1. A true leader is willing to stand by the courage of his convictions. When it came to leadership issues related to sin and righteousness, Spurgeon yielded no ground whatsoever. If he encountered error, he would confront it. “We must not allow sin to go unrebuked. Yield in all things personal, but be firm where truth and holiness are concerned.”
2. People are inspired when their leaders show the willingness to risk everything for their beliefs. … [Read More]
Spurgeon on Leadership (7): Nine Lessons on Courage
Spurgeon on Leadership (6): Nine Lessons on Casting Vision
1. Leaders and organizations must have a vision to survive and thrive in an ever-changing world. Spurgeon recognized the need for a new vision upon his arrival in London to serve as pastor of a declining inner-city church. We must show our people the way forward.
2. Effective leaders are able to create and sustain a compelling vision for their followers. Spurgeon brought to his church creative leadership that extended throughout his thirty-seven years of ministry. … [Read More]
Charles Spurgeon on Leadership (5): Twelve Lessons on Character
1. Authentic leaders exhibit an uncompromising standard of moral character. It is no coincidence that Spurgeon’s legacy as a Christian leader is due in large measure to the fact that he exhibited steadfastly the highest moral conduct throughout his life.
2. The early development of character is crucial to the moral constitution of a leader. Under the training and tutelage of godly Puritan grandparents, the foundation of Spurgeon’s character was laid, and the seed was sown … [Read More]
Charles Spurgeon on Leadership (4): Seven Lessons on the Minister’s Calling
A Christian leader must first be led by God before he can lead others. The principal foundation of leadership is our life of faith, based on our personal relationship to Jesus Christ. “Brethren, you are not meant for anything but God; therefore, surrender yourselves to God, and find in Him your wealth, your honour, and your all.”
An ounce of personal testimony is worth more than a ton of heavy theology. Spurgeon’s spiritual conversion was so … [Read More]
Recommended Pre-Seminary Reading
Several times a year I participate in a faculty panel during our Preview Weekends at Southeastern Seminary. Prospective students pepper us with questions about theological education, doctrine, campus culture, and ministry. It isn’t uncommon for prospective students to ask us what books they ought to be reading before they enroll in seminary. In this post, I want to share some recommended readings for students who plan to attend Southeastern or a similar seminary or divinity … [Read More]
Clayton King’s “Dying to Live”: Buy a Box for Your Students
Clayton King has been a good friend of mine for 16 years now, and his most recent book encapsulates many of the things that I have admired about him over the years. I met Clayton when we were both college students. I was just learning to preach the gospel, but Clayton had been preaching since he was 14, and he was one heckuva preacher already. I learned a lot from him, even thought he is … [Read More]
Charles Spurgeon on Leadership (3): Seven Observations about Context
1. To understand a leader’s influence; one must evaluate him in the context of his ministry. Although Spurgeon was very successful in his day and time, one must set him and all other leaders within their context to understand their specific impact.
2. A leader cannot be separated from the background, environment, culture, and other multiple outside influences that contribute to his development as a person. Every leader is as much a product of the … [Read More]
Charles Spurgeon on Leadership (2): Nine Observations about Confidence
1. The Christian leader has an innate confidence that springs from knowing that he/she is in the center of God’s will. Spurgeon recognized that infinite source of confidence at an early age and persistently pursued God’s will. He was absolutely convinced as we should, is “all that matters in life is that you please God.”
2. The best exercise of faith is one’s complete trust and confidence in God. Spurgeon urged his people, “It is … [Read More]
Spend Your Weekend at SEBTS Feb 4-5: Come Hear Danny Akin, Al Mohler, Michael Green, J. Budziszewski, and Bruce Little
Conversing with the Culture (Feb 4-5, 2011)
We at Between the Times would like to invite you to this year’s 20/20 conference, “Conversing with the Culture,” on Southeastern’s campus Feb 4-5, 2011. This year’s conference centers on how to speak Christian truth to a culture that isn’t listening, and features plenary sessions by Danny Akin (SEBTS), Al Mohler (Southern Seminary), Michael Green (Oxford), J. Budziszewski (University of Texas-Austin), and Bruce Little (SEBTS), in addition to 24 … [Read More]
Charles Spurgeon On Leadership (1)
One of my spiritual heros and role models is Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was born June 19, 1834 at Kelvedon, County of Essex, England and he died on January 31, 1892. He was only 57 years old.
He was, without question, the greatest preacher in 20th century in the English speaking world. He was an evangelical Calvinist who pastored at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London for more than 30 years. Spurgeon was a great preacher, … [Read More]
