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How to Speak a Sermon: So That People Will Listen
A powerful sermon must have not only clearly organized biblical content but also engaging delivery. How to Speak a Sermon is about sermon delivery, particularly extemporaneous sermon delivery. Combining biblical principles with the best insights of the ages and personal experiences, it explains the power and pitfalls of extemporaneous speech, how to develop speaking ability, and why preaching method matters.
When Larry Trotter asked me to read his new work, I sighed, "Really, another book on preaching?" My spirit groaned until I picked it up and read, all in one sitting. I was instantly glued. Page after page my low expectations turned to high praise. —Dr. David B. Garner, Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
I had the privilege of being mentored by Larry and sitting under his preaching for fourteen years. Each week, Larry opened God's Word to us with accessibility, clarity, power, and gospel-nourishment. This book reads like Larry's sermons in its engaging style, chock-full of wisdom and insight. —Rev. Keith Thomas, Pastor, Bridge City Fellowship, Portland, Oregon
Great read for any pastor wanting to grow in the craft of preaching as an event. —Dr. Tim Sansbury Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Knox Theological Seminary
Studying homiletics under Dr. Trotter was one of the Lord's greatest blessings during my seminary years. I am thankful that his wisdom and insight into the pulpit are now available to help equip and inspire pastors for generations to come. —Rev. Wes Lauver, Pastor, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
When Larry Trotter asked me to read his new work, I sighed, "Really, another book on preaching?" My spirit groaned until I picked it up and read, all in one sitting. I was instantly glued. Page after page my low expectations turned to high praise. —Dr. David B. Garner, Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
I had the privilege of being mentored by Larry and sitting under his preaching for fourteen years. Each week, Larry opened God's Word to us with accessibility, clarity, power, and gospel-nourishment. This book reads like Larry's sermons in its engaging style, chock-full of wisdom and insight. —Rev. Keith Thomas, Pastor, Bridge City Fellowship, Portland, Oregon
Great read for any pastor wanting to grow in the craft of preaching as an event. —Dr. Tim Sansbury Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Knox Theological Seminary
Studying homiletics under Dr. Trotter was one of the Lord's greatest blessings during my seminary years. I am thankful that his wisdom and insight into the pulpit are now available to help equip and inspire pastors for generations to come. —Rev. Wes Lauver, Pastor, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 21, 2022
N.B. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but without any requirement that I write a review of any kind.
An unexpectedly quick read, “How to Speak a Sermon (so that people will listen)” is at once down to earth and spiritually elevating. Trotter advocates for extemporaneous preaching that is unaffected, natural, and expressive of spiritual communion between preacher and hearers. However, he does not dogmatically assert the necessity of one method over another. Rather, he graciously advocates for extemporaneous preaching as one legitimate (and possibly the best) method among many. He draws deeply (and with appropriate selectivity) from the well of historical material relating to rhetoric (e.g., Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian), Homiletics (e.g., Fenelon, Campbell, Alexander, Spurgeon, Dabney, Broadus), and personal reflections (e.g. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, J. C. Ryle, his own humble remembrances) to substantiate and illustrate his subject. Not being previously familiar with any of the author’s writing, I was pleasantly surprised by just how well written the book was. I could not put it down! As a preacher, I am admittedly biased in favor of the subject, but I was nonetheless very pleased at the ease with which I read the book. This is especially remarkable because Trotter cites and quotes the writing of sometimes-verbose eighteenth and nineteenth century ministers. I applaud Trotter for this fine and eminently useful little book, one to which I expect to return with some frequency.
One final note that pertains to my particular situation as a tent-making church planter: Trotter’s exploration of what makes public speaking so difficult (both in general and for preachers in particular) really hit home for me at the fifth point (on pages 29 and 30). He writes simply, “there are many other concerns that intrude upon the act of preaching.” He cites some of those concerns which are typical for church planters or solo pastors in small congregations or in congregations without multiple staff or officers. He writes sympathetically and with gentleness. This really won me over as a reader (not that I was opposed to him at all in the first place). I heartily recommend this book!
An unexpectedly quick read, “How to Speak a Sermon (so that people will listen)” is at once down to earth and spiritually elevating. Trotter advocates for extemporaneous preaching that is unaffected, natural, and expressive of spiritual communion between preacher and hearers. However, he does not dogmatically assert the necessity of one method over another. Rather, he graciously advocates for extemporaneous preaching as one legitimate (and possibly the best) method among many. He draws deeply (and with appropriate selectivity) from the well of historical material relating to rhetoric (e.g., Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian), Homiletics (e.g., Fenelon, Campbell, Alexander, Spurgeon, Dabney, Broadus), and personal reflections (e.g. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, J. C. Ryle, his own humble remembrances) to substantiate and illustrate his subject. Not being previously familiar with any of the author’s writing, I was pleasantly surprised by just how well written the book was. I could not put it down! As a preacher, I am admittedly biased in favor of the subject, but I was nonetheless very pleased at the ease with which I read the book. This is especially remarkable because Trotter cites and quotes the writing of sometimes-verbose eighteenth and nineteenth century ministers. I applaud Trotter for this fine and eminently useful little book, one to which I expect to return with some frequency.
