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Reformed churches are facing more pastoral vacancies than at any point in Dr. Paul Ipema's lifetime, and the elders left to fill them are rarely trained for the work. Send a letter of inquiry today, and perhaps one pastor in ten will even consider a call. So how does a search committee avoid both the three-year drift and the six-month mismatch? In part one of this two-part series, Dr. Ipema, who directs MARS' Ministerial Apprenticeship Program and is the Associate Professor of Ministerial Studies, explains why calling a pastor is nothing like filling a job, which three priorities Scripture sets, who to ask about a candidate before the interview, and the answer he treats as a red flag. If you're on a search committee, press play, then send this to the rest of your committee.

Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus? Was it really just about 30 pieces of silver—or was something far more dangerous happening in his heart? In this in-depth Bible study of Mark 14:10–16, we explore the betrayal of Jesus Christ, the spiritual danger of loving money, and the remarkable truth that God's sovereign plan was unfolding even through humanity's most wicked actions. Judas was not an outsider. He was one of the Twelve disciples who had walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard His teaching. Yet he chose money over Christ. How could this happen? And what warning does his betrayal hold for us today? In this episode, we examine the human and divine dimensions of Jesus' journey to the cross. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson