The Everyday Pastor

If pastors are the supply line, members are the front line. How can pastors equip their sheep to take responsibility for one another’s spiritual well-being? How can pastors foster a culture of relational initiative and deliberate discipleship?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share practical ideas on how to shepherd your congregations to have a discipleship mindset. “I Was Discipled by … the Church” by Brian BowmanThe Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes a Church Attractive by Mark Dever and Jamie DunlopSpiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures by David Martyn Lloyd-JonesPraying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D.A. Carson

Pastoral ministry is far more than preaching. Pastors are fundamentally shepherds, which means we’re called to care for particular sheep. How do we do that well?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan consider specific ways pastors can care for their congregation.Recommended resources:Jordan Stone, Love to Christ: Robert Murray M’Cheyne and the Pursuit of HolinessJordan Stone, A Communion of Love: The Christ-Centered Spirituality of Robert Murray M’CheyneJordan Stone, A Holy Minister: The Life and Spiritual Legacy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” Paul exhorts the young pastor Timothy (1 Tim. 4:16). For many of us, it’s dangerously easy to guard our doctrine but not our lives. How can a busy pastor tend to his soul?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practices for maintaining intimacy with Christ amid the demands of ministry.Recommended resources:Josiah Bull (ed.), Letters of John NewtonJonathan Aitken, John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing GraceTony Reinke, Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is ChristSinclair Ferguson, The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still MattersDavid Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host

Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025. They discuss: The rise in Bible sales in 2024Declining fertility rates worldwideBig changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global SouthThe advance of assisted suicide in the UKThe Cass Report and the truth about transgender treatmentsEncouraging signs among Gen ZTrump’s election victory and a GOP shiftAnticipating the 2025 Gospelbound seasonBook highlights from 2024Personal projects and updatesDon Carson’s legacy and an important update about his life and ministryMentioned on this episode:"My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024" by Collin Hansen (article)Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

Sinclair Ferguson, a long-time pastor and theology professor known for his reflective Advent devotionals, joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to explore the wonder of the incarnation. They discuss how boredom can dull the message of Christmas, suggesting ways for pastors to revive excitement in their congregations. The trio reflects on the humility of God becoming human, the profound mystery of Christ's dual nature, and emphasizes the importance of incorporating scripture and music in worship to enrich the Christmas narrative.

Church polity is like stretching. It seems boring until something tears—and then you wish you’d devoted more time to it. Despite their differences (Matt Smethurst is a congregationalist and Ligon Duncan is a Presbyterian), both agree Scripture has a lot to say—more than many evangelicals assume—about how a local church should be structured. This is an underrated topic, and pastors impoverish themselves by not giving careful attention to it.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Smethurst and Duncan explore why church polity matters and its overlooked biblical importance.Recommended resource: Jonathan Leeman, Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human FlourishingHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

When it comes to the art of delivering sermons, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But Matt Smethurst and (especially) Ligon Duncan have learned helpful lessons over the years.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt and Ligon offer practical tips to help pastors reflect on and improve their sermon delivery.Recommended resources:Mark Dever, Application GridThomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s DevicesHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together 

What are your rhythms for sermon preparation? How should this be prioritized alongside other responsibilities? How can you grow more efficient and effective while remaining faithful to the task?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss the rigors and joys of sermon prep.Recommended resources:The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, Vol. 1: A Christian DirectoryJ. I. Packer, Truth and Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian LifeJay Adams, Be Careful How You Listen: How to Get the Most Out of a SermonJoel Beeke, Reformed Preaching: Proclaiming God’s Word from the Heart of the Preacher to the Heart of His PeopleLigon Duncan, “How to Listen to a Bad Sermon”Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

Would your sermons make sense if Jesus didn’t die and rise again? If the answer is yes, your sermons may well be instructive, insightful, and inspiring, but they aren't yet Christian.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Bryan Chapell—a “Jedi master” on the topic of Christ-centered preaching—brings decades of experience to this conversation with Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan on why (and how) to make Jesus Christ the hero of every sermon.Recommended resources:Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository SermonBryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Sermons: Models of Redemptive PreachingBryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our PracticeHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

This discussion delves into the vital role of liturgy in Sunday worship, highlighting how structured practices enhance congregational participation. Explore the interplay between personal faith and communal rituals, and discover the significance of benedictions as a closing act of worship. Emphasizing the value of tradition amidst modern challenges, the conversation reveals how effective leadership can navigate differing worship preferences. Insights on enriching service experiences through active dialogue and Scripture add depth to the importance of intentional worship.