Book
Myles MacBean has done a great service for all who are developing ministry training. Preach the Word is a remarkably compact book that covers a surprising amount of ground, due to its economy of words. Preach the Word will stimulate thinking: grounded in his own research of consciously and conscientiously developing a preaching programme for a very specific context in Malawi, it is brimming with insights and information as MacBean explores the viability of “contextual, scalable and sustainable” training. For example, insights such as “franchise management” in business development provide fresh perspectives on problems. The book will also integrate thinking: pulling together insights from a range of domains that include homiletics, leadership development, practical theology, business studies, adult learning and church planting. In addition Preach the Word will multiply impact: in many contexts where scarce resources seem to be squandered on traditional forms of theological training little thought as to how the privileged few will reach the less fortunate many, this is a book that every institute and organisation involved in training in Sub-Saharan Africa should make essential reading for those taking courses in practical theology, homiletics and Christian education, and for their faculties. Finally, MacBean’s work will provide a model: the study is a fine example of local research, with a keen awareness and respect for culture and the dignity of individuals, and with the empirical data providing fascinating granular data on specific issues and fascinating and sometime surprising insights. For practitioners, like MacBean, who are open to learning from others Preach the Word is an invaluable resource.
(Rev.Dr. Jem Hovil, Executive Trustee of BUILD Partners)
This is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to train church leaders in sub-Saharan Africa. Based on thorough and extensive research in Malawi, the author’s careful and penetrating analysis leads to a set of proposals which should be effective in helping church leaders without formal theological or biblical training to develop the understanding and skills required to communicate Scripture with due attention to context, meaning and relevant application. Some readers may find the statistical analysis a little technical, but it is well worth persevering. With the increasing challenges of biblical illiteracy in other parts of the world the book should also have a wider application.
(Anonymous amazon.co.uk customer)
Dissertation
Your work has been of the highest quality and your dissertation tops the lot! Hearty congratulations!
(Director of Postgraduate Studies)
This is work of exceptional quality … This is exemplary work … Your analysis is perceptive, nuanced and balanced … Your work is presented to a high standard and your sources flawlessly documented. … Your work represents applied theology at its best as it seeks to address an identifiable need to serve the cause of ongoing mission.
(Internal Examiners)
The Homiletic Window
“[An] innovative study of preaching.”
(Thomas Schirrmacher, WEA Theological News Vol 46 No 3 July 2017)
PtW Ministry 