Faithful Preaching: Declaring Scripture with Responsibility, Passion, and Authenticity

by Tony Merida

What is a preacher? What is preaching? Pastor Tony Merida asks these foundational questions to arrive at this overview of his widely anticipated book, Faithful Preaching:“Faithful preaching is the responsible, passionate, and authentic declaration of the Christ-exalting Scriptures, by the power of the Spirit, for the glory of the Triune God. Expository preaching is the best approach for accurately explaining and applying God’s Word, and for maintaining a God-centered focus in preaching. It also offers wonderful spiritual benefits to both the preacher and congregation. To be faithful expositors today, we must avoid the common problems associated with expository preaching such as boredom, irrelevancy, and Christless messages. Faithful preachers will usher the people through the text passionately and authentically, pointing them to Christ.”

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Church

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, NC. Tony is the author of Faithful Preaching, co-author of Orphanology, and serves as a general editor and as contributor to the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series (B&H Publishing Group) along with David Platt and Danny Akin. He is married to Kimberly, with whom he has five adopted children.

Reviews

[Eric Molicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great introductory book on preaching. It is sound and good in all it covers. It is most valuable in its development of preaching as a Trinitarian act, as well as its more extended focus on the character of the preacher.

The reason I can only give it three stars is its lack of depth. It seems targeted to a non-seminary trained pastor. It is too lacking in depth and specificity to be a very useful seminary text even though what he says is right on the money. It simply lacks depth of explanation. For pastors who are just starting out and not seminary trained, this book is 5 stars. Otherwise, it is very helpful at points and full of good reminders for experienced ministers, but far from being a must read.

[Drew Van Gorder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a very good book in it's content, much of it's content comes from other writers and preachers. While the points were solid and I believe that any young preacher who reads this book could learn and grow from it, so many of the concepts were ideas learned from others that it was difficult to discern much of Merida's information from simply what he had learned from others. The lack of solid individual opinion from the author himself took away from being able to thoroughly enjoy the text. I still liked the book, but the content was somewhat choppy.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read the major works on expository preaching, then you'll find this one redundant. However, this is a good one for someone who is starting to dive into expository preaching for the first time. I would recommend it to those just getting started with the task of preaching.

[Keith Pinckney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GEM. Context in life always informs how you engage with the contents of a book. For the season I’m in this was perfect. Proverbs 25:11. I felt like this book was amazing. Not a word out of place. I appreciate everything in this book. It’s comprehensive. I really can’t say it all here but this book put a fire in my belly to preach, teach, and communicate the Gospel of Jesus for the glory of God. Tony wrote this for me. I felt like he was literally having a conversation with me in this book, rather than writing to me. Read this book young pastor and old pastor. It will make you a better preacher. But even more so you’ll fall more in love with the one you’re preaching of.

[Garrett Seay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book, it was due to being in a pastor led class at a church where he walked us through it as we learned about Christ-centered preaching. This lays out a sermon outlines in such an amazing easy way to understand and his wisdom on preaching is worth every moment spent reading it.

When I finally became a pastor, I reread this book and it still stood strong. It helped me rethink my preaching style and helped me develop my outline to better focus on Christ with each sermon.

Such an amazing book for all new pastors!

[Tom Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like meridas preaching books and this one was the first I read and have gained a lot from.

[Shannyn L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

Thank you Lord for this book, very informative for the aspiring preacher. And the preacher that has been preaching for years looking to sharpen his skills

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and helpful step by step approach to expository preaching.

[Terry Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a preacher to a preacher

Faithful preaching is written in such a way I feel I am in conversation with the author while we share coffee. A pleasant review of preaching fundamentals with fresh perspective on contemporary application.

[Jackson Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Tony Merida's writing!

Very good book on the call for preachers to be faithful to their Savior, their call, and their people. Nothing groundbreaking in this book, but some good practical tips and tools, as well as strong quotes from past preachers.

[David Rathel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro into the basic tenets of preaching. Merida places special emphasis upon the lifestyle of the preacher and the Spirit's role in preaching.

[Jake Dorak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all preachers and teachers of the Bible!