The Penn West Academy for Ministry is a program of the Penn West Conference that aims to prepare women and men for service in local churches of the United Church of Christ as licensed ministers, and in special cases, as commissioned ministers. In addition to this, the Academy provides continuing education opportunities for ordained and lay persons alike. For more information on the Academy, please review this page.

Syllabus for Practical Theology - Penn West Academy for Ministry - David Ackerman, Instructor

Course Schedule: The following syllabus provides an outline of our course of study.

• Fall, 2009 – The Sacrament of Baptism
• Winter, 2009 – The Sacrament of Holy Communion
• Spring, 2010 – Year B Preaching
• Summer, 2010 – Year B Preaching
• Fall, 2010 – Year B Preaching
• Winter, 2010– Year B Preaching
• Spring, 2011 – Year C Preaching
• Summer, 2011 – Year C Preaching
• Fall, 2011 – Weddings
• Winter, 2011 – Funerals
• Spring, 2012 – Year A Preaching
• Summer, 2012 – Year A Preaching
• Fall, 2012 – Year A Preaching
• Winter, 2012 – Year A Preaching
• Spring, 2013 – Year B Preaching
• Summer, 2013 – Year B Preaching

Because we will be doing lectionary preaching, you will want to have access to the Revised Common Lectionary. I recommend using either the United Church of Christ Desk Calendar or “Seasons of the Spirit” resources for this purpose.

Course Objective: My objective in teaching this course is to provide students a background in practical theology, with a focus on preaching and worship, so that they may demonstrate competence in leading worship in a local church setting.

Course Expectations: I have three expectations of students in this course. They will:

1. Read and study the Bible and become familiar with the United Church of Christ Book of Worship.
2. Participate in a rotation of preachers/worship leaders who will lead worship/preach for 20 minutes and receive feedback for 20 minutes. Because your thoughtful feedback will be asked, it is important that you give the other students in the class the same attention and consideration you will wish to be given when you are the leader.
3. Reflect on the feedback you receive so that you will be better equipped for local church preaching and worship leadership

Texts for the Course:

1. The Bible
2. United Church of Christ Book of Worship

Questions on the Course: I may be reached by phone at the office of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at (724) 423-6473, at home at (724) 423-6115, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .