by John Angell James
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
John Angell James' An Earnest Ministry: The Need of the Times is a compelling and deeply convicting appeal to ministers of the gospel, urging them toward a spirit of holy earnestness in their sacred calling. Written in 1847, this work stands as both an exhortation and a solemn warning, calling preachers to recover the kind of fervent, Spirit-filled proclamation that characterized the apostolic church and the greatest awakenings in church history. James contends that nothing less than a ministry of deep, burning zeal will suffice for the weighty task of shepherding souls, pleading with ministers to remember that they stand as ambassadors of Christ, entrusted with the most consequential message ever given to mankind.
With remarkable clarity, James defines true earnestness—not as mere emotional excitement or rhetorical flourish, but as a consuming devotion to the glory of God and the salvation of souls. He lays out the essential elements of an earnest ministry, including fervency in preaching, pastoral care, and personal holiness, illustrating these principles with the examples of great preachers from church history. He does not shy away from exposing the dangers of lukewarm ministry, warning against an intellectualized, lifeless pulpit that fails to move hearts toward Christ. James is especially keen to address the minister’s role in pressing sinners toward conversion, urging preachers to avoid complacency and to make the conversion of souls their chief aim.
One of the book’s great strengths is its practical application. James offers means by which ministers can cultivate earnestness, including dependence on divine grace, a serious engagement in prayer, and a relentless pursuit of personal sanctification. He does not merely call for greater effort but insists that true ministerial power comes from divine unction—without which, all human labor is vain. This is a book that will stir any pastor, preacher, or Christian leader to examine his own ministry, asking whether he is truly laboring with the urgency and passion that the gospel demands.
James' writing is powerful, rich with biblical references, and marked by a tone of loving urgency. His words are convicting, but not without encouragement; he holds up the glorious fruits of an earnest ministry, showing how God has worked through devoted men in the past and can do so again. The book serves as both a rebuke to complacency and a rallying cry for a new generation of ministers who will be willing to expend themselves wholly for Christ.
John Angell James (1785–1859) was a Nonconformist preacher in Birmingham, England, and a leading figure in the evangelical movement of the 19th century. His works, including The Anxious Inquirer and Christian Charity, were widely read and influential in both Britain and America. A devoted pastor and a gifted writer, James sought to awaken the church to the seriousness of the Christian ministry and the urgency of evangelistic labor. His legacy endures as a model of faithful, Spirit-filled preaching, and An Earnest Ministry remains a vital resource for those who desire to see the gospel proclaimed with passion and power.
-----
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Apostolic Ministry
Nature of Earnestness
Earnestness in Preaching
Illustrations of Earnestness
Earnestness in the Delivery of Sermons
Earnestness in the Pastorate
Examples of Earnestness
Motives to Earnestness
Means of Obtaining Earnestness
Necessity of Divine Influence