While magazines and newspapers are publishing their top ten “everything” of 2007 I though I would publish my top 10 Preachers of 2007. Those preachers and pastors who have made the list have greatly impacted my life in 2007 by their sermons and writings. These men of God have pointed me to the cross of Christ and the glory of God in 2007 by explaining God’s Word. Thank you to all who made the list. If one of these men has impacted your life in some way in 2007 please let me know.
1. John MacArthur
I suppose John MacArthur would make any top 10 list of preachers. Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God’s Word, John MacArthur is a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. I have had in 2007, as a companion, the John MacArthur Study Bible in my daily Bible reading. Dr. MacArthur is a frequent visitor to my mailbox through his mailing list. I am greatly indebted to Dr. MacArthur for showing me how to be a pastor, preacher and man of God, thank you.
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2. Alistair Begg
Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry for 32 years. Following graduation from The London School of Theology he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. Since 1983, he has been the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. Upon my morning commute, Alistair Begg comes into my car through my radio showing me, through the Word of God, the beauty, simplicity and sheer grandeur of our great and holy God.
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3. Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England’s best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London’s famed New Park Street Church. The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In 1861 the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle. I spoke with Spurgeon every day in 2007 through his timeless and classic devotional, Morning and Evening.
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4. R.C. Sproul
Dr. Sproul is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries and senior pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel both based in Orlando, Florida. He is also featured daily on Renewing Your Mind, an international radio broadcast. Dr. Sproul has come into my home 12 times in 2007 through the monthly magazine, Tabletalk, a publication of Ligonier Ministries. I feed on his timely articles and thoroughly enjoy his daily teaching on Renewing Your Mind.
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5. Iain Murray
Iain H. Murray was born (of Scottish parents) in Lancashire, England, April 19, 1931, and educated at King William’s College, Isle of Man, and the University of Durham. He helped found The Banner of Truth Trust, was assistant to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and pastor for numerous years. Dr. Murray authored several books that were influencial to me in 2007 including, Revival and Revivalism, The Old Evangelicalism and Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography (which I try to read each year). Thank you Iain for your kind letters, pastoral advice and mentorship through the years!
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6. Derek Prime
Derek Prime is an itinerant minister and writer. A former president of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, Mr. Prime has served as a pastor for more than 30 years, the last 18 as minister of Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh. Derek Prime continually filled my mind and heart with 3 sermons I heard him preach at Parkside Church (Alistair Begg’s church) entitled, On Being a Pastor. These three sermons caused me to reflect on my life and future ministry as a pastor. I probably heard these sermons 10 times each in 2007. Thank you Derek.
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7. Eric Alexander
Dr. Alexander was born and educated in Glasgow, where he earned degrees history, philosophy and theology at the University of Glasgow. After 15 years in a rural parish in Ayrshire, Scotland, he spent 20 years at historic St. George’s-Tron Church in the city center of Glasgow, retiring at the end of 1997. Every time I could hear or get my hands on a sermon my Eric Alexander in 2007 I downloaded, purchased, bought or read it. He is a phenomenal preacher and man of God.
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8. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was possibly the greatest British preacher of the twentieth century. His ministry at Westminster Chapel and his writings earned him respect and affection throughout the world. He had a decisive influence on many individuals and on evangelicalism as a whole. Dr. Lloyd-Jones lifted me often in 2007 into the throne room of grace through his numerous published sermons.
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9. John Piper
John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. John is the author of more than 30 books and is founder of Desiring God Ministries. Dr. Piper influenced me greatly in 2007 mainly through his writing. He lifts my heart to God in each sentence putting on display the glory of God in a way that is marvelous and joyous. He points me to the joy-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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10. Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards was born into a Puritan evangelical household on October 5, 1703, in East Windsor, Connecticut. He was the fifth of eleven children born to the Rev. Timothy and Esther Edwards. In 1726, Edwards succeeded his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard, as the pastor of the church in Northampton, Massachusetts, the largest and most influential church outside of Boston. He is the author of numerous works, many of which are spoken of on Pastor and People. I read many of these marvelous works in 2007. In 2007 Edwards taught me how to be a disciplined man of God creating in my heart a desire for holiness in my personal and public life. He continues to be and will always be one of my favorite preachers of all time.
All of these preachers, and many more have made huge impacts in my life in 2007. I owe a great debt of gratitude to all of these men and hope to thank them all in Heaven one day. Again, if any of these men have impacted your life in 2007 I would very much like to hear from you.
Filed under: Charles Spurgeon, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Derek Prime, Iain Murray, John MacArthur, John Piper, Jonathan Edwards, Pastors, Preaching, R.C. Sproul
Good list. I would like to see you do a list on who you think the 10 top preachers of today are!
Here are the 10 Preachers that have affected me the most;
1. Francis Chan
2. Alistair Begg
3. John Piper
4. Ravi Zacharias
5. Mark Driscoll
6. Erwin Mcmanus
7. R.C. Sproul
8. John MacArthur
9. Mark Dever
10. Hayes Wicker
Matt,
I suppose the title of this post should be, “The Top 10 Preachers that have Greatly Influenced my Life in 2007.” However, I thought this was a bit long. My top 10 picks of today would be:
1. John MacArthur
2. Sinclair Ferguson
3. Alistair Begg
4. Derek Thomas
5. R.C. Sproul
6. J. Ligon Duncan
7. Derek Prime
8. John Piper
9. Ravi Zacharias
10. Russell Moore
Thanks for your list!
Top 10 Preachers for me, in chronological order by when I first came across them (I confess, this listing is more in terms of preaching style, not doctrinal soundness):
- R.C. Sproul
- Ken Hemphill
- Ronnie Floyd
- Kie Bowman
- James Merritt
- Stephen LeBrock
- Al Mohler
- Mark Dever
- Alistair Begg
- Ligon Duncan
It was at the end of last year and mostly through this year that I came to embrace reformed theology. (Not all on my list are reformed though and some are not alive, listened to their past MP3s online)
My top 10 that have influenced me the most would be:
1. Paul Washer
2. Alistair Begg
3. John MacArthur
4. John Piper
5. R.C. Sproul
6. Jim McClarty
7. Leonard Ravenhill
8. Paris Reidhead
9. A.W. Tozer
10. Mike Fabarez
Will,
Thanks for adding Dr. Al Mohler to the list. He continues to have a large impact upon my life.
Dustin
Good lists!
Dustin,
Thanks for the list. Do you have a resource for where we can find the sermons by Derek Prime?
Scotty,
The only sermons I can find of Derek Prime’s are series he has preached at the Basics Conference at Alistair Begg’s church. Visit the Truth for Life website and look under conferences in the resource section. Let me do a shout out: if anyone knows where other online audio of Prime is please, let us know.
Blessings,
Dustin
A few sermons by Derek Prime can be found here:
http://www.charlottechapel.org/programme/search.php?field=series&value=43
http://www.stag.org/insearchorder.shtml?book=Any&preach=Derek+Prime&chaps=&start=+1&startyr=1986&end=12&endyr=2007&sort=bible&format=Any&title=&go=Submit
Because of Christ,
Rob
Thanks Rob this is very helpful!
Dustin
[...] across ‘Pastor and People’ before but was intrigued by the post entitled ‘Top 10 Preachers of 2007′ I confess I was very unsure about it expecting some sort of league table, celebrity approach [...]
John,
I visited your site, http://www.preachers.wordpress.com and was very impressed. Thank you for your kind words about Pastor and People. I hope you visit often and know that I will be giving your site a look over, having not seen it before. May the Lord continue to bless you in your efforts to glorify Him through faithful preaching.
Dustin
[...] Charles Haddon Spurgeon…read more of the [...]
As a belated contribution to this thread – I would a preacher that has had a powerful impact on me over the last six months or so is George Whitfield – his “The Method of Grace” (sermon 58) absolutely floored me.
Peace
Steve
Steve,
Thanks for the mention of God’s servant George Whitfield. Such a powerful man of God truly used for His glory. We can learn so much from this great revivalist!
Blessings,
Dustin
Here’s my personal list of the five best preachers currently preaching in the U.S.
1. John Wilkerson, First Baptist Church, Long Beach
2. Paul Washer
3. Marvin E. Wiley, Rock of Ages Baptist Church
4. Bobby Ready, River of Life, Port Vincent, LA
Andy Stanley
Ed Young
Erwin Mcmannus
Francis Chan.
These guys communicate for life change.
I would have to say Rob Bell would have to be included. He is leading the way of a new generation. Making Christianity accessible to people who haven’t gone to church for years. 10,000 people come to his services. We just spent 2 hours watching a video on “Spirtuality” on a Tuesday night after work and I didnt make “church” on Sunday.
I think that says it all.
The preachers who have been the biggest influence on my life are: Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, J.W. McGarvey, Leroy Brownlow, James Meadows,John Hunt, Drew Kizer, Brandon Renfroe.
Thanks for your thoughts on top 10 as well.
Thanks Roger for stopping by and for your list. I am sure each of these preachers named have pointed you to Christ!
Thanks for your list. In addition to the preachers you mentioned I would add John Bunyan. In 2007 and 2008 Bunyan influenced me greatly through his allegories. Our church read and studied “The Pilgrim’s Progress” parts I and II and “The Holy War.” Excellent reading! Bunyan had a fertile, scripturally-informed imagination.
I just did Expository Preaching as a subject and the two models we used was Richard Baxter and John Calvin, even though we couldn’t know how well they preached God used them powerfully regardless of what we might think. I would also add George Whitfield and to the guy who added Rob Bell, maybe he must go and research Rob Bell weird theology. Then John Piper must be America’s most powerful and anointed preacher at present.