
Pastor Matters
The Pastor Matters Podcast seeks to equip and encourage pastors and church leaders in whatever context of ministry they find themselves in. Join Chuck Lawless and Caleb Iversen each week as they look at various topics related to preaching and pastoral leadership.
Pastor Matters is produced by the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Latest episodes

Aug 22, 2022 • 53min
Ministry Transitions with Jordon Willard - EP76
When should pastors consider leaving their current role for another ministry opportunity? How can pastors lead their families well when transitioning to a new ministry role? What does it look like for a pastor to finish well before leaving?
Join Ronjour and Brandon this week as they discuss ministry transitions with Dr. Jordon Willard (First Baptist Church of Weddington).
Learn more about the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership by visiting pastorscenter.org.

Jun 13, 2022 • 47min
Pastors and Biblical Counseling (with Tate Cockrell) - EP75
Ronjour and Brandon conclude their series highlighting the importance of theological education by having a conversation on pastors and biblical counseling with Dr. Tate Cockrell (Associate Professor of Counseling at SEBTS).
Do pastors typically receive adequate training in counseling? How can pastors shepherd victims of abuse? When should pastors consider receiving counseling of their own? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
*This episode is part of our special series highlighting the importance of theological training and ministry preparation.

Jun 6, 2022 • 49min
Pastors and the Biblical Languages (with Robb Coleman & Jeremy Robbins) - EP74
Brandon discusses the important role the biblical languages play in studying and teaching the Scriptures with Robb Coleman and Jeremy Robbins.
What are some specific examples of how beneficial the languages are in studying the Bible? What are pastors missing when they don’t have a working knowledge of the languages? Why is there value in learning the languages in community? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
*This episode is part of our special series highlighting the importance of theological training and ministry preparation.

May 30, 2022 • 55min
Pastors and Global Missions (with Keelan Cook & Anna Daub) - EP73
In this episode, Brandon sits down with Keelan Cook (Instructor of Missiology) and Anna Daub (Director of Special Projects and Partnerships) to discuss theological education, global missions, and how churches fulfill the Great Commission.
Should someone who desires to serve on the mission field be theologically trained? What should a pastor do if a member begins to express interest in serving overseas? What are some good missionary biographies and resources? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
*This episode is part of our special series highlighting the importance of theological training and ministry preparation.

May 23, 2022 • 48min
Student Pastors and Ministry (with Scott Pace) - EP72
Ronjour and Brandon discuss the importance of theological education in student ministry with Dr. Scott Pace (Dean of The College at Southeastern).
Why should aspiring student pastors pursue seminary training? What are some steps that can be taken by student pastors to make their ministry more theologically driven? How do we get rid of this idea that student ministry is a steppingstone into the senior pastorate? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
*This episode is part of our special series highlighting the importance of theological training and ministry preparation.

May 16, 2022 • 44min
Pastors and Ethics (with Mark Liederbach) - EP71
Ronjour and Brandon continue their series highlighting theological education by having a discussion on pastors and ethics with Dr. Mark Liederbach (Senior Professor of Theology, Ethics and Culture at SEBTS).
What is the goal of ethics? How can pastors help their people develop an ethical framework in the church? What are some pressing ethical issues we are currently facing in our culture? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
*This episode is part of our special series highlighting the importance of theological training and ministry preparation.

May 9, 2022 • 50min
Pastors and Theology (with Keith Whitfield) - EP70
Ronjour and Brandon discuss the importance of theology in the life of a pastor with Dr. Keith Whitfield (Associate Professor of Theology & Provost at Southeastern).
How does theology shape the pastor’s preaching? Is theology supposed to unite us? How should we think through and adopt certain theological positions? What are some characteristics of a good theologian? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
*This episode is part of our special series highlighting the importance of theological training and ministry preparation.

May 2, 2022 • 40min
Pastors and an Intro to Seminary (with Chuck Lawless) - EP69
Dr. Chuck Lawless is back again! This week, he joins Ronjour and Brandon to help kick off our brand new series on theological education! Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring Southeastern faculty, students, and alumni to help discuss some of the major topics discussed in seminary.
Where is theological education going? What should the partnership between seminaries and local churches look like? How does seminary help shape one's life and ministry? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!
*This episode is part of our special series highlighting the importance of theological training and ministry preparation.

Apr 25, 2022 • 32min
Pastors and Spiritual Warfare (with Chuck Lawless) - EP68
Ronjour and Brandon talk pastors and spiritual warfare with Dr. Chuck Lawless (VP of Spiritual Formation at Southeastern).
What does the Bible tell us about spiritual warfare? How do we discern what is spiritual warfare and what isn’t? What is the enemy’s endgame when it comes to spiritual warfare and believers? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!

Apr 18, 2022 • 57min
Pastors and Talking About Race (with Isaac Adams) - EP67
Ronjour and Brandon sit down with Isaac Adams (Pastor of Iron City Church) to discuss his new book Talking About Race: Gospel Hope for Hard Conversations.
What makes having conversations on/about race so difficult? Is social media the right place to have these conversations? Where should the starting point be with these conversations? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!