
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

Feb 10, 2025 • 28min
The Gospel for Disordered Lives with Dr. Kristin Kellen - EP182
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Kristin Kellen, Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling and co-author of "The Gospel for Disordered Lives" discusses biblical counseling, the role of pastors in counseling, and how to equip church leaders and laypersons for effective counseling. The conversation covers various resources available for training, self-care for counselors, and the need for collaboration in pastoral care. Dr. Kellen emphasizes the necessity of grounding counseling in scripture and encourages pastors to seek help and training in their counseling efforts.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Resources in this episode:
The Gospel for Disordered Lives by Robert D. Jones, Kristin L. Kellen, and Rob Green
Christian Counseling and Education Foundation, www.CCEF.org
Association of Biblical Counselors, www.ChristianCounseling.com
Anchored Virtual, www.AnchoredVirtual.com
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Feb 4, 2025 • 22min
The Art of Sermon Illustrations with Tom Elliff - EP181
In this episode of Pastor Matters, hosts Caleb Iversen and Zac Menser welcome back Tom Elliff to explore the significance of sermon illustrations in preaching. They discuss how illustrations convey deeper truths, how to craft effective illustrations, and the balance between personal stories and biblical messages. Tom emphasizes that the ultimate goal of illustrations is to enhance understanding and connection with the audience, while also cautioning against using them for mere entertainment.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Jan 23, 2025 • 26min
Preparing Your Heart to Preach with Tom Elliff - EP180
In this episode of Pastor Matters, our hosts welcome Dr. Tom Elliff who shares his extensive experience in preaching and sermon preparation. He discusses personal preparation, the necessity of being in tune with God before delivering a message, and the process of familiarizing oneself with the text. He also talks about finding one's unique voice in the pulpit. Young pastors and seasoned pastors alike won't want to miss this engaging and encouraging episode!
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Jan 15, 2025 • 35min
Crafting the Sermon with Dr. Robert Smith Jr. - EP178
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Robert Smith, Jr., shares his journey in preaching, emphasizing the importance of sermon preparation, internalization, and the role of the Holy Spirit. He discusses his early experiences, the evolution of his preaching style, and offers practical advice for young preachers. This interview is sure to help every preacher improve on crafting sermons.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Jan 14, 2025 • 41min
Longevity in Ministry with Al Jackson - EP179
In this episode of Pastor Matters, the conversation centers around the theme of longevity in ministry, featuring Dr. Al Jackson, who served at Lakeview Baptist Church for over 42 years. The discussion explores Dr. Jackson's journey into ministry, the challenges he faced, and the importance of staying committed to a church community. He shares insights on the call to ministry, navigating difficult seasons, and offers practical advice for younger pastors on how to sustain a long-term ministry.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Jan 6, 2025 • 36min
Implementing a Pastoral Succession Plan - EP177
In this episode, Dr. Chuck Lawless and Caleb Iversen welcome pastors Jeff Isenhour and Andrew Clark of Arran Lake Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC. They share their experience of making and implementing a succession plan after Pastor Jeff's 35 years of ministry at Arran Lake. They discuss the process of co-pastoring, mentorship, and the challenges of transitioning leadership roles. As more and more pastors age out of the pulpit, the demand is high for young pastors to step into established churches and take the reins. Listen in for valuable information on the issue of pastoral succession.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Resources in this episode:
For more information about Arran Lake Baptist, visit their website at www.b3church.org
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Jan 2, 2025 • 17min
What to Expect in 2025 - EP176
In this episode of Pastor Matters, the team reflects on the highlights of 2024, including the successful Christ-Centered Exposition Workshop and the preaching conference. They discuss the upcoming events in 2025 for pastors, pastoral students, and aspiring pastors. Pastor Matters and the Pastors' Center have an exciting year ahead, and we hope our listeners plan to be a part of it!
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Dec 20, 2024 • 34min
Prayer and the Preacher's Character with Tom Elliff - EP175
In our recent mentorship lunch, we welcomed Dr. Tom Elliff virtually to share about the preacher's character and prayer. Dr. Elliff highlights the importance of integrity, the role of scripture in shaping character, and the consequences of neglecting one's spiritual life. He shares a powerful testimony of redemption, demonstrating the transformative power of prayer and the Word of God in the lives of God's people.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Dec 20, 2024 • 1h
The Emotional Health of the Pastor with Dr. Tate Cockrell - EP174
For this week, we have the audio recording from Dr. Tate Cockrell's October webinar "The Emotional Health of the Pastor." Dr. Cockrell discusses the importance of emotional health for pastors and church leaders. He identifies signs of emotional unhealth, offers practical solutions for improving emotional health, and stresses empowering ministry leaders in knowing when to say no to maintain a healthy balance in ministry.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Resources in this episode:
For more information about Dr. Tate Cockrell and his recommended resources, visit www.tatecockrell.com
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Dec 9, 2024 • 26min
The Pastor's Role in the Great Commission with Paul Chitwood - EP173
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board (IMB), returns to discuss the vital role of pastors in fulfilling the Great Commission. He shares his personal journey from pastoring to leading the IMB and emphasizes the importance of mobilizing church members for global missions. The conversation highlights the responsibilities of pastors in calling out potential missionaries, the significance of church involvement in international missions, and the need for generous support to the IMB to address the growing lostness around the world.
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu.
Resources in this episode:
For more information about IMB and how to donate, please visit www.IMB.org
Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.