April 1, 2021

Ebenezer Smith was a youth himself when 17-year-old Charles Spurgeon became the pastor of Waterbeach chapel. Because the congregation could not afford to pay Spurgeon much, he continued working as a tutor during the week in Cambridge. But he would visit his people in the evenings and on the weekends, and he made it a …

March 24, 2021

Last month, we published the first five years of The Sword and the Trowel on Spurgeon.org. Today, we are releasing the second five years, from 1870-1874. During these years, Spurgeon's ministry continues to expand as his students graduate from the Pastors' College, churches are planted, missionaries are sent out, the orphanage and book distribution ministries …

March 17, 2021

“How do I know if I’ve been called to pastoral ministry?” This was a question that Spurgeon frequently encountered. As the president of the Pastors’ College, Spurgeon interviewed a lot of young men aspiring to pastoral ministry, and he had to turn many of them away. Some criticized Spurgeon for having such a strict view …

February 24, 2021

The Sword and the Trowel began in January of 1865. Over the next 30+ years, this monthly magazine would become an effective instrument for the organization and cooperation of like-minded Baptists and evangelicals. As we have made the first five years of this magazine available on Spurgeon.org, here are a few articles to get you …

February 10, 2021

By the middle of the 1860's, the ministry of the Metropolitan Tabernacle was bustling. Church membership was approaching 3,000, with hundreds more joining the church each year. New elders were being appointed to provide spiritual care for the growing church. Spurgeon's sermons were being published weekly and distributed around the world. Out of the …

January 12, 2021

Since the early days of his pastorate, C.H. Spurgeon tutored and trained up gifted young men for the ministry. Over the first seven years of his ministry, Spurgeon would send out seven ministers, and yet more men were approaching him for training. By the spring of 1861, with sixteen men under his care, the financial …

January 5, 2021

For many churches, 2020 has proved to be a year of funerals. Pastors have walked alongside their people through the valley of the shadow of death and have buried many beloved church members. Yet, even as one who grieves with his people, the pastor must also model what it looks like to have hope amid …

November 24, 2020

It is Thanksgiving season once again in America. This is the time of the year when we gather with family and friends to feast together, giving thanks for God’s goodness in the previous year. Here in 2020, however, Thanksgiving comes at a difficult time. For so many, this has been a year of isolation, uncertainty, …

October 27, 2020

Founded in 1652, the New Park Street Chapel had been around for over 200 years when they called 19-year-old Charles Spurgeon to be their pastor in 1854. Like many other churches, this historic Baptist church went through many ups and downs throughout its long history. Reflecting on those pastoral transitions, Spurgeon shares nine lessons for …

October 6, 2020

The first seven years of Spurgeon's ministry in London were marked by revival. In addition to the massive crowds coming to hear him preach, hundreds were being converted and joining the church. This was not due to any gimmicks or entertainments, but the plain and powerful preaching of the gospel. In 1858, Spurgeon preached a …