Speak to Win By Brian Tracy How to Present with Power in Any Situation is the sub-heading of this outstanding book which every pastor who values the message of the Gospel should read. It is completely secular in its writing. When read through the eyes of any speaker/communicator, it can be profound in its impact. That certainly is true for the serious student of preaching. The art of preaching can be developed and cultivated by following the specifics Tracy articulates in Speak to Win. I was impressed that, although being successful as the world defines it is a byproduct of great public speaking, the author is effective in communicating the value of what you have to say. He does it all from start to finish. He talks of the nuances of preparation and planning. He helps those who even after years of public speaking (in our case, preaching) still have latent fears of doing so. He explains how you can start strong with any audience. He also covers meetings with large and small groups. Presentations and negotiations are described, a healthy skill for a pastor who deals with boards or committees. A public speaker must always have mastery of the platform. We typically do not think in those terms in the church. But when we do and do so effectively, the message wins in the hearts and minds of those who need to hear it. Your voice is integral to successful communication. Tracy describes voice techniques that can help any pastor. Further, he describes what he calls, “Tricks of the Trade: Techniques of Master Speakers.” When I want to be better at anything, I look to people who do it well. Chapter nine is a great chapter. Finally, it is critical that you end strong. Start with the end in mind. The end of anything we have to say from Scripture is of such life-transforming magnitude, that to end well in our sermons is truly of eternal consequence. Winging it cannot be. Speaking with such precision at that moment may be just what the Holy Spirit will use to move on the heart of the non-believer. Speak to Win is a must-read. Pick it up today; apply its principles while asking God to do what only He can do with the foolishness of preaching. He who makes an eternal decision to follow Jesus as a result of hearing the words you said will win. That is amazing! Read it to that end!