Pastor Matters

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 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, 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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.

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 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, 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 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.

This summer we are highlighting some of your favorite podcasts from the past year!
In this episode of Pastor Matters, we are joined by Kristen Kellen, Tate Cockrell, and Steven McKinion. We discuss the importance of advanced degrees in ministry, exploring the benefits of pursuing a PhD, EdD, or DMin. They emphasize the value of education for personal and professional growth, the structure of various doctoral programs, and the requirements for admission. The conversation also addresses common concerns about time, finances, and motivations for pursuing further education, encouraging listeners to consider the long-term benefits of investing in their ministry education.
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, we are joined by Matt Capps and Steven Wade to discuss their new book Shepherding Renewal: A Guide to Church Revitalization. They share their personal experiences of church revitalization that motivated them to write this book, insights into how to approach church revitalization as a pastor, and encouragement for all pastors as they shepherd their sheep. They emphasize that revitalization is not a quick fix but a patient journey that prioritizes love for people and submission to God’s Word over preferences or programs. 
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Resources from today's episode: Shepherding Renewal: A Guide to Church Revitalization
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, we are joined by Shane Pruitt and Shelly Melia to discuss their new book, "Reaching Generation Alpha: A Ministry Guide for Discipling the Church Beyond the Screen.” They provide insight and key statistics about Generation Alpha, which makes up most of our children and youth ministries,  to help us understand their needs and how to meet them as the Church. They also offer fundamental questions for pastors to ask their next-gen ministry leaders and encouragement to champion these ministries as they declare the works of the Lord to the next generation.
 
We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!
Resources from today's episode: 
Reaching Generation Alpha: A Ministry Guide for Discipling the Church Beyond the Screen
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.