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12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching
In this newly expanded second edition of 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching, Dr. Wayne McDill draws on decades of experience as a preacher and homiletics professor to inspire other preachers to live up to their God-given potential. Here are twelve proven ways to pack more content and effectiveness into every sermon, covering all of the bases from general preparation to the end result of increasing each listener’s faith. Recent seminary graduates and seasoned pastors alike will identify skills that need personal improvement, and McDill encourages them to strengthen such areas at their own pace and in whatever order they feel is best. Every chapter in this new edition has been revised and updated. Also included are additional worksheet helps and sermon examples.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1994
90 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 17, 2021
Overall this book will give much help to the expositional preacher. The chapters on sermon structure are worth the price of the whole book.
December 13, 2022
Excellent manual on sermon preparation. It’s already been immensely helpful for me!
June 18, 2021
This book is not good. There are so many other preaching resources that are far better. Besides, he breaks his own rules in the worksheet examples. It contradicts a lot and he makes exceptions to the rules he says you have to have to create a good sermon.
April 27, 2015
This is a good book that teaches practical steps for sermon development. I got a lot out of this book and will implement many of Mcdill's suggestions in my own sermon preparation.
April 2, 2020
The first chapter was so overwhelming, thrusting diagrams in my face and discussing English concepts I had forgotten, but chapter one turned out to be an important base lesson discussed throughout the entire book. McDill unpacked everything so clearly and accompanied by encouragement. Even though chapter one was difficult, McDill gave helpful step-by-step instructions, and the later chapters were much easier to understand.
Chapter eleven was superlative. I practically underlined the entire section while exclaiming, "Yes! How true! Who would have thought? I should study this!"
This book has made such an impact in my speaking skills and personal Bible study techniques. Even if you're not going to become a preacher, like I will not, you would still benefit greatly from McDill's handbook. Many of the principles can be adjusted to fit any other form of public speaking, and everything helped me break down Scripture so my studies can have a more significant impact and better structure. My quiet times rarely feel dry anymore.
Chapter eleven was superlative. I practically underlined the entire section while exclaiming, "Yes! How true! Who would have thought? I should study this!"
This book has made such an impact in my speaking skills and personal Bible study techniques. Even if you're not going to become a preacher, like I will not, you would still benefit greatly from McDill's handbook. Many of the principles can be adjusted to fit any other form of public speaking, and everything helped me break down Scripture so my studies can have a more significant impact and better structure. My quiet times rarely feel dry anymore.
May 6, 2023
The first half of this book was solid. There are some great, practical ways to discover and interpret (exegete) a text. Much of this I have been doing, but I think his way for some of those steps is better and more thorough and I will definitely be implementing changes.
That said, the back half of this book... take it or leave it. If you are new at preaching or do not preach often, this would probably be better. For someone with experience, it probably won't help much. This method will chain you to a text. There is no freedom. There is no room for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to work through your preparation.
Worst of all, virtually nothing at all is said about prayer or spiritual preparation. A person could select a text from Shakespeare (or a Hindu the Upanishads or a Muslim the Qur'an) and use these same twelve steps to present a great speech on that text. If this is true, then the core of what preaching is all about - presenting a timely word from God to the people of God - is missing from these pages.
That said, the back half of this book... take it or leave it. If you are new at preaching or do not preach often, this would probably be better. For someone with experience, it probably won't help much. This method will chain you to a text. There is no freedom. There is no room for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to work through your preparation.
Worst of all, virtually nothing at all is said about prayer or spiritual preparation. A person could select a text from Shakespeare (or a Hindu the Upanishads or a Muslim the Qur'an) and use these same twelve steps to present a great speech on that text. If this is true, then the core of what preaching is all about - presenting a timely word from God to the people of God - is missing from these pages.
February 27, 2019
If you have been out of seminary for some time and need a refresher course on preaching this would be a great book for you.
There were two skills that stood out from all the rest. One was called Persuasive Elements. This skill leads you to develop your points by addressing what explanation is needed, how to illustrate, what reasoning must take place and then finally, the application desired. This way makes sure you balance out your sermon to include each of these elements throughout. Exceptional.
The other skill was how to "Preach for Faith". This guides the preacher to focus on the character of God, and who he is, rather than on reducing the sermon to a bunch of "you should do this" or "you need to do that". It helps the communicator to know how to urge the listeners to respond with faith.
There were two skills that stood out from all the rest. One was called Persuasive Elements. This skill leads you to develop your points by addressing what explanation is needed, how to illustrate, what reasoning must take place and then finally, the application desired. This way makes sure you balance out your sermon to include each of these elements throughout. Exceptional.
The other skill was how to "Preach for Faith". This guides the preacher to focus on the character of God, and who he is, rather than on reducing the sermon to a bunch of "you should do this" or "you need to do that". It helps the communicator to know how to urge the listeners to respond with faith.
October 22, 2017
I am torn on whether or not to recommend this book. It has many valuable insights, but at the same time I would never recommend writing a sermon in the style presented in the book. If you are a person who needs lots of structure and guidance in sermon preparation, then you may find this book valuable. If you know what you are doing and are more free in your style, then this book may frustrate you.
June 14, 2022
Great Resource
This book is a challenging one for preachers. It is difficult because it teaches a method for developing sermons that may not be what you like. Even though this may be, this book will help all who desire to preach better sermons. I highly recommend it and believe all of us pastors can benefit from it.
This book is a challenging one for preachers. It is difficult because it teaches a method for developing sermons that may not be what you like. Even though this may be, this book will help all who desire to preach better sermons. I highly recommend it and believe all of us pastors can benefit from it.
March 11, 2019
McDill presents a great system for developing a message that is based in scripture yet challenges the congregation to respond in faith. The exercises in the book are really helpful. Recommended for anyone looking for developing a system for developing sermons.
October 28, 2016
It's a well laid method for studying a passage for preaching. There were some examples in the appendices, but I wish McDill had given more examples throughout the chapters.
August 12, 2017
Helpful
September 29, 2017
This is the textbook I read in college so thought I would read it again. You will benefit from reading this if you are called as a preacher.
May 13, 2021
My absolute favorite book on how to prepare a sermon!
December 7, 2021
A tour de force in helpful homiletics!
March 18, 2024
Lots of thoughts.
Homework was the hardest thing in my academic career.
Really gets you thinking about the science of preaching. I will never be able to listen to a sermon the same way again.
Homework was the hardest thing in my academic career.
Really gets you thinking about the science of preaching. I will never be able to listen to a sermon the same way again.
September 17, 2016
Excellent book. This is one of the most practical books on preaching I've read. McDill spends the major part of this book focusing on aspects of preparation and a little bit of space is given to pulpit delivery. I think this balance is right because preaching today suffers more from poor preparation than poor delivery. In fact, many preachers are trying to make up for poor preparation through their efforts in delivery, but that doesn't work.
I had a couple of places where I differed with the author. He didn't push a/v media in preaching, but I think anything that is short of denouncing it in the most strenuous terms is too soft. In this area, I might be a curmudgeon but I don't see any reason to change the biblical definition of preaching. I think a/v can serve a good purpose in teaching and other settings, but I believe it has no place in preaching. I'm simply giving my view and understanding here, for every servant stands or falls before his own master.
The skills presented for use in interpreting a passage are very good. He gives real practical help for a preacher to work through the passage on his own before opening other books and such. The first skill a preacher needs to develop is getting the meaning of the text. In fact, it is a skill that preachers ought to constantly be developing and honing.
This is a textbook for seminary courses on preaching. It includes worksheets and samples that are very helpful. For this reason, it will be good to have a hard copy. I read it on Kindle but I will be getting a hard copy to make more use of the worksheets. I definitely recommend this book and I have two words particularly for young preachers. First, this book is packed with a lot of information. That can be overwhelming because you think how can I incorporate all this into preaching? You can focus on a skill at a time and give it the time you need. I certainly suggest starting with the skills of interpreting a passage. Second, I never approach a book like this with the idea of being a slave to it. The author doesn't that idea for you either. For instance, he mentions mapping out your own plan of preparation. I will end with this caution. Before you can develop your own plan and way of doing things, you need to understand what you are trying to do and what tools can be used to do it. I think this book can help you with that.
I had a couple of places where I differed with the author. He didn't push a/v media in preaching, but I think anything that is short of denouncing it in the most strenuous terms is too soft. In this area, I might be a curmudgeon but I don't see any reason to change the biblical definition of preaching. I think a/v can serve a good purpose in teaching and other settings, but I believe it has no place in preaching. I'm simply giving my view and understanding here, for every servant stands or falls before his own master.
The skills presented for use in interpreting a passage are very good. He gives real practical help for a preacher to work through the passage on his own before opening other books and such. The first skill a preacher needs to develop is getting the meaning of the text. In fact, it is a skill that preachers ought to constantly be developing and honing.
This is a textbook for seminary courses on preaching. It includes worksheets and samples that are very helpful. For this reason, it will be good to have a hard copy. I read it on Kindle but I will be getting a hard copy to make more use of the worksheets. I definitely recommend this book and I have two words particularly for young preachers. First, this book is packed with a lot of information. That can be overwhelming because you think how can I incorporate all this into preaching? You can focus on a skill at a time and give it the time you need. I certainly suggest starting with the skills of interpreting a passage. Second, I never approach a book like this with the idea of being a slave to it. The author doesn't that idea for you either. For instance, he mentions mapping out your own plan of preparation. I will end with this caution. Before you can develop your own plan and way of doing things, you need to understand what you are trying to do and what tools can be used to do it. I think this book can help you with that.
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December 31, 2023Wayne McDill diverges little from standard works in the classical tradition of homiletics though he does make a contribution with his focus on 12 essential skills for preaching. He argues persuasively that it is vital for preachers to develop specific skills in order to preach effectively.
McDill work is a "theoretical-technical homiletic" (David Buttrick) in that he does not provide a thorough discussion of sermon delivery, the theology of preaching, the role of preaching in the church, etc. He does address some of these topics in his conclusion, but not in a comprehensive manner.
His section on "Text Analysis" could be improved significantly. These chapters could be improved with a more thorough-going presentation of some of the current resources on Inductive Bible Study. His approach to developing sermons employs the deductive approach. His description of inductive preaching seems to be a simplistic understanding because it does not reflect inductive preaching's idea of gathering the congregants' attention to move them toward the biblical text. However, he correctly points out that most sermons will include elements of both induction and deduction.
McDill does not delve into the distinctions between topical, textual, and expository sermons (contra. James Braga). He seems to anticipate that all sermons will expose the biblical text. He does not recommend subpoints to main points in sermons as do some of the classic homileticians. Yet, some of his recommendations (e.g. "Balancing Persuasive Elements") seem somewhat pedantic. I found his chapter on skill 8, "Exploring Natural Analogies," helpful. I agree with his concern that much of evangelical preaching is anthropological. However, he recommends the "Motivated Sequence Method" (p. 203), whose beginning point is the congregation. How can one employ the "Motivated Sequence Method" and avoid the criticism of preaching anthropocentric sermons?
The author could improve his work by discussing the new homiletic and by providing a rationale for employing almost exclusively the deductive approach. However, I appreciate his contribution to the development of skills for preaching and the steps and procedures for moving from text to sermon.
McDill work is a "theoretical-technical homiletic" (David Buttrick) in that he does not provide a thorough discussion of sermon delivery, the theology of preaching, the role of preaching in the church, etc. He does address some of these topics in his conclusion, but not in a comprehensive manner.
His section on "Text Analysis" could be improved significantly. These chapters could be improved with a more thorough-going presentation of some of the current resources on Inductive Bible Study. His approach to developing sermons employs the deductive approach. His description of inductive preaching seems to be a simplistic understanding because it does not reflect inductive preaching's idea of gathering the congregants' attention to move them toward the biblical text. However, he correctly points out that most sermons will include elements of both induction and deduction.
