In a special crossover episode of The Everyday Pastor and Gospelbound, Wesley Huff joins Lig, Matt, and Collin to discuss the role of apologetics in pastoral ministry. How can pastors excel in giving a compelling reason for the hope within us—and train others to do the same? Drawing from both academic expertise and personal experience, Huff offers various cautions and tips for everyday pastors and believers. He shares examples of good apologists today, recommends books, and answers a lightning round of classic objections to the Christian faith.

How do you prioritize health? How do you stay sharp? Can you be friends with church members? How do you care for your wife? When’s a time you were wrong? How do you choose what to preach? And many, many more questions pastors may be asking.

In this special episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan answer listener-submitted questions, recorded live at TGC’s 2025 National Conference.

“Walk to a wedding, but run to a funeral.” So advised an older pastor to a young Ligon Duncan.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst discuss the powerful opportunity that funerals present to hold out gospel hope, as well as common pitfalls and practical advice for navigating dynamics surrounding the death of a loved one.

Recommended Resources:

• Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope  by Matt McCullough
• Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime  by Matt McCullough

Joni Eareckson Tada knows a thing or two about suffering. Ever since a diving accident left her paralyzed nearly 60 years ago, she has given eloquent testimony to the sovereign goodness of our Savior.

In this powerful episode of The Everyday Pastor, Joni joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to share lessons she’s learned about enduring hardship, and practical advice for pastors who wish to care for sufferers well.

Resources mentioned:

• Joni and Friends
• Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls by Joni Eareckson Tada
• The Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior 
• Joni: An Unforgettable Story
• Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story
• Diamonds in the Dust: 366 Sparkling Devotions
• When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty

Every pastor has the joy (at least usually it’s a joy) of officiating Christian weddings, which can be a beautiful picture of the gospel. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst offer practical advice for stewarding these opportunities and making the most of a wedding weekend.

Two years ago today, Tim Keller went to be with the Lord. Using Matt’s new book—Tim Keller on the Christian Life, published by Crossway—as a discussion guide, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst reflect on underappreciated teachings from Tim’s body of work.

Ministering to the women in our churches and equipping them to disciple one another is a privilege. But how can pastors do this well?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst welcome Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor to the podcast. They draw from extensive experience to discuss practical tips for cultivating a healthy women’s ministry in your local church.

Show us a church with distracted elders, and we’ll show you a church without effective deacons. For better or worse, deacons are difference-makers in congregational life. But when it comes to this topic, too many churches are operating from custom and tradition—with Bibles closed.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan revisit the Bible’s job description for deacons, highlighting what these servