Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 33: A Conversation with Dr. Gerald Harris

Episode Theme: Wisdom and encouragement on preaching, leadership, and faithfulness in ministry.

In this episode of View From the Pulpit, Pastor Ben Smith welcomes Dr. Gerald Harris, respected pastor, author, and former editor of The Christian Index. With decades of service in the pulpit and the broader Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Harris brings a wealth of experience, insight, and encouragement for today’s pastors and church leaders.

Together, they discuss the joys and challenges of long-term ministry, the role of biblical preaching in shaping the church, and the importance of staying faithful in an ever-changing cultural landscape. Dr. Harris reflects on his calling, his years of leadership, and the lessons he wishes to pass on to the next generation of ministers.

Key Highlights from this Episode:

·       Faithful Ministry Over the Long Haul – Dr. Harris shares how God sustained him through seasons of both joy and trial, emphasizing that fruitfulness in ministry comes through steady faithfulness rather than chasing trends.

·       The Christian Index Years – As editor, Dr. Harris witnessed significant shifts in church life and culture. He reflects on those years and how pastors can wisely engage with issues of the day without losing focus on the gospel.

·       Encouragement for Today’s Pastors – With warmth and pastoral care, Dr. Harris offers practical counsel for ministers who may feel weary, reminding them that God’s Word is sufficient and His calling is sure.

This conversation is filled with wisdom and encouragement for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone who desires to remain steadfast in their faith and service to Christ.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Gerald Harris for their helpful discussion on preaching, leadership, and faithfulness in ministry.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Gerald Harris

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 on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, 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 of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod 

Dr. Gerald Harris is a seasoned Southern Baptist pastor, editor, and author, best known for his 15-year tenure as editor of The Christian Index, the Georgia Baptist Convention’s official newspaper. His leadership spanned from June 2003 to June 2018.

Born on November 26, 1940, in Hickory, North Carolina, Harris accepted Christ at age 9 at First Baptist Church of Valdese, North Carolina. He was called to preach during his senior year of high school. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University, a Master of Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary. Harris served as pastor at several churches across North and South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. Notably, he pastored Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, for nine years before transitioning to the role of editor at The Christian Index.

Throughout his ministry, Harris held various denominational leadership positions. He served as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention in 1999 and was a member of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee from 1998 to 2003. Additionally, he chaired the Resolutions Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2007 and was president of the Association of Baptist State Paper Editors in 2015.

An accomplished author, Harris has written several books, including Pardoned to Be Priests (1988), Olympic Heroes, World-Class Athletes Winning at Life (1996), A Gentle Zephyr – A Mighty Wind (2010), A History of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board 1972–2017 (2017), Blessings or Balderdash (2019), and The Rise and Fall of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC (2020). He has also contributed articles and devotionals to various publications, including Decision Magazine, Homelife, and Baptist Record.

Harris and his wife, Martha, have three children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandson

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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