Charles Simeon: An ordinary pastor of extraordinary influence

by Derek J. Prime

Genres: Biography, Church History

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

After serving churches in the UK as a pastor for thirty years, first at Lansdowne Evangelical Free Church, West Norwood, in London; and then at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, Derek Prime has devoted himself since 1987 to an itinerant ministry and to writing.

Reviews

[John Paul Arceno · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very informative biography of Charles Simeon. But the author's style in writing is more of pastoral than historical. Circular narratives. Unclear ideas. Bunch of block quotations.

[Matthew Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Simeon is now one of my heroes from history!

Derek Prime writes with the same objective as his subject, Charles Simeon. The structure and themes of the book point us not just to biographical information about Simeon but to what he cared about - the transformative gospel of Jesus.

It might not be everybody’s favourite method but I found it helpful that Prime ‘let’s Simeon speak’ regularly throughout, choosing to use extended quotes rather than summarising himself. I came away from this book with a feel that, in some way, I’d gotten to know Simeon.

This is an interesting book from a historical point of view but is primarily a practical book, particularly if you are involved in church ministry. Don’t miss it!

[Leon Lyell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cross between an easy introduction to Simeon's thinking and a biography. The circumstances of his life are more a backdrop for the author's view that 'Simeon's life and experience provide enduring principles relevant to the church at all time' (page 11). In that sense, it reads as a guide to modern Christian speakers by drawing attention to the example of Simeon's career and life. This may be a worthy aim and a previously unmet need, but a biography as such may have provided more discussion about his place in the history of Evangelical Anglicanism.

[Daniel Stegeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Phil Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and very readable biography of the life and ministry of Charles Simeon, covering his conversion, early ministry, some very useful lessons learned and influence. His own personal weaknesses are covered with honesty and humility. I was particularly struck by the pastoral lessons he learned. It is very helpful and challenging.