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In this episode of Pastor Matters, we sit down with Tracy McKenzie, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, to talk about preaching from the Pentateuch. We discuss how to approach the Pentateuch, why it is foundational, and its key themes. Dr. McKenzie shares advice for pastors who do not have formal training in Hebrew and explains where to start. Finally, we cover how to communicate these ideas through preaching.   We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!   Resources in today's episode: Open-Scripture.org Open Scripture Podcast Institute for Scripture and Theology   Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at [email protected].   Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

This week we are highlighting one of our most listened to episodes of Pastor Matters!  In this episode of Pastor Matters, we continue our series of the Pastors Roundtable. We discuss the challenges of time management and scheduling in pastoral leadership. We explore the balance between various roles in ministry, the obstacles pastors face in managing their schedules, and the importance of editing priorities. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for effective time management, including the significance of prayer and flexibility in scheduling.  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 [email protected]. 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, we are joined by Bradley Hambrick, Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brad shares insights into the prevalent issue of pornography in the church. We discuss what is at stake for the churches who fail to address this issue, the impact of pornography on churches and marriages, and how pastors can address this sin within their congregations. Whether you are shepherding the flock or fighting this battle personally, this episode provides practical tools and encouragement to take the next step.   We hope this episode is encouraging to you today! Resources in today's episode:   Mobilizing Church-Based Counseling: Models for Sustainable Church-Based Care  False Love: 9 Steps Toward Sexual Integrity (Church-Based Counseling)  True Betrayal: 9 Steps for Processing Your Spouse’s Infidelity (Church-Based Counseling)  Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at [email protected]. Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

In this week's episode of Pastor Matters, we bring Dr. Landon Dowden back for a conversation on Spirit-empowered preaching. Dr. Dowden discusses the relationships between the Spirit and His Word, the Spirit and the preacher, and the Spirit and the moment of delivery. We dive into each of these areas as Dr. Dowden explains how the Spirit leads the pastor in both preparation and proclamation. This episode will leave you encouraged to diligently seek the Spirit in your preaching and provide practical insight for resting in the Spirit's provision.   We hope this episode is encouraging to you today! Resources from today's episode:  The Moment of Truth: A Guide to Effective Sermon Delivery  Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at [email protected]. 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, we are joined by Dr. Jared Richard, Senior Pastor of Bay Leaf Baptist Church, to talk about leading a church staff. Dr. Richard has served in several roles on church staffs and offers his insight on promoting staff unity, overcoming the unique challenges of being a lead pastor, and hiring new staff members. We also cover how staff and their ministries fit into the vision of the church and the concept of leadership as stewardship. We end the episode with an encouragement to both church staff and lead pastors to consider how they can promote unity within the body for the sake of the gospel.     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 [email protected].   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, we sit down with Dr. Landon Dowden, Associate Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Southeastern, for a Q&A conversation. Dr. Dowden shares insights from his experience in church revitalization, discusses how he shepherds and encourages his congregation throughout the week with the truths of the gospel, and explains his sermon preparation process. He also reflects on the trends he is observing among the next generation of preachers through his work as a professor. Overall, Dr. Dowden encourages pastors to keep the gospel at the center of their preaching and ministry, continually placing it before their people and allowing it to shape every aspect of their work. 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 [email protected].   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 and Caleb Iversen discuss the view from the pulpit. Caleb shares about his call to preach and his first opportunities to proclaim God’s Word. They reflect on the challenges and rewards of preaching, consider how pastors can thoughtfully engage their listeners, and offer practical insight for receiving feedback after a sermon. Ultimately, they highlight preaching as an act of dependence on God and a testimony to His sustaining grace.   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 [email protected].   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, we are joined by Dr. Benjamin Quinn to explore how churches can invest in young leaders to help fill the leadership gap. We discuss the need for churches to have an equipping mindset, the risks and joys of investing in young leaders, and how churches can wisely balance the responsibilities they entrust to them. We also highlight the importance of fostering confidence, character, and conviction in young leaders as they begin their ministry journey.   Resources in this episode:  Challenges and Opportunities for Theological Education  Small Church Essentials by Karl Vaters The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall   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 [email protected]. 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, we sit down with Beau Landers, the Director of Church Partnerships here at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We discuss why small groups matter in the local church, how to determine what a healthy small group ministry looks like, and helpful resources for developing small group leaders. Our certificate office has just released a new GO Certificate titled "Small Group Leader Training: Ministry in a Small Group" to come alongside the church in preparing small group leaders to provide soul care, foster engagement, and cultivate a culture of prayer.     Pastor Matters listeners also receive a special 25% off discount for the whole training bundle! You can purchase the training bundle here with the discount code already applied or add the code below at checkout.     Discount Code: PASTORMATTERS    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 [email protected].   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, we are joined by Dr. Allan Moseley to discuss how to deal with contentious sheep. While people are one of the most rewarding aspects of ministry, they can also be among the most challenging. Dr. Moseley and Dr. Lawless share lessons they have learned about handling frustration, promoting unity within the church, and lovingly confronting others. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of a pastor's personal relationship with the Lord as he seeks to faithfully love and shepherd contentious sheep.   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 [email protected].   Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

In our 250th episode of Pastor Matters, we sit down with Ryan Hutchinson and Dwayne Milioni to consider how AI is impacting pastoral ministry. We discuss the benefits and risks of using AI in pastoral leadership, how AI is impacting our congregations, and what it truly means to lead faithfully in a tech-driven world. We also explore ethical concerns and emphasize the Holy Spirit's role in sermon preparation.   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 [email protected].   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, we are joined by Dr. Tate Cockrell and Dr. Steven Wade to discuss the importance of the pastor's emotional health. We talk about signs of poor emotional health, proactive measures to avoid burnout, and what to do if you realize you are in crisis. Dr. Cockrell and Dr. Wade provide insight from their personal experience as ministry leaders and emphasize the importance of regular check-ins with a counselor.    Resources in this episode:  The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero    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 [email protected]. Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

In this week's episode of Pastor Matters, we are joined by Dr. Benjamin Merkle to discuss his new book Authority in the Church. Dr. Merkle walks us through passages of Scripture that outline authority in the early church and discusses how we can apply these passages today. We explore the roles of deacons, elders, and the congregation and how these roles fit together.   We hope this episode is encouraging to you today! Resources from today's episode:  Authority in the Church by Benjamin Merkle Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at [email protected]. Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.

This summer we are highlighting some of your favorite podcasts from the past year! In this episode of Pastor Matters, we are joined by Dr. Steven Wade, Professor of Pastoral Theology at Southeastern and Lead Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Youngsville, NC. Dr. Wade shares his journey in pastoral ministry, discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges faced in smaller churches, and the transition to leading a larger congregation. He emphasizes the need for continuing education for pastors to effectively shepherd their communities in today's complex cultural landscape. 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 [email protected]. 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, we are joined by Dr. Scott Pace and Dr. Allan Moseley to discuss the fine line of pastoral vulnerability. We talk about how to protect your family and your credibility as a leader while remaining authentic with your congregation. We discuss some of the dangers of being too vulnerable and provide good principles to follow when deciding whether to share a personal struggle. Tune in for some wisdom from these seasoned ministry leaders as they share their experiences of pastoral vulnerability and provide encouragement for pastors.   We hope this episode is encouraging to you today! Register for Engaging Exposition 2026  Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at [email protected]. Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.