The Christian Ministry: A Book Review by Caleb Fritz.
Charles Bridges’ purpose in writing The Christian Ministry is presented in the preface in which he discloses that his reason for presenting this work is due to the “interesting subject of Ministerial inefficiency.” Confronted by various issues and difficulties of many pastors in his day, Bridges sets out to write an all-encompassing work that (1) lays a theological foundation for the origin and scope of Christian ministry, (2) examines and addresses specific ministry pitfalls and inefficiencies linked to personal character, and (3) outlines both the public and pastoral work of the Christian ministry.
Bridges’ Puritan influence is hard to ignore, for he champions a high view of God similar to Calvin, Luther, Edwards, and others that came before him. The bedrock that Bridges builds his theology of Pastoral Ministry upon is ultimately the glory of God. He writes, “The Church is the mirror, that reflects the whole effulgence [radiance] of the Divine character” (1). The Church, as God’s institution, is the main avenue through which God displays his glory throughout the world. For Bridges, the beginning and the end of Pastoral Ministry is God himself, his holiness and grace displayed through the saints across the earth.
Bridges may be biased in his high view of ministerial work held higher in value than other professions. My undergraduate education at Evangel University placed a very high emphasis on all callings being sacred callings. A person could serve God as a doctor, social worker, lawyer, business person, etc., and that would be a divine calling of sorts. Although it is clear to me that the call to ministry is certainly both distinct from other professions and higher in its sense of spiritual responsibility as an undershepherd of Jesus over the Church, I think that it is healthy to emphasize the priesthood of all believers, with the pastor having the responsibility to equip believers for works of ministry (Eph. 4:8). Even though all saints share the burden of ministry, the pastor shares the heavier burden of caring for the saints, so Bridges may be correct in his view, as long as it is not over emphasized such that the ministry of the laity is downplayed.
A major theme throughout The Christian Ministry is the link between ministerial efficiency and personal character. Bridges notes that the “effect of Apostles’ resolution to ‘give themselves to prayer, and to the Ministry of the word’ (Acts 6:4-7), exhibited the influence of Christian devotedness upon Ministerial success” (106). Effectiveness in ministry, displayed through genuine faithfulness in service, is sourced by a robust Christian character that originates in devotion to and adoration for Christ and his gospel. If we are striving to see people grow in God’s grace through the saving power of the gospel in repentance and holiness, that must be demonstrated in our own lives as well. Reading and processing this book has strengthened my desires for holiness and purity in character. My hope is to live in holiness by grace in community, submitting myself to spiritual authority that will spur me onto to humble, godly obedience that follows the faithful pattern that Charles Bridges demonstrates is necessary to be a faithful pastor.
In relating to personal character, the author also expounds on the necessity of “family religion” (165). Bridges explains that the family is a microcosm of the Church. 1 Timothy 5 is very clear that a pastor is not fit to oversee the church if he cannot oversee his family well. On children, Bridges is careful to consider, “though [the father] cannot convey grace to his children, at least he can enforce restraint, and acquit himself of the guilt of ‘honouring his sons before God’” (166). Discipleship, both inside and outside of the family, is an essential facet of the pastorate, and if a father does not intentionally and faithfully disciple his children, how can he be fit to disciple and shepherd others? Bridges also does a fantastic job in emphasizing the importance of the pastor’s wife. He writes, “It cannot be doubted, that our work has been greatly weakened by the dissociation of the Minister’s wife from the service of God. In every sphere there are departments peculiarly fitted for her” (170). Many contemporary complementarian writers and thinkers neglect the connectedness and shared calling that the pastor and the pastor’s wife carry. Bridges asserts that as the wife is connected to a “Christian Minister, she has bound herself to his work and to his cross; and must expect–as far as she appears by her husband’s side–not only to sympathize, but actually share, in the double measure of hardness, misrepresentation, and reproach, portioned out to the faithful servant of God…” (171). Through Bridges’ exhortation on this issue, I find it necessary for “pastoral spouses” to seek unity in calling for the vitality of their marriage and respective souls.
Charles Bridges does the reader a great favor in detailing out the practical aspects of preaching, from preparation to delivery and beyond (totaling over 150 pages, 40% of the book). Although the entirety of this section is a goldmine, the chapter that resonated with me most was “The Spirit of Scriptural Preaching,” in which he advocates for a variety of characteristics that produce fruitful preaching. (296). Most notably, the author touches on boldness in the preaching of the gospel as something that is “a spiritual, holy principle, combined with meekness, humility, and love, and with a deep consciousness of our own weakness and infirmities” (298). Preaching boldly chiefly utilizes a bold God to awe and inspire an audience through the heralding of the gospel. I long to be a bold preacher, one who unashamedly declares the goodness of God, one who is not afraid to declare hard truths, that God may shine gloriously in the lives of his saints. I’m thankful for the witness of Charles Bridges who notes that there will be “haters of our message” when we preach boldly, but bold preaching “secures the confidence of the true flock of Christ, and the approbation of our conscience in the sight of God” (299).
The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges is a fantastic read and an incredible wealth of wisdom and practical tips for those discerning or living out a call to Pastoral Ministry. In particular, his discussion on personal character, marriage, and preaching were extremely helpful. Although the vocabulary is fairly archaic, this book is well worth the investment and is sure to be an anchor on the shelf of any pastor’s library.
Read previous intern book reviews:
Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by Ben Wright