Michael Wolfe                                                                                                                               04/14/2020 CM101 – Basic Elements of Preaching: An Introduction to Homiletics   Response: This course was a wonderful reminder of the basic elements of preaching and foundational structures for sermon delivery. The defining of basic parts of a sermon enables me to be clear and concise as I am building off of the sermon topic.  Recognizing the different elements that make up preaching styles brought clarity to my former education the years have caused to fade. I especially appreciate the importance put on the need for care taken during the presentation regarding the use of humor, mannerism, body language, tone, and inflection. The techniques taught in this course also presented to me the crucial nature of keeping the congregation fully engaged. Certain areas of this course have stood out to me more than others within my own personal goal when delivering my sermons.  As the course explained the importance of the universal outcomes of a sermon I could relate very well.  Knowledge of God and the Word in context and seeing the people respond and change are truly valuable. Increase of knowledge is vitally important to the hearer because the Word of God is life and must be understood to live an effective Christian life, walk in the Spirit, and conform to the image of Jesus Christ. Therefore, my goal is to give the congregants an understand of the richness and the depth of the Word of God. By knowing and understanding a particular passage of scripture behavior can be modified as the understanding grows. This is the second outcome taught in the course and is a result of the heart understanding enough to become malleable and produce change in their character and therefore their actions. Knowing and obeying, to put in simple terms, should be the conviction in every heart. Growing in holiness and fruitfulness is the result. Another vital piece to the outcome I am seeking is in sharing the gospel and lost souls coming to Christ. I always share the rich message of salvation through Christ as a conclusion to every sermon. This allows a twofold response of knowledge and change of behavior. There is another topic of great importance and is really the foundational aspect of the course which I greatly appreciate. The crucial nature of preparing myself as a man of God and ambassador of Jesus Christ in proclaiming the message God gives me through the scriptures in which the Holy Spirit reminds me of the joy in my calling. First and foremost in importance is my calling which I remember well. I believe a man will fail if he is not called by God. Personally I have come to the point where I have fallen in love with God as the course describes. I have the assurance of the passion within me for declaring God’s Word because I would  consider life without preaching no life at all. The topic of discipline also resonates within my soul. My life is devoted to the growth and enrichment of my own spiritual life, for out of this the Holy Spirit speaks. I also know the importance of keeping in shape physically so that I might honor the Lord and be able to carry out His will in preaching and ministering to the people He has given to me. By developing strength of character through discipline I am aware also of how the Lord has grown me in the areas of skill in reading, writing, reflection, and speaking. I greatly appreciated the course’s expounding on the area of determination. Giving up is not an option when God has called. I have encountered many struggles as a pastor and this point really hit home with me. The passage of scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:58 keeps me grounded and determined. “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord. For you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain”. I see this final point of keeping determination strong as encouragement that as pastors we can walk in the calling and discipline of the Lord. It is our life and who we are called to be by the grace of God. Throughout this course I have gained insight and my understanding sharpened of what it means and what it takes to be an effective preacher in today’s pulpit. I will be paying much closer attention to how I develop and present the messages for God’s people. As pastors we must be dedicated to the timeless truths found in scripture for the glory of God.