Long May Thy Servant Feed Thy Sheep

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Michael A. G. Haykin

“Perhaps it is time to stop referring to Benjamin Beddome as forgotten. In recent years a slow but steady trickle of articles and books has begun to flow, and after a long dark night of neglect, the long serving Cotswold pastor is once again being thrust into the light of day and his writings examined and discussed afresh. This fine contribution from Yuta Seki breaks new ground by delving into the hitherto neglected question of what can be mined from the Beddome corpus to teach us about the vital matter of pastoral theology. In a robust but very readable and applied manner, an academic and a pastor draws attention to salient lessons on this perennially important subject that will be of interest and benefit to all faithful pastors and to any who seek seriously to serve the Lord Jesus in their own generation. This book is warmly commended. Thank you, Dr. Seki.”

Gary Brady

“Pastors today are facing something of a crisis. Unsure of their identity and role, many are looking to the world of business or entertainment for their models. Seki’s study of Benjamin Beddome’s pastoral theology provides a refreshing and biblical alternative. Here is one who looked to Christ and his word to shepherd his congregation of fifty-five years. Pastors would do well to remember his example (Heb 13:7) and apply it in their contexts.”

Geoff Chang

“In our day of instant gratification, long pastorates that span decades—with the self-denial, patience, and perseverance they demand—are increasingly (and unfortunately) rare. Perhaps the reason why our spiritual forefathers, including such rural pastors as Benjamin Beddome, persevered so faithfully in the ministry was because of their recognition of the dignity, eternal weight, and responsibilities of the pastoral office. Synthesizing Beddome’s letters, ordination sermons, hymns, and catechism, Dr. Seki retrieves the pastoral theology of a much-forgotten luminary in the eighteenth-century Particular Baptist movement to provide a compelling account of Beddome’s pastoral theology, including his emphasis on the qualifications, duties, gifts, self-examination, spirituality, experiential piety, and preaching of pastors. Here is a goldmine for scholars and pastors alike!”

Joel R. Beeke

“I have long encouraged pastors they need two pastoral mentors in their life. They need a living one of which they can sit down, watch, and learn. And they need a dead one they can read, reflect, and consider their example from another age. And after reading the book in your hands, I strongly believe Benjamin Beddome is one of those long gone, faithful pastors, and all modern pastors would immensely benefit from his life and ministry. Yuta Seki has done us a great service by providing this well-written and well-researched account of Beddome’s pastoral theology. And the beautiful, insightful account on why Beddome stayed in his smaller country church for his entire ministry, instead of moving to a more predominant, influential church in London is worth the price of the whole book. I commend both Beddome’s example and this book to you.”

Brian Croft

“In a world that prizes platform over perseverance and flash over faithfulness even in the pastorate, Benjamin Beddome’s life serves as a reminder of a better way. I was deeply convicted and spiritually challenged as Yuta Seki reintroduced me to this Cotswold pastor whose fifty-five years in one congregation yielded a legacy of deep faith, rich preaching, and pastoral steadfastness. This is both a compelling historical portrait and a timeless call for today’s pastors to live for the satisfaction of God’s pleasure even when in apparent obscurity.”

Hershael W. York

“It is in vogue today for evangelical scholars to engage in works of ‘retrieval.’ Theological retrieval, of course, is only as profitable as what’s being retrieved. Dr. Seki has done the church a great service by retrieving Benjamin Beddome, the eighteenth-century English Particular Baptist pastor who ministered for over five decades at Bourton-on-the-Water Baptist Church in rural England. Although his setting might be described as insignificant, Beddome’s influence was extraordinary through his catechism, preaching, hymns, and relationship with Bristol Baptist Academy for the training of ministers. Through this thoroughly researched and well-written work, Dr. Seki has accomplished a most worthy service of retrieval. For the good of the church and her ministers, may Beddome’s voice resound in our day.”

Michael Pohlman