Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry

by Geoffrey Chang

How would you get more than 5,000 people to show up at your church?
 
Almost every pastor feels the pressure to get people in the doors. More people means more success, more stability, and more godly influence, right? Often, in their zeal for fruit and growth, pastors and church leaders adopt worldly mechanisms for church growth that end up undermining the very call God has given them.
 
Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, was a pastor to well over 5,000 people in a day long before "mega-churches" were the norm. But you might be surprised to know that Spurgeon's vision for ministry was not pragmatic. He did not borrow "best practices" from the business leaders of his day. Rather, his ministry vision was decidedly, staunchly biblical and theological in nature—and it was a ministry vision we ought to adopt more than a century later.
 
In Spurgeon the Pastor, Geoff Chang, director of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Seminary, shows how Spurgeon models a theological vision of ministry in preaching, baptism and the Lord's supper, meaningful church membership, biblical church leadership, leadership development, and more.
 
Don’t get caught up in worldly methods to pursue ministry growth. Follow the example of the Prince of Preachers, and entrust your ministry to the sovereignty of the Prince of Peace.
 

Genres: Biography, Church History, History, Christian, Theology, Ecclesiology, Christian Living

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2022

Reviews

[H.b. Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers,” is highly regarded for his pulpit and pen. In “Spurgeon the Pastor,” Geoffrey Chang reminds us that Spurgeon should also be remembered for his pastorate. His ministry philosophy was as scripture-based and Christ-centered as his pulpit ministry. Church leaders and members will greatly benefit from reading this timely work. I can’t recommended it enthusiastically enough!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it with some brothers in my church. I’m so glad this book exists.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

9 Marks of a Healthy Church: Spurgeon and Metropolitan Tabernacle version!

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure gold and should be read by every pastor and elder of a church! Chang has produced a well-researched volume on what Spurgeon's ecclesiology actually was. I don't know how many times I've heard "but Spurgeon didn't have elders!" This book puts that myth to rest. Not only does Chang show us what Spurgeon believed about the church, but he shows us even more so how Spurgeon (along with the whole church membership) put these beliefs into practice. Highly recommended, all great (congregationalism chapter excepted, though even it provides helpful insights.)

[JT Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down! I have read much of Spurgeon works but never anything in his ecclesiology. As a pastor I was edified, challenged, instructed, and prodded to think much more deeply about caring for the church. I highly recommend this to Pastors, elders, and any believer, who cares about the bride of Christ.

[Eric Durso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of wisdom from Spurgeon.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good!

[Blake Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoutout to Geoff Chang who is my current pastor and friend for writing this book. Lots of research and footnotes to see! I appreciate his hard work on this!

But overall, a very insightful and encouraging book. Seeing how Spurgeon never gave way to pragmatism with church, church growth, and making disciples. This inspires me to not give way to what’s convenient but to always do things the Lord’s way and in the Lord’s time. Also loved seeing Spurgeon the Baptist shine forth in how his church sought to govern its ordinances and membership. I particularly love Spurgeon’s drive to see souls saved by Christ and to care for the flock faithfully. These do not have to be opposed to each other!

Geoff’s last chapter on Spurgeon’s sorrows is the best chapter. Seeing Christ shine in Spurgeon’s weakness is wonderful. Another great part in the book is the excerpt from when Spurgeon visited a terminally ill orphan in the orphanage. Such compassion and hope Spurgeon gives to a little one for whom Christ died. Amazing.

Would recommend this to pastors and devoted members of the church!

[Andrew Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true Spurgeon/9Marks mash up.

[Daniel S · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re picking up this book, you likely have heard an unbelievable anecdote or two about C.H. Spurgeon. But this book will inspire pastors and church members to a biblical vision of church as practiced by Spurgeon. The book’s argument is basically that Spurgeon’s ecclesiology was driven by biblical & theological convictions (as opposed to pragmatism & convenience).

Personally, I’ve been fortunate to be the beneficiary of many faithful pastors. But reading about the faithfulness and hard work of Spurgeon inspired me during my current pastoral sabbatical to continue to pursue faithfulness to God & His Word above all else. Spurgeon’s example reminded me of the sufficiency of Scripture to the life of the church. And while Spurgeon’s context & gifting were unique, there were a lot of take-away’s for me for my own ministry and as I think about my own local church.

- Is our church doing everything we can to faithfully care for members as we take them into membership and see them out? You will hear about how the whole church got involved in the membership process. They took this task seriously because of heaven and hell and the words of Jesus! What a great reminder!
- I was reminded that for a pastor, “pulpits must be our main care”, or else everything else will fail. You will see the seriousness in which Spurgeon took his preaching ministry. He never coasted even though he was extraordinarily gifted.
- I was reminded of the importance of corporate prayer meetings. Spurgeon believed that the main indicator of church health is the attendance at the prayer meetings.

