Book Report on Charles Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students Essay

John MacArthur did a great job in writing the book “How to Shepherd Biblically.” MacArthur’s great emphasis or main focus in his book is to call pastors or the ministers of God’s word back to the Scriptures as the authoritative basis for developing a philosophy of ministry. The book title itself describes well what the book is all about.

1. What does the increase of education Among African-American clergy indicate? (Chapter 5) As the results of our survey will show, educational level has been a key variable in determining a pastor’s awareness of social problems in the surrounding community, cooperation with social agencies, attitude toward politics, and awareness of internal problems in church structures (Lincoln, C. Eric, and Lawrence H. Mamiya 130).

Is there a quotation from the book that will stay with you for the remainder of your ministry? List the quote, page number, and

From the first president George Washington to the thirty-second president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, inaugural addresses have transformed from God-filled, hopeful speeches to pleas to the nation. Washington gives a humble address, and makes many references to God to the nation assuring them that if they have faith in God, they will have faith in him, he makes it obvious to the people he’s not pleading to them for help. FDR on the other hand establishes his ethos immediately by gaining the trust of the nation, and also pleads to the people to lure them in on the subject of unemployment. Both presidents use biblical allusions to appeal to the people in their addresses.

The book renewed hope and excitement for a pastor coming to the end of transitioning a local church from one chapter into a new one. This hope is not because the process is almost complete, but because of MacDonald’s focus on people being greater than the process. This reviewer was renewed in his heart for the real people he is pastoring. Those that are still on the team and in the family have weathered the storm as well, and are ready to be lead to wherever God might take

In the church, the pastor or preacher has an innate responsibility to address sin and nominalism without hesitation or fear of retribution. The church’s focus on mere building membership, no matter the cost, overshadows God’s abhorrence of sin. Further, both sin and nominalism seems to have intensified as many point to the religious concept of being a Christian without having a changed heart or life through Jesus Christ. Charles Spurgeon shares, “There will always be trouble in the churches as long as men are afraid to denounce sin and error. To confront sin, it is without doubt a pastor’s responsibility to challenge the sins of this present time.

Dr. Scalise’s exploration of Peter, John, and the lame man at the temple gate in Acts 3 is an example of how and why stepping into someone’s life can make a difference. A recent encounter I experienced. I believe, demonstrates what it looks like in today’s relationships. A young lady, who I have spent time mentoring, called to arrange a time to meet with me. My daughter was in town and taking time away from her was difficult. Knowing how this young lady has been struggling, I believed it was critical to not delay a meeting until it was more convenient for me. A few hours later, as we sat across from

Dr. Gregory Boyd is a professor of theology at Bethel College. He attended such universities as the University of Minnesota, Yale Divinity School, and Princeton Theological Seminary. As well as being a professor he is a preaching pastor at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has authored three books and several articles. This particular book is a dialogue between he and his father, Edward Boyd. Edward lives in Florida and worked for 35 years in sales management. He has six kids, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Thank you for your insightful and thought-provoking insights concerning Spurgeon’s text on addressing sinfulness and nominalism in ministry. I do agree that in order to contextualize our ministry to address these issues in our culture, we must live a life that is pleasing to God. As a former pastor, I believe there is a perpetual responsibility of remaining absolutely faithful to the truth of God’s word and to Christ. Paul shares that God wants us to be filled with his knowledge of all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we live our life worthy of God and pleasing to him (Col. 1-9-10). Therefore through attaining knowledge of the truth, a pastor is able to articulate effectively and efficiently the Gospel through words and actions.

A ministry must have a focus and vision in order to effectively do the work of God. The importance of this vision is highlighted when the Bible says, “Where [there is] no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Mancini described the Kingdom Concept as consisting of the “big idea” that will define the way a church will bring glory to God and help to make disciples (Mancini, 2008, p. 84). It is from these concepts that this student will identify several major needs in personal work of ministry. These needs are supported by compelling evidence and aide in focusing efforts of work.

Steal Away Home opens in 1841, when Spurgeon is a lad of 7, and concludes with his death in 1892. Authors Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey hit many highlights of Spurgeon’s life and ministry without glossing over the physical ailments and bouts of depression which often plagued him. Having recently read a biography about the “Prince of Preachers,” I believe what this book does differently to stress the humility of Spurgeon as well as the beauty of his marriage. In fact, both Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson appear to have been married to their perfect helpmates. As a woman, I enjoyed these two portraits of Christian marriage.

Sam Crawford lived and breathed Sitnalta Bay. Sitnalta Bay is a small Bay on the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Sam Crawford depends on Sitnalta Bay for food, income, and recreation. Sam owns a small fishing boat, his father gave it to him when he was younger It was his father's fishing boat when he was younger. Sam's father died in a boat accident right after his younger sister was born, and that was 5 years ago. Since then Sam's mother has had to get a job as a nurse at the local hospital making a low salary. His mother and sister depend on the fish he catches for food. Sam also sells his fish at a fish market every sunday. In his free time he loves swimming and surfing. Sam had never had any accidents while fishing, swimming or surfing. Until a

These words spoken by a sheriff or businessman could spur hope in the hearts of men, but the only thing this missionary was spurring was confusion.

As I plan to embark on a lifelong journey of full time ministry, I better understand the need for a deep passion of lifelong learning. Culture is shifting and changing, leaving minsters with the challenge of keeping pace to reach people in a dark world. Paul talked about the necessity of relating to the people we are trying to reach in 1 Corinthians and Highlands College has better equipped me for this task. To successfully maintain a lifestyle of learning, I plan to continue my studies of scripture, deepening my understanding of the scriptures while learning new ways to apply them in reaching society. Jesus gave us the example of being light in darkness in the Book of John and, as I continue to be who God has called me to be, I know it is of absolute necessity to know the truth of God’s Word more than ever before but, I do not only plan to study just scripture. I have learned the necessity to study other topics to better prepare and equip me for ministry. My limited worldview shined a bright light on my need for better understanding, not only of God’s Word, but also the cultures represented around me. I plan to continue studying those cultures so that I may better shine the light of God’s Word into those places. Highlands College has amplified the need to continually grow in all areas so that I may be better prepared to reach people as God

My attendance at a meeting in Philadelphia, PA changed my life, forever. What I thought was a routine introduction to a new mission outreach spearheaded by several pastors and other members of the clergy, took my life on a journey of discovery beyond my wildest imagination. In addition to opening my eyes to how something so wonderful could turn ‘rapidly’ acidic when personalities are left unchecked, which strained my consciousness where I questioned many motives and on occasion, struggled emotionally to process the negative sides of the human condition: the excessive need for praise, control and, sometimes exposure of the insatiable appetite to take what is unlawful.