familiar feel to it, it is because you and I were made in the image of God who thinks, feels, decides and seeks.
Even more amazing is the fact that God has thought about us from before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1), He loved us so much that He became human to reach us (John 1). Jesus, God in the flesh, chose to lay down his life for our sake (John 10:18) and He is ever knocking on the door of human hearts asking to be together (Revelation 3:20). Wow! Peter wrote that Angels longed to get a glimpse of this beautiful story, called the gospel (1 Peter 1:12). God’s plans, actions and desires center around restoring and enjoying a relationship with every man and women He created in His likeness.
God does all this by invitation. The creator of the universe seeks an audience, a hearing with men and women that he might call them to Himself. It gets even more amazing. Out of every generation of followers, God calls some to be preachers. He calls us to share the Gospel, the good news; the story I just shared. He restores us to Him and invites us to join Him in restoring our lost brothers and sisters, as His ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5). What a privilege!
Let me ask a vital question, is God calling you to share the good news you have received with others? Mid-Atlantic Christian University is willing, able (and excited) to train you to meet that challenge.
Robbie D. Phillips, DMIN Associate Professor of Preaching
Classes in the Preaching Major
Introduction to Preaching
Leadership
Expository Preaching
Introduction to Church Growth
Marriage and Family Counseling
Ministry Formation
Ministry Seminar
Church Growth Electives
Church Planting
Urban Ministry
Small Group Ministry
Ministry in the Smaller Church
Preaching Seminar Electives
Narrative Preaching
Preaching on Sensitive Issues
Preaching for Special Occasions
Thematic/Series Preaching
Audience Analysis/Self-Disclosure
Use of Media in Preaching
In addition to the course above, students in the preaching major will also fulfill a six hour internship. This internship will link students with approved field mentors for on the job experience in the role of the preaching ministry.
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Through the Preaching Ministry Major students will...
...Prepare and deliver homiletically sound sermons.
...Develop skills necessary for effective pastoral and evangelistic visitation.
...Develop basic skills for conducting counseling.
...Demonstrate a knowledge of skills necessary to provide effective Christian leadership.
...Develop and implement outreach programs for a local church or ministry.
...Develop and apply ministry skills necessary to fulfill their calling.
...Value the role of career Christian ministry and see their individual contribution to this work.
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Student Testimonials
"To understand God's word is a life long process. God's word is not only understanding the word of God, but being able to bring an understanding of God's word to all that will hear. The preaching program does a wonderful job in teaching the aspiring minister to study and articulate God's word effectively to whomever with listen. The program also matures the young minister in developing as a Christian and an effective servant of God."
-Chris Jones
"The preaching program is a good foundation in building ones self spiritually and emotionally for the various tasks and situations that one would face in being a preacher in God's church. The single most important benefit to me personally has been the support of my fellow students in both the times of success and failure. These are the things that last a lifetime."
-Kenneth Wallace
“Being in the preaching ministry minor has helped me feel prepared and able to do something I long to do: bring God’s message to His people. Apprehension and nervousness were replaced with zeal and excitement.”
-Stuart Paul
