About the Survey

In 2018, the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world were identified in a survey by the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

Survey Timeline

Phase 1: January 2016 - March 2016

February 2016: 1996 Survey criteria sent out for recommendations

March 2016: Criteria reconstructed based on recommendations

Phase 2: March 2016 - December 2017

Distribution of survey to email database, the Academy of Homiletics, and the Evangelical Homiletics Society.

Phase 3: January 2018 - October 2018

January 2018: Tabulation of results

May 2018: Survey results reported nationwide

Survey Population and Responses

Population: appx. 500

Criteria Responses: 70 (14% response rate)

Survey Responses: 179 (35.8% response rate)

Dimensions of Effective Preaching

In 2016, the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching sent the criteria from Baylor University's 1996 most effective preachers survey to more than 500 professors of homiletics for their input on criteria for the new survey. The criteria established through this survey can be viewed through the link below: