Pastor Matters

In this episode of Pastor Matters we are joined by Ben Mandrell, the 10th president of Lifeway. Ben shares insights from his new Bible study, "Together," which aims to foster community and connection among church members, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss the significance of being involved in a local church, the necessity of vulnerability and authenticity in ministry, and the challenges faced by pastors in building genuine relationships within their congregation. 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: "Together" Bible Study by Ben Mandrell is available at Lifeway.com. Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

In this episode of Pastor Matters, the team introduces a relevant resource for pastors from Dr. Scott Hildreth. Dr. Hildreth is an Associate Professor of Missiology and Associate Dean of Ministry Studies at SEBTS. He shares his journey to faith, his passion for evangelism and missions, and insights from his upcoming book, 'A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions.' He emphasizes the importance of the Great Commission, the need for pastors to model evangelism, and practical steps to encourage church members in sharing their faith. 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: A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions by Scott Hildreth will be released on May 6, 2025. Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

In this episode of Pastor Matters, the podcast team welcomes HB Charles Jr., author and a veteran pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Orange Park, Florida, about the intricacies of pastoral ministry. They discuss the importance of preaching, the challenges of counseling, the significance of mentorship, and the necessity of balancing family life with ministry responsibilities. HB shares personal anecdotes and practical advice for both new and seasoned pastors, emphasizing the need for prayer, preparation, and patience in navigating the complexities of church leadership. 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: www.HBCharlesJr.com www.Shiloh.Church You can purchase the book, It Happens After Prayer by HB Charles Jr., at https://hbcharlesjr.com/product/it-happens-after-prayer/ Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

In this episode of Pastor Matters, the team welcomes Chris Thompson, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration at SEBTS, and Mark Vance, Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa, to discuss college ministry. Mark Vance shares his personal journey into ministry, the structure and vision of Cornerstone Church and the Salt Network, and the strategies employed in each Salt Company to disciple college students. The discussion emphasizes the importance of intentionality in ministry, the unique openness of college students to the gospel, and the need for pastors to endure and remain faithful in their calling. 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: Cornerstone Church, cornerstonelife.com The Salt Network, thesaltnetwork.com George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms by Chad Van Dixhoorn Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Alan Mosley, Senior Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, at Southeastern Seminary, discusses his journey into Old Testament studies and the challenges of preaching from the Old Testament, touching on key themes, the role of archaeology, and common errors in interpretation. Dr. Mosley also shares how pastors can effectively teach their congregations to engage with the Old Testament. 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: Living Well: God's Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs by Allan Moseley From the Study to the Pulpit: An 8-Step Method for Preaching and Teaching the Old Testament by Allan Moseley Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

Dr. Lawless, Caleb Iversen and Zac Menser explore the characteristics of disciple-making churches, recognizing how intentionality in leadership, the role of small groups, and the need for a structured discipleship pathway are best practices. The podcast team shares personal experiences and insights on how churches can effectively nurture spiritual growth and foster a culture of discipleship among their members. 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.

In this episode, Dr. Chuck Lawless reflects on 45 years of ministry experience, discussing the importance of mentorship, the pain of church leadership, impactful books, and the joy found in preaching. The conversation also touches on understanding one's calling in ministry and the future challenges of pastoral leadership in a changing cultural landscape. Young pastors and seasoned pastors are sure to glean wisdom and encouragement from this 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.

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Chuck Lawless and Caleb Iversen talk with Dr. Al Jackson, a long-time pastor with a deep commitment to missions. They explore the roots of Dr. Jackson's missionary passion, local church engagement in missions, and the challenges faced in promoting a mission-focused culture. Dr. Jackson shares insights from his pastoral journey, emphasizing the need for churches to prioritize missions alongside worship and gives practical steps for churches to foster a global mindset and a heart for supporting missionaries. 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.

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.

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.