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&nbs ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 u ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 Bapt ..read more

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 ..read more