In fifty-seven years, Charles Spurgeon accomplished three lifetimes of work. Every week he preached four to ten times, read six meaty books, revised sermons for publication, lectured, edited a monthly magazine. In his spare time, he wrote about 150 books.

Spurgeon shepherded the largest Protestant megachurch in the world (he knew all 6,000 members by name), directed a theological college, ran an orphanage, and oversaw sixty-six Christian charities.

"I wish it could be said of us that we wasted neither an hour of our time, nor an hour of other people’s time."

Spurgeon was also a father and husband. He never sacrificed his family on the altar of ministry.

So how did the Prince of Preachers schedule his week? Here’s what Spurgeon’s daily organizer looked like (taken from his Autobiography):

Monday

Wake early, revise stenographer’s transcription of yesterday’s sermon

Write/dictate letters and personal correspondence

After lunch, complete revision of the first draft of sermon, then send to printer

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, lead the prayer service at the Tabernacle

Conduct interviews for membership at the Tabernacle

Preach an optional late-night service

Tuesday

Wake early, revise second draft of sermon

11:00 am, complete revision of second draft, then send sermon to the printer

Write/dictate letters and personal correspondence

Lunch, research/write books, magazine articles, and other literary work

Afternoon, pastoral care/counseling at the Tabernacle

Evening, preside over Tabernacle societies and charities

Wednesday

Celebrate a much-needed mid-week Sabbath

Spend time with Susannah, Charles, and Thomas

Contemplate in garden or read in study

Relax

Thursday

Wake early, write/dictate letters and personal correspondence

Begin thinking about selecting a Scripture text for the evening sermon

Afternoon, write/edit books and other literary projects

Complete the final revision of the sermon, then send to printer for publication/distribution

After dinner, begin sermon preparation for the evening service

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, preach the evening service in the Lecture Hall of the Tabernacle

Friday

Wake early, prepare lecture on preaching for the students of the Pastors’ College

3:00 pm – 5:00pm, lecture for two hours at the College on Temple Street

Interview/mentor students afterwards

7:00 pm, attend business meeting at the Tabernacle

Saturday

Breakfast, then work with secretary on revising/editing books for publication

Resolve with secretary any outstanding projects for the week

Afternoon, entertain guests in garden if weather is favorable

6:00 pm, dismiss guests after dinner

“Now, dear friends, I must bid you good-bye and turn you out of this study; you know what a number of chickens I have to scratch for, and I want to give them a good meal tomorrow.”

10:00pm-12:00am, Prepare tomorrow’s sermon:

Select Scripture text

Ask wife to read the Scripture text aloud

Mentally divide sermon into natural breaking points as she reads

Scribble divisions onto a half sheet of paper in purple ink

Sunday

Wake early, ride carriage to the Tabernacle (15-20 minute journey)

Smoke one cigar “to the glory of God”

Arrive 30 minutes before the service



Worship service begins

Call to worship/announcements

Congregational singing from Our Own Hymn-Book (voices only, no organ)

Read Scripture text while offering extemporaneous expositions on its context

Begin preaching sermon (43-45 minutes, no longer)

Drink chili-vinegar if throat becomes irritated

Conclude service (no altar call, but “enquiry rooms” available)

Afternoon, greet visitors in the Pastor’s Vestry

Late afternoon, travel home to “Westwood” on Beulah Hill in Norwood

Begin sermon prep for the evening evangelistic service

Preach sermon at the Tabernacle

Travel home and retire for the week

A Final Word

David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, once asked Spurgeon, “How can you accomplish so much in one day?”

“You forget, Mr. Livingstone,” Spurgeon replied, “there are two of us working.”