One final note that pertains to my particular situation as a tent-making church planter: Trotter’s exploration of what makes public speaking so difficult (both in general and for preachers in particular) really hit home for me at the fifth point (on pages 29 and 30). He writes simply, “there are many other concerns that intrude upon the act of preaching.” He cites some of those concerns which are typical for church planters or solo pastors in small congregations or in congregations without multiple staff or officers. He writes sympathetically and with gentleness. This really won me over as a reader (not that I was opposed to him at all in the first place). I heartily recommend this book!
January 7, 2023
Clear and concise. Trotter gives a challenging and yet compelling case for preaching extemporaneously. He also state pitfalls to avoid AND cautions some preachers from preaching extemporaneously.
He’s keenly aware that preaching extemporaneously will impact grammar at times and that it may not go as smoothly, however he still recommends this form of preaching. With these in mind, he recommends taking particular steps to improve in this.
He makes the strong emphasis that content is the most important. So, preach biblically faithful sermons. He encourages readers to be mindful of delivery and to strive to progress in delivery.
Though he has a preference, he’s balanced in his effort to persuade readers to preach extemporaneously.
I was challenged and blessed by this book. What he advocated for is my preference in preaching. However, I’ve sat under and learned from preachers who write full manuscripts and encourage brothers to do the same. And there are MANY BENEFITS to this! It has really impacted my preaching. However, I’m getting back to preaching from an outline. This book has been really helpful.
He’s keenly aware that preaching extemporaneously will impact grammar at times and that it may not go as smoothly, however he still recommends this form of preaching. With these in mind, he recommends taking particular steps to improve in this.
He makes the strong emphasis that content is the most important. So, preach biblically faithful sermons. He encourages readers to be mindful of delivery and to strive to progress in delivery.
Though he has a preference, he’s balanced in his effort to persuade readers to preach extemporaneously.
I was challenged and blessed by this book. What he advocated for is my preference in preaching. However, I’ve sat under and learned from preachers who write full manuscripts and encourage brothers to do the same. And there are MANY BENEFITS to this! It has really impacted my preaching. However, I’m getting back to preaching from an outline. This book has been really helpful.
December 4, 2023
This book stretched many of my ideas about preaching and speaking to others. His basic argument is that speaking a sermon is fundamentally different (and better) than reading a sermon. He’s not totally against full manuscripts, but he argues that the best manuscript preachers actually adjust sentences and words in the moment which renders their sermon more extemporaneous than they might think.
I’m quite persuaded by many of his points, and it helps that he’s a great writer. I do disagree with some of his applications at the end, though, which he draws from historical revivals.
I’m quite persuaded by many of his points, and it helps that he’s a great writer. I do disagree with some of his applications at the end, though, which he draws from historical revivals.
December 20, 2023
This book challenged me but overall I wasn’t persuaded to ditch my manuscript. I think there is a lot of “room” in methods of preaching as far as extemporaneous to manuscripting and each preacher will find his comfort zone at a different place on the spectrum. However, what I want to balance this with is saying that we all should be willing to be challenged on where our “comfort zone” is and be pushed to maybe consider leaving it to try out something else. That’s what made me appreciate this book.
April 24, 2023
As a preacher who tends to preach from a manuscript, I was convicted by this book. Trotter uses an even hand and gentle nudges to convict preachers about the need for more extemporaneity in their preaching. Preaching is, as he says, an act of speaking, not of writing or reading. I appreciate his clear and practical advice on putting these ideas into practice.
November 30, 2022
This is a great book which encourages preachers to break free of manuscripts that hinder the smooth communication of God’s Word in preaching. I found it challenging and helpful. Most of all it was an encouragement to preach with freedom in the Holy Spirit.
February 2, 2023
A great resource for pastors.
Loved the book and I was greatly impacted by its challenge to preach extemporaneously. I would highly recommend this to any pastor currently preaching and to every man training for ministry.
Loved the book and I was greatly impacted by its challenge to preach extemporaneously. I would highly recommend this to any pastor currently preaching and to every man training for ministry.
June 10, 2025
Don't let the title fool you; this is not a modern pragamatic work focused on outcomes in a bad way. This is rooted in Dabney, Spurgeon, etc. and it ranges from very good to (even) dynamite. One of the most helpful books for preachers out there.
January 30, 2023
Although short in page count, the returns on this volume are long. Larry Trotter provides a strong case for preaching extemporaneously and tips on how to carefully do so. Tolle lege.
May 23, 2023
Short book, very readable, occasional digressions.
A good, fair-minded challenge for pastors to preach extemporaneously.
A good, fair-minded challenge for pastors to preach extemporaneously.
August 6, 2023
For so long I've been robotically tied to my manuscript. This book helped me to connect more with the congregation and give myself some much needed grace in public speaking situations.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews