Spurgeon’s Theology, Mary King, and Lay People; Part 2-
Reflective Writing Assignment
William C. King
CHMN 679: Capstone Seminar
February 1, 2026
Contents
On Sin & the Cross...........................................................................................................................1
Mary King and Lay People Development........................................................................................1
Follow-Up From Part 1....................................................................................................................2
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................4
ii
1
On Sin & the Cross
From the early outset of his ministry, sin and the cross lay at the heart of the theology of
C.H. Spurgeon. He taught that sin was not merely failure but total rebellion against God. The
only solution for that rebellion was the cross.1 He taught that Jesus bore the full penalty of sin as
a substitutionary sacrifice. Spurgeon understood the seriousness of sin and the more he
understood it, the deeper the love for God became. “…this caused Spurgeon to realize…that the
law was very valuable in helping us to understand our unfitness for the kingdom of heaven
except for the grace of God and the cross of Jesus Christ.”2 The service, evangelism, and ministry
of Charles was a natural outflow of the grace he received and the love he had for God.
From the beginning of my time in ministry, when I received the call to pastoral ministry, I
made a covenant with God that I would preach truth, not opinions. I have always strove to stand
by that promise. When I share the Gospel outside the walls of the church, it is no different. I
express God is love and loves all, but hell is real and it is urgent that we share that with others.
When sharing with the lost, I am reminded to speak honestly about sin while simultaneously
exalting Christ’s finished work. Like Spurgeon, I desire to let gratitude for grace shape both my
message and my manner, offering truth with compassion and urgency. Evangelism and
discipleship are paramount for me.
Mary King and Lay People Development
At the ripe old age of 15, Charles met Mary King, a cook from Newmarket Academy
where he was an assistant-tutor. She left a tremendous imprint on the way Charles understood
the role of laity, evangelism, and disciple making. Spurgeon frequently pointed to Mary King as
evidence that lay people are indispensable to the work of the gospel, sometimes exerting more
influence than prominent ministers. Churches should invest in training lay leaders, creating
1 Rod Earls, Spurgeon’s Theology for Multiplying Disciples and Churches: The Story of How Spurgeon and the
Metropolitan Tabernacle Followed Christ (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2022), 55.
2 Rod Earls. Spurgeon Chapters 3 Overview. Lynchburg, Virginia, 2023.
2
relational pathways for mentorship, and affirming the spiritual significance of everyday
faithfulness. Therefore, this is one area where I focus a lot of attention. In the Church of God
(Cleveland, TN), we have a leadership program that ministers can guide their laity through.
However, I also believe there is a practical application to many of these informational sessions.
This is where I guide my lay leaders through practical experiences. For instance, when a hospital
visitation is needed, I enlist the help of that lay leader and they come with me to complete the
visit.
Follow-Up From Part 1
This final section is a reflection on the most influential not on my last paper was. Dr.
Earl’s stated, “John Wooden (voted the greatest US coach of the twentieth century by ESPN)
kept a Bible on his desk all the years he coached at UCLA. He has a quote in his autobiography:
‘A careful man I want to be for a little fellow follows me. I do dare to go astray, for fear he will go
the same self way.’” The reason this becomes the most influential and meaningful for me is
simple. At this moment, I have a nine-year-old son. He wants to follow his father’s footsteps in
everything. I preach and he says he wants to be a preacher. I teach Taekwondo and he wants his
blackbelt. I write books and he comes in with little books written.
This quote coincides and just reiterates one of my favorite and most influential songs:
“Watching You” by Rodney Atkins. I am not a country music fan anymore but this song still
resounds with me. I always want to keep myself in check in order to lead those, effectively, in
my own home.
I have tried to instill in my kids their entire life the values and principles of Christ. I have
guided with love and correction, discipline and grace. Yet, I also feel there is always more I can
do. I want to reflect Christ so brightly that like the Apostle Peter, where I walk my shadow heals.
I want to live, breathe, move, and exist with everything I am, in Christ.
3
Bibliography
Earls, Rod. Spurgeon Chapters 3 Overview. Lynchburg, Virginia, 2023.
—. Spurgeon’s Theology for Multiplying Disciples and Churches: The Story of How Spurgeon and
the Metropolitan Tabernacle Followed Christ. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock , 2022.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
