Description
The revival of the Church seems to be closely connected with the condition of its ministry. Bridges sub-titled the study of the Christian Ministry, ‘An Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency’, and, rightly used, it is well suited to promote a faithful and effective ministry.
The Christian Ministry is Bridges’ best known literary work, but his expositions of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Psalm 119 are also highly valued.
Bridges begins by considering the general and personal cause of ministerial ineffectiveness, and goes on to examine comprehensively preaching and pastoral work. This book was one of the few which the godly Robert Murray M’Cheyne took with him to the Holy Land, and, in its field, it is without an equal.
‘To enlighten the mind and affect the heart are the two main ends of the Christian ministry. The first demands wisdom and plainness, the second fervency, as the spirit of scriptural preaching. This combination exhibits the minister as “a burning and a shining light” … imparting the spiritual light of divine truth, as well as the spiritual heat of divine fervour … Nothing, says Baxter, is more indecent than a dead preacher speaking to dead sinners the living truth of the living God.’
– CHARLES BRIDGES, in The Christian Ministry, p. 318.
Endorsements
‘This book has been my companion for almost fifty years. First published in 1830, it is arguably more needed now than then. It is a classic, serving as a guide to all who are aware of the perils and privileges of pastoral ministry.’ — ALISTAIR BEGG
‘People ask me, “What’s the very best book for Ministers?” Overall for the ministry, and for passionate preaching, and how to preach to different kinds of people – there’s nothing like The Christian Ministry.’ — JOEL BEEKE
Table of Contents
PREFACE
PART I
GENERAL VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
I The Divine Origin and Institution of the Christian Ministry 1
II The Dignity of the Christian Ministry 5
III Uses and necessity of the Christian Ministry 8
IV The trials and difficulties of the Christian Ministry 11
V The comforts and encouragements of the Christian Ministry 17
VI The qualifications of the Christian Ministry 24
VII Preparation for the Christian Ministry 31
1) Habits of General Study 33
2) Special Study of the Scriptures 50
3) Habits of Special Prayer 60
4) Employment in the Cure of Souls 63
PART II
GENERAL CAUSES OF THE WANT OF SUCCESS IN THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
I The Scriptural warrant and character of Ministerial success; together with the symptoms of want of success 72
II The withholding of Divine Influence the main cause of the want of Ministerial success 78
III The enmity of the natural heart a main cause of the want of Ministerial success 82
IV The power of Satan a main hindrance to Ministerial success 84
V Local hindrances to Ministerial success 86
VI The want of a Divine call a main cause of failure in the Christian Ministry 90
PART III
CAUSES OF MINISTERIAL INEFFICIENCY CONNECTED WITH OUR PERSONAL CHARACTER
I Want of entire devotedness of heart to the Christian Ministry 106
II Conformity to the world 112
III The fear of man 122
IV The want of Christian Self-denial 127
V The Spirit of covetousness 138
VI Neglect of retirement 145
VII The influence of spiritual pride 151
VIII Absence or defect of personal religion 155
IX The defect of family religion; and the want of connection of the Minister’s family with his work 165
X Want of Faith 173
PART IV
THE PUBLIC WORK OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
I The institution and importance of the ordinance of Preaching 188
II Preparation for the Pulpit 192
1) Composition of Sermons 196
2) Habits of Meditation 208
3) Special Prayer 212
III The Scriptural mode of preaching the Law 222
1) The preaching of the Law – its character – uses – and obligations 223
2) The connexion of the Law with the Gospel 229
IV The Scriptural preaching of the Gospel 239
1) Doctrinal preaching of the Gospel 246
2) Experimental preaching of the Gospel 259
3) Practical preaching of the Gospel 263
4) Applicatory preaching of the Gospel 269
5) Discriminating preaching of the Gospel 276
6) Decided preaching of the Gospel 281
V The mode of Scriptural preaching 283
1) Topical and expository preaching 284
2) Extempore and written Sermons 286
VI The Spirit of Scriptural preaching 296
1) In Boldness 296
2) In Wisdom 299
3) In Plainness 309
4) In Fervency 318
5) In Diligence 323
6) In Singleness 327
7) In Love 333
PART V
THE PASTORAL WORK OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
I The Nature and importance of the Pastoral work 344
II Treatment of cases in the Pastoral work 361
1) The Infidel 361
2) The Ignorant and Careless 363
3) The Self-righteous 365
4) The False Professor 367
5) Natural and Spiritual Convictions 369
6) The Young Christian 371
7) The Backslider 376
8) The Unestablished Christian 377
9) The Confirmed and Consistent Christian 379
INDEX 384
Product Details
Title: The Christian Ministry: With an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency
Author: Charles Bridges
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Pages: 400
Binding: Cloth-bound
Size: 22.3 x 14.6 x 2.8 cm
ISBN: 9780851510873