How to Preach without Notes

by Charles W. Koller

Publisher:

Baker

, 2007

Overview

Effective speaking is key in reaching people with the Gospel and growing our churches. And delivering powerful messages without being tied to manuscripts, outlines, or notes is the key to effective speaking. A classic that has stood the test of time, How to Preach without Notes shows you how to do just that.

Among the topics discussed are the biblical conception of preaching, the advantages of preaching without notes, homiletical devices, the importance of structure, and the systematic filing of materials. For almost 50 years, pastors and seminary students have benefited from the principles found in this book. Now you can too.

The Logos edition of this work on preaching is fully searchable and easily accessible. Scripture passages link directly to your English translations and to the original language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the wealth of resources in your digital library.

Key Features

• Teaches how to preach without relying on notes
• Explores biblical portrayals of preaching
• Includes sermons as examples of structure and style

Contents

• Expository Preaching without Notes
  • The Scriptural Conception of Preaching
  • The Patterns of Scripture Presentation
  • The Primacy of Expository Preaching
  • The Advantages of Preaching without Notes
  • The Importance of Structure
  • The Sources of Preaching Material
  • The Homiletical Devices
  • The Steps in Preparing an Expository Sermon
  • The Preliminary (Factual) Data
  • The Analysis of the Scripture Passage
  • The Heart of the Sermon
  • The Structural Components of the Sermon
  • The Way to Note-Free Preaching
  • The Way to Perennial Freshness
  • The Essentials of an Effective Preaching Service
  • The Basic Appeals in Biblical Preaching
  • The Minister’s Vocabulary
  • The Systematic Filing of Materials
• Sermons Preached without Notes
  • “Topical” Sermons
  • “Textual” Sermons
  • “Expository” Sermons

Top Highlights

“Preaching is that unique procedure by which God, through His chosen messenger, reaches down into the human family and brings persons face-to-face with Himself. Without such confrontation it is not true preaching.” (Page 13)

“First, it is recognized that most congregations prefer note-free preaching. Secondly, it is agreed that each minister must find for himself the particular method that will best enable him to achieve such freedom from notes in the pulpit.” (Page 34)

“People long for genuine truth from preachers who look them in the eyes and speak directly to their lives. Koller claims that one of the greatest joys of ministry is spontaneity that needs saturation (50%), organization (40%), and memorization (10%)—see chapter 13. His enthusiastic advice should be given to every generation of preachers.” (Page 8)

“Let me identify two reasons found in his favorite expression: expository preaching without notes.” (Page 8)

“In all biblical preaching God seeks primarily, through His messenger, to bring man into fellowship with Himself. The aim, therefore, is not merely to impart knowledge, or provoke thought, or arouse the emotions, but to move the will to an affirmative response.” (Page 18)

Product Details

• Title: How to Preach without Notes
• Author: Charles W. Koller
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 288
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Preaching; Baptists › Sermons; Sermons, American › 20th century
• ISBNs: 9781441255914, 9780801091933, 9780801057618, 1441255915, 0801091934, 0801057612
• Resource ID: LLS:HOWPREACHWHTNOTES
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:35:29Z

About Charles W. Koller

Charles W. Koller taught ministerial students at Northern Seminary for more than 20 years, in addition to serving as its president. An influential preacher and a popular conference speaker, Koller earned his ThD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.