How important is the minister’s personal holiness? Charles Bridges cautions, “A man who cannot persuade himself to be holy, will have little hope of succeeding with the consciences of others.” – Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (1830; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 157.
Read MoreIn this 2009 interview, Eric Alexander reflects on his conversion to Christ, and his many years of ministry in the Church of Scotland. His commitment to pastoral ministry in the local church, expository preaching, and prayer have been an encouragement to many ministers. Many thanks to my friend David Irving for pointing me to this interview.
Read MoreIn this 2009 interview, Eric Alexander reflects on his conversion to Christ, and his many years of ministry in the Church of Scotland. His commitment to pastoral ministry in the local church, expository preaching, and prayer have been an encouragement to many ministers. Many thanks to my friend David Irving for pointing me to this interview.
Read MoreThomas Murphy’s addresses presbyters serving in the church’s higher courts. Nevertheless, his advice is useful to all Christians who find themselves engaged in public controversy: “There are some persons who seem to lose their Christian spirit and temper as soon as they engage in public discussions. They enter upon them in a wrangling and angry manner, and at once render the exercise of calm, Christian wisdom impossible. Such a spirit is utterly inconsistent with the character which should be found Christ’s servants. . . . Each one, as he has opportunity should strive to banish angry strifes. . . . It is like men to resent opposition, but it is like Christ to bear it.”” – Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology:…
Read MoreJesus warns, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” William Still comments, “When people are convinced that life consists in the abundance of their possessions, they have completely identified life with material objects, and are, alas, already lost souls. They have virtually cut themselves off from the life of God, and his ultimate verdict will be only to recognize and confirm that.” – David C. Searle, ed. Through the Year with William Still (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2006), 212.
Read MoreProfessor James Benjamin Green could be tough on seminary students. He began teaching at Columbia Seminary in 1921. After one student’s sermon, he offered this critique: “There were three problems with this sermon: first, it was read; second, it was read poorly; third, it wasn’t worth reading.” Another student preached a sermon titled “The Double-Barreled Gospel” and received this feedback: “What a subject! ‘The double-barreled gospel.’ Unfortunately, neither barrel was loaded.” – David B. Calhoun Our Southern Zion: Old Columbia Seminary, 1828-1927 (Banner of Truth, 2012), 356-357.
Read MoreThe solitude of night can bring its share of anxiety, and especially when accompanied by regrets of a day misspent. The opposite is also true: “The more we abound in God’s work the more comfort we may expect in him; if the day has been busy for him, the night will be easy in him. Silence and retirement befriend our communion with God.” – Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 3:4-5
Read MoreWhen does effective preaching become possible? “Dr. Wilbur Chapman has this to say of the handicaps which befall the minister: ‘when trials are many, when burdens are heavy, when tears are blinding, when the heart is almost broken, then, as a rule, ministers come to an experience when effective preaching is possible.’” – William Childs Robinson, The Certainties of the Gospel (Zondervan: 1935), 130.
Read MoreWork done uniformly well and on time should be the goal of every pastor. W.G.T. Shedd advises: The religious character of the clergyman is strengthened as he “performs every clerical duty, be it in active or contemplative life, with punctuality, uniformity, and thoroughness. . . . The habit of doing work uniformly well and uniformly in time, is one of the best kinds of discipline . . . . A thorough an punctual performance of pastoral duties, is a direct means of grace.” – William G.T. Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. 11th ed. (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1902), 338-339, 340.
Read MoreRead with Understanding!
To read is important; to read with understanding much more so. Charles Bridges (1794-1869) cautions: “No man can read everything; nor would our real store be increased by the capacity to do so. The digestive powers would be overloaded for want of time to act, and uncontrolled confusion would reign within. It is far more easy to furnish our library than our understanding.” Therefore, Bridges argues, the quality of what we read is more important than the quantity, and for reading to have it’s greatest value, it must have as its companions “reflection, conversation and composition.” – Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (1830; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 46-47.
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