
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

May 3, 2021 • 35min
Pastors and Fatherhood (with Danny Akin) – EP37
In this episode, Ronjour and Brandon are joined by Dr. Daniel Akin (President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) to discuss pastors and fatherhood. How can pastors balance their pastoral responsibilities with their responsibilities at home? How does being a father shape the way you pastor? How can fathers raise their kids to think and live missionally? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!

Apr 26, 2021 • 35min
Pastors and Prayer – EP36
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss the prayer life of a pastor. Why is it so difficult to create consistent patterns of prayer? What does the Bible say about prayer? What role does prayer have in preaching and fulfilling the Great Commission? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Apr 19, 2021 • 34min
Pastors and Suicide (Pt. 2) – EP35
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon continue their discussion on pastors and suicide. This week, the guys will be discussing how to shepherd those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
How can pastors help those who have lost a loved one navigate the difficult questions associated with suicide? What are good resources for helping members process grief and loss? How can pastors shepherd their own souls in seasons of tremendous loss and grief? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Apr 12, 2021 • 32min
Pastors and Suicide (Pt. 1) – EP34
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon begin a two-part conversation on pastors and suicide. This week, the guys will be discussing how to preach and preside over a funeral for someone who has taken their life. What passages should pastors consider preaching during the funeral message? How should pastors navigate the graveside service? What are some things pastors should say to those grieving from the unexpected loss of a loved one? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Apr 5, 2021 • 37min
Pastors and Student Ministry (with Mark Young) – EP33
In this special episode of Pastor Matters, Brandon sits down with Mark Young (Student Pastor at Swift Creek Baptist Church) to discuss preaching and student ministry. How can student pastors get the parents of their students more involved? Why is expository preaching so important in student ministry? What are some reasons students typically leave the church after high school? Join us this week as we answer these questions, and many more!

Mar 29, 2021 • 24min
Pastors, Preaching, and Easter (with Scott Pace) – EP32
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour sits down with Dr. Scott Pace (Dean of the College at Southeastern) to discuss preaching and pastoring on Easter Sunday.
Should every sermon be an “Easter sermon”? If we preach Christ in every sermon, how prominent should his resurrection be weekly? How does Christ’s resurrection encourage us in a time of health and social crisis? What texts should pastors consider preaching on Easter Sunday? Join us this week as we answer these questions and many more!

Mar 15, 2021 • 30min
Pastors and Reading Good Books – EP31
Books, books, and more books! In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss pastors and the importance of reading good books.
What books should every pastor read at some point in their ministry? Should pastors read books outside of the pastoral ministry/preaching genres? Should pastors read books written by authors they disagree with? Join us this week as we answer these questions and many more!

Mar 8, 2021 • 27min
Pastors and the Importance of Friendship – EP30
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss the importance of friendship in the life of a pastor. Why is friendship so important? What are some examples of friendship in Scripture? How can pastors prevent competitiveness and envy from seeping into their friendship? Join us this week as we discuss these questions and many more!

Mar 1, 2021 • 23min
Pastors and the Gospel (with Greg Gilbert) — EP29
Description: In this week’s episode of Pastor Matters, Brandon is joined by Greg Gilbert (Senior Pastor of Third Avenue Baptist Church) to discuss pastors and the gospel.
In what ways do we make sharing the gospel harder than it actually is? How should we define gospel-centered preaching? What are some ways pastors can encourage their people to share the gospel in light of COVID-19? Join us this week as we discuss these questions and many more!

Feb 22, 2021 • 33min
Pastors and Cultural Diversity (with Matthew Kim) – EP28
In this episode, Ronjour sits down with Dr. Matthew Kim to discuss cultural diversity.
How should we define terms like culture and ethnicity? How can pastors promote diversity in a local church with no diversity? How can pastors shepherd through conflicts and clashes within their churches? Join us this week as we tackle these questions and many more!