George Butterick (1892-1980)

George Butterick was an English born , American based Christian preacher, author and lecturer.
He was born in Seaham Harbour, England and went to Victoria University in Manchester.
He emigrated to the USA and for nearly 30 years was pastor at New York’s Madison Avenue Presbyterian church. From that distinguished pulpit he began a teaching career at Union Theological Seminary and then preacher to the University of Harvard. He wanted his preaching to lift up Christ. He believed that only preaching centred on the cross would impact eternity.

He had a brilliant career in homiletics - the art of preaching and of writing sermons. His most popular courses had to do with the outling of sermons.
For 5 years (1955-1960) he was Plummer professor of Christian Morals and preacher at Harvard University. he went on to lecture in many of the USA universities.

He described his voice* as odd sandy voice, the voice of an old nurse* but he was forceful in the pulpit. He became a master at sermon construction and orderly, powerful discourse.His sermons abounded with literary quotations. His teaching influenced all sorts of notable pulpiteers. Twice he delivered the prestigious Lyman Beecher lecture on Preaching at Yale.

George also wrote a number of books (see biography list). In 1952 he was the Commentary Editor for * The Interpreter’s Bible* a 12 volume set.

George’s poignant love of communication and his devotion to biblical truth, was his gift to preaching in the 20th century. Calvin Miller