View from the Pulpit with Ben Smith

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 34: A Conversation with Dr. Danny Cochran Episode Theme: A Lifetime of Passion for Expository Preaching and Fidelity to God's WordJoin host Ben Smith in this episode of "View from the Pulpit" as he sits down with Dr. Danny Cochran, a seasoned pastor, teacher, and mentor with over 45 years in ministry. Dr. Cochran, who, prior to his retirement, pastored Holly Creek Baptist Church for 24 years and holds multiple advanced degrees.In this episode, Dr. Cochran shares profound insights into his ministry journey and preaching. Key Highlights:• Personal Testimony and Call to Ministry: Dr. Cochran shares how a DUI arrest and the need to borrow money from a friend led to a gospel encounter that led to his and his wife’s salvation. This conversion ignited a lifelong passion for studying the scripture, leading to his call to preach.• Education and Engaging Original Languages: Dr. Cochran describes his unconventional pursuit of theological education and how this has shaped and helped his ministry.• Community Involvement and Pastoral Experience: Dr. Cochran has ministered to his community through various roles. She shares how these opportunities exposed him to diverse community aspects, influencing his preaching and allowing for unique ministry opportunities.This conversation is filled with practical insights for pastoral ministry and faithfully preaching God’s words. Join Ben Smith and Dr. Danny Cochran for this honest discussion on preaching and pastoral ministry.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Danny Cochran Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Dr. Danny Cochran recently retired as the long-serving Senior Pastor of Holly Creek Baptist Church in Chatsworth, Georgia. Throughout his distinguished ministry, he faithfully shepherded his congregation and made an indelible impact on both local church life and broader ministry contexts.Beyond pastoral work, Dr. Cochran has served as an adjunct professor teaching at the Leavell College of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Piedmont International University.Dr. Cochran holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Liberty Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Piedmont International University. He received his master’s degree from Liberty University.Dr. Cochran is married to Tina, and they are proud parents of two married sons and grandparents to three granddaughters.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id##96433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 32: A Conversation with Dr. Jerry Vines. Episode Theme: Passion Driven PreachingIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Jerry Vines,   Key Highlights:The Transformative Shift to Expository Preaching: Dr. Vines vividly describes growing up in an era where most preaching was topical or textual-topical, with very little actual exposition of scripture. He found the constant search for new sermon topics a "misery" early in his ministry. A pivotal moment arrived when he heard Warren Wiersbe at a conference, realizing Wiersbe was "pulling it right out of scripture". This, along with the influence of W.A. Criswell, prompted a dramatic shift to expository preaching, which he believes is the "best way in the world for a congregation of people to really learn the scriptures". He informed his early congregation of this change, and while it was an adjustment that "forced them to bring their Bible", they eventually "fell in love with it and frankly would not be happy with anything else going forward". He notes that while some younger preachers still favor topical approaches, he is encouraged by a growing movement toward the exposition of books, which "bodes well for the future.”Rigorous Preparation and Passion-Driven Delivery: Dr. Vines outlines a meticulous three-step process for sermon preparation: 1) Investigation: "What does the passage say?" involving extensive reading and consulting various translations and original languages. 2) Interpretation: "What does the passage mean?" through word studies, parallel passages, and understanding Greek/Hebrew words, consulting commentaries only last as a check. He wisely states, "If it's new, it's not true. And if it's true, it's not new". 3) Application: "What does the passage tell me and the people to do?" ensuring the message connects to daily lEnduring Wisdom for Pastors: Drawing on over 60 years of ministry, Dr. Vines offers timeless advice. He stresses the paramount importance of preaching, stating it is the "primary ministry of the pastor". He encourages pastors to "preach at the place God has put you", emphasizing that the size of the church doesn't matter, as one never knows who they might be influencing. A crucial piece of counsel is to develop a "strong strong devotional life," including daily Bible reading and prayer, as it helps deal with life's challenges. Finally, he advises pastors to "not let the critics bother me". Citing 1 Peter 2:23 and Job 16:19, he says, "Don't defend yourself. Your enemies won't believe it and your friends don't need it". He also humorously suggests not taking oneself "too seriously" and "enjoy the journey" with joy in the Lord. Join Ben Smith and Dr. Jerry Vines for valuable insights into what expository preaching is and how to develop a preaching ministry that is faithful to the word.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Jerry VinesBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Dr. Jerry Vines is a native of Carrollton, GA. He was educated at Mercer University (B.A.), New Orleans Theological Seminary (B.D.), and Luther Rice Seminary (Th.D.). His 60+ years of pastoral ministry included pastoring churches in Georgia and Alabama. He served the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida, for twenty-four years. Dr. Vines is an author and a much-sought-after revival preacher. In addition to his pastoral ministry, Dr. Vines has served as president of the Alabama Pastors’ Conference, president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference, and president of the Southern Baptist Convention.For more information and resources by Dr. Vines, visit: www.jerryvines.com. There you will find Bible preaching and teaching materials that include  Books, DVDs, and CDs of expository teaching from God’s Word. There, you will find over 2000 of Dr. Vine’s sermons available.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.  Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id##96433489 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

In episode 31 of The View From the Pulpit, host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Brad Waters of First Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, Georgia, for an insightful discussion on preaching the transformative power of the Gospel, driven by an urgent love for lost souls. Waters shares his unique approach to the pulpit, heavily influenced by his early exposure to "camp meeting" style preaching. The conversation explores Brad’s commitment to making every message an invitation for decision. Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 31: A Conversation with Brad Waters.Episode Theme: Preaching for decisionsIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Brad Waters of First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst, GA, about expository preaching, particularly within the context of evangelism. Waters shares how the urgency of evangelism motivates his approach to every sermon. Key Highlights:The Evangelistic Burden of Preaching: Waters approaches every message as if it's the last, preaching "like a dying man to dying people," and consistently weaving an invitation to accept Christ into his sermons.The Power of Content Over Style: While acknowledging that his "demonstrative" style is influenced by his early exposure to "camp meeting" preaching, Brad shares how the power of God in preaching lies in the "content of what you preach" – the Word of God itself – rather than the delivery style.Join Ben Smith and Brad Waters for an instructive conversation on expository preaching, how a burden for the lost emboldens the preacher, and helpful insights into sermon preparation and delivery.Host: Ben Smith Guest: Brad Waters Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information about Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, please visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast featuring sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodBrad Waters is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst, GA, where he has served since 2012. He and his wife, Cheryl, have five children and one grandson.Watch and listen to Brad Waters’ latest sermons, visit https://www.fbchazlehurst.org/mediaFor more information about First Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, GA, visit: https://www.fbchazlehurst.org/A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id3196433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 30: A Conversation with Dr. Heath LambertEpisode Theme: Preaching faithfully in every seasonThis episode of the View from the Pulpit podcast features host Ben Smith in conversation with Dr. Heath Lambert, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Lambert.In this insightful conversation, Dr. Lambert reflects on the unique experience of pastoring First Baptist Church, which boasts a remarkable, nearly 100-year history of strong, expository preaching. He shares how he navigates the significant legacy of his predecessors, embracing God's unique plan for his own ministry rather than attempting to replicate othersDr. Lambert delves into the intensely challenging period of leading his church through a major transition and controversy, which he also chronicled in his podcast "What Happened at First Baptist". He details his unwavering commitment to protecting the pulpit during this time, ensuring that sermons remained faithful to the biblical text despite immense personal and congregational pressures, including his own health crises. He shares powerful testimonies of God's grace and encouragement that sustained him and his family through these trials. The conversation touches on the distinction between faithfulness and fruitfulness in ministry, especially when dealing with declining attendance, and how God uses difficult seasons to refine and strengthen the church.Additionally, Dr. Lambert explains how his extensive background in biblical counseling profoundly impacts his preaching, making his sermons more practical and relevant to the everyday struggles of his congregation. He also outlines his diligent sermon preparation process, which involves deep study and prayer leading to preaching without notes. The episode concludes with Dr. Lambert's poignant advice, emphasizing that ministry will rarely unfold as initially envisioned and that true joy is found in embracing God's sovereign leading and being faithful to His unique call, regardless of personal expectations or external circumstances.Key Highlights:• Embracing Unique Ministry and Legacy: Dr. Lambert openly discusses the pressure of following a nearly century-long line of gifted expository preachers at First Baptist Jacksonville. He shares how he consciously avoids trying to replicate previous ministries, choosing instead to trust God's sovereign plan and embrace his own distinct giftedness and perceived weaknesses. This perspective helps him navigate the natural ebbs and flows of church size and external expectations, believing God uses each leader for a specific purpose at a specific time.• Protecting the Pulpit During Crisis: He details the immense personal and congregational challenges of pastoring through a period of intense controversy and personal health crises, including brain surgery. Dr. Lambert highlights his unwavering commitment to expository preaching throughout these times, ensuring the pulpit remained steadfastly focused on God's Word and not on personal grievances or emotional distractions, consistently relying on divine grace to sustain him.• Biblical Counseling's Transformative Influence on Preaching: Dr. Lambert explains how his extensive background and deep commitment to biblical counseling have profoundly shaped his approach to preaching. He argues that engaging in counseling forces him to understand the real-life problems, difficulties, and challenges of his congregation, which in turn prevents him from delivering abstract sermons. This commitment enables him to craft and deliver messages that are practical, relevant, and deeply connect God's Word to the daily lives of his hearers.