Spurgeon on Leadership: Key Insights for Christian Leaders from the Prince of Preachers

by Larry J. Michael

Book Overview

(Foreword by Lewis A. Drummond) "I highly recommend this book to all serious students of leadership!" --John C. Maxwell, Founder of the INJOY Group

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0825433444
• ISBN13: 9780825433443
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Appreciation for Spurgeon continues to grow with this book!

Great book - well-written leadership book using the life, writings and influence of one of the great saints of the faith as his foundation and backdrop, author Larry Michael not only exposes the reader to Charles Haddon Spurgeon, but also explains how God used this man to literally change the world around him for the glory of God! I've always had a fascination with Spurgeon, especially as a Christian raised in the Reformed tradition now belonging to a Baptist church, Spurgeon has been the common link between these two worlds - wholly devoted to doctrine and the sovereignty of God while passionately evangelical providing leadership through service even unto the least of these. The life and ministry of Spurgeon is a picture of a man entirely sold out to God for His glory and for His pleasure. Spurgeon was a man's man and God's man at the same time - what you saw was what you got...and that was a robust, honest, intelligent, passionate, compassionate, animated, serious man of faith. Michael does a great job of really pulling from the life and ministry of Spurgeon some excellent points of application not only for those in ministry, but for everyone who is called to be a "minister" of the gospel of Christ (all believers). The book is a great read for every parent, businessman, missionary, pastor, lawyer, teacher, musician...the list goes on and on. Spurgeon was a man of highest integrity who lived the same on Monday as he preached about on Sunday. His passion for the orphans of England was matched by his passion to train up another generation of godly young men to preach and teach others God's Word - and he was not merely a man of ideas or words, he was a man of action putting feet to his faith in countless ways. I hope more people are captured by the life of this incredible man whose life goal was to introduce as many people to the saving knowledge of Christ as possible - and with this book, Larry Michael continues the legacy of Spurgeon for another generation!

Valuable Lessons From the Prince of Preachers.

Samuel Brengel, a great Salvation Army evangelist wrote: "The final estimate of men shows that history cares not an iota for the rank or title a man has borne, or the office he has held, but only the quality of his deeds and the character of his mind and heart." Never has a man proved this more true than Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Larry J. Michael reminds us that Spurgeon decided against formal theological education and ordination early in his ministry. Yet this man who rejected titles such as Reverend and called human ordination, "empty hands on empty heads," has been given the title of Prince of Preachers by the generations that have followed him.Many of of our readers will probably ask, "Do we really need another book about Spurgeon?" Once you read Spurgeon on Leadership, you will certainly be thankful that Larry Michael believed there was such a need. This is not a biography but rather a study in the leadership style of the most influential Baptist in the last two hundred years. The first twelve chapters define the characteristics of Spurgeon's leadership style that set him apart from the crowd. The last two chapters focus on current events in Spurgeon's world and ours and how Christian leadership can respond to those challenges.Spurgeon On Leadership is a highly practical book. Each chapter ends with a list of leadership lessons we can learn from Spurgeon. For example in the chapter on creativity we are given this leadership lesson: "The message of the gospel does not change, but the manner of its presentation may be adapted according to the situation. Spurgeon said, "I am not very scrupulous about the means I use for doing good ... I would preach standing on my head, if I thought I could convert your souls." (p. 151)Everyone can benefit from this book. Whether you are an official leader in your church or sit on the back row of your Sunday School class there is much to learn here. You will be surprised by some of the things you learn about Spurgeon and yourself along the way.Perhaps the most refreshing thing about Spurgeon On Leadership is that we are reminded of what God wants to do with each of us. Our thanks go out to Dr. Michael for encouraging us to think big thoughts about God and for His work. Spurgeon refused to be forced into other people's boxes and so should we! Let us be what God wants us to be and do it with the gusto that Charles H. Spurgeon did.

Lessons from the Prince of Preachers

Samuel Brengel, a great Salvation Army evangelist wrote: "The final estimate of men shows that history cares not an iota for the rank or title a man has borne, or the office he has held, but only the quality of his deeds and the character of his mind and heart." Never has a man proved this more true than Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Larry J. Michael reminds us that Spurgeon decided against formal theological education and ordination early in his ministry. Yet this man who rejected titles such as Reverend and called human ordination, "empty hands on empty heads," has been given the title of Prince of Preachers by the generations that have followed him.Many of of our readers will probably ask, "Do we really need another book about Spurgeon?" Once you read Spurgeon on Leadership, you will certainly be thankful that Larry Michael believed there was such a need. This is not a biography but rather a study in the leadership style of the most influential Baptist in the last two hundred years. The first twelve chapters define the characteristics of Spurgeon's leadership style that set him apart from the crowd. Those characteristics are:The last two chapters focus on current events in Spurgeon's world and ours and how Christian leadership can respond to those challenges.Spurgeon On Leadership is a highly practical book. Each chapter ends with a list of leadership lessons we can learn from Spurgeon. For example in the chapter on creativity we are given this leadership lesson: "The message of the gospel does not change, but the manner of its presentation may be adapted according to the situation. Spurgeon said, "I am not very scrupulous about the means I use for doing good ... I would preach standing on my head, if I thought I could convert your souls." (p. 151)Everyone can benefit from this book. Whether you are an official leader in your church or sit on the back row of your Sunday School class there is much to learn here. You will be surprised by some of the things you learn about Spurgeon and yourself along the way.Perhaps the most refreshing thing about Spurgeon On Leadership is that we are reminded of what God wants to do with each of us. Our thanks go out to Dr. Michael for encouraging us to think big thoughts about God and for His work. Spurgeon refused to be forced into other people's boxes and so should we! Let us be what God wants us to be and do it with the gusto that Charles H. Spurgeon did.