Preaching, Publicity, and Fame (Grimke)

I've mentioned this book here before: Meditations on Preaching by Francis Grimke. Although born into slavery in 1850, Grimke was freed at a young age. Sadly, he was later captured and sold back into slavery. After the Civil War he went on to college and then attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1878. …

Praised for our Preaching? (Grimke)

 I recently picked up this short book called "Meditations on Preaching" by Francis Grimke.  To be honest, I hadn't heard about this book before but after looking into it seemed like the book would be worthwhile to read.  And it for sure is!  It's full of great Christian wisdom on preaching.  If you're a pastor …

The Danger of Popularity/Celebrity for Preachers (Newton)

 In a 1767 letter to one of his friends who was a pastor, John Newton said that a pastor has "two counter-streams to withstand."  Both of them, he said, will swipe the pastor off his feet unless the Lord upholds him.  What are these two counter-streams? Opposition and popularity.  Newton wrote that popularity is actually …

Popularity: A Pastor’s Fiery Trial

  Near the beginning of his 1830 publication on the pastoral ministry (The Christian Ministry), Charles Bridges discussed the trials and difficulties of the ministry.  In this section he wrote that for pastors, “the greatest difficulties derive their origin and power from ourselves.”  This whole section is outstanding, and very much worth reading.  One part …