Let's Read: Reflections on Spurgeon the Pastor by Geoff Chang

Monday, 15th May 2023
Image: lets-read-reflections-on-spurgeon-the-pastor-by-geoff-chang

Reflections on Spurgeon the Pastor

Editor's Note: We are thankful to Geoff Chang for his book and the many ways we have been challenged and encouraged as we have read it together. We're also thankful to him for writing the final blog of this series. Geoff Chang is the Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Midwestern Seminary & Curator of the Spurgeon Library.

By Geoff Chang

I’m grateful to the Irish Baptist College and Davy Ellison for organizing Let’s Read and using Spurgeon the Pastor. A pastor recently asked me how we could ever hope to implement the kinds of structures that Spurgeon put in place in his large church. I answered with two thoughts: First, my goal was never that we would try to emulate Spurgeon’s structures. Rather, I tried to make clear that behind those structures were ecclesiological convictions derived from Scripture and found in the Reformed and Baptist traditions. And it's those convictions that should drive us, however we put them into practice.

The other point I made was that Spurgeon held to his convictions, even when their corresponding structures became more and more burdensome. In other words, his church practices were not about convenience but conviction. One great example of this was his rigorous membership process, which he prioritized because of his belief in regenerate church membership. And yet, he maintained that process even when there were hundreds coming forward for membership each month. Another example was his commitment to congregationalism. With so many people joining, the church had to figure out a way to have more members’ meetings to properly conduct the business of the church.

So, if you are facing difficulties and inconveniences in implementing ecclesiological convictions, know that you’re not alone! And yet, be encouraged by Spurgeon’s example of faithfulness even amid a difficult context.

Since writing that book, my research on Spurgeon’s ecclesiology and pastoral ministry has continued, and I remain encouraged by his example of convictional faithfulness. We recently received an original letter for our collection here at the Spurgeon Library in Kansas City, MO. The letter is from Spurgeon to his elders, and he is giving a report on conversations he’s had with men in the church about potentially serving on the elder board. Spurgeon writes,

Dear friends,

In reference to brethren whom I was to see about the eldership, I have to report as follows:

Brother Bantick is very grateful for the good opinion of the brethren & would gladly do all in his power but business so occupies him that he cannot fulfill the duties of the office & therefore declines.

Brother Hayles had a stroke of paralysis on the brain a few days ago & therefore cannot be expected to undertake the work.

Brother S. Johnson cannot take Wednesday evening work as it is his class night, but in any other way, he will act with us & I believe he will be a most efficient worker. We may heartily recommend him to the Church.

Brother Stubbs can undertake the work & is quite willing to do so. He will, I trust, prove to be a helpful brother.

Brother Woolacott in the kindest manner declines on account of the distance at which he resides & his business engagements.

Brother Wigney to my great regret feels that his class demands all his time & that he could not fulfill elder’s duties.

We have these, dear brethren, need to look round again.

Yours ever truly,

C.H. Spurgeon

Several observations strike me about this letter. As busy as Spurgeon was, he wasn’t too busy to be involved in finding and evaluating future elders in his church. He was the one assigned by the elders to go around and interview these six men in the church to see if they would be interested in serving as elders. Clearly, Spurgeon played a role in the formation of the eldership each year.

Additionally, there was a high view of the eldership at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The men who were being interviewed were all actively involved in the ministry of the church. Several of them led a Bible class, which would have been like a small group or an adult Sunday School class in our day. All the men interviewed seem to understand the weighty calling of the eldership. Perhaps, as a result, four out of the six declined to serve, much to Spurgeon’s disappointment.

With only two men accepting, Spurgeon says to his elders, “need to look round again.” In other words, Spurgeon understood that, without elders alongside him, he could not do the work of leading and shepherding the church. He needed more elders raised up.

What Spurgeon felt back in the 19th century is what we feel in our churches today. We long to see men equipped to minister God’s Word and shepherd His people faithfully. That’s why I wrote Spurgeon the Pastor, so that we might have one more encouragement and model of a pastor who sought to care for his church well. May the Lord be pleased to raise up faithful shepherds for the glory of Christ and the joy of His church.  

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry Let's Talk: Surviving Ministry Staff & Students Favourite Books of 2022 Let's Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Gathered BYE Teams Hugh D. Brown Lectures How I spent my sabbatical Let’s Read Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Identified 1st Year Reflections from Andrew and Debbie Second Year Placement (Josh and Glenn) Final Year Reflection: Chris Banks Let’s Read Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Functioning New Library Books (April 2023) Easter Reflection 2023 Irish Baptist Historical Society Lecture Report on the Life of Hugh Orr Let's Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Multiplying Friends of the College May 2023 Let's Read: Reflections on Spurgeon the Pastor by Geoff Chang Student Reflections on Graduation 2023 Where will our students will be serving this summer? Pray Without Ceasing: A Week of Summer Prayer 2023 Reflections on returning to Peru Recognition Service Report 2023 Commencement Service Report 2023 Cross Cultural Report in Ireland Cross Cultural Reports 2023 2 Short Book Reviews Let's Read: Keeping Your Children's Ministry On Mission: Practical Strategies For Discipling The Next Generation by Jared Kennedy Let's Read: When Children Become Brothers And Sisters What's in a name? Evangelism Teams 2023: Coleraine and Keady Evangelism Teams 2023: Castlederg and Tobermore Let's Read: Welcoming and Safeguarding Book Review: Weakness Our Strength A Strange Man from Another World
Let’s Read: The Path to Being a Pastor: A Guide for the Aspiring Graduate Updates Tribute How to Avoid Becoming a Graceless Theological Thug Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor Hugh D. Brown Lectures—Understanding and Applying Zephaniah Book Review: Children of Abraham: A Reformed Baptist View of the Covenants by David Kingdon Graduate Updates: Laetitia Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor (chapters 5-12) New Books in the Library Friends of the College—March 2022 Graduate Updates: Andrew Let's Read: The Path To Being A Pastor (chapters 13-23) Deacons The Risen Christ Changes Everything Why Four Gospels? Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor (Chapters 24–27) The College Graduation MA Missions Module Reflection Student Reflections (first and second year) Book Review: The Crucible of Leadership Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church? (Introduction) Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church? (Introduction) Friends of the College: September 2022 Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church—You’re Beautiful Commencement Report Cross Cultural Placements 1 Cross Cultural Placements 2 Cross Cultural Placements 3 Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church—Beauty Demonstrated 1st Year Reflection (Ana Rut) Evangelism Teams 2022 (Armagh and Cavan) Evangelism Team 2022 (Ballycrochan & Comber) Let's Read: Living Beautifully Let's Read: Why Should We Love The Local Church “Always winter and never Christmas” Three Kings
Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement Friends of the College Update God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
Agree and Close notice.

By continuing on our website you agree with our Privacy Policy and to the use of cookies by third party plugins. Find out more here