While Pulpit Speech is a book about preaching, it is not a book about preparing sermons. Instead, this is a book about speaking, in public, from the pulpit, to a specific congregation, anticipating hearing a Word from God. A well-constructed sermon, weighty with solid biblical content, is of little value if it is not delivered in a way that enables the listener to hear without the distraction of poor presentation. Thus, Dr. Adams believed that the material presented in this book is foundational to any aspiring preacher and should be a prerequisite for any further study of homiletics.

This book is intended for three classes of people.

1. Ministers in the pastorate who wish to brush up on their pulpit speech. Many were trained ineffectively and need the sort of practical help that this book seeks to offer.
2. Students in pre-ministerial courses in Christian colleges or Bible schools.
3. Seminary students in a pre-preaching speech course.

The textbook format includes suggested classroom projects at the conclusion of the chapters. Ministers will note that many of the assignments also may be done on a do-it-yourself basis. It was Dr. Adams' hope in publishing this volume that it would provide practical guidance for those who must preach the Word, and would thus contribute in some small way to the revival of the proclamation of the truth in our time.