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Preaching Without Notes
In this important book, Webb makes two central claims. First, that effective preaching without a manuscript is not a matter of talent as much as it is a matter of preparation. Preachers can learn the practices and disciplines that make it possible to deliver articulate, thoughtfully crafted sermons, not from a written page, but as a natural, spontaneous act of oral communication. Throughout the book, the author offers specific examples including a transcript of a sermon preached without manuscript or notes. Second, that the payoff of learning to preach without a manuscript is nothing less than sermons that more effectively and engagingly give witness to the good news.
- GenresTheology
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 10, 2017
Much vital information, well thought out and confident. Gives straight outline for potential seminary students. Short, sweet and too the point. Really enjoyed and gathered great information.
April 1, 2025
Great for TED Talks, but not for me
I read this book because I wanted to take my Lutheran preaching to a higher level. If I wanted to be a TED talker, this book would be great. But I am called to present the proper distinction of Law and Gospel, to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, and to build up the faith in my hearers, as a cake and ordained servant of the Word. I did not find what I was seeking in this book.
It might not be the fault if the author. He is not a Lutheran preacher. His sermon is not one that I would preach. Reading this book was like meeting someone on a blind date, but deciding after the appetizer that she is nice, but not for me. I'll keep this in mind for speeches that are not sermons.
I read this book because I wanted to take my Lutheran preaching to a higher level. If I wanted to be a TED talker, this book would be great. But I am called to present the proper distinction of Law and Gospel, to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, and to build up the faith in my hearers, as a cake and ordained servant of the Word. I did not find what I was seeking in this book.
It might not be the fault if the author. He is not a Lutheran preacher. His sermon is not one that I would preach. Reading this book was like meeting someone on a blind date, but deciding after the appetizer that she is nice, but not for me. I'll keep this in mind for speeches that are not sermons.
November 26, 2019
Very helpful...I will likely be better able to evaluate after personally testing Webb's tips and instructions, but more practical advice than Koller's "How to Preaching without Notes"
I continue to have reservations regarding the degree to which Webb seems to limit the authority of Scripture (eg. "the sermon, in my view, should somehow take account of the text"). I suppose I can proudly identify with "some preachers [for whom] the words of the Bible are the very words of God" and I believe that reading directly from Scripture rather than paraphrasing is truly powerful.
I continue to have reservations regarding the degree to which Webb seems to limit the authority of Scripture (eg. "the sermon, in my view, should somehow take account of the text"). I suppose I can proudly identify with "some preachers [for whom] the words of the Bible are the very words of God" and I believe that reading directly from Scripture rather than paraphrasing is truly powerful.
September 30, 2025
Excellent read on preaching
I have an I’m continuing to read many books about how to speak in front of a church congregation. This book is exceptional and that it’s got real points that can be used in speaking. I think this book will give you confidence to speak about God in front of people.
I have an I’m continuing to read many books about how to speak in front of a church congregation. This book is exceptional and that it’s got real points that can be used in speaking. I think this book will give you confidence to speak about God in front of people.
November 9, 2017
There’s a lot of good material in this short book. I appreciate that Webb says hat many preachers faithfully have used notes for years. Having said that, it still felt like he was saying that all preachers ought to never use notes.
August 17, 2021
This book was a personal preference of the author's opinion. He seemed to think this was the only way to preach and seemed to talk negatively towards pastors that did not use this style of preaching.
February 19, 2012
This book definitely took me to a deeper level of conviction of the value of preaching without notes. The author presents a powerful argument for the supremacy of speaking extemporaneously--he argues from the point of view of the preacher and the listener and makes a compelling case. He proceeds to give excellent instruction in how exactly a preacher can move from note-preaching to note-less preaching, outlines a study/preparation strategy that covers the process on a daily basis, from Tuesday all the way to the pulpit on Sunday. He offers great pastoral advice, too, such as suggesting that the preaching NOT work on the sermon the day before he preaches, but instead devote the bulk of his preparation time to prayer, and, after the sermon, to avoid becoming entangled in introspection and assessment of the sermon, but to simply relax, "forget" the sermon, and begin to think through the next week's sermon. He even prepares the preacher for the weekly "blues" encountered immediately after the sermon. Every preacher will relate to that!
I rated this work at a "4" instead of "5" for the following reason: the author does not seem to me to give as much attention to the following areas that I feel should have received more emphasis:
The sermon preparation should arise out of the text being preached BEFORE the sermon's ideas are developed. The author gives too much room for private rumination and imagination to be the basis of the sermon's thrust, instead of the intended purpose of the author. Therefore, there is little/no attention given to the value of the original languages being studied along with the sermon. If a preacher is blessed to have studied biblical Greek and Hebrew, he/she should regularly put that investment to work in his/her sermon preparation.
The author's final sermon does not seem to bring the listener to the Word of God, or to God Himself, but seems to leave the listener with a sort of pep-talk, encouraging the listener to "write their own gospel", as did Mark (in this example-sermon). I believe a sermon faithfully preached should always leave the listener assured of his/her own inability to accomplish anything, really, but also of the supreme grace of God that is ever-present on behalf of, and within, the life of the believer. In short, the author does not seem to preach as biblio-centric a sermon as I think is proper and most effective.
In summary, for the nuts and bolts of preaching without notes, this book is better than any I have read, from any tradition of Christian preaching. Though I found the author's apparent diminished emphasis on the text itself in sermon preparation and delivery, his principles and instruction for simply preaching without the use of notes is invaluable and useful to all preachers who desire to do the same.
I rated this work at a "4" instead of "5" for the following reason: the author does not seem to me to give as much attention to the following areas that I feel should have received more emphasis:
The sermon preparation should arise out of the text being preached BEFORE the sermon's ideas are developed. The author gives too much room for private rumination and imagination to be the basis of the sermon's thrust, instead of the intended purpose of the author. Therefore, there is little/no attention given to the value of the original languages being studied along with the sermon. If a preacher is blessed to have studied biblical Greek and Hebrew, he/she should regularly put that investment to work in his/her sermon preparation.
The author's final sermon does not seem to bring the listener to the Word of God, or to God Himself, but seems to leave the listener with a sort of pep-talk, encouraging the listener to "write their own gospel", as did Mark (in this example-sermon). I believe a sermon faithfully preached should always leave the listener assured of his/her own inability to accomplish anything, really, but also of the supreme grace of God that is ever-present on behalf of, and within, the life of the believer. In short, the author does not seem to preach as biblio-centric a sermon as I think is proper and most effective.
In summary, for the nuts and bolts of preaching without notes, this book is better than any I have read, from any tradition of Christian preaching. Though I found the author's apparent diminished emphasis on the text itself in sermon preparation and delivery, his principles and instruction for simply preaching without the use of notes is invaluable and useful to all preachers who desire to do the same.
March 7, 2023
I had to read this book at seminary, assigned by a professor who doesn’t like the use of manuscripts in preaching. I used to like this book a lot, but after some real pastoral experience, my perspective has changed.
By “preaching without notes,” Webb does not mean improvised preaching but memorising your sermon. Not even having the sermon mostly memorised is good enough lest you create the “bobblehead effect.” I understand the sentiment of preaching without notes to better create a “bond” between the preacher and the hearer (p. 25), because it maximises participation, and reflects authentic witness. I understand all that from a public speaking perspective. However, my main problem with this is that it doesn’t give enough credit to the efficacy of God’s Word. The Word of God will do what He sends it out to do whether you utilise a manuscript or not (Isaiah 55:10-11). In my professional opinion, the ideology of preaching without notes gives too much credence to the ability and charisma of the pastor and not enough to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. I utilise a manuscript in my own preaching, so one might say, “Of course you’d think that.” That’s not why I say it, however. Like I said, I used to really like the book. In my own homiletical experience, God still does His work through His preached Word despite myself. Thanks be to God! Also, realistically, something else in the pastor's ministry will have to give if he's going to memorise a sermon every week.
While I do think a pastor should practice his sermon enough so that it’s mostly memorised (he should know what he’s talking about), I wouldn’t go so far as to say preaching entirely without notes is most effective because the efficacy depends entirely on the Word, not our feeble human will.
By “preaching without notes,” Webb does not mean improvised preaching but memorising your sermon. Not even having the sermon mostly memorised is good enough lest you create the “bobblehead effect.” I understand the sentiment of preaching without notes to better create a “bond” between the preacher and the hearer (p. 25), because it maximises participation, and reflects authentic witness. I understand all that from a public speaking perspective. However, my main problem with this is that it doesn’t give enough credit to the efficacy of God’s Word. The Word of God will do what He sends it out to do whether you utilise a manuscript or not (Isaiah 55:10-11). In my professional opinion, the ideology of preaching without notes gives too much credence to the ability and charisma of the pastor and not enough to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. I utilise a manuscript in my own preaching, so one might say, “Of course you’d think that.” That’s not why I say it, however. Like I said, I used to really like the book. In my own homiletical experience, God still does His work through His preached Word despite myself. Thanks be to God! Also, realistically, something else in the pastor's ministry will have to give if he's going to memorise a sermon every week.
While I do think a pastor should practice his sermon enough so that it’s mostly memorised (he should know what he’s talking about), I wouldn’t go so far as to say preaching entirely without notes is most effective because the efficacy depends entirely on the Word, not our feeble human will.
May 6, 2009
I bought this book as I've recently been exploring the possibility of moving away from preaching with a manuscript to preaching without notes. I completed the book three weeks ago and have yet to preach a sermon without notes....So I cannot yet testify to the effectiveness of the author's presentation.
Part of the problem is the author contends that the practice of preaching without notes requires a shift in the weekly preparation process. After reading the book, I felt it would be far too difficult to immediately shift my weekly preparation process in order to accommodate Webb's suggested practice.
Over the past two weeks, I have begun to implement a few of Webb's suggestions and have found the ability to move away from preaching with a manuscript to preaching with a two page set of notes. Perhaps over the summer I'll be brave enough to implement the rest of Webb's suggestions.
Part of the problem is the author contends that the practice of preaching without notes requires a shift in the weekly preparation process. After reading the book, I felt it would be far too difficult to immediately shift my weekly preparation process in order to accommodate Webb's suggested practice.
Over the past two weeks, I have begun to implement a few of Webb's suggestions and have found the ability to move away from preaching with a manuscript to preaching with a two page set of notes. Perhaps over the summer I'll be brave enough to implement the rest of Webb's suggestions.
May 1, 2014
This is a practical book that is easy to digest. The book lays out a workable weekly plan to enable preachers to deliver well-constructed, theologically rich, and engaging sermons without notes. There is a prescription for Monday/Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday/Friday (Saturday), and Sunday work. The suggestions are reasonable, if sometimes descending into an almost condescending tone. The tips for effective delivery seemed especially pertinent which is odd since the preparation phase of noteless preaching is very important. I do recommend this book, especially to beginning preachers. It will make something that seems to terrify many people into an achievable (and enjoyable) activity. I think that I will make this one of the books my mentoring group reads next year. Then, we can practice it in our churches and bring case studies back to review.
July 9, 2016
I was recently in a workshop, facilitated by one of the finest preachers in my denomination, at a pastors' conference. The leader of the workshop recommended this book. I almost never manuscript my sermons, but I do rely on an extended outline. When it comes to the actual delivery of my sermons, I found that I follow many of the suggestions of this book. However, the preparation stage is significantly different. I am excited to give this approach a try, and I anticipate that in doing so, I will be able to set my outline aside and form a stronger connection with the congregation in the delivery.
July 1, 2014
Quick and easy read. Great applicable points, but I think the best method is to take from Webb what works well for you and discard or morph the rest. Since this book was published (2001) communication has changed drastically. So the ways in which we communicate should too. It's even more necessary to be clear, concise, and crystal clear again. But I still say the best way to preach without notes is to do it, and learn the from your failures.
October 19, 2016
Very practical. Webb walks you through each step of his process for preparing and delivering a sermon without notes. Even before I read this book, I was convinced that doing away with notes is the next step as my development as a preacher. This book helped encourage me to take that next step.
May 29, 2011
Great Book. I am looking forward to putting it into action. Very practical and really makes sense of the daunting task to memorize sermons.
March 30, 2014
Very helpful and practical. Now I need to give it a try!
June 6, 2018
I read this short book in preparation for preaching my first sermon later this month. This book is very practical and easy to understand for someone who doesn't have a lot of preaching experience. I would have liked more discussion about length of sermon. It was briefly mentioned in the conclusion and I practiced reading out the sermon example and it took almost 30 minutes!
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