Precious few contemporary ministry resources offer any real help or encouragement for pastors who know that their primary calling is to "labour in preaching and teaching" (1 Tim 5:17). Frankly, preaching the Word has been out of season for decades (see 2 Tim 4:2-3). But Pastoral Preaching: Building a People for God by Conrad Mbewe is a welcome sign that the tide may be turning. Here is a truly valuable book about the pastor's preaching ministry - from the pen of a man who is supremely qualified to write on the subject. Pastor Mbewe has faithfully served one congregation for nearly three decades, devoting himself "to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching" (1 Tim 4:13) with steadfast patience and sound, biblical doctrine. He is, in my judgment, one of the nest biblical preachers anywhere, known for his clarity, accuracy, thoroughness, courage, keen insight, and uncompromising faithfulness to the text of Scripture. is excellent book embodies all those qualities. It will fill a gaping void on the list of essential pastoral resources.
John MacArthur
Pastor, Grace Community Church President, The Master's College and The Master's Seminary Los Angeles, USA
Conrad Mbewe has provided us with a most useful book, written from within an African context for preachers everywhere. The problems prevalent in churches and preaching today are brought to light and shown for what they are. His concern is with how we "shepherd God's flock through God's Word," that is, how we preach in order to build the faith of those who have already been brought into the local church. He looks at why we preach, what we preach and how we preach, giving useful guidelines, encouragement and direction. The English is simple and straightforward, making this book an interesting and informative read which will benefit pastors of all ages and of all denominations in their study. If all pastors and churches were to follow the teaching in this book, then surely the life of the church would grow in numbers and in the faith!
Rev Benjamin A. Kwashi
PhD Anglican Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria
Drawing on his decades-long experience in pastoral ministry in Africa, Conrad Mbewe has offered us an immensely readable book on what it takes to be a faithful minister of the gospel. Though grounded in Africa, his insights are applicable in all six continents and will come in handy for all who are called to pastoral ministry. Pastoral Preaching is full of biblical insight to equip pastors for what must be one of the most crucial, and yet challenging, leadership callings in Africa today - the pastor in the local church. His adept treatment of the role of pastoral preaching is a good contribution to both church health and church growth. The church in Africa is growing very fast, and the growth o en outpaces the development of new leaders to manage the growth. The result is that growth is often attended by errors of diverse sorts. Mbewe's book provides timely help for those at the coalface of managing the rapid spread of African Christianity. With the centre of gravity of Christian presence in the world shifting away from the West, it is all the more vital for African church leadership to be thoroughly equipped for their task. The future of Christianity, its integrity and credibility will be shaped in important ways by how African Christians steward it for future generations. Pastoral Preaching is for those who wish to take their ministry calling seriously and acquit themselves well as faithful servants of the Lord. I heartily commend it to fellow labourers whose charge is to feed the Lord's flock.
Rev Moss Ntlha
Pastor and General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa
