An Able and Faithful Ministry: Samuel Miller and the Pastoral Office

by James M. Garretson

Samuel Miller (1769-1850) played an integral part in founding Princeton Theological Seminary, which became one of the most influential training grounds for Presbyterian ministers in the nineteenth century. While Miller is most commonly remembered for his writings on church office, he also played a significant role instructing students and shaping their theology of preaching and pastoral ministry. In the present volume, Jim Garretson highlights the narrative of Miller's life and the major ministerial emphases found in his published writings, sermons, and unpublished lecture notes. As a result, readers will come to know the spiritual convictions of Miller's heart and understand the theology of ministry he imparted over the course of his lifetime. Table of
Introduction
Part Life and Ministry
1. Heritage of Piety
2. Pastoral Ministry in New York 1793-1803
3. Pastoral Ministry in New York 1804-1813
4. Plans for a Presbyterian Theological Seminary
5. An Able and Faithful Ministry
6. Seminary 1813-1850
7. Confessional Churchman
8. Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
9. Gospel Promises and The Hope of Christian Missions
Part Theological Foundations for the Gospel Ministry
1. The Importance of the Gospel Ministry
2. The Importance of Mature Preparatory Study
3. Sermon An Introductory Overview
4. Preparation of Texts
5. Preparation of a Style
6. Preparation of a Parts of a Discourse
7. Holding Fast the Faithful Word
8. Spiritual Weapons for a Spiritual Battle
9. Preaching the Gospel in Great Cities
10. A Theology of Public Worship
Part Ministerial Deportment and the Work of the Christian Ministry
1. Clerical Manners and Habits
2. Final Days
3. A Life Well Lived

Genres: History, Biography

440 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2014

Reviews

[Peyton Gunter]

Sam Miller is a basic name, but he was kinda goated, ngl

[Grant Carter]

This says 'hardcover' but that is a lie. I read this digitally through Apple books. Didn't want to lead y'all astray

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book itself is not particularly compelling, the life it narrates is. Samuel Miller is presented as a godly pastor and seminary professor with a deep concern for the ministry of the Gospel. Because the book is composed of long citations from his published work, which makes it somewhat awkward to read, the reader comes away with a profound respect for Miller the man, pastor, and professor. Especially for those involved in ministerial training, Miller is a model of a man who was not just concerned for the intellects of his students but for their characters and the influence their character would have on the churches they served. One wonders how much the churches today would be different if a similar emphasis on character was part of ministerial training.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Miller, a "for the city" Presbyterian before it was cool. He pastored in NYC and was one of the founding faculty members at Princeton Theological Seminary. He was known for his emphasis on experiential Christian faith, along with experiential preaching, and on the need for an educated ministry.
"The glory of his life was his piety."

This book could be considered a "Samuel Miller reader," being 400+ pages in length due to the extensive quotations from Miller's writing.

[Coleson White · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the man more than the book.

[Timothy Tumutod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Samuel Miller’s life and ministry. 5 stars for the man, not the book.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Samuel Miller was a Presbyterian pastor for ten years, helped found Princeton Theological Seminary in 1812, and then became the 2nd professor there in 1813 where he spent the rest of his life. The book focuses on his class notes, sermons, lectures, and other writings that address pastoral ministry. Several things stood out. First, Miller loved his denomination, but did not hate other denominations. There was a wonderful balance of defending presbyterianism in a way that avoided being too polemical. Second, he was practical. He taught his students how to preach, but he also taught them how to visit the sick and dying, what type of woman they should marry, how to interact with the rich, how to write, how to bring up religious subjects in regular conversation, and when not to, how to evangelize, what to preach on when in someone else's pulpit, etc. Third,the call to study and learn was always at the forefront of his teaching. He hated the intellectual laziness that was already beginning to characterize Christian ministry. Fourth,and perhaps most striking, was how serious he took the ministry and the call to holiness that makes ministry effective. Miller felt and impressed upon his students the weight of the call. Too many young ministers today do not take the call as seriously as they should. We can learn from Miller without drifting into the excessive dourness of his day.

This is not a biography. It does cover some aspects of Miller's life, but the author's focus is on what he taught and exampled to ministers. There is very little about his family life or the controversies that swirled in the Presbyterian church at the time.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography not only describes Samuel Miller's life, but it also effectively gives the reader a taste of his writings and teachings, especially with regard to pastoral ministry. This is often done by summarizing a written work by Miller by using extended quotes with commentary in between the quotes. In this way, the reader gets a good flavor of Miller's writings, though it makes the book a little longer and a litter harder to read than some might like. Miller was a good writer, but he did like to string his sentences together (making extended quotations more often needed).

[Pete Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent biography of a man who his probably not as well known as he should be, despite the fact that he played such an important role in the history of the U.S. church as one of the founders of Princeton Seminary. Very inspiring work. Highly recommended, especially for those who have been called into pastoral ministry or Christian academics. Was meant as a companion to Garretson's bio of Archibald Alexander.

[Todd Ruddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mr. Garretson is to be commended for an instructive, and lively read. The chapter on the close of Prof. Miller's life is especially moving. A good and instructive example to any reformed minister.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storehouse of pastoral wisdom and a biography that stirs the heart.

[mpsiple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thoughts on pastoral ministry.