Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 29: A Conversation with Chris Roberts.

Episode Theme: Convictional expositional preaching

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Chris Roberts, lead pastor and elder of Bridge Church, Blackshear, GA, about expository preaching, particularly within the context of church planting. Roberts shares his journey to expository preaching, the importance of prioritizing God's word, and his practical approach to sermon preparation and training others to preach. 

Key Highlights:

The Foundational Shift to Expository Preaching: Chris shares his personal transition from topical preaching, particularly during his time as a student pastor, to expository preaching. This change was significantly influenced by a seminary class focusing on Nehemiah chapter 8 and the example of Ezra reading and explaining the law, which drove home the priority of God's word. He emphasizes that expository preaching involves expounding upon the word, being driven by the text itself, rather than starting with a subject matter and finding scripture to support it.

Prioritizing Preaching in Church Planting: As the founding pastor of Bridge Church, Chris faced the challenge of establishing cultures and ministries. He explains how preaching was made the primary ministry from day one by protecting his personal study time, particularly designating Tuesday for focused preparation. By making preaching a personal priority, it became a priority for the congregation as well. The service structure was designed to dedicate the majority of time to the preaching of God's word, testifying to its central place in the church.

Training Men to Preach (The Timothy Project): Bridge Church has a process called the "Timothy Project" for training men, with a focus on raising up future pastors and preachers. Men then undergo training in hermeneutics to learn how to study and understand the original meaning of the text, followed by opportunities to teach in small groups. After this, men are given opportunities to preach from the pulpit, receiving coaching to help them develop their unique presentation style.

Join Ben Smith and Chris Roberts for valuable insights about expository preaching, the importance of prioritizing God's word, and how to train others to preach.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Chris Roberts

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information about Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, please visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast featuring sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Chris Roberts is the lead pastor, elder, and founding pastor of Bridge Church, Blackshear, GA, where he has served since 2010. Prior to founding Bride Church, he served as the student pastor at First Baptist Church of Blackshear, GA. Chris earned his undergraduate degree in Speech Communications from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kami, have four children.

Watch and listen to Chris Roberts’ latest sermons, visit https://www.bridge419.com/sermons.

For more information about Bridge Church in Blackshear, GA, visit: https://www.bridge419.com/.

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

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