Preachers should be concerned to preach God's word with God's power. Preachers are also conscious of the need to feed their flock. There are many struggles in the pulpit every week to make sure that the congregation is fed and also inspired.
This book grew out of the comment of a trusted congregation member to the author that 80% of his sermons were immemorable, but that the other 20% had profoundly changed their life.
Launching out in faith, Ellsworth started reducing his notes to the extent that they could be contained on one post-it note. The result? A learned colleague said that you would never have guessed how 'so much effect could have come from a single change.'
This is not a book about taking short cuts in sermon preparation - but a means of gaining more attention and having greater impact on your congregation.
Endorsements
very good book but use of words and phrasing could have been simpler. A layman like myself not having a degree in english found myself continually reaching for a dictionary. brian harness, spilsby,lincs
Preaching without notes: I’ve watched the idea strike terror onto the hearts of fledgling preachers – and not a few veterans – countless times. But now there is help. Wilbur Ellsworth shows not only that this feat can be done, but also, more importantly, how and why it should be done.
Duane Litfin Former President, Wheaton College
Most preachers have been taught to produce carefully written material to be given in the pulpit. Changing patterns is hard but Wilbur Ellsworth will show you why you should change and how you can. His thoughts have deeply impacted my own preaching.
John Armstrong Director of Renew and formerly a Pastor for twenty years
Preachers should read and carefully consider this very well–focused study on the oral sermon in our times. Dr. Ellsworth preaches to large congregations and provides moving testimony to how his preaching changed positively when he weaned himself from an addiction to his manuscript…highly recommended for all students and practitioners of the craft.
David L. Larsen Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois
The Power of Speaking God’s Word is much more than a book about preaching, “the great purpose of the oral craft,” writes Ellsworth, is to create a sermon inside the preacher in all its fullness so that, when the moment to preach comes, the text of scripture in all its meaning and significance pours forth from the preacher. Ellsworth’s book has been good for my soul and my preaching. It is a pleasure to commend this fine book.
R. Kent Hughes Visiting Professor of Pastoral Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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