
Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks
Pastors Talk is a weekly conversation between Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever about practical aspects of the Christian life and pastoral ministry.
Latest episodes

Mar 25, 2025 • 31min
On Extra Biblical Qualifications for Elders (Ep. 292)
The discussion dives into the significance of strong church leadership and biblical qualifications for elders. Beyond scripture, the speakers explore additional relational dynamics that enhance leadership. They examine the importance of unity among elders with differing theological views and emphasize the value of flexibility in ministry approaches. They also highlight how contextual factors can shape qualifications, advocating for a balance between traditional criteria and the specific needs of congregations.

Mar 18, 2025 • 31min
On Pastors as Writers (Ep. 291)
In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman talk about the good desire some pastors have to write outside of church ministry and how to think about it.Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert, here: https://www.9marks.org/podcast/a-storm-in-the-desert/

Mar 11, 2025 • 27min
On Christianity in Colombia (Ep. 290)
In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman talk with the President of Poiema (a Spanish publisher) about the state of Christianity in Colombia.

Mar 4, 2025 • 22min
On the Pastor's Private Prayer Life (Ep. 289)
In this episode of Pastors Talk, Caleb Morell interviews Mark Dever about some general practices of his private prayer life.Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert.

23 snips
Feb 25, 2025 • 29min
On Running Your Staff (Ep. 288)
Discover the modern challenges of managing church staff in a post-pandemic world, emphasizing adaptability and structured office hours. Learn about the dynamics of staff meetings, balancing responsibilities with engagement. Explore the roles of assistant and associate pastors, highlighting communication and leadership. Delve into church staffing policies and the significance of sabbaticals for personal growth, all while fostering authentic relationships and trust among team members.

Feb 21, 2025 • 22min
A Storm in the Desert: Mack + Leeann (Ep. 1)
Introducing a new podcast from 9Marks—A Storm in the Desert.In 1972, at the base of a Swiss mountain, God saved a man named Mack Stiles. Two decades later, John Folmar “accepted Jesus as his personal Savior”; he doesn’t know even where he first heard that phrase. What happens in the next quarter-century is a testament to God’s commitment to use faithful, ordinary ministry to effect fruitful, extraordinary change. A Storm in the Desert tells this story.The first act in our story covers a lot of ground—from an icy crevice on a Swiss mountain to a below-freezing night capped off by the fiery Billy Graham. It involves a surprising conversion that eventually leads to a transatlantic flight on an empty plane. This is the story of Mack and Leeann.Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert.

Feb 18, 2025 • 28min
On The Evangelistic Power of Exclusivity (Ep. 287)
Can one belong before believing? In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Caleb Morell discuss the evangelistic power of exclusivity.Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert.

Feb 11, 2025 • 33min
On Service Reviews (Ep. 286)
In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman talk about service reviews. What is it? What do you talk about during service reviews? What if some feedback is too harsh? Mark Dever shares how the lead pastor can utilize this time to not only make the services better in the future, but also pastor and shepherd his staff and members. Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert, here: https://www.9marks.org/podcast/a-storm-in-the-desert/

Feb 4, 2025 • 33min
On A Storm in the Desert Podcast (Ep. 285)
In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman interviews Alex Duke and Alberto Jaquez about A Storm in the Desert, a new podcast series by 9Marks.Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert, here: https://www.9marks.org/podcast/a-storm-in-the-desert/

Dec 17, 2024 • 23min
On Christianity in Indonesia (Ep. 284)
Eric Yee, lead pastor of Harvest Mission Community Church in Jakarta, shares insights on Christianity in Indonesia. He discusses how historical events like the 1998 riots shaped English-speaking congregations and the unique challenges they face. The conversation dives into Indonesia's complex religious landscape, the role of pastors in missions, and the significance of community in church life. Yee also highlights distinctive worship practices, such as lengthy prayer sessions and the importance of pastoral care in building strong relationships.