Especially the Preaching

Ben discusses the concepts of meekness and readiness of mind, explaining how these attitudes can transform the way individuals engage with biblical teachings. Includes practical steps to cultivate these qualities, encouraging listeners to approach sermons and scripture with expectation and humility.Send me a text!Support the show

Brian Cosby shares his journey into ministry, emphasizing the importance of preaching as faithful exposition of biblical texts. He discusses the spiritual elements of sermon preparation, the influence of pastoral care on preaching, and the challenges of shepherding in a busy world. Cosby also addresses the spiritual requirements for preachers, how to navigate cold seasons in ministry, and the importance of guarding against pride. He offers valuable advice for aspiring ministers and recommends resources for effective preaching.Lectures to My Students by Charles SpurgeonBryan Chappell on illustrationsJohn Flavel sermons Send me a text!Support the show

In this episode Ben discusses the often-overlooked role of the congregation's prayers in the ministry of preaching. Powerful preaching is not solely dependent on the pastor's skills but also on the active participation of the congregation through prayer. He outlines specific ways church members can pray for their pastors, including preparation, heart, delivery, and the congregation's reception of the sermon.Send me a text!Support the show

In this conversation, Derrick Brite shares his journey as a pastor and theology professor, discussing the distinctions between preaching and teaching, the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching, and effective sermon preparation techniques. He reflects on his upbringing in Ringgold, Georgia, and how it shaped his ministry in a rural context. Derrick emphasizes the importance of theology in pastoral work and offers practical advice for aspiring pastors, including the significance of prayer, avoiding procrastination, and the value of learning from both contemporary and historical theologians.Send me a text!Support the show

Jason Helopolous shares his journey into ministry, the call to preach, and the essential elements of faithful preaching. He covers the importance of spiritual preparation, the mechanics of sermon preparation, and the need for pastors to guard against pride. He also offers valuable advice for young preachers, highlighting the significance of connecting pastoral care with preaching.Send me a text!Support the show

Ben sits down with his longtime friend and fellow RTS alum, Rev. Ryan Biese, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. The two discuss the difference between preaching and lecturing, the place of Christ in every sermon, and how to structure a week around two full sermons. Ryan offers a candid look into his preparation process, including why he writes 4,000-word “outlines,” how application often lands in the final hours, and the surprising insights that come during prayer—or in the shower.Send me a text!Support the show

In this roundtable-style episode, Ben is joined by friends Job Dalomba and Stephen Spinnenweber to discuss two weighty themes from Pastoral Theology by Thomas Murphy: Preaching as the Minister’s Chief Calling, and Christ as the Sum and Substance of All Preaching.“The minister ought, by all means, to cultivate a very high appreciation of the importance of preaching, and to concentrate on it all his energies. The hour in the pulpit he should look upon as the harvest hour of the week. Everything else in the life, studies, and other duties of his office should be made to centre upon this his most momentous work.” -Thomas Murphy“If we do not preach [Christ and His great salvation], our ministry is nothing. It is without authority, without spirit, without power, without an adequate object, and will be without any substantial results for good.” -Thomas Murphy"Don't you know, young man, that from every town and from every village and from every little hamlet in England, wherever it may be, there is a road to London? And so from every text in Scripture there is a road to the metropolis of the Scriptures, that is Christ. And, my dear brother, your business is when you get to a text, to say, 'Now, what is the road to Christ?' And then preach a sermon running along the road to the great metropolis, Christ. I have never yet found a text that had not a road to Christ in it; and if ever I do find one that has not, I will make one. I will go over a hedge and ditch but I will get at my Master, for the sermon cannot do any good unless there be a flavor of Christ in it." -Charles Spurgeon“Christ, and him crucified, was the one theme for the preaching of which the ministry was appointed. There is no other conceivable object which was worthy of the establishment and perpetuation of such a sacred office. And it is with us either the preaching of Christ or nothing. We have no title to our ministry excepting what is involved in this.” -Thomas Murphy(Quotations taken from 2025 Log College Press edition of Pastoral Theology pages 161-166, 179-187)Send me a text!Support the show

