Especially the Preaching

Ben Ratliff and Jim McCarthy explore the journey of ministry, focusing on the call to preaching, the tools and practices involved in sermon preparation, and the importance of personal piety in a minister's life. 

Jim shares his experiences from his early days in ministry, the growth of his preaching style, and the challenges he faces in balancing sermon preparation with other pastoral responsibilities. The discussion emphasizes the significance of being grounded in faith and the necessity of prayer in the life of a preacher. 

They discuss the necessity of private worship, the importance of learning from older ministers, and the value of teachability in ministry. McCarthy emphasizes the need for ministers to have a clear conscience and to genuinely cherish Christ in their own lives to effectively preach to their congregations. The conversation also highlights the significance of mentorship and the impact of older brothers in faith, culminating in the joy and privilege of proclaiming the Word of God.

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Ben Ratliff sits down with James Logan, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. James shares his journey into pastoral ministry—from teaching Bible in private schools to discovering a call to pulpit ministry at RTS Jackson—and how that call has taken root in the rhythms of small-town church life.

Together, they discuss the heart of preaching as proclaiming Christ for the salvation of sinners and the sanctification of saints, the weekly grind and joy of sermon prep, and the irreplaceable role of pastoral presence in the community. James offers reflections on how soul care, congregation visits, and even youth group Bible studies bleed into his pulpit work—and how visiting shut-ins has become an unexpected proving ground for sermon clarity.

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben sits down with Rev. Scott Davis, pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Scott shares how he moved from member to minister in the same congregation, what it’s like to serve bivocationally as both pastor and professional magician, and how preaching became the centerpiece of his calling. The conversation covers sermon preparation, preaching philosophy, difficult texts, and the ordinary realities of preaching in season and out of season.

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In this rich and personal conversation, Ben sits down with Cilas Menezes to discuss the call to preaching, the role of pastoral care in sermon preparation, and the nuts and bolts of weekly sermon crafting. Cilas shares his unique journey from law practice in Brazil to pastoral ministry in the PCA, reflecting on how God drew him to Himself and eventually into gospel ministry.

What makes Cilas’s method especially compelling is his blend of rigorous exegesis—nourished by daily Greek and Hebrew devotional reading—and heartfelt, prayerful application shaped by the lives of his congregation. From writing full manuscripts to praying specifically for his people as part of sermon development, Cilas gives us a window into a preaching process rooted in love, theology, and pastoral presence.

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In this episode, Ben talks with PCA pastor Zach Byrd about his journey into pastoral ministry, his passion for preaching, and how he prepares sermons with his people in mind. Zach describes his long-term planning method, how congregational care feeds his sermon application, and the joy of bringing God’s Word to small, faithful congregations.

Be sure to support the show to get access to the extra discussion with Zach: he tells us about preaching without notes, among other things.

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In this episode, Ben sits down with Zach Byrd, a teaching elder in the PCA who pastors two churches in Mississippi. They discuss Zach’s call to ministry, his philosophy of preaching, and the way his pastoral care shapes his pulpit work. Zach shares stories from his unique context, explains his long-term sermon preparation process, and reflects on preaching without notes. The episode is full of practical wisdom, pastoral heart, and plenty of laughter.

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, I sit down with Alex Brown, PCA pastor on St. Simons Island, Georgia, to discuss his call to ministry, his preaching philosophy, and the realities of pastoral life. Alex shares his journey from Scotland to the PCA, his early influences in preaching, and how he prepares his sermons each week. We also discuss the tension between intellectual preparation and reliance on the Holy Spirit, the challenge of discouragement in ministry, and the ways in which preaching intersects with pastoral care.

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, I sit down with Alex Brown, PCA pastor on St. Simons Island, Georgia, to discuss his call to ministry, his preaching philosophy, and the realities of pastoral life. Alex shares his journey from Scotland to the PCA, his early influences in preaching, and how he prepares his sermons each week. We also discuss the tension between intellectual preparation and reliance on the Holy Spirit, the challenge of discouragement in ministry, and the ways in which preaching intersects with pastoral care.

In the extended portion of our conversation, Alex shares additional insights into his preaching and ministry, including his thoughts on illustrations in preaching—when to use them and when they can be a distraction; the role of biblical narrative and Psalms as built-in illustrations; whether he listens to his own sermons and why he avoids it; how feedback—both encouragement and criticism—has shaped his preaching over time

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben Ratliff welcomes Rev. Jonas Brock to discuss his journey into ministry, his call to preaching, and his approach to sermon preparation. Jonas shares insights from his experiences serving in rural and coastal churches, his love for evening preaching, and the significance of tailoring sermons to the needs of his congregation. The conversation also touches on the joys of proclaiming God's Word faithfully and how pastoral care informs preaching.

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