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Heath Lambert for a candid and authentic discussion of how to faithfully preach in difficult and challenging seasons in the church.Quick note: In this episode, Ben mentions a book and credits it to Boice. He actually meant John A. Broadus’ On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Heath LambertBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodDr. Heath Lambert has been preaching at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida, since January of 2016, and became Senior Pastor in September of 2017. Prior to serving at First Baptist, Pastor Heath served as the Executive Director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and as a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.Heath earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in biblical and theological studies and political science from Gordon College in 2002, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Christian Ministry from Southern Seminary in 2005, and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in biblical counseling and systematic theology from Southern Seminary in 2009.He is married to Lauren, and they have two sons, a daughter, a son-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter.For more information on First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL, visit  https://fbcjax.com/You can find audio and video of Dr. Heath Lambert’s preaching at:https://fbcjax.com/watch-live/ and https://fbcjax.com/sermon-archive/Follow Heath Lambert on X at https://x.com/HeathLambertTo watch or listen to “What Happened at First Baptist?” visit:https://fbcjax.com/first-thoughts/what-happened-at-first-baptist/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-happened-at-first/id1695333370A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 29: A Conversation with Chris Roberts.Episode Theme: Convictional expositional preachingIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Chris Roberts, lead pastor and elder of Bridge Church, Blackshear, GA, about expository preaching, particularly within the context of church planting. Roberts shares his journey to expository preaching, the importance of prioritizing God's word, and his practical approach to sermon preparation and training others to preach. Key Highlights:The Foundational Shift to Expository Preaching: Chris shares his personal transition from topical preaching, particularly during his time as a student pastor, to expository preaching. This change was significantly influenced by a seminary class focusing on Nehemiah chapter 8 and the example of Ezra reading and explaining the law, which drove home the priority of God's word. He emphasizes that expository preaching involves expounding upon the word, being driven by the text itself, rather than starting with a subject matter and finding scripture to support it.Prioritizing Preaching in Church Planting: As the founding pastor of Bridge Church, Chris faced the challenge of establishing cultures and ministries. He explains how preaching was made the primary ministry from day one by protecting his personal study time, particularly designating Tuesday for focused preparation. By making preaching a personal priority, it became a priority for the congregation as well. The service structure was designed to dedicate the majority of time to the preaching of God's word, testifying to its central place in the church.Training Men to Preach (The Timothy Project): Bridge Church has a process called the "Timothy Project" for training men, with a focus on raising up future pastors and preachers. Men then undergo training in hermeneutics to learn how to study and understand the original meaning of the text, followed by opportunities to teach in small groups. After this, men are given opportunities to preach from the pulpit, receiving coaching to help them develop their unique presentation style.Join Ben Smith and Chris Roberts for valuable insights about expository preaching, the importance of prioritizing God's word, and how to train others to preach.Host: Ben Smith Guest: Chris Roberts Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org. Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr. For more information about Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, please visit https://cbcwaycross.org/. Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom Sermon Shorts is a podcast featuring sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Chris Roberts is the lead pastor, elder, and founding pastor of Bridge Church, Blackshear, GA, where he has served since 2010. Prior to founding Bride Church, he served as the student pastor at First Baptist Church of Blackshear, GA. Chris earned his undergraduate degree in Speech Communications from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kami, have four children.Watch and listen to Chris Roberts’ latest sermons, visit https://www.bridge419.com/sermons.For more information about Bridge Church in Blackshear, GA, visit: https://www.bridge419.com/.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2996433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

In this episode of "View From the Pulpit," host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Danny Akin, President and Professor of Preaching and Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Akin shares his journey and conviction for expository preaching, defining it as text-driven, where "the text of scripture sets the agenda both in terms of the structure of your sermon and the substance of your sermon". The conversation explores the historical shift toward expository preaching in pulpits and seminaries, Dr. Akin's meticulous sermon preparation process, and offers valuable advice for both preachers and congregations. Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 29: A Conversation with Dr. Danny Akin.Episode Theme: Text-driven preachingIn this episode of "View From the Pulpit," host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Danny Akin, President and Professor of Preaching and Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary about expository preaching, the historical shift towards expository preaching in pulpits and seminaries, Dr. Akin's meticulous sermon preparation process, and valuable advice for both preachers and congregations. Key Highlights:The Power of Expository Preaching: Dr. Akin passionately advocates for expository preaching as the most genuine and effective method for feeding the soul and nurturing discipleship, contrasting it with topical preaching that may lack sufficient biblical substance. He emphasizes that the sermon's agenda should be dictated by the biblical text itself, not the preacher's ingenuity or external topics.A Glimpse into Sermon Preparation: Dr. Akin details his personal preparation process, which often involves mapping out sermon series months in advance. For each message, he dedicates approximately 15 hours of preparation, including multiple readings of the text in various translations (including Greek and Hebrew), consulting five to ten commentaries (critical, expository, and devotional), and meticulously crafting outlines that reflect the structure of the scripture. He stresses the importance of weaving application throughout the message rather than backloading it and individually working on introductions and conclusions to ensure a strong start and finish. Encouragement for Pastors and Churches: Dr. Akin addresses challenges such as the misconception that expository preaching is "boring" (attributing boredom to delivery, not substance) and the pressure on church planters for "cool series" over biblical fidelity. His advice to churches is to pray for their pastors and to applaud, affirm, and encourage them when they faithfully open and explain the Bible. He concludes with his lifelong guiding principle for ministry: "All that matters in life is that you please God".Join host Ben Smith and Dr. Danny Akin, President of SEBTS, as he shares insights on the art and importance of text-driven expository preaching, his personal sermon preparation, seminary education, and the enduring power of God's Word for the church. Host: Ben Smith Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org. Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information about Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, please visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom Sermon Shorts is a podcast featuring sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Guest: Dr Danny AkinDr. Danny Akin serves as the President and Professor of Preaching and Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest, North Carolina. His extensive academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Criswell College (1980), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1983), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities from the University of Texas at Arlington (1989), specializing in History with a minor in Philosophy. Dr. Akin's career in theological education began at Criswell College in the 1980s, followed by a period at SEBTS as an Associate Professor and Dean of Students. He then had a significant tenure at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he held various roles including Associate Professor, Dean of the School of Theology, Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, and Professor of Theology and Christian Preaching. He assumed the presidency of SEBTS in 2004, a position he has held for over 20 years.An Atlanta, Georgia native, Dr. Akin and his wife Charlotte have four adult sons, all of whom are serving in ministry or ministry-related professions. Beyond his leadership and teaching, he is a prolific author of numerous books and articles, notably authoring or editing many volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series. Dr. Akin's ministry and life are underpinned by his guiding principle: "All that matters in life is that you please God."For more information on Dr Akin, visit https://www.danielakin.com/, where you will find blog posts, sermons, lectures, podcasts, and much more from Dr. Akin. To download Dr. Akin’s resource, Building a Theological Library that Ben mentions in the podcast, visit https://www.danielakin.com/building-a-theological-library-2019/. This free resource contains over 1000 of Dr. Akin’s recommended resources to assist you in building your library and faithfully serving our Lord. Each resource has been carefully chosen, and this edition has been updated in 2023. A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2996433489 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 27: A Conversation with Noah Oldham.Episode Theme: Cultivating a church culture that deeply values God's word.In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Noah Oldham, Executive Director of Send Network about establishing the central place of preaching in new churches, the critical role of biblical, expositional preaching, training the next generation of preachers, and cultivating a church culture that deeply values God's word.Key Highlights:Preaching is Central to Church Planting: Noah emphasizes that church planting is about engaging the city with the gospel and making disciples. Central to this is the declaration of God's word. Strong biblical expositional preaching is considered "everything" in the early years of a church plant for growth, unity, and vision.Biblically Shaped Culture: Noah shares how building a church culture that is hungry for God's word requires intentionality in the worship service. Practices like beginning services with scripture reading to indicate God has the first word and centering the service around preaching shape people's understanding of what is important. Allotting a significant amount of time to preaching communicates its value.   Join Ben Smith and Noah Oldham for valuable insights into establishing the central place of preaching in new churches, the critical role of biblical, expositional preaching, training the next generation of preachers, and cultivating a church culture that deeply values God's word.  Host: Ben Smith Guest: Noah OldhamBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod  Noah Oldham is the Executive Director of Send Network. He served as the founding and lead pastor of August Gate Church for 15 years and the Send City Missionary to St. Louis for almost 10 years. In both roles, he led his church and dozens of others in planting churches throughout the St. Louis region and beyond. He holds a master’s degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Leadership from Liberty University and an undergraduate degree from McKendree University. He writes, speaks, and trains in the area of church planting and the local church. Noah and his wife Heather have been married since 2005 and have five children.For more information and resources from Noah Oldham, visit:Follow Noah on X: www.x.com/noaholdhamFind articles and podcasts at www.newchurches.comFind sermons at www.augustgate.comFind sermons and teaching at www.sojournwoodstock.comA special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2796433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Help Me Wrap Up This Season of the Podcast — I’d Love to Hear from YouAs this season of View for the Pulpit nears its end, I’ve been reflecting on the conversations we’ve had—and the impact they’ve made on me personally. When I started this podcast, my goal was to offer a resource to the church that would renew our appreciation for faithful preaching and highlight why it is vital to the health and life of the church.From the beginning, I’ve intentionally invited guests who are committed to—or growing in—expository preaching. Each conversation has stretched me, encouraged me, and given me practical insight. I’ve learned so much by hearing how different men approach the preparation and delivery of their sermons. It’s been a joy to see how God uniquely equips each one to bless the church.But what’s been just as meaningful? Hearing from you.Your messages, emails, and conversations about the episodes have been incredibly encouraging. And that got me thinking: why not wrap up this season with you?A Roundtable Wrap-Up Episode — Featuring ListenersTo close out the season, I’d like to record a special roundtable-style episode featuring listeners like you—pastors, laypeople, men and women, younger and older voices. I want to hear what you’ve learned, what’s helped you most, and how God has used the podcast in your own walk with Christ.It doesn’t matter where you live—we can connect remotely. The only requirement is that you’ve listened to the podcast and are willing to share your thoughts.Want to Join the Conversation?If you'd like to participate, please sign up at:👉 www.vftppod.com/talkI’m aiming to wrap up this season in October, and I’d love to release these listener conversations in early November.Whether you’ve listened to every episode or just a few, your voice matters. I’d be honored to have you be part of this final conversation.