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John Williamson Nevin served the Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Church through a long and fruitful life. Nevin confronted practical issues arising out of American Protestantism. He questioned the practices of revivalists and offered a rationale for preferring sixteenth century Protestantism over modern American puritanism.
In order to overcome the theological emphasis of atonement in the revival movements, Nevin focuses on Christ's Incarnation. In order to overcome individualized religion, he also stressed Church union and an organic view of the Church. Nevin, opposing subjective experience of Christ, suggested objective experience of Christ through elements of Christian life, especially the Sacraments.
It is said that Nevin laid a wise foundation for the recovery of corporate and ecumenical worship. However, as stimulating as such ideas have proved to be for twentieth century American theologians, in the nineteenth century the work of Nevin did not make much of an impact on the American public at large.
Nevin's most important contributions to theology and ministry in America were his critique of the "Sect spirit" and the excesses of revivalism, and his emphasis on the importance of tradition and the church. The individualistic tendencies against which Nevin fought are still present in the Church today. Nevin's theological message remains a valid critique of the Church ministries.