Research Assessment #4

Subject:

Soulwinning
Source:
Spurgeon, Charles H. "What Is It to Win a Soul?"
The Soulwinner
. New Kensington, PA.: Whitaker
House, 1995. 9-38. Print.
Date:
October 23, 2015
Analysis:
Affectionately known as the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon rose as a significant
minister of Gods Word in Great Britain during the mid-19th century. On a weekly basis, Spurgeon
preached to thousands and taught theology at The Pastors College, which he helped found.
The
Soulwinner
is a collection of lectures and teachings given by Spurgeon to college students, Sunday
school teachers, and other fellow Christians regarding what he refers to as the most royal
employment, soulwinning. Today, soulwinning is most synonymous with sayings such as
conversionand bringing-to-Christ. In keeping consistent with my current line of research, I will
primarily discuss the aspect of Spurgeons teachings that highlight soulwinnings relationship with
church unity.
Even in the setting of mid-19th century Great Britain was there misdirection in ministries
implementation of the Great Commission. Spurgeon warned that soulwinning is not steal[ing]
members from other established churches and train[ing] them to say our particular creed. This
pattern of church teaching, noted over one hundred and fifty years ago, halfway across the globe,
persists in Collin County today. As I travel from church to church in my humble search for wisdom
and understanding in my own walk with Christ, I note the same pattern. Churches implore the use of
slightly different programs, worship styles, and teaching methods not to win souls, but to increase
membership. The demographic of local church populations does not reflect the demographic of the
cities that make up Collin County. As Collin Countys population diversifies and grows, shouldnt our
churches reflect the same diversification and growth? Is the Gospel being preached and spread
unabashed to all? Are Christians actively in the world, yet not of it? From the outside looking in, it
appears as if the differing styles of each church in the area are catered to the comforts of the
culturally Christian rather than the desperation of the damned. A Christians call to soulwinning is a
call to create new converts, to push boundaries, to gain new ground. A Christians call to soulwinning
is not to advocate for the swapping of cards amongst the differing proverbial decks in our area.
Spurgeon beautifully concludes that the increase of the kingdom is more to be desired than
the growth of a clan [the] object is not the revision of opinions, but the regenerations of natures.
As different people develop different personalities, learning styles, and life experiences, it only
makes sense that they would be attracted to different styles of church. Soulwinning is to bring

people to Christ, not to Christianity. To realign and redefine our understanding of this concept would
be to foster unity amongst the greater Church of Christ, the unity the Scripture calls for and the
unity I strive to see take place in Collin County. Such unity in the Spirit would foster the brotherhood
modeled by Jesus Christ, the perfecter of our faith. Brotherhood will bring peace. Peace between
God and man, as well as peace between man and man, will save lives and build Gods kingdom as He
wills and desires.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
-Hebrews 12:1-2