Matt Adams joins Ben to explore the significance of preaching, focusing on Matt's personal journey from a Pentecostal background to becoming a Presbyterian minister. They discuss the philosophy of preaching, emphasizing the importance of explaining and applying biblical texts in a Christ-centered manner. Matt shares his sermon preparation process, detailing how he maps out sermon series and the mechanics of writing and delivering sermons, highlighting the need for personal engagement with the text. Adams even shares a story from his exciting Pentecostal upbringing.Send me a text!Support the show

Ben walks through Romans 10:1–15—a passage that not only clarifies how sinners are saved, but how that salvation reaches them: through preaching.Paul gives us a chain of logic that leads to a staggering conclusion: salvation depends on the preached Word. We explore the implications of that truth—for hearers of preaching and for those who do the preaching. Romans 10 raises the stakes of every sermon and frames the pulpit as a place where Christ Himself addresses His people.Rom. 10:14-15 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”Send me a text!Support the show

Ben sits down with Logan Almy to explore the heart of a preacher’s calling, the mechanics of sermon preparation, and the necessity of unction in the pulpit. Logan shares his story—from a Southern Baptist upbringing and powerful high school conversion experience to a Presbyterian pulpit shaped by personal trials, theological clarity, and a longing for power in preaching.Together, they discuss the theology of preaching, the role of seminary and pastoral mentorship, and how personal godliness fuels faithful ministry. Logan opens up about preparing sermons in dry seasons, preaching through criticism, and his deep conviction that Christ continues His prophetic office through fallible men by His Spirit.Send me a text!Support the show

Ben Ratliff and Jim McCarthy explore the journey of ministry, focusing on the call to preaching, the tools and practices involved in sermon preparation, and the importance of personal piety in a minister's life. Jim shares his experiences from his early days in ministry, the growth of his preaching style, and the challenges he faces in balancing sermon preparation with other pastoral responsibilities. The discussion emphasizes the significance of being grounded in faith and the necessity of prayer in the life of a preacher. They discuss the necessity of private worship, the importance of learning from older ministers, and the value of teachability in ministry. McCarthy emphasizes the need for ministers to have a clear conscience and to genuinely cherish Christ in their own lives to effectively preach to their congregations. The conversation also highlights the significance of mentorship and the impact of older brothers in faith, culminating in the joy and privilege of proclaiming the Word of God.Send me a text!Support the show

Ben Ratliff sits down with James Logan, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. James shares his journey into pastoral ministry—from teaching Bible in private schools to discovering a call to pulpit ministry at RTS Jackson—and how that call has taken root in the rhythms of small-town church life.Together, they discuss the heart of preaching as proclaiming Christ for the salvation of sinners and the sanctification of saints, the weekly grind and joy of sermon prep, and the irreplaceable role of pastoral presence in the community. James offers reflections on how soul care, congregation visits, and even youth group Bible studies bleed into his pulpit work—and how visiting shut-ins has become an unexpected proving ground for sermon clarity.Send me a text!Support the show

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben sits down with Rev. Scott Davis, pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Scott shares how he moved from member to minister in the same congregation, what it’s like to serve bivocationally as both pastor and professional magician, and how preaching became the centerpiece of his calling. The conversation covers sermon preparation, preaching philosophy, difficult texts, and the ordinary realities of preaching in season and out of season.Send me a text!Support the show

In this rich and personal conversation, Ben sits down with Cilas Menezes to discuss the call to preaching, the role of pastoral care in sermon preparation, and the nuts and bolts of weekly sermon crafting. Cilas shares his unique journey from law practice in Brazil to pastoral ministry in the PCA, reflecting on how God drew him to Himself and eventually into gospel ministry.What makes Cilas’s method especially compelling is his blend of rigorous exegesis—nourished by daily Greek and Hebrew devotional reading—and heartfelt, prayerful application shaped by the lives of his congregation. From writing full manuscripts to praying specifically for his people as part of sermon development, Cilas gives us a window into a preaching process rooted in love, theology, and pastoral presence.Send me a text!Support the show

In this episode, Ben sits down with Zach Byrd, a teaching elder in the PCA who pastors two churches in Mississippi. They discuss Zach’s call to ministry, his philosophy of preaching, and the way his pastoral care shapes his pulpit work. Zach shares stories from his unique context, explains his long-term sermon preparation process, and reflects on preaching without notes. The episode is full of practical wisdom, pastoral heart, and plenty of laughter.Send me a text!Support the show

In this episode of Especially the Preaching, I sit down with Alex Brown, PCA pastor on St. Simons Island, Georgia, to discuss his call to ministry, his preaching philosophy, and the realities of pastoral life. Alex shares his journey from Scotland to the PCA, his early influences in preaching, and how he prepares his sermons each week. We also discuss the tension between intellectual preparation and reliance on the Holy Spirit, the challenge of discouragement in ministry, and the ways in which preaching intersects with pastoral care.In the extended portion of our conversation, Alex shares additional insights into his preaching and ministry, including his thoughts on illustrations in preaching—when to use them and when they can be a distraction; the role of biblical narrative and Psalms as built-in illustrations; whether he listens to his own sermons and why he avoids it; how feedback—both encouragement and criticism—has shaped his preaching over timeSend me a text!Support the show

In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben Ratliff welcomes Rev. Jonas Brock to discuss his journey into ministry, his call to preaching, and his approach to sermon preparation. Jonas shares insights from his experiences serving in rural and coastal churches, his love for evening preaching, and the significance of tailoring sermons to the needs of his congregation. The conversation also touches on the joys of proclaiming God's Word faithfully and how pastoral care informs preaching.In the exclusive bonus segment, Jonas shares his experience preaching under physical affliction due to an autoimmune disease and how he continued to minister despite great physical difficulty. Ben and Jonas also discuss the unique benefits of evening preaching, why it fosters a more engaged congregation, and why they both love it.Send me a text!Support the show

In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben Ratliff interviews Job Dalomba, pastor of Christ Covenant PCA in Woodstock, Georgia. Job shares his journey from journalism to the pastorate, his approach to sermon preparation, and how he tailors his preaching to his congregation. The conversation delves into the effectual nature of preaching, the importance of the doctrine of God, and the personal aspect of pastoral ministry.The Christian's Reasonable Service, 4 Volumes (Brakel)Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Ryle)Send me a text!Support the show

In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Byrd, senior pastor at Christ Church PCA in Trussville, Alabama. We discuss his journey into the PCA, his philosophy of preaching, and the joys and challenges of sermon preparation. In the shows exclusive segment Jeremy shares his experience of preaching the same sermon twice each Sunday morning, what he’s learning from it, and how it has surprised him. We also talk about the role of preaching in church planting, pushing back against the idea that sermon preparation should take a back seat to community engagement. And for a bit of fun, we wrap up with a discussion on fountain pens, our favorite writing tools, and why a good pen can make sermon prep even more enjoyable.Send me a text!Support the show

In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben sits down with David Senters, pastor of New Covenant PCA in Richmond Hill, Georgia. David shares his remarkable journey from Pentecostalism to the PCA, his philosophy of expository preaching, and his disciplined approach to weekly sermon preparation. Along the way, he reflects on the joys and challenges of ministering in a small church and offers practical wisdom for aspiring preachers. In this exclusive subscriber-only episode, David opens up about the challenges of preaching controversial or difficult texts. From navigating congregational diversity in theological views to addressing passages that are awkward or emotionally charged, he shares how he strives to be both gracious and faithful to the text. David also discusses his approach to presenting differing views fairly and ensuring that the offense comes from the Scripture—not the preacher.Send me a text!Support the show

Join host Ben Ratliff and guest Steven Spinnenweber for an in-depth conversation about the art and craft of preaching. This episode explores what preaching is, how to approach sermon preparation, and the pivotal role of commentaries. Spin shares his philosophy on tailoring sermons to the needs of the congregation, balancing milk for new believers with meat for the spiritually mature.In a subscriber-exclusive segment, Stephen dives into the nuanced use of commentaries in sermon prep—how they can safeguard against novelty, provide fresh insights, and protect preachers from sounding dry or academic. Hear practical advice for young preachers and seasoned ministers alike.Send me a text!Support the show

In this inaugural episode of Especially the Preaching, host Ben Ratliff introduces himself, shares his journey into ministry, and explains his passion for the ministry of the Word—especially preaching. Drawing from Westminster Larger Catechism 155, Ben discusses why preaching is the primary means by which God enlightens, convinces, and builds up His people. This episode lays the foundation for the podcast’s mission to hear from faithful pastors and about their preaching ministries.Send me a text!Support the show