Each chapter concludes with questions for pastors/church leaders/church members to consider based on Spurgeon’s convictions and practices. And those conclusions, albeit brief, are worth the price of the book alone. Disclaimer: I am a friend of the author & would’ve probably written a kind review regardless of what I thought. But I objectively think this book should be required reading (at least) for all aspiring and current Baptist pastors!

[Paul Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many books both about and by C. H. Spurgeon. In my opinion, this is one of the best and most practical books about him on the market. The author obviously spent a lot of time researching the ministry philosophy and practices of Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle.

If you are a pastor, especially a Baptist pastor, you simply must read this book. For me it was a challenge in my thinking and practices. Spurgeon's dedication to Biblical authority, congregational rule, and pastoral care should be an example to us all. It was encouraging to see how a man whose church ran 5,000+ on Sundays was firmly and totally committed to congregational church polity. I've seen churches that ran just a fraction of that many who were more of a dictatorship than anything.

I don't have time to go into all of the practical reasons for a pastor to read this book, but they are many. You will walk away challenged, encouraged, and with a new appreciation for Mr. Spurgeon as a pastor of a local, New Testament Baptist church.

[Mark Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather dutiful, I’m afraid. But delivers mundane details I found helpful and memorable. Quite a dedicated churchman was Spurgeon. Church membership was very important to him. That was great to see in concrete ways.

[Moș Marin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stele e prea putin sa dau cartii asteia!

Este primul meu contact cu viata si scrierile lui Spurgeon si pot sa marturisesc ca am citit cartea ca in transa. Am rezonat foarte mult cu eclesiologia lui - cum arata viata Bisericii in baza Cuvantului lui Dumnezeu. M am bucurat enorm de acest "high view of the Church" - o privire grandioasa despre Biserica - in care, dupa spusele lui Spurgeon, vocile copiilor lui Dumnezeu sunt prea frumoase si lauda lor, pentru Rascumparatorul, prea pretioasa, ca sa fie acoperite de sunetul vreunui instrument.

Am ramas socat sa aflu ca predicase pana la 19 ani, pe parcursul a 3 ani, de 700 de ori. Apoi am plans cu pocainta cand am vazut apasarea lui in ce privea predicarea. Stiind ca va da socoteala inaintea lui Dumnezeu pentru invatatura data Bisericii, Spurgeon agoniza in rugaciune si studiu inaintea lui Dumnezeu. Fie ca Domnul sa ma ajute sa calc si eu pe urmele lui!

Desi foamea mea dupa cartea asta este nascuta din dorinta de a pastori si invata Biserica lui Hristos, iar cartea poate parea, de la distanta, propice si scrisa pentru slujitori si pastori, o recomand cu caldura fiecarui credincios. Este o veritabila sursa de incurajare, inalta privirea despre Biserica si despre Hristos si iti prezinta un om a carui inima a ars cu un foc ce nu poate fi stins pentru Hristos, pentru Cuvantul Lui si pentru Biserica. Desi e numit "printul predicatorilor" - si pe drept, Spurgeon a fost un pastor care s a aplecat spre oi. Care a avut binele oilor in minte de dimineata devreme pana noaptea tarziu.

Filipeni 3:17 VDC
Urmați-mă pe mine, fraților, și uitați-vă bine la cei ce se poartă după pilda pe care o aveți în noi.

Daca ai citit pana aici, te indemn sa te uiti la urmasii lui Hristos, din jurul tau sau din istorie, si sa inveti de la ei. Urmareste i pe cei care au avut o purtare demna de cinste si pe cei care au avut un sfarsit bun. Spurgeon e unul din ei. Eu deja mi am mai luat niste carti scrise de el, pentru ca e prea bogat izvorul de intelepciune!

Abia astept sa l intalnesc in cer pe acest om folosit cu atata putere de Dumnezeu!

[Taylor Callen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book and was pretty disappointed. I did really appreciate learning how Spurgeon worked to maintain meaningful church membership, even while pastoring thousands. That lesson alone was worth reflecting on.

But the author painfully avoids any meaningful critique. In the places where Spurgeon’s practice clearly deserved a footnote or two of honest disagreement, we get silence or excuses. I ended up more frustrated than helped by the time I finished.

[Joshua Bethay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chang clearly argues that, though a man richly gifted by God, Spurgeon’s ministry stood upon Reformed and Baptistic theological convictions, not personal whims, fancies, or powers.

As such, Spurgeon’s ministry is a model of doctrine emphasizing the centrality of the church and the preaching of God’s Word that can be replicated by pastors today.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read. I would assume that Chang has done so much research on Spurgeon that this book was relatively easy for him to write. Some chapters stood out, particularly the one on the infamous Pastor’s College (Chapter 9).

