Pastor Matters

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Lawless, Caleb Iversen, and Zac Menser share personal reflections on Christmas worship and traditions. They touch on the precarious balance pastors must maintain between church commitments and family commitments at Christmastime. Dr. Lawless shares some of his Christmas devotions, emphasizing the awe and wonder of the all-too-familiar story of Jesus's birth. This episode is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit while also setting your heart and mind on the real reason for the season. 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: Dr. Lawless's Christmas devotions will be published every Tuesday this December (2024) at Pastorscenter.org/types/articles/ 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. Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board (IMB), discusses the vital role of the IMB in addressing global lostness through missionary work. Dr. Chitwood shares insights on the IMB's history, its current challenges, and the exciting advancements in gospel outreach amidst global crises. The conversation emphasizes the importance of prayer, support, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in sustaining missionary efforts worldwide. 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.