McDill does not delve into the distinctions between topical, textual, and expository sermons (contra. James Braga). He seems to anticipate that all sermons will expose the biblical text. He does not recommend subpoints to main points in sermons as do some of the classic homileticians. Yet, some of his recommendations (e.g. "Balancing Persuasive Elements") seem somewhat pedantic. I found his chapter on skill 8, "Exploring Natural Analogies," helpful. I agree with his concern that much of evangelical preaching is anthropological. However, he recommends the "Motivated Sequence Method" (p. 203), whose beginning point is the congregation. How can one employ the "Motivated Sequence Method" and avoid the criticism of preaching anthropocentric sermons?
The author could improve his work by discussing the new homiletic and by providing a rationale for employing almost exclusively the deductive approach. However, I appreciate his contribution to the development of skills for preaching and the steps and procedures for moving from text to sermon.
September 27, 2016
The author did a very nice job of creating a "guide" to help people through the sometimes challenging task of writing an effective sermon while still remaining faithful to the text of the Scriptures. He takes you through the process step by step, starting out with inductively coming at the Scriptures and then onto development and design of the actual sermon. I sincerely appreciate the Inductive approach that the author takes in the book as it closely reflects many of the steps that we did in the Inductive Bible Study Classes we did at our church. This book is a highly recommended resource for anyone that wants to dive into expository preaching, but is a little unsure or comfortable with the "how" part of the process. This book is a little more on the advanced side, so if you are merely curious about expository preaching, you might not get into this book as much as someone interested in the mechanics of how to create an expository sermon. With that said, the author has some great examples, excellent supporting charts, and explains each step very well. This will be a book that you reference and tweak the steps to make them your own for whatever works with your style. I received a copy of this book from B&H Academic for me to do a review on it. In full disclosure, I was not required or requested by B&H Academic to write a positive review.
December 28, 2014
This is a difficult text book as McDill asks the reader to completely embrace his method in order to get the most out of the book. The method is helpful, but tedious. I'm not sure what pastor has time to do this type of exegetical exercise each and every week in addition to all of the other things that are needed. I'm not saying that solid exegesis and thorough study for the sermon are unimportant. Indeed, this is VERY important. On the other hand, however, this is not a practice that, in my opinion, is able to be repeated on a regular basis.
October 2, 2015
While this is a very practical book, it is not lacking in philosophical comments about preaching. It presents an organized and precise system for sermon study and prep work. To me, parts of the system seem a bit convoluted. Perhaps when one has learned to utilize it, it might become quite useful. Personally, I prefer a more organic approach than the one presented here. But this is a good book that I have already found helpful. At times, it can be redundant, but I do recommend it. I found the philosophical material to be quite inspiring.
October 12, 2012
Written for pastors-in-training who completely lack the gift of teaching, which begs the question why are they pursuing a primarily teaching ministry? No seriously, this is a book of worksheets and how to use them to create a sermon to read to the congregation. There are a few principles discussed that are helpful and apply outside this system of worksheets
July 1, 2017
Excellent Tool for Pastors
This book serves as a valuable tool for pastors to take with them into the sermon preparation process. McDill provides excellent step by step instructions for each element of the sermon preparation process.
This book serves as a valuable tool for pastors to take with them into the sermon preparation process. McDill provides excellent step by step instructions for each element of the sermon preparation process.
August 20, 2009
Advanced Homiletics textbook. Great graduate level book on constructing a sermon. Very technical.
February 24, 2013
Transformed my sermons.
November 11, 2013
This book has given me a great start in learning to preach well... I still have a long way to go!
November 25, 2014
Good primer on sermon structure, preaching, etc.
August 11, 2015
Great resource. Some areas were not as clear as they could be. Nevertheless, this book is a must-have for preachers and teachers.
July 4, 2015
Not my favorite preaching book, but its practical and structured.
April 18, 2017
Above all else, this is a very practical book on preaching. Every preacher will benefit from the book's discussion of at least one of the skills, and most preachers will have multiple areas where they benefit. A book worth reading through from start to finish once and then retaining for future reference as needed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews