Preachers in Training

Grief is something every preacher encounters—not only in the lives of the people we serve, but eventually in our own lives as well. How can we better walk alongside those who are grieving? And what happens when the preacher becomes the one who needs comfort?

Robert is joined by longtime gospel preacher and publisher Paul Sain for a personal conversation about grief. Drawing from his own experiences of walking alongside his wife, LaDon, through Alzheimer’s disease and ultimately through the pain of losing her, Paul shares lessons he has learned about sorrow, caregiving, encouragement, and the importance of simply being present for people who hurt.

This conversation offers encouragement for preachers who regularly minister to grieving families while also reminding us that ministers are not immune to grief themselves. Sometimes the person who spends so much time comforting others must learn how to receive comfort, too.

Resources

• [Book] Our Journey Down Alzheimer’s Lane by Paul Sain — Paul shares lessons learned from his and LaDon’s journey through Alzheimer’s, including practical help for those caring for someone they love.

• [Book] My Journey Facing Grief Mountain by Paul Sain — A companion to Our Journey Down Alzheimer’s Lane focusing on Paul’s experience of facing grief.

• [Cards] Burden Bearing Cards — Cards designed to make it easier to reach out and encourage people who are carrying difficult burdens.

Preachers spend considerable time thinking about what their congregations need to hear—but how often do they consider what it is like to listen from the pew?

Robert is joined by Hiram Kemp to discuss his article, “5 Things Members Wish Their Preachers Knew.” Together, they explore how preachers can communicate biblical truth with greater clarity, compassion, practicality, and hope.

In this episode:

• Bible study is difficult for some members—and many are sincerely trying.
• Scholarship should clarify Scripture rather than confuse listeners.
• Members need to know that their preacher struggles too.
• Biblical preaching should connect Scripture to everyday life.
• Every sermon should ultimately point people to Jesus and offer hope.

This conversation encourages preachers to step away from the pulpit for a moment, consider the perspective of those in the pew, and remember that preachers and members are working toward the same goal.

Resources

• Read “5 Things Members Wish Their Preachers Knew”
• Subscribe to Hiram Kemp’s Words for Our Time

Technology is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. Ministers should leverage technology to serve people more effectively, not replace the personal relationships and spiritual formation at the heart of ministry.

On this episode, Kase Britton, preacher for the East Hill church of Christ in Pulaski, TN, joins Robert to discuss this topic from three perspectives:

1. 3 Unhealthy Tech Practices
2. 3 Healthy/Useful Tech Practices
3. 3 Ways To Improve Your Relationship to Technology

Are women more religious than men? While this may have been true in times past, research may suggest a developing trend in the other direction.

In this episode of Preachers in Training, Robert Hatfield sits down with brothers Jeff Jenkins and Dale Jenkins of The Jenkins Institute to discuss how preaching, leadership culture, and congregational tone can shape who feels seen, valued, and spiritually fed.

Is there a tension between serious biblical scholarship and effective ministry—or are the two meant to walk hand in hand?

In this listener-requested episode of Preachers in Training, Robert Hatfield sits down with Justin Rogers, Dean of the College of Biblical Studies at Freed-Hardeman University, to talk about how careful study of Scripture strengthens, rather than weakens, faithful ministry.

In this episode of Preachers in Training, host Robert Hatfield is joined by Doug Burleson to talk about the upcoming 90th Annual Bible Lectureship at Freed-Hardeman University.

The 2026 Lectureship will take place February 1–5, 2026, and its theme is: “Our God, His Kingdom: Seeing the Christ in Matthew.”

Together, Robert and Doug discuss the vision behind this year’s theme, the unique way Matthew presents Jesus as King, and why a focused study of the kingdom of heaven is especially timely for preachers, teachers, and church leaders today.

In this opening episode of Season 23 of Preachers in Training, Robert Hatfield sits down with longtime friend and fellow minister Paul Sain for a deeply personal and encouraging conversation about grief, caregiving, and the calling to bear one another’s burdens.

Paul shares about the loss of his wife, LaDon, in October 2025 and the journey that led him through seasons of caregiving, hospice, and grief. Out of that experience, Paul has developed a renewed heart for ministering to others who are walking similar paths — those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, families navigating hospice, and individuals learning to live faithfully with grief.

Paul recently authored a book titled Our Journey Down Alzheimer’s Lane, which chronicles his experience as LaDon’s caregiver and offers practical, compassionate guidance for those walking alongside loved ones in decline, as well as for those seeking to minister well to caregivers and the grieving.

He has also begun a monthly “Burden Bearing” class and an accompanying email newsletter designed to encourage and equip Christians to walk with others through heavy seasons of life.

This episode is a gentle reminder that ministry is not only about preaching truth — it is about walking with people in their pain, listening well, and loving faithfully.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: Our Journey Down Alzheimer’s Lane by Paul Sain
  • 👉 Available here: https://sainpublications.com/product/our-journey-down-alzheimers-lane/
• Burden Bearing Class & Newsletter:
  • Paul hosts a monthly “Burden Bearing” class and sends a free email newsletter by the same name.
  • 👉 To sign up, email Paul at: [email protected]

In the season 22 finale of Preachers in Training, Robert Hatfield is joined by Jerry Elder, a longtime youth minister who reflects on the lessons God has taught him over decades of faithful service. With humility and wisdom, Jerry looks back on the joys, challenges, successes, and struggles of ministry—and offers encouragement for those still finding their footing as well as those who have been serving for many years.

In this episode of Preachers in Training, Robert Hatfield is joined by Logan Richardson to discuss the challenges and opportunities of discipling teenagers in today’s digital landscape. They explore how technology influences teen behavior and spiritual development, and how church leaders and parents can effectively guide youth toward Christ in a screen-saturated world. 

Logan is the associate / youth minister for the Church of Christ at Gold Hill Road in Fort Mill, SC.

What we believe about God will always shape how we worship Him. In this episode of Preachers in Training, Robert Hatfield is joined by Jesse Eaton, one of the ministers at the Stantonville church of Christ in Stantonville, Tennessee, and a gifted song leader who thinks deeply about worship and theology.

Together, they explore how theology and worship are inseparably connected—and why ministers, song leaders, and congregations must give careful attention to both. Worship is never theologically neutral, and the songs we sing both reflect and reinforce what we believe about God, Christ, and the gospel.