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in Spurgeon’s life and ministry. Chang is undoubtedly an expert on all things Spurgeon.

[Brandon Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, helpful tips just from hearing how he did things rather than just hearing his lectures on pastoring. I think my lead pastor could take some notes and fund me £1800 ($300k in today's money) to cover accommodation, fees and books while studying.

[Taylor Lazenby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spurgeon the 9Marks-ist for the win

[Eli Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chang provides an accessible peek into the pastoral ministry of Charles Spurgeon. It was fun to agree with Spurgeon, and even disagree with Spurgeon, but ultimately to take away that “church growth 101” may just be practicing faithful preaching, church membership, and ordinances.

[Riley Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this work is a pretty interesting look at a Baptist ecclesiology from another era. Not a very exciting read though.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books about Spurgeon that I have ever read. Most books focus on his preaching, giftedness, impact as a leader, or a particular part of his life like the downgrade controversy. This book is laser-focused on his work as a local church pastor. It gave me a clearer look at Spurgeon that I had not ever seen before.

The thesis of the book is that "Spurgeon's approach to these church matters was driven by biblical and theological convictions, rather than by pragmatism or convenience." The book examines preaching, Sunday gathering, membership, leadership, and ministries all through the lens of how Spurgeon approached them as a pastor. It is interspersed with quotes from Spurgeon so you get to hear him in his own words.

I think this book is invaluable. I was particularly impressed with how seriously Spurgeon took church membership. Every potential member had to have a membership interview and Spurgeon conducted many of these himself. Even at the height of the church's success, he found time to care about church membership. You even get insight as to how the church handled communion, or how they made sure members had seats each Sunday despite all of the visitors. You will get insight, not just into these areas, but also into his preaching, the school, elders, and more.

You will walk away from this book having an idea of what Spurgeon was actually like as a pastor. His theological and biblical convictions will be worth wrestling with even if they lead you to different conclusions or applications. The book does not try to convince you to adopt Spurgeon's methods. Instead, it presents them to you along with things to consider and potential ways to apply them. This protects the book from being a simple how-to manual and in turn, gives it more power.

If you want to know what Spurgeon was actually like in the day-to-day grind of local church work, then this is the book for you. If you are wanting a more general biography or introduction for Spurgeon, then this might be a good place to start. Just be prepared to focus mostly on the local church. This is especially useful for pastors, but I think even lay people interested in Spurgeon will find much to appreciate.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

[Troy Solava · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful pastoral biography. It helped answer many questions I had about how Spurgeon “pastored” his 6,000 church. Edifying. Some brief practical applications for modern readers. This is a good book for elder teams to read!

/
Second reading- I read this book over a few months with a fellow leader in our church. It was an edifying read to read with a bother. Still believe this is a great blend of pastoral theology, church history, and ecclesiology. A good, fun read as well.

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book enough; especially to Baptist pastors. A wonderful example of a book that shows how ecclesiology and polity really are one's "ministry philosophy." If you like Spurgeon the preacher, you'll love Spurgeon the pastor. Some chapters had some repeated sentences and ideas, but beside that, what a well-written book! This is the kind of church history research we need!

Favorite quotes:

"Spurgeon believed that God's saving work would not happen apart form the prayers of His people. Preaching was only half of the work. The congregation must support that work by constant ardent prayer" (58).

"It seems to me that the most Scriptural system of Church government is that with requires the most prayer, the most faiths and the most piety, to keep it going" (MTP 7:366, quoted on 58).

"... his choice of acapella singing was driven not so much by a low view of instruments, but a high view of the church. For that same reason Spurgeon also refused to have choirs. Again, they tended to distract, rather than enhance, the church's singing. Instead, Spurgeon taught that the congregation was to be the choir, singing their praises to an audience of One" (70).

"Perhaps the most basic ministry of every member was the ministry of attendance" (207).

"If the church grew, then the budget would also grow. So why be so rigorous about church membership? Of course, Spurgeon was glad for the budget to grow, but not at the expense of regenerate church membership" (209).

Spurgeon adds:

If we could tomorrow bring into the Church a sufficient number of ungodly but moral men to double our numbers, to double our subscriptions, to double our places of worship, to enable us to double the number of our missionaries, we should by succumbing to the temptation procure a curse instead of a blessing. In our purity, and in our purity alone we stand" (NPSP 6:222 quoted on 209).

"A living church is the best defense for the truth of the gospel" (251).

Can't wait to discuss with Eli!

[Caleb Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Over the course of his ministry, the church would hold 1,862 church meetings to conduct the business of the church...Before Spurgeon's arrival in 1854, the church held meetings once a month. However, by the fall of 1855, the congregation met twice a month in order to receive all the visitors applying for membership...The move to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1861 brought an increase in membership applications, more than doubling the number from previous years. For the next thirty years, the congregation would hold around sixty church meetings a year, and at times, more than eighty church meetings a year." - Geoff Chang

An incredible work of historical theology. Chang wonderfully takes Spurgeon's ecclesiology and sets it forth as a Biblical template for Baptists today. While Spurgeon is well-known for being a preacher, Chang sets the record straight and argues you can't separate Spurgeon the preacher from Spurgeon the pastor. It was simply so refreshing to read of a robust Baptist ecclesiology. Sometimes I wonder why we do what we do as a Church and it was incredibly encouraging to see a rich historical example of Baptistic ecclesiology played out: regenerate church membership, pastoral membership interviews, elder-led congregationalism, etc. Additionally, I was so encouraged to read of Church Discipline coming full circle in terms of excommunicated members rejoining the church. Chang writes that, "During Spurgeon's ministry, the membership reports record twenty-one members who were excommunicated, but eventually repented of their sin and were joyfully restored to fellowship." Highly recommended to all pastors. A book I will frequently open for encouragement and guidance!

[Matthew Bloomquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know Spurgeon, you probably know him for his blessed preaching. Preacher though he was, Spurgeon was far more. He was a Pastor at heart, and Preaching was just one key role of Spurgeon as a Pastor. In Spurgeon the Pastor, Geoffrey Chang brings attention to the faithful ecclesiological conviction of Spurgeon. Chang gives the reader a clear glimpse of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, its gatherings, its membership, its ordinances, its preaching ministry, its polity, and more. How did Spurgeon faithfully Shepherd his congregation of over 3,000 members? How did he know, feed, lead, protect, and care for each sheep?

Spurgeon did not appeal to the culture and try to attract the world for growth but rather committed himself to the ordinary means of grace, and Lord blessed his faithfulness. Despite such growth, Spurgeon refused to compromise the faithful shepherding of each sheep. He labored to present each member before Christ as holy and without blemish.

Definitely would recommend this not only to elders but to all members of the Church. I learned so much on various essential ecclesiological categories such as membership, the role of elders and deacons, and congregationalism to list a few through the lens of Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle!

[Pig Rieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did it mean to be a member of Charles Spurgeon’s church? Surely, the Prince of Preacher’s church was simply a large auditorium where sermons were everything and the membership, life of the congregation, shepherding, and more came by name only. But you would be wrong.

In this book, Geofferry Chang shows that Spurgeon’s 5,000 member congregation had a more robust life to its body than nearly any church you will find today. What Spurgeon saw in the Scriptures wasn’t optional practices for the life and governance of a church. If Christ commanded it, the church was obligated to follow. This included everything from the Sunday service, membership, pastoring, evangelism, and more.

The result is a book that provides a window into the life of Spurgeon and his churches. Furthermore, the book provides a historical rebuke for congregations today that have given up on what the Scriptures teach in regards for what a church is commanded to be.

[Brenden Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Though Dr. Chang is quick to admit that Spurgeon and his ministry was a special work of God, and in a unique time in history that would be tough to replicate, many of the practices of his Ecclesiology would be a solid corrective in today’s consumer ministry world.

Spurgeon cared deeply about theology, dense pastoral practice, and meaningful covenant membership.
All of this density, while somehow maintaining a 5000 member (not attendee…member) church. It’s an impressive and glorious display of God’s power through a unique man who’s been a hero in the faith of mine for some time.

And yet, he’s a brother in the Lord who was indwelt with the same Holy Spirit as myself.
Hence, his ministry is an encouragement that despite the waywardness of the world and the modern church’s desire for new fads…faithfulness, conviction, humility, authenticity, & intentionality are the true marks of a ministry unto God

Highly recommended for pastors & elders everywhere

[Josiah Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave great insight into Spurgeon’s ecclesiology, his training of pastors, method of preaching, means of meaningful church membership, and more. This could be a very helpful guide to elders of big churches wrestling through meaningful membership, church disciple, etc. in the context of having a huge membership, seeing that the membership at Metropolitan Tabernacle was 5,000 when Spurgeon passed away.

[Cale Fauver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heartily enjoyed seeing the warm, pastoral heart of Spurgeon for his members, fellow elders, the lost, and for orphans.

And also, what a humbling ending to his life to remind me that in the end, no matter what: “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? [What is Spurgeon?] Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each,” (1 Corinthians 3:5).

Dr. Chang has written such a helpful book.

[Andrew Gates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spurgeon was 9Marks-y. For those who have read 9Marks stuff, it's nothing super revolutionary. But, it may be enjoyable to read it in a more biographical account. I particularly enjoyed Spurgeon's comments on ordination (viewing it to be the same as the affirmation and calling done by the congregation) (185-186).