Michael J. Quicke

I had purchased this book a couple of years ago, but for some reason I never finished reading it. Just a couple of weeks ago I picked it back up and started over. I am very glad that I did.

Quicke brings to what can be a very dry subject a wealth of knowledge as both a Pastor and Seminary professor. He uses the analogy of a preacher immersing himself into a deep flowing stream and the sermon is produced as the preacher swims in this flow. The author provides very practical steps in sermon creation: from selecting the scripture, understanding the original context, and interpreting how it speaks to us today. Even though the book is full of practical steps for creation and presentation, Quicke never loses sight of the importance of prayer and the active work of the Holy Spirit. It is only when we take into account the influences of the scripture, Holy Spirit, the preachers experience and the listeners that 360 degree preaching can take place.

Quicke ties the book together by using a single scripture text throughout, and includes a copy of his own sermon written using the text and the steps of 360 Degree preaching model in the Appendix.

Parts of the book do read a little bit like textbook, and the graphic of the 360 degree model seemed a bit complex. But already I am a different preacher (for the better) by implementing the steps outlined throughout the book. This is one book I will refer back to often.

The sub title of the book sums it up well: Hearing, Speaking, and Living the Word… (mehr)