Christian ministry - Bridges - XI - Part IV commenced

Required reading
Christian ministry by Charles Bridges (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Begin Part Four by reading Chapter 1 and Section 1 (Composition of sermons) of Chapter 2.

My summary
Now Bridges begins a new section on 'The public work of the Christian ministry'.

In Chapter 1, Bridges shows that preaching is an important and vital component of the ministry.  He uses the Old Testament, the New Testament, Early Church History and Reformation Church History to make his point.

The part that we read today in Chapter 2 included introductory remarks on the preparation for the pulpit and instructions for the composition of sermons.  Bridges advised about:
- the selction of texts;
- the use of commentaries;
- the overcrowding of sermons with matter;
- having a complete sense from the text;
- clearly and logically arranging the sermon;
- the danger of copying sermons and preachers.

What grabbed me
As a young preacher still very new to the work, I liked the advice given about copying other preachers: 'There will be, however, great injury in slavishly following any popular pattern.  It is useful to observe the diversities of gifts in our brethren; but our chief business is with the discernment and cultivation of our own gifts, and the sedulous endeavour to acquire a competent measure of all Ministerial gifts, at least so as not in any part wholly to come short.  Many young Ministers have crippled their effectiveness, by a vain attempt to exercise the higher qualifications of their more favoured brethren; instead of improving the more humble, but perhaps equally useful capabilities, which had been distributed to them.'

It is tempting to try and mimic better preachers, but it is far better to work hard at using what God has given me. 

Bridges makes a statement later on about the use of books which could also be said about observing other preachers: 'Thus while we learn from all, we may almost be said to borrow from none.  The Ministerial student will find this exercise both useful to his mind, and a means of grace to his soul.'

Next week's reading
Continue reading Part 4 by finishing Chapter 2 on the Preparation for the Pulpit (Sections 2 and 3).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.