Pastor Matters
The Pastor Matters Podcast seeks to equip and encourage pastors and church leaders in whatever context of ministry they find themselves in. Join Chuck Lawless and Caleb Iversen each week as they look at various topics related to preaching and pastoral leadership.
Pastor Matters is produced by the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Episodes

Monday Aug 30, 2021
Monday Aug 30, 2021
In our first episode of the season, Ronjour sits down with Dr. Matthew Kim (George F. Bennett Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology at Gordon-Conwell) to discuss his most recent book, Preaching to People in Pain.
How can pastors preach on the topic of pain and suffering? What are some pitfalls when it comes to preaching sermons on pain? How can pastors encourage their people during seasons of pain and suffering? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!

Monday May 31, 2021
Monday May 31, 2021
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss pastors and evangelism with Dr. Chuck Lawless (Dean of Doctoral Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary). How can pastors ignite a passion in their people for evangelism and missions? What role does prayer have in evangelism? How can pastors gauge where their church is at evangelistically? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Monday May 24, 2021
Monday May 24, 2021
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour sits down with Dr. Ross Inman (Associate Professor of Philosophy at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) to discuss spiritual deconstruction. What is deconstruction? How should pastors respond to members who find themselves in the “deconstructing” process? What are some examples of deconstruction in the Scriptures? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss pastoring in a rural context with Nathaniel Williams (Senior Pastor of Cedar Rock First Baptist Church). What are the greatest challenges to pastoring in a rural context? In what ways do people outside of rural contexts misunderstand rural life and ministry? How can pastors in rural contexts overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!

Monday May 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
In this episode, Ronjour and Brandon are joined by Dr. Daniel Akin (President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) to discuss pastors and fatherhood. How can pastors balance their pastoral responsibilities with their responsibilities at home? How does being a father shape the way you pastor? How can fathers raise their kids to think and live missionally? Join us this week as we tackle these questions (and many more)!

Monday Apr 26, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon discuss the prayer life of a pastor. Why is it so difficult to create consistent patterns of prayer? What does the Bible say about prayer? What role does prayer have in preaching and fulfilling the Great Commission? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Monday Apr 19, 2021
Monday Apr 19, 2021
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon continue their discussion on pastors and suicide. This week, the guys will be discussing how to shepherd those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
How can pastors help those who have lost a loved one navigate the difficult questions associated with suicide? What are good resources for helping members process grief and loss? How can pastors shepherd their own souls in seasons of tremendous loss and grief? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Monday Apr 12, 2021
Monday Apr 12, 2021
In this episode of Pastor Matters, Ronjour and Brandon begin a two-part conversation on pastors and suicide. This week, the guys will be discussing how to preach and preside over a funeral for someone who has taken their life. What passages should pastors consider preaching during the funeral message? How should pastors navigate the graveside service? What are some things pastors should say to those grieving from the unexpected loss of a loved one? Join us this week as we answer these questions (and many more)!

Monday Apr 05, 2021
Monday Apr 05, 2021
In this special episode of Pastor Matters, Brandon sits down with Mark Young (Student Pastor at Swift Creek Baptist Church) to discuss preaching and student ministry. How can student pastors get the parents of their students more involved? Why is expository preaching so important in student ministry? What are some reasons students typically leave the church after high school? Join us this week as we answer these questions, and many more!

Monday Mar 29, 2021
Monday Mar 29, 2021
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.
Should every sermon be an “Easter sermon”? If we preach Christ in every sermon, how prominent should his resurrection be weekly? How does Christ’s resurrection encourage us in a time of health and social crisis? What texts should pastors consider preaching on Easter Sunday? Join us this week as we answer these questions and many more!






