Preachers in Training

Dale Jenkins, from The Jenkins Institute, joins Robert to discuss trends he is noticing in ministry. Dale’s work with his brother, Jeff, takes them both all across the United States and the world, giving them a first-hand point of view with regard to the state of the Lord’s church in our time. On this episode, Dale especially focuses on our numeric trends.

Denny Howell, one of the ministers for the Ooltewah church of Christ near Chattanooga, TN, joins us this week from Lads2Leaders in Nashville to help us improve in our prayer life. 

Are you considering becoming a preacher? Are you already preaching, but feel that you need your passion for ministry to be reignited? If so, take half an hour to listen to Walker Howell and Sawyer Reid. They are two outstanding Bible majors at Freed-Hardeman University, and they’re already making a big impact through their preaching. The Lord willing, they plan to continue preaching after graduation (for Walker, that’s this year; for Sawyer, that’s next year). They discuss their challenges in preaching while being full-time students, their excitement for going into full-time ministry, and the challenges they anticipate along the way.

The media age in which we live isn’t going away. While many of us had a crash course in social media and marketing during the COVID pandemic, it may be time to take that to the next level and to update our practices in order to reach the most people. Michael Bush serves the Great Oaks church of Christ in Memphis, TN as their Communications and Outreach Minister. He is also an audio editor for The Light Network. Michael has a heart for reaching people with the gospel through media, and he joins us today to discuss some best practices. Don’t be overwhelmed; getting started is easier than you think!

David Pharr was preparing dinner one minute and, the next thing he knew, he was in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Today, almost two months past brain surgery, he tells a wonderful story about the love of Jesus expressed through his people and his own eagerness to continue ministering the word.David Pharr was preparing dinner one minute and, the next thing he knew, he was in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Today, almost two months past brain surgery, he tells a wonderful story about the love of Jesus expressed through his people and his own eagerness to continue ministering the word.

Robert Young, Sr. serves as one of the elders for the Long Island church of Christ in New York. He joins Robert today to discuss the differences of evangelism and religious culture in general between the American South and the Northeast. What can we learn from each other in order to most effectively accomplish the purpose Jesus intends us to fulfill?

Chad Landman talks about ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence. What potential lies in this technology? How could they be practically and helpfully utilized within the context of ministry? Chad offers some great helps and insights on this episode.

This year’s theme for the Annual Bible Lectureship at Freed-Hardeman University is “Triumph of the Lamb: the Battle with Evil in Revelation.” Dr. Doug Burleson, professor of Bible at FHU and the director of the Annual Bible Lectureship, joins Robert this week to discuss the challenges and benefits of preaching from the book of Revelation. He also gives some highlights from this year’s packed lectureship schedule.The Annual Bible Lectureship at Freed-Hardeman University will take place February 4-8, 2024. For more information and to register (it’s free!), go to fhu.edu/lectureship.

What should a preacher do if he is at a congregation without elders? If men who are qualified to be shepherds are present, what is the practical process of establishing the eldership, or, as Paul wrote to Titus, setting in order the things that are lacking? Paul Sain has walked that road, and he joins Robert today to share the practical steps he took to follow the Scriptural guidelines and establish an eldership where he worships and serves as the preacher.

On this Thanksgiving episode for 2023, Robert shares some thoughts about why thanksgiving is a vital habit for a minister to develop.