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 26: A Conversation with Pastor Brian Carroll. Episode Theme: Convictional expositional preachingIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Brian Carroll, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Flintstone, GA about his commitment to faithful biblical exposition and preaching through books of the Bible, his sermon preparation process, and the importance of loving and knowing one's congregation.  Key Highlights:·      Preaching through books: Pastor Carroll is committed to preaching through books of the Bible and adhering to a rigid preaching schedule. Typically, Pastor Carroll does not deviate from his preaching schedule for church or secular holidays. Recently, a particularly uncomfortable text from Revelation 17 fell on Mother’s Day Sunday. Rather than avoid the text, Pastor Carroll took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to preaching through books of the Bible.·       Collaborative model of Sermon Preparation: A significant aspect of Pastor Carroll’s preparation process is collaboration with his staff. He brings the week's text to Monday morning staff meetings for questions, insights, and different perspectives.·       The Profound Impact of Long-Term Pastoral Ministry: Both Carroll and Smith highlight the value and impact of serving a church for a significant period. Carroll, with tenures of over 12 years at his previous church and seven years at his current church, emphasizes how knowing the congregation deeply shapes his preaching and pastoring. His current position at Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church is particularly significant as it was the church where he attended college, was called to preach, and experienced spiritual growth. This history creates a sense of "homecoming" and a desire to "invest in the church.  Join Ben Smith and Pastor Brian Carroll for valuable insights about expository preaching and how to be most faithful when proclaiming God’s word. Host: Ben SmithGuest: Pastor Brian Carroll Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodBrian Carroll has served as lead pastor of Chattanooga Baptist Church, Flintstone, GA, for seven years.  Prior to coming to Chattanooga Baptist, he pastored Northside Baptist Church of Newnan, GA. Brian earned his undergraduate degree from Shorter University in Rome, GA, a MDiv from Beeson Divinity School,  and a Master of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.  In addition to his pastoral duties, Brian serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Shorter University.Brian and his wife, Heather, have two children.Follow Pastor Carroll on X: https://x.com/pastor_brianWatch and listen to Pastor Carroll’s latest sermons on:·      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattanoogaValleyBaptistChurch·      Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chattanooga-valley-baptist-church/id1484400386For more information on Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church, visit: http://cvbchurch.org/  A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2696433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith.Episode Theme: Exegetical WeaverIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of Divinity and preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Smith describes his approach as an "exegetical weaver," interweaving explanation and application throughout the sermon. A notable aspect of his delivery is preaching without notes, relying on "internalization not memorization," which allows for improvisational, Spirit-guided expression. Dr. Smith emphasizes that "what counts is content," not just style, and teaches a 10-step Christocentric method that heavily focuses on deep textual study, including reading the text "50 times". He advocates for the sermon's form to reflect the text's genre, distinguishing between deductive and inductive approaches. Dr. Smith stresses the importance of unity in diversity within the church, encouraging preachers to learn from various cultural preaching traditions and for congregations to value faithfulness to the text over performative dynamics, warning against "emotionalism" that overshadows exegesis.  Key Highlights:A Unique Definition and Approach to Expository Preaching: Dr. Smith defines expository preaching as deliberately aiming "to expose what is in the text. Not impose upon it but expose what's in there". He further clarifies it as "usher[ing] people by the word of God into the presence of Christ the Son of God through the power of the Spirit of God for the purpose of transformation". He characterizes his personal preaching style as that of an "exegetical weaver," explaining that he intends to "take the text, expose it, and then... weave the explanation throughout the text with the application" from start to finish, ensuring the listener constantly connects with the sermon as the text unfolds. This means the application is "interwoven with the explanation... from the beginning to the end rather than to wait to give the application at the end".Emphasis on Internalization Over Memorization for Delivery: Dr. Smith is known for preaching without notes, a practice he states he adopted early in his ministry after a divine prompting to put down his manuscript. He achieves this not through memorization, but through "internalization," where the message becomes "so deep in my soul that... it becomes almost an effortless effort". This allows for an "improvisational" delivery, trusting the Holy Spirit to bring forth thoughts and words that were not explicitly planned. While he models this approach, he teaches his students the importance of versatility in delivery, encouraging them to be proficient with manuscripts, outlines, or no notes, as the "context will demand that". He consistently stresses that "what counts is content. What counts is matter," above style or approach.Rigorous Textual Saturation as Foundational Preparation: A central tenet of Dr. Smith's 10-step "Christocentric method of preaching" is an intense focus on deeply understanding the biblical text itself. The initial six steps of this method are dedicated entirely to the text, with a notable requirement for his students to read the sermon text "50 times" before they begin sermon preparation (not in one sitting, but over time). This deep reading, combined with understanding the text's literary, historical, canonical, and redemptive-historical contexts, ensures preachers are "thoroughly saturated in the text" and their "senses have been engaged and evoked by the text". He also emphasizes that "the form of the text is inspired just like the text itself," and therefore, the sermon's structure should often reflect the genre of the biblical passage (e.g., narrative, epistle, proverb), contrasting deductive and inductive sermon forms.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Robert Smith for instructive insights into sermon preparation and deliveryHost: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Robert Smith Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Dr. Robert Smith Jr. served as professor of Christian preaching at Beeson for more than 25 years and held the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity. Previously, he served as the Carl E. Bates Associate Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Smith is the 2017 E. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference Living Legend. A popular teacher and preacher, he received Southern’s 1996 Findley B. Edge Award for Teaching Excellence. An ordained Baptist minister, he served as pastor of New Mission Missionary Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 20 years. He earned his PhD while serving as a pastor. He is a contributing editor for a study of Christian ministry in the African American church, Preparing for Christian Ministry, and is co-editor of A Mighty Long Journey. Additionally, he has served as an editor of Our Sufficiency Is of God: Essays on Preaching in Honor of Gardner C. Taylor (Mercer University Press, Macon, Georgia: 2010) and Worship, Tradition, and Engagement: Essays in Honor of Timothy George (Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2018). He has written the book, Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville: 2008), which was selected as the winner of the 2008 Preaching Book of the Year Award by Preaching magazine and the 2009 Preaching Book of the Year Award by Christianity Today’s preaching.com. In 2010, Preaching magazine named Doctrine That Dances one of the 25 most influential books in preaching for the last 25 years. He also has written The Oasis of God: From Mourning to Morning—Biblical Insights from Psalms 42 and 43. His latest book is Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Joshua (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville). Smith has spoken at more than 135 universities, colleges, and seminaries in the United States, Great Britain, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. He has taught congregations in several countries, including Greece, Turkey, Rome, the Holy Land, and Switzerland. Smith delivered the closing message of the 22nd Baptist World Congress/Baptist World Alliance, originally scheduled for 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, but transformed into a fully virtual event from July 7-10, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His research interests include the place of passion in preaching, the literary history of African American preaching, Christological preaching, and theologies of preaching. Smith has contributed essays and articles to various books, magazines, and commentaries. He received Beeson Divinity School’s “Teacher of the Year Award” in 2005. He and his wife, Wanda Taylor-Smith, PhD, are the parents of four adult children (two in heaven). EducationMDiv, PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryDoctor of Sacred Theology (Hon.), Temple Community Bible College Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa, Newburgh Theological Seminary BS, Cincinnati Bible College AS, God's Bible CollegeBooksChrist-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Joshua. B&H Publishing Group, 2023.The Oasis of God: From Mourning to Morning—Biblical Insights from Psalms 42 and 43. BorderStone Press, 2014.Worship, Tradition, and Engagement: Essays in Honor of Timothy George. Pickwick, 2018.Our Sufficiency Is of  God:  Essays on Preaching in Honor of Gardner C. Taylor. Mercer University Press, 2010.Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.AwardsE. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference Living Legend, 2017Preaching Book of the Year Award by Christianity Today’s preaching.com, 2009Preaching Book of the Year Award by Preaching magazine, 2008Beeson Divinity School’s “Teacher of the Year Award," 2005Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's Findley B. Edge Award for Teaching Excellence, 1996 Follow Dr. Smith on X: @DrRobertSmithJr A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.  Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id##96433489 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 24: A Conversation with Pastor John Roland.Episode Theme: Blessings and challenges of bi-vocational ministry.In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor John Roland, Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Sterrett, AL, about his experiences and perspectives as a bi-vocational pastor, his approach to preaching, and the unique aspects of his ministry at Beulah Baptist Church.Key Highlights:Study and Preparation on the Go: Pastor Roland's sermon preparation has to be mobile to accommodate his secular job requirements. He typically reads the chosen passage multiple times, writing down questions about it, and then consulting trusted commentaries to find answers. He outlines three to four main points for his sermon and writes out a manuscript in Google Docs. He often copies and pastes commentary notes below his points and summarizes them. He works on this document throughout the week, utilizing Google Docs for mobility across his devices (iPad, laptop, phone), especially when traveling for his secular job. He puts the finishing touches on the manuscript on Friday or Saturday.Challenges for Bi-vocational ministry: One of the significant challenges is the limited time for traditional pastoral duties like hospital visits and extensive personal visitation. He struggles with feeling like he should be doing more and has had to learn to say no to commitments outside his primary roles to manage his time effectively. Balancing the demands of his secular job with pastoral responsibilities also means he often doesn't have a dedicated day off during the week, requiring constant effort to maintain physical and mental energy.Importance of relationships: Pastor John encourages young pastors to prioritize "building relationships in the community, and partner with as many other ministries and pastors that you can for accountability, encouragement, and collaboration.”Join Ben Smith and Pastor John Roland for an enlightening conversation about bi-vocational ministry. Host: Ben SmithGuest: John Roland Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Pastor John Roland is the Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Sterrett, AL. Prior to coming to Beulah Baptist Church, Pastor Roland has served as a transitional pastor and a senior pastor. He earned his undergraduate degree from Samford University, MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an MBA from Kennesaw State University.John has worked for many years for various organizations as an executive in advancement. He is currently the Advancement officer for the Howard College of Arts and Sciences of Samford University.John and his wife, Amy, have three adult children.Follow Pastor John Roland on X at https://x.com/jaroland74Listen to Pastor Roland’s latest sermons through the Beulah Baptist Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BeulahBaptistChurchSterrett A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id1796433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 23: A Conversation with Pastor Chris Fowler.Episode Theme: Preaching in a College Town.In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Chris Fowler, Pastor of Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church in Statesboro, Georgia, about his experiences and perspectives as a pastor in a college town and how his approach to expository preaching and leading his church to honor and live out God’s word.Key Highlights:·      The importance of reading scripture in worship: Christ explains his practice of reading large portions of scripture (chapters or even entire books) in the worship service and how this has contributed to his church growing in appreciation of God’s word and the value of hearing the Word.·      Resources to further the impact of preaching: Christ shares what resources he uses to aid engagement with preaching. These include a listening guide with space for notes and discussion questions provided for use throughout the week.·      Sermon Preparation Process: Pastor Christ details his weekly process for preparing a sermon. He shares how he studies the passage and what he takes to the pulpit to preach from.Join Ben Smith and Pastor Chris Fowler for a helpful conversation about preaching and leading a church to a great appreciation for God’s word.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Chris FowlerBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodChris Fowler is the Pastor of Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church, Statesboro, GA. Prior to joining Fletcher Memorial, Fowler served as Associate Pastor of Education and Discipleship at North Peachtree Baptist Church in Dunwoody, GA, and as Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Roanoke, North Carolina. Pastor Fowler earned both his undergraduate degree and MDiv. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.Chris and his wife, Amy, have four children.Listen to Pastor Fowler’s latest sermons on:·      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fletcherchurch768·      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CuxkyMUtnkjfvb2bGHOlXA special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id1796433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 22: A Conversation with Dr. Mac Brunson Episode Theme: Changes and Trends among Baptist churches in approaches to preachingIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor of Valleydale Church in Birmingham, AL, about his approach to Bible study, sermon preparation, and lifelong pursuit of learning.Key Highlights:Early Days: Dr. Brunson chronicles how God has developed his preaching from his first church to his present ministry.Exposure to and learning to preach expository sermons: Dr. Brunson recounts his first exposure to expository preaching and how he learned to preach expository sermons.Sermon Illustrations: A gifted sermon Illustrator, Dr. Brunson, shares his insights into using illustrations for greater effect and where he finds his illustrations.Honoring the ministries of former pastors while being honest about your own personality and giftedness: Dr. Brunson shares his experience of pastoring FBC Dallas and FBC Jacksonville while honoring the legacy and ministry of the pastors that preceded him.Lifelong learner: Brunson shares how books and reading are crucial to a pastor’s pursuit of lifelong learning.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Mac Brunson for an engaging conversation about ministry, preaching, and the lifelong pursuit of learning.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Mac Brunson Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Dr. Mac Brunson is the Senior Pastor of Valleydale Church in Birmingham, AL. Prior to coming to Valleydale Church, Dr. Brunson served as senior pastor of both the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL, and the First Baptist Church of Dallas, TX. He holds a PhD, DMin., and MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, an honorary doctorate of divinity from Dallas Baptist University, and earned a B.A. from Furman University. He is an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a sought-after conference preacher. He has published several books and articles, including the 2023 publication God is For You: Learning to Trust God's Wisdom through Life's Crises (2023)Mac and his wife, Debbie, have three adult children and 16 grandchildren.Follow Dr. Mac Brunson on X at https://x.com/brunson_mac.Listen to Dr. Brunson’s latest sermons through the Valleydale Church Sermons podcast available in Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/valleydale-church-sermons/id1345039445For more information on Valleydale Church, Birmingham, AL, visit https://www.valleydale.org/. A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id1796433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 21: A Conversation with Dr. Landon DowdenEpisode Theme: “Nothing is better for God's people than God's word.” In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Landon Dowden, Lead Pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA, about his approach to expository preaching, the preparation process, and the importance of biblical literacy. Key Highlights:Balanced preaching from both the Old and New Testaments: Dr. Dowden is a strong advocate for preaching from both the Old and New Testaments. He was influenced by his mentor, Jim Shaddix, who emphasized expository preaching. Dr. Dowden believes that avoiding the Old Testament robs people of a way God has spoken, particularly concerning Christ. Preaching the "whole counsel" of God, as Paul mentions in Acts 20, includes the Old Testament Scriptures. He is intentional about switching between Testaments and genres (narratives, wisdom literature, letters, etc.) to equip God's people with the full scope of God's word and how it points to Christ.Expository Preaching: Dr. Dowden's exposure to expository preaching under Jim Shaddix was a transformative "Emmaus road experience" where his heart burned as the scriptures were opened. This experience led him to believe that "nothing is better for God's people than God's word." He contrasts this with earlier experiences where sermons relied heavily on illustrations or were more topically driven without a faithful handling of a specific text. Expository preaching shifts the focus from the preacher's rhetorical skill ("diving board preachers") to the richness of the biblical text itself ("swimming pool"). This emphasis on substance over style ensures that the audience connects with Christ through the word, rather than just with the preacher's performance.Call to response should be tied to the text: Dr. Dowden believes the call to response should be directly tied to the specific text being preached, moving beyond traditional, generic options. He diligently considers what the Spirit is calling the congregation to do in light of the passage. For example, when preaching on Abram's decision to go to Egypt, the call to response was tailored to different situations: warning against heading towards "Egypt" (sinful choices), encouraging those already in "Egypt" that God is their only help, and supporting those coming out of "Egypt" who desire God's help to avoid future similar situations. This approach ensures the response is rooted in the biblical truth presented.·       Advice for proclaiming God’s word: Dr. Dowden offers several pieces of vital advice based on his years of ministry. First, he stresses that there is no substitute for prayer and personal intake of the word; sermon preparation should be worship as much as work. Second, he emphasizes the necessity of obedience in the pastor's life. Third, he highlights the importance of good accountability relationships for confession and receiving grace. Fourth, he urges young pastors to prioritize their families, as family time is limited compared to ministry meetings. Finally, he advises learning who you are okay disappointing. While you don't want to needlessly disappoint people, you also cannot be dominated by every agenda or preference. Learning to rest in the gospel and God's approval in Christ is crucial to avoid seeking approval elsewhere and to be free to serve others.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Landon Dowden for an instructive conversation about ministry, preaching, and teaching God’s word.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Landon Dowden Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Dr. Landon Dowden has served as the Lead Pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA, since 2018. He is originally from Louisiana, where he graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Management. He also earned a Master of Divinity, a Master of Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Landon has been a Lead Pastor since 2005. He has led student camps for many national student organizations since 1996. He currently serves as an adjunct professor for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, working in the Doctor of Ministry program in the field of preaching. He has published two commentaries in the Christ-Centered Commentary Exposition Series, which are Exalting Jesus in Ezekiel, Exalting Jesus in Esther, and forthcoming Exalting Jesus in Deuteronomy. Landon’s conviction regarding preaching is that nothing is better for God’s people than God’s word, which leads him to preach expositionally through books of the Bible. He also intentionally alternates between the Old and New Testaments, as well as the different genres. Landon has held numerous denominational roles at the associational, state, and national levels, as well as serving on 14 international mission trips.Landon and his wife, Tera, have four children.Follow Dr. Landon Dowden on X at https://x.com/landondowden      Listen to Dr. Dowden’s latest sermons through the Hebron Baptist Church Sermons podcast available in Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hebron-on-the-go-podcast/id1799251636For more information on Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula, GA, visit https://hebronchurch.org/ A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id1796433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 20: A Conversation with Randy MullinaxEpisode Theme: Changes and Trends among Baptist churches in approaches to preachingIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Randy Mullinax, senior adult pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA, about his experience working with two Baptist state conventions, how he came to appreciate expository preaching, and how he employs an expositional approach to ministry with senior adults. Key Highlights:Learning to preach: Mullinax discusses how he “backed in” to learning to preach expositional sermons and how it changed his approach to preaching.Encouraging trends: Randy shares how, through his work with State Baptist Conventions, he has witnessed encouraging trends toward more churches and pastors pursuing expository preaching.Ministry Transition: Randy, who is now serving on staff after a career as a senior pastor, discusses how he enjoys his new ministry role.Senior Adult Ministry: Randy Mullinax talks about his ministry as a senior adult pastor and the blessings and challenges of senior adult ministry. Join Ben Smith and Randy Mullinax for a helpful discussion of ministry and preaching over a long career. Host: Ben SmithGuest: Randy Mullinax Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Randy Mullinax is the senior adult pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA. He pastored churches for 30 years before taking on the role of Director of Evangelism and Discipleship with the Illinois Baptist Convention. Later, he would serve the Georgia Baptist Convention (now known as the Georgia Baptist Mission Board) as a state missionary on the Evangelism and Church Revitalization team.Wayne and his wife, Jeanee, have two adult children.Follow Randy Mullinax on X at https://x.com/Randy_MullinaxFor more information on Northside Baptist Church, Valdosta, GA, visit https://nbcvaldosta.org/ A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id1796433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 19: A Conversation with Mitch JollyEpisode Theme: Transformed by the word of GodIn this episode, pastor Jolly shares his story of how God saved him and taught him to study the word. He talks about how he has led his church to be rooted and grounded in God’s word.Key Highlights:Transformation: Jolly shares how he was rescued from moralistic therapeutic deism and discovered the transforming power of God’s word.Rooted in the text: Jolly shares the imperative that everything must be rooted in the text.Use of Media: Though naturally a slow adopter of new technology, Pastor Jolly shares how he has used technology to further the impact of his Lord’s Day sermons through the online availability of his sermon manuscripts and a podcast focused on theology.A clear audience: Pastor Jolly recognizes the usefulness of online tools to help the church engage more with his sermons. However, Pastor Jolly encourages pastors to stay focused and attentive to their congregation. Though others may find your church’s online resources helpful, the pastor must first be focused on preaching to the congregation of his church. Join Ben Smith and Mitch Jolly for an honest and helpful conversation on how God uses his word to instruct and bless the church.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Mitch JollyBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Mitch Jolly is the pastor and founder of Three Rivers Church, Rome, GA, where he has served since 2001. Jolly earned his undergraduate degree from Shorter University and an MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Mitch and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons.For sermon resources and more from Mitch Jolly, visit www.theologyinthedirt.com.For helpful theological discussions, find Mitch’s podcast, Theology in the Dirt.·      Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theology-in-the-dirt/id1506829385·      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76TxcsD6XjGmpJaGmRRczL?si=6b724b7a27094c81For more information on Three Rivers Church, Rome, GA, visit  www.threeriversc.orgYou can find Mitch on X at https://x.com/mitchjolly A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 18: A Conversation with Mike EversonEpisode Theme: Changes and Challenges of Pastoral MinistryIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Mike Everson, interim pastor of Morningside Baptist Church, Bainbridge, GA, about the changes he has seen among preachers and the challenges that pastors face today.Key Highlights:The impact of COVID: Everson shares his observations of how the effects of COVID continue to discourage pastors.Discovering and learning how to preach expository preaching: Everson shares how he was first exposed to expository preaching and how he learned to do it himself. He also shares how he has seen the value and impact of expository preaching in the churches he has pastored.Lessons learned through ministry experience: Everson shares the lessons he learned through experience as a pastor, a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Convention, and the father of two boys who grew up to become pastors.Growing desire for faithful, expository preaching: Everson shares encouraging examples he has seen that indicate that churches are growing in their appreciation of and desire for faithful expositional preaching.Join Ben Smith and Mike Everson for an encouraging and enlightening conversation that explores the wisdom and insights that Mike has learned through his years as a pastor and preacher. Host: Ben SmithGuest: Mike Everson Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Mike Everson is the transitional pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Bainbridge, GA. He began his ministry as a youth pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA. He would go on to serve as senior pastor of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, GA, and Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA. Mike also served the Georgia Baptist Convention (now the Georgia Baptist Mission Board) as a Regional State Missionary for South Georgia.Mike and his wife, Debbie, have two adult sons who are both pastors. His son, Jarrod, was the featured guest on Episode 3 (https://www.bensmithsr.org/vftp/everson). A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 17: A Conversation with Pastor Dr. Bart Barber. Episode Theme: “I will occasionally explain myself.”In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Dr. Bart Barber, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Farmersville, TX, about how to integrate systematic theology with Biblical theology through expositional preaching, effectively utilize original language study in preaching, and his unique method of sermon preparation process. Key Highlights:·      The challenge of demographic changes: Dr. Barber describes how the rural context in which his church has existed throughout its history has been transformed by population growth, and the effect and challenges this has had on his preaching, especially in relation to the sermon illustrations he uses.·      Integration of systematic theology with biblical theology: Dr. Barber describes his approach to expository preaching and preaching through books of the Bible. He explains how this approach is focused on biblical theology and how he often preaches a conclusory sermon series to integrate a systematic theological approach to issues that were prominent in the book.·      Use of original languages in preparation and preaching: Dr. Barber is an accomplished scholar in biblical languages, having conducted extensive academic work in both Greek and Hebrew. He explains how he integrates his linguistic expertise into his preaching and offers suggestions on how anyone, regardless of their linguistic ability, can engage in basic language studies.·      Preparing to preach months in advance: During his PhD studies, Dr. Barber recognized that meeting the academic demands while handling the regular and often unexpected demands of ministry required that he prepare his sermon well in advance. Dr. Barber explains how he plans and prepares a year’s worth of sermons during an intensive week dedicated to this singular task. Join Ben Smith and Dr. Bart Barber for a fascinating conversation about expository preaching and how to be most faithful when proclaiming God’s word.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Bart BarberBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodBart Barber has served as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, since 1999.  At an associational summer camp at the Mount Zion Baptist Camp in Walcott, Arkansas, Bart surrendered to pastoral ministry in the summer of 1981. The following year, just prior to the start of his senior year in high school, he assumed the pastorate at New Hope Baptist Church in Black Oak, Arkansas.A National Merit Scholar, Dr. Barber earned his BA in the University Scholars program with an emphasis in Greek and Hebrew from Baylor University, Waco, TX. He would go on to earn an MDiv with advanced standing in biblical languages, a PhD in church history, and a minor in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Bart has served in various denominational capacities with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. At the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, June 14-15, 2022, Bart was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Tracy, have two children.Find Dr. Barber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbartbarber/Follow Dr. Barber on X: https://x.com/bartbarberListen to Pastor Barber’s latest sermons on:·      YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drbartbarber·      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hINKd4GBOMJ8RxrFMqZ3d Glossary of Key TermsBiblical Theology: The study of what a particular book, chapter, or section of the Bible conveys about a specific theme or doctrine, examined on its own terms within its historical and literary context.Christology: The study of the nature and person of Jesus Christ, including his divinity and humanity.Conclusory Sermons: A series of sermons preached after completing an expository series through a book, designed to summarize and emphasize key doctrinal themes found within that book.Eschatology: The study of the "last things" or end times, including topics such as the second coming of Christ, the millennium, and the final judgment.Exegesis (Exegetical Work): The critical interpretation and explanation of a biblical text, involving careful study of the original languages, historical context, and literary features.Expository Preaching: A style of preaching that aims to explain and apply the meaning of a specific biblical passage, often working through books of the Bible sequentially.Historical Theology: The study of the development of Christian doctrines and beliefs throughout the history of the church, often focusing on significant figures and movements.Homiletical/Homiletics: Relating to the art or science of preaching or giving sermons; the principles of sermon preparation and delivery.Hypostatic Union: The theological term used to describe the union of the divine and human natures in the single person of Jesus Christ.Logos Software: A popular digital library and research tool used by pastors and scholars for biblical study and sermon preparation.Pericope: A distinct passage or section of scripture, often used as the basis for a sermon or study.Pathos: An appeal to emotion, used in rhetoric to persuade or connect with an audience.Systematic Theology: The study of Christian doctrines arranged in a systematic and logical order, integrating teaching from across the entire Bible on various theological topics.Text Driven: Refers to preaching or teaching that derives its main points and structure directly from the biblical text being studied.Trinitarian: Relating to the doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches that God is one God in three co-eternal consubstantial persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id1796433489Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 16: A Conversation with Wayne Woods Episode Theme: A preacher’s preparation and the role of preaching in the churchIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Wayne Woods, pastor of Ten Mile Baptist Church in Alma, GA, about how God called him to the ministry, how he learned to preach, and the relationship between preaching and pastoral care.Key Highlights:Call to Ministry: Woods discusses how God worked in his life to call him to ministry after a full career with the United States Navy and how the maturity with which he entered the ministry helped him in his pastoral work.Learning to Preach: Woods shares lessons he learned in seminary and beyond on how to prepare a sermon and how to preach.All Preaching is Invitational: Sometimes, only the final conclusion of a sermon is considered invitational to respond to the gospel. Pastor Woods shares how every part of the sermon should be an invitation to the gospel.Making the Gospel Clear: Pastor Woods and Ben discuss the need to be graciously bold with a clear gospel message in every context, and as the culture grows more secular, there is a growing appreciation for the true gospel.  Join Ben Smith and Wayne Woods for a straightforward discussion of the calling of God to preach, the power of God to use His word, and the joys and sorrows of faithful ministry.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Wayne WoodsBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodWayne Woods is the pastor of Ten Mile Baptist Church, Alma, GA. He has served churches in Georgia and Alabama. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Woods served as a U.S. Navy pilot flying P3 Orion sub-hunters. After retiring from the Navy and working a few years in the private sector, Woods felt called of God to the ministry. On an Easter Sunday, Woods said yes to God and immediately made plans to begin his seminary studies at Mid-America Baptist Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee.Wayne and his wife, June, have two adult children.For more information on Ten Mile Baptist Church, Alma, GA, visit https://tenmilebaptist.com/You can find videos of Wayne Woods’s preaching at the Facebook page of Ten Mile  Baptist Church https://www.facebook.com/tenmile.baptistA special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 15, A Conversation with Mitch HallEpisode Theme: Building relationships and relying on the Holy SpiritIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Mitch Hall, Pastor of Mershon Baptist Church, Mershon, GA, about his experience of being called to preach later in life, the unique ministry demands of a rural church, and the importance of building authentic relationships with church members. Mitch shares how successful ministry is dependent on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the blessing he received through the mentorship of an older pastor. And Ben and Mitch have a few laughs as they recount lighter ministry moments.Key Highlights:Called to be involved in the lives of church members: Mitch shares how the ministry requires personal investment and involvement in the lives of church members.The necessity of Holy Spirit empowerment: Mitch explains that faithful ministry depends on being empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.The power of prayer: Mitch describes how a call to prayer changed his church’s response to Lord’s Day worship.The gift of mentorship: Mitch shares an older pastor helped his ministry and mentored him during the early days of his pastoral ministry.How to balance loving your congregation and speaking hard truths: Mitch speaks honestly about the importance of accountable relationships within the church that help guard faithfulness in the pulpit.Join Ben Smith and Mitch Hall for an informative discussion on authentic ministry, church community relationships, and biblically faithful preaching.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Mitch HallBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsrFor more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Mitch Hall is the pastor of Mershon Baptist Church, Mershon, GA, where he has served since 2015. Before his ministry with Mershon Baptist, he served as youth pastor of Rehobeth Baptist Church, Blackshear, GA.  For more information on Mershon Baptist Church, Mershon, GA, visit https://www.facebook.com/mershonbaptist/.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 14: A Conversation with Clint Pressley Episode Theme: A Lifelong LaborIn this episode, Pastor Pressley shares how God has shaped and matured him as a pastor and how he continues to strive to be a more effective communicator of God’s word.Key Highlights:Learning to preach: Clint shares how his early opportunities to pastor and preach were vital opportunities to learn how to communicate God’s word effectively.Handwritten manuscripts: In a world of technology, Pastor Pressley has found it helpful to handwrite his sermon notes. He shares his preparation process and why handwriting is helpful to his preparation and preaching.State of the pulpits in the Southern Baptist Convention: As president of the Southern Baptist Convention, pastor Pressley has a unique perspective on SBC churches and pastors. Pastor Pressley shares his thoughts on the present state and future of SBC pulpits.The recovery of a biblical understanding of the office of pastor/elder/overseer: In recent years, the Southern Baptist Convention has struggled to recover a biblical understanding of this office. Pastor Pressley shares his thoughts and perspective on where the SBC is on this issue.Challenges of a multi-campus church: Hickory Grove Baptist Church has multiple campuses. Pastor Pressley shares the advantages and challenges of a multi-site church.The pastor's uniform: Pastor Pressley is well known for being a sharp dresser. Pastor Pressley explains the background of why he dresses as he does and why it is more convictional than preferential. Join Ben Smith and Clint Pressley for an honest and authentic conversation on how God uses and matures those he calls to preach.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Clint Pressley Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, NC.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, NC, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Clint Pressley has served as Senior Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 2010.A native of Charlotte, Clint joined Hickory Grove as a teenager before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Wofford College in South Carolina and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisiana. He pastored two churches in Mississippi before returning to Hickory Grove in 1999 as Senior Associate Pastor of Preaching. In 2004, he was called as Senior Pastor of the historic Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. In 2010, he returned to Hickory Grove as Co-Pastor and was installed as Senior Pastor in 2011.In June 2024, Clint was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served the Convention as Vice President of the SBC Pastor’s Conference in 2013, First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2014-2015, Trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015, and member of the NC Baptist Board of Directors since 2023.Clint is married to Connie, and they have two sons.For more information on Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC, visit https://www.hickorygrove.org/.You can listen to Pastor Clint Pressley preach on the Hickory Grove Baptist Church sermon podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hickory-grove-baptist-church/id589559966Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2S798kxI65HeYnRWbxw7z7?si=f583a79992d141f0  Clint Pressley can be found online at:X: http://x.com/PastorClintInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintpressley   A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 13, A Conversation with Dr. Jimmy Dale PattersonEpisode Theme: Seasons and Challenges of PreachingIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson, Transitional Pastor of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Griffin, GA, about his journey through various stages of pastoral ministry. Dr. Patterson discusses his transition from topical to expository preaching, the impact of his health issues on his ministry, and the importance of genuine and non-performative preaching. The conversation covers practical aspects of sermon preparation, the significance of personal illustrations, and the necessity of maintaining connections with the community outside the church. Ben and Jimmy Dale also discuss the role of criticism from the congregation and one’s spouse in refining one’s preaching and ministry.Key Highlights:God’s grace: Jimmy Dale shares how God deepened his understanding of the Bible and transformed his preaching from topical to exegetical. (2:33)Balance of ministry and community involvement: Jimmy Dale talks about how he balanced the demands of ministry while seeking opportunities to connect to the community and have a gospel witness beyond the church. (12:53)Weekly sermon preparation process: Jimmy Dale describes his sermon preparation process. (23:40)Health Challenges and God’s Grace: Jimmy Dale shares how recent health challenges have impacted his ministry and how God has demonstrated his grace through them. (38:06)Advice for Young Pastors: With remarkable candor, Jimmy Dale shares powerful wisdom for young pastors. (43:27)Join Ben Smith and Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson for an insightful discussion on preaching, church ministry, and celebrating the grace of God.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Jimmy Dale PattersonBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsrFor more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson is the transitional pastor of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Griffin, GA, where he has served since 2024. Prior to his work as a transitional pastor, he served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Newnan, GA. He has served churches in Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Jimmy Dale graduated from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX.For more information on Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Griffin, GA, visit https://mgbc.org./For more information on First Baptist Church, Newnan, GA, visit https://www.fbcnewnan.org/A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 12, A Conversation with Trey HerweckEpisode Theme: Preaching and Church PlantingIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Trey Herweck, Lead Pastor of Refuge Church, St. Charles, MO, about the unique pressures he felt as a young church planter and how God has developed his understanding of preaching.Key Highlights:Pressure to be a celebrity: Trey shares how the desire to pursue celebrity can be dangerous and how he has come to honor faithfulness over celebrity.The struggle to be both comforting and confronting: Ben and Trey discuss the difficulties of being welcoming and comforting to those who are hurting while unashamedly preaching the hard-to-hear truths of scripture.The gift of a spouse’s critique: As part of his sermon preparation process, Trey shares how his wife provides helpful critique and insights to be a more effective communicator.Join Ben Smith and Trey Herweck for an insightful discussion on preaching, church planting, and the life of a pastor.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Trey Herweck Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsrFor more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Trey Herweck is an elder, the Lead Pastor, and the founding pastor of Refuge Church, St. Charles, MO, where he has served since 2006. Prior to founding Refuge church, Trey served Ridgecrest Baptist Church in St. Charles, MO. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist University, Bolivar, MO, and has a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX.For more information on Refuge Church, St Charles, MO, visit https://seekrefuge.net/To subscribe to Refuge Church’s podcast, use the RSS Feed: https://seekrefuge.podbean.com/feed.xml or go to https://seekrefuge.net/sermons-page.To watch Refuge Church sermon videos, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGEzl8kRiHogXBBNSUE1B1Q.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 11, A Conversation with Pastor Randy RayEpisode Theme: The Bi-Vocational PastorIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Randy Ray, pastor of Pineview Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, about the blessings and challenges of bi-vocational ministry.Key Highlights:Time Management: Randy talks about the challenges of managing time between church demands, work demands, and family life.Marketplace ministry:  Randy shares how his work outside the church provides opportunities to minister and share the gospel.The importance of knowing your congregation: Randy shares the importance of knowing your congregation personally.Join Ben Smith and Pastor Randy Ray for a revealing conversation about the joys and struggles of bi-vocational ministry.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Pastor Randy RayBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsrFor more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodPastor Randy Ray is the Pastor of Pineview Baptist Church in Waycross, GA. A native of Florida, he has served churches in Georgia and Florida.Video of the Pineview Baptist Church, Waycross preaching ministry is available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1960bigrTo purchase the book that Pastor Randy referenced by Dr. Don Hattaway, use the links below:https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/855739-the-book-of-revelationhttps://a.co/d/b0BnwByMusic by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 10, A Conversation with Dr. Jeremy MortonEpisode Theme: The devotional life of a pastorIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Jeremy Morton, Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, GA, about expository preaching, the influence of his childhood pastor, Rev. I.F. Rastus Salter, and the priority of what he calls heart training.Key Highlights:The importance of expository preaching: Jeremy gives a historical overview of how expository preaching has grown in prominence among Southern Baptists and the importance of faithful expository preaching for the church.The blessing of his childhood pastor: Jeremy shares how the preaching and ministry of his childhood pastor, I.F. Rastus Salter, shaped and influenced him in the faith and as a pastor.Heart training: Jeremy shares how faithful preaching requires that the pastor devote himself to time with the Lord in prayer. Jeremy calls this time heart training.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Jeremy Morton for an honest discussion on the life of ministry and the holy task of preaching.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Jeremy MortonBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsrFor more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodDr. Jeremy Morton is the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, GA. His daily devotional podcast, “Reset,” is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It blends personal stories with insights from the Word. Whether in the church, on the mission field, or at home, his life goal remains the same: to glorify God as a faithful husband, supportive father, loyal friend, and loving leader.Listen to Reset on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4nIC0P0Rs5yVyCIKq5I9ac?si=dd94041ff6b440a2Listen to Reset on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reset/id1481233650Dr. Jeremy Morton has been preaching since he was 16 years old. From the beginning, he’s had a heart for serving people and leading the Church. Jeremy has pastored churches across Georgia, planted Cross Point Baptist Church in Perry, served as Senior Pastor at Cartersville First Baptist, and, since 2019, fulfilled God’s call as the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock. In 2022, he earned his Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.For more information on First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA, visit https://www.fbcw.org/Podcast of the First Baptist Church, Woodstock preaching ministry: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-baptist-woodstock/id418596094Video of the First Baptist Church, Woodstock preaching ministry: https://www.fbcw.org/sermons/Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 9: A Conversation with Dr. Don HattawayEpisode Theme: The Importance of Pastoral PatienceIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Don Hattaway, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Douglas, GA, about the role of preaching in growing and maturing a church, how Sunday school and the ministry of teaching relate to preaching, and the importance of pastoral patienceKey Highlights:Long pastoral tenures and the power of the Word: Don discusses how preaching the Word of God is essential to every congregation, serves as the source of authority for the pastor, and will transform a congregation. Healthy evangelism and numerical growth stem from faithfulness to preaching God’s Word.The blessing of churches who love the Word: It is the preacher's responsibility to preach God’s Word faithfully; however, Don shares how a church that loves and honors faithful preaching encourages and blesses the ministry of preaching.Importance of expository preaching: Don advocates for the value and importance of expository preaching.Teaching ministry of the church: Don discusses how the church's teaching ministry, such as Sunday school, is an important ministry and an extension of the preaching ministry. He also discusses his investment in training and teaching Bible study teachers, as well as the importance of teaching doctrine and Baptist history.Learning to honor faithfulness to the Word more than style: Don shares how what is preached is more important than how one preaches. Referencing 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, Don encourages the church to respond to preaching as the power of God, not the wisdom of man.Pastoral Patience: Don talks about how his long pastoral tenures affect how he preaches difficult passages. Don shares that the key is to love your congregation and speak to them faithfully, but in love and with great patience. He reflects on the command of 2 Timothy 4:2 to preach the Word with “all long-suffering.”Join Ben Smith and Dr. Don Hattaway for an insightful discussion of how God uses faithful preaching and a faithful preacher to mature and grow the church.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Don HattawayBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodDr. Don Hattaway is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Douglas, GA.Dr. Don Hattaway has been the pastor at First Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia, since 2019. Formally, he was the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, Georgia, where he served for 17 years. He also pastored Emmanuel Baptist in Blackshear, Georgia, for nine years. He holds degrees from Brewton-Parker College (Bachelor of Music Education) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry). He is the former President, Vice-President, and Parliamentarian of the Georgia Baptist Convention. He has also served as a trustee for Brewton-Parker College, Shorter University, and the Christian Index. Recently, Dr. Hattaway published a commentary entitled The Book of Revelation: God’s Last Word for the Last Days.Hattaway has been preaching the gospel for 35 years and stands firm on teaching the inerrant and infallible Word of God. He is a true believer that God’s Word changes lives. His ministry seeks to encourage and teach Christians in their daily walk with God and lead others to experience saving faith in Jesus Christ.You can find videos of Dr. Don Hattaway’s preaching at https://fbcdouglas.sermoncloud.com/.For more information on First Baptist Church, visit https://fbcdouglas.com/To purchase “The Book of Revelation: God's Last Word for the Last Days by Don Hattaway, visit: https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/855739-the-book-of-revelationhttps://a.co/d/b0BnwByBook review of “The Book of Revelation by Don Hattaway” by J. Gerald Harris, The Christian Index https://christianindex.org/stories/book-review-the-book-of-revelation-by-don-hattaway,97523A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 8Episode Theme: The Power of the Word to Change LivesIn this insightful episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith engages with Dr. Patrick Latham, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, Georgia, to explore the vital role of preaching in today’s churches. Together, they delve into sermon preparation, the best resources to help your congregation engage with the sermon, and much more.Key Highlights:Preaching Style and Preparation: Patrick discusses his three-week preparation process and the value of knowing the sermon so well that you can preach without notes.Challenges and Growth in Expository Preaching: The conversation addresses the challenges of introducing expository preaching to churches unaccustomed to it.Prayer and Bible Reading: Patrick encourages pastors to devote their time to prayer and develop the habit of faithful bible reading.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Patric Latham for a compelling discussion on the transformative power of preaching and its ability to shape and transform church communities.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Patrick LathamBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodDr. Patrick Latham was licensed to preach in 2004 and ordained into the ministry in 2005 at Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, GA. He holds degrees from Gordon College, Pensacola Christian College, Georgia Highlands College, and the University of Oklahoma. He earned a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice University and Seminary. Since 2019, he has been the lead pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Cartersville, GA. Before coming to Cartersville, he had pastorates at First Baptist Church, Lawton, Oklahoma, and Second Baptist Church, Cedartown, GA.Patrick and his wife, Laura, have three children.For more information about Dr. Latham and his church, visit https://tabernaclebaptist.org/View Dr. Latham’s sermons at: https://tabernaclebaptist.org/previous-sermonsA special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 7 A Conversation with Bob RichardsonEpisode Theme: The difference between a talk and a sermonIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Bob Richardson, senior pastor of Altamaha Baptist Church, Jesup, GA, about his preparation process, sermon illustrations, and preaching lessons he has learned.Key Highlights:How to make your Bible for preaching: Bob explains how he marks his Bible to assist his preaching.Sermon Illustrations: Bob talks about his approach to sermon illustrationsHelpful Criticism: Bob advocates for the benefits of developing relationships with those who can give helpful criticism and coaching to help you become a better preacher.Joys and hardships of preaching: Bob describes the difficult labor of preparing to preach and the great joy of being able to proclaim God’s word to the church.Challenges of Bi-vocational ministry: Bob served in a bi-vocational role for some of his ministry. He shares some of the difficulties of bi-vocational ministry and how God used this time to discipline his preparation time.Join Ben Smith and Bob Richardson for a candid discussion of how God has matured and grown their understanding of and approach to preaching.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Bob RichardsonBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodBob Richardson is the senior pastor of Altamaha Baptist Church, Jesup, GA.Pastor Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from Valdosta State University and served as a bi-vocational pastor and schoolteacher for 10 years.Prior to his ministry with Altamaha Baptist Church, Bob served as pastor of Sand Hill Baptist in Race Pond, Georgia, Calvary Baptist Church in Waycross, Georgia (2006-2013), and First Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, Georgia.Bob earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a second Master of Arts degree in Missiology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has served in various leadership roles in two Baptist associations and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.You can find video of Bob Richardson’s preaching at https://altamahabaptistchurch.org/sermons/.For more information on Altamaha Baptist church, visit https://altamahabaptistchurch.org.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 6Episode Theme: The Preacher as PastorIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Rusty Grace, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Waycross, Georgia, about the vital role of preaching and pastoral ministry in today’s churches. Together, they discuss sermon preparation, a little church history, and the challenges of sermon illustrations.Key Highlights:Preaching and Worship Planning: Rusty discusses how he plans the worship service in relation to the text he will preach.Preaching Illustrations: Rusty discusses the dangers and blessings of sermon illustration.Join Ben Smith and pastor Rusty Grace for a helpful discussion on the importance of preaching and its relationship to the church’s worship and ministry.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Rusty GraceBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodRusty Grace is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Waycross, GA, where he has served since 2019. He and his wife, Lauren Grace, currently have five children and anticipate soon the adoption finalization of their sixth. For more information about pastor Grace and his church, visit https://fpcwaycross.com/.A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 5: A Conversation with Freddie SmithEpisode Theme: A lifetime of faithfulnessIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with retired Freddie Smith about his 63 years of pastoral ministry and the insights he has gained. Key Highlights:Importance of exhortation: Freddie Smith talks about the importance of exhortation in preaching. Importance of Calling: Freddie Smith explains how the call of God in his life has encouraged him and helped him remain faithful to preaching the gospel. Fear of God vs Fear of Man: Freddie Smith and Pastor Smith discuss how the fear of man will hinder faithful preaching and the importance of a healthy fear of God to compel a man to faithfully preach God’s word. Changes in church culture: Pastor Ben and Freddie Smith discuss the importance of approaching the pulpit with a sense of holiness and respect. Join Ben Smith and Freddie Smith for a helpful discussion of drawing on the wisdom gained from 63 years of pastoral ministry.  Host: Ben Smith Guest: Freddie Smith Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.  For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org. Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr. For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/. Other podcasts by Ben Smith: All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodFreddie Smith has been preaching for over 63 years. He has served churches in Florida and Georgia, including First Baptist Church, Naples, FL; Central Baptist Church, Sanford, FL; and Sweat Memorial Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. He is the author of Revival Our Survival. Though retired from full-time ministry, Freddie continues to preach regularly. A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.  Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. 

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 4: A Conversation with Dr. Levi SkipperEpisode Theme: A preacher’s preparation and the role of preaching in the churchIn this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Levi Skipper, senior pastor of Sagemont Church, Houston, TX, about the process of preparing to preach, the role of preaching in the ministry of the church, and how technology has impacted the ministry of preaching.Key Highlights:The Details of Sermon Preparation: Dr. Skipper discusses his weekly sermon preparation process, from reading a scripture text to delivering a sermon. Levi discusses using a sermon manuscript and how his pulpit notes have changed over the years.Helpful Criticism: Dr. Skipper advocates for the benefits of developing relationships with those who can give helpful criticism and coaching to help you become a better preacher.Importance of knowing your congregation: Beyond the study and writing of sermons, Dr. Skipper describes how knowing your congregation is a requirement for every preacher.Technology and the church: Online access has impacted how many connect with preaching. Dr. Skipper discusses how God has used technology to advance the reach of the church’s preaching ministry and its limitations.Join Ben Smith and Dr. Levi Skipper for an honest discussion of the challenges and joys of preaching and how you can be more faithful in the pulpit.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Levi SkipperBen Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsrFor more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodDr. Levi Skipper is the senior pastor of Sagemont Church, Houston, TX. He previously served as the Vice President of Church Strengthening for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, where he has been serving with the Georgia Baptist Convention since 2019. Levi has 22 years of ministry experience, of which 17 have been in the role of Senior Pastor. Levi is a graduate of Shorter University, Rome, GA. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Ministry from Luther Rice University.Dr. Skipper was called at the age of 23 as Lead Pastor of Ewing Road Baptist Church in Austell, Georgia. In 2009, from his heart for evangelism and missions and a clear call from God, Levi founded First Day Ministry. At First Day Ministry, Levi has preached at evangelism conferences with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, revivals across the state, and has held numerous evangelistic crusades overseas. He has also been instrumental in founding a theological training school that has equipped over 300 pastors in Ethiopia. In 2010, returned to the pastorate as Senior Pastor at Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, Georgia. In 2019, he accepted the role of Director of Evangelism for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.Dr. Skipper is the author of many books and resources that include:-The Domino Effect: Building an Evangelistic Culture in the Life of Your Church- No Sweat Evangelism- No Sweat Discipleship- Ride the Waves- Your Ministry Zone- Time Management Training- Spiritual Avalanche, https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Avalanche-Dr-Levi-Skipper/dp/1617775630- Marriage In the Red: Transforming your Marriage One Color at a Time (2010), https://www.christianbook.com/marriage-transforming-your-one-color-time/levi-skipper/9781449703721/pd/703722?srsltid=AfmBOoqIzB8dqdCN7qaep1RMWKy-oRJp7xpHvzWjxEi08fb4eMPcZpiMFollow Dr. Skipper on X at https://x.com/drjlskipperYou can find video of Dr. Levi Skipper’s preaching at https://www.sagemontchurch.org/media/on-demand/An audio podcast of Dr. Levi Skipper’s preaching is available on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sagemont-church/id1774323850A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

In this episode of View From the Pulpit, Ben Smith sits down with Jarrod Everson, pastor of Deenwood Baptist Church in Waycross, Georgia, for a wide-ranging conversation on expositional preaching and pastoral faithfulness.Jarrod describes his weekly sermon preparation process in detail, explaining why he manuscripts his sermons, how he works carefully through biblical texts, and how he balances study, pastoral responsibilities, and preaching both Sunday morning and Sunday evening. The discussion highlights his commitment to preaching consecutively through books of the Bible, including Romans, the Psalms, and Nehemiah.The conversation also explores Jarrod’s experience growing up in a pastor’s home, the lasting influence of his father’s ministry, and the importance of perseverance, integrity, and patience in pastoral leadership. Ben and Jarrod reflect on cultural shifts within the church and why faithful, text-driven preaching remains essential in an era of declining cultural Christianity.This episode offers insight and encouragement for pastors, church leaders, and church members who want to better understand the work of preaching and the calling behind it.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.orgFollow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodJarrod Everson is the pastor of Deenwood Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.For more information about Pastor Everson and his church, visit http://deenwoodbaptist.org/.Listen to Pastor Everson’s sermons at: https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-xaykw-5706b7A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

In this introductory episode of View From the Pulpit, Ben Smith invites listeners to think carefully about the place, purpose, and priority of preaching in the life of the church. Preaching is familiar to most Christians, yet it is rarely examined or thoughtfully considered by anyone other than the preacher himself. This episode seeks to recover a deeper understanding of why preaching is not simply one ministry among many, but the central ministry of the church from which all others flow.Drawing from nearly twenty-five years of pastoral ministry and a lifetime spent under the sound of sermons, Ben reflects on how God has reshaped his understanding of faithful preaching. Through three formative lessons—conviction over education, substance over performance, and faithfulness over size—he explains how assumptions about style, personality, and numerical success can subtly distort what we value in preaching.This episode is not only for pastors. It is for church members, leaders, and anyone who loves Christ and His church and desires to better understand how God uses the preaching of His Word to save sinners, sanctify the saints, and sustain the church. Ben also introduces the vision for the podcast: thoughtful conversations with pastors and church members about the labor, joy, struggles, and spiritual weight of preaching.Listeners will hear why preaching is essential to the identity of the church, why crowd size is an unreliable measure of faithfulness, and why a recovery of preaching is vital for the health of the church today.Special ThanksSpecial thanks to Jim Gibson for granting permission to use his recording of “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. In this episode, Ben shares his personal connection to Jim’s parents, James and Ella Gibson, and reflects on how their example and testimony of honoring the preaching of God’s Word had a profound impact on his own life and ministry.Ben chose the hymn “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” because its lyrics emphasize the centrality of preaching, both for the salvation of the lost and for the ongoing ministry to the church.Music CreditsMusic by Jim Gibson“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”Songs of the South III© 2003 Hickory Cove MusicMore information about Jim Gibson’s music and additional recordings can be found at Hickory Cove Music.New interviews begin March 17. Subscribe to View From the Pulpit to be notified when new episodes are released.“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”

Why another podcast on preaching?In this introductory episode of View From the Pulpit, Pastor Ben Smith introduces the purpose and vision of the podcast and explains why preaching remains central to the life of the church.Preaching is more than a weekly tradition or a matter of personal style. It is God’s appointed means for proclaiming His Word, shaping His people, and building His church. In an age of endless content, digital media, and competing voices, this episode asks why faithful biblical preaching still matters—and why both pastors and church members should care deeply about it.View From the Pulpit is a podcast devoted to thoughtful reflection on preaching from a biblical, historical, and pastoral perspective. While pastors and ministry leaders will find encouragement and sharpening, this podcast is equally for church members who want to better understand the preaching they hear each Lord’s Day.Whether you are a pastor, seminary student, or a committed church member, this podcast invites you to think carefully about the preaching ministry God uses to feed, form, and mature His people.Subscribe and join the conversation as we consider preaching—reverently, carefully, and biblically—from the pulpit.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music. https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/