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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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.

In the exclusive bonus segment, Jonas shares his experience preaching under physical affliction due to an autoimmune disease and how he continued to minister despite great physical difficulty. Ben and Jonas also discuss the unique benefits of evening preaching, why it fosters a more engaged congregation, and why they both love it.

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben Ratliff interviews Job Dalomba, pastor of Christ Covenant PCA in Woodstock, Georgia. Job shares his journey from journalism to the pastorate, his approach to sermon preparation, and how he tailors his preaching to his congregation. The conversation delves into the effectual nature of preaching, the importance of the doctrine of God, and the personal aspect of pastoral ministry.

The Christian's Reasonable Service, 4 Volumes (Brakel)

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Ryle)

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In this episode, we sit down with Job Dalomba to discuss the joys and challenges of pastoral ministry, the weight of preaching, and the weekly work of proclaiming God’s Word to His people. We explore how a preacher grows in his calling, fights through discouragement, and remains faithful to the task over time.

In the exclusive portion of this episode, we talk about the unique challenges of preaching during the COVID era and how it shaped pastoral ministry. We also discuss the importance of the doctrine of God in preaching—why knowing and proclaiming God’s attributes and nature is essential for the church and how it transforms both the preacher and the congregation. To access this and other bonus content, consider subscribing.

The Christian's Reasonable Service, 4 Volumes (Brakel)

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Ryle)

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In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Byrd, senior pastor at Christ Church PCA in Trussville, Alabama. 

We discuss his journey into the PCA, his philosophy of preaching, and the joys and challenges of sermon preparation. 

In the shows exclusive segment Jeremy shares his experience of preaching the same sermon twice each Sunday morning, what he’s learning from it, and how it has surprised him. We also talk about the role of preaching in church planting, pushing back against the idea that sermon preparation should take a back seat to community engagement. And for a bit of fun, we wrap up with a discussion on fountain pens, our favorite writing tools, and why a good pen can make sermon prep even more enjoyable.

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In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Byrd, senior pastor at Christ Church PCA in Trussville, Alabama. 

We discuss his journey into the PCA, his philosophy of preaching, and the joys and challenges of sermon preparation. 

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben sits down with David Senters, pastor of New Covenant PCA in Richmond Hill, Georgia. David shares his remarkable journey from Pentecostalism to the PCA, his philosophy of expository preaching, and his disciplined approach to weekly sermon preparation. Along the way, he reflects on the joys and challenges of ministering in a small church and offers practical wisdom for aspiring preachers. 

In this exclusive subscriber-only episode, David opens up about the challenges of preaching controversial or difficult texts. From navigating congregational diversity in theological views to addressing passages that are awkward or emotionally charged, he shares how he strives to be both gracious and faithful to the text. David also discusses his approach to presenting differing views fairly and ensuring that the offense comes from the Scripture—not the preacher.

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Join host Ben Ratliff and guest Steven Spinnenweber for an in-depth conversation about the art and craft of preaching. This episode explores what preaching is, how to approach sermon preparation, and the pivotal role of commentaries. Spin shares his philosophy on tailoring sermons to the needs of the congregation, balancing milk for new believers with meat for the spiritually mature.

In a subscriber-exclusive segment, Stephen dives into the nuanced use of commentaries in sermon prep—how they can safeguard against novelty, provide fresh insights, and protect preachers from sounding dry or academic. Hear practical advice for young preachers and seasoned ministers alike.

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In this inaugural episode of Especially the Preaching, host Ben Ratliff introduces himself, shares his journey into ministry, and explains his passion for the ministry of the Word—especially preaching. Drawing from Westminster Larger Catechism 155, Ben discusses why preaching is the primary means by which God enlightens, convinces, and builds up His people. This episode lays the foundation for the podcast’s mission to hear from faithful pastors and about their preaching ministries.

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