My notes from Vaughan Robert’s talk in the final session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…
Strategic thinking for strategic times (reflecting on the life and ministry of Charles Simeon)
Charles Simeon was born 250 years ago. What he said was so contemporary.
What would he say to us now?
1. Let the Bible speak
He had a pocket Bible which he took everywhere which had Jeremiah 20:9 highlighted. From conversion all he wanted to do was proclaim God’s Word. His task was not to impose on Scripture but let the Bible speak – the father of expository preaching.
“My endeavour is to bring out of Scripture what is there.”
Assumed that every part of the Bible is from God to say something. How we need the voice of God to be heard. How many pulpits are full of the musings of men? When the Bible is taught God’s voice is heard. Vital importance of learning what God is saying in the passage.
2. Make sure you get the message across
He was committed to training young men. Teaching them how to preach. Simeon thought it was possible to be very faithful and very dull.
Three things he thought about this that were important:
- Unity in design – one main idea, what the thrust of the passage is.
- Perspicuity in arrangement – workout what the headings might be, divide it up.
- Simplicity in diction – speak to be understood, lots in Simeon’s writings about how to speak.
One person who had head 100s of his sermons said that Simeon could not be dull. He passionately believed what he saying and communicated that passion.
3. Expect opposition
The congregation at Holy Trinity was not impressed with Simeon’s appointment. Had 30 years of opposition. Said “I’d gladly bear the cross for Thy sake”.
4. Think strategically
From the beginning of his ministry he had an enormous vision – evangelisation of this country. Never limited to the parish. To reach England he knew they needed many gospel ministers.
Simeon focused on recruiting, training and deploying. He recruited from Cambridge University, he also gave money to send men from backwater places to Cambridge to be trained by him. He trained men, he spent hours with individuals (12-15 a year for conversation classes). Many of Simeon’s men could not get jobs so Simeon set up his trust to buy the rights to appoint men.
5. Have a global vision
Sent out early chaplains to India (including Henry Martyn). He was passionate about reaching the Jews. Have a global vision.
6. Be Bible Christians
Big divide in Simeon’s day was Calvinist and Arminians. Simeon didn’t get too involved in a party He was a moderate Calvinist but refused to be a system Christian. He said be a Bible Christian.
7. Stick at it
Charles Simeon prayed for those he had trained. Wrote to them. Organised house parties for them. Encouraged them to stick at it. In his last hours said “Jesus Christ is my all in all.”
