easter
Episode 32: Pastors, Preaching, and Easter (with Scott Pace)
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour sits down with Dr. Scott Pace (Dean of the College at Southeastern) to discuss preaching and pastoring on Easter Sunday.
Preaching
Holiness
We Need Holy Youth Pastors
What my students need most from me is my personal holiness.There has been no shortage of discussion surrounding the reasons why there is an exodus of 18-year-olds that walk away from Christ and his church after graduation. Plenty of contributing reasons exists, such as: they weren’t integrated into the life of the church, they did not see Christian faith modeled at home, or their youth ministry was centered around entertainment.
Expository Preaching
Feeding Your Sheep with the Whole Counsel of God
I’ve been around long enough to know that last days will come. I still remember my wife and I walking out of the first home we’d known for over six years. We brought our first two children into that space. Other last days have come and gone since then. From the last day of a military deployment to the last keystroke of a Ph.D. program, all of us will face last days. We appeal to a sovereign God but do well to know that last days are coming.
Books
Episode 31: Pastors and Reading Good Books
Books, books, and more books! In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss pastors and the importance of reading good books.What books should every pastor read at some point in their ministry? Should pastors read books outside of the pastoral ministry/preaching genres? Should pastors read books written by authors they disagree with? Join us this week as we answer
Gospel
Episode 29: Pastors and the Gospel (with Greg Gilbert)
In this week’s episode of Pastor Matters, Brandon is joined by Greg Gilbert (Senior Pastor of Third Avenue Baptist Church) to discuss pastors and the gospel.
Nathaniel Williams
Pastor, Preach to the People in the Room
A few weeks ago I listened to one of the first sermons I preached. I’m not sure what inspired me to make this decision. But unless you’re a glutton for punishment, I do not recommend you to do the same.
Holy Spirit
What is the Preaching Event?
I still get a tightness in my stomach, even though I have preached at the same church since 1999. As the last song of worship ends and someone gives a public reading of scripture, I begin to experience anticipation mixed with trepidation. It is time to preach. As I step onto the stage, place my Bible on the pulpit, I take a moment to gaze into the eyes of my congregation. I can hear their thoughts, “What do you have for me today, pastor?”
Book Reviews
Book Review: Preaching the Whole Counsel of God, by Julius Kim
All pastors experience seasons of ministry when they begin to wrestle with some aspect of their preaching. Maybe it’s the effectiveness of their illustrations or applications, the nagging feeling that their sermons are lacking any real connection to the gospel, or recognizing that parts of their delivery are more distracting than beneficial.
Andy Davis
Episode 27: Pastors and Spiritual Formation (with Andy Davis)
In this week’s episode, Ronjour and Brandon are joined by Dr. Andy Davis (Senior Pastor of FBC Durham). Join us this week as we talk with Andy about spiritual formation and the individuals who have impacted him throughout his ministry.
Grace
Preaching Grace and Truth to Hurting People
As pastors, we never want to hurt people. We’re pursuing this calling because we want to help people. And we want to help people in the deepest and most profound of ways by helping them find new life in Christ.One of my greatest fears in pastoral ministry is that I would inadvertently hurt the people I’m called to serve. Life is hard and painful enough, and people don’t need any extra pain brought their way by a well-meaning pastor.
Acts 20
Pastor, Protect the Flock
False teaching has been and will continue to be one of the primary battlefronts in which pastors must engage in combat to protect the biblical fidelity of the local church. However, one could argue that the information age opened the floodgates to a watershed of false doctrine streaming into the local church in a way that we have yet to experience in her history
Funerals
Episode 26: Pastors and Funerals
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss presiding over and preaching at funerals.
Consistency
Consistency Over Time
Few things in life frustrate me more than the “check engine” light in my car. Within a month of buying a car, it appears. The orange light taunts me because I know I will have to spend money to get the light to go away. Thankfully, I have a great auto shop in town. They treat me well, charge a fair amount, and fix whatever is broken. Most importantly, they get the light to turn off, allowing me a period of peace before it returns to torment me.
Chapel
Chapel Rewind: The Invading Savior
CPPL Director Ronjour Locke preaches on the invading Kingdom of God which Jesus brought forth in His earthly ministry.
Love
Episode 25: Pastors and Speaking the Truth in Love
What does it mean to speak the truth in love? What are some good examples of this in the Scriptures? In this episode, Ronjour and Brandon discuss how to preach and interact with others in a truthful, loving manner.
counseling
How Preaching the Psalms Counsels the Hurting
A pastor slowly makes his way across the stage to where his pulpit stands. As he lays his Bible and notes on the pulpit, he looks out over his congregation and thinks to himself, “My people are hurting; how is my sermon going to help them?”
christmas
Preaching Christmas: Stay or Stray?
There seems to be more pressure at Christmas than in other seasons of the year. I’m not talking about finding a parking place at the mall or waiting in a long line at Starbucks. Rather, I’m referring to the pressure a preacher feels in the pulpit.
christmas
Episode 20: Pastors, Preaching, and Christmas
The Christmas season is officially upon us! In this holiday edition of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss preaching and pastoring during the Christmas season.What should pastors consider preaching during the holidays? Should pastors feel pressure to keep their Christmas sermons fresh? How should pastors shepherd those in their congregation who are grieving during the holidays? Join us as we tackle these questions and many more!
Dwayne Milioni
Episode 19: Pastors and Preaching Through Revelation (with Dwayne Milioni)
Why are some pastors hesitant to preach through the book of Revelation? How should pastors approach difficult texts found in Revelation?In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss preaching through the book of Revelation with Dr. Dwayne Milioni.
Application
Call Your People to Believe
Last year I went skydiving for the first time. It was something I’d wanted to do for years and it did not disappoint. While I don’t consider myself an adrenaline junkie, free-falling at 120 mph was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life. Because skydiving is inherently dangerous, I was asked numerous times how scared I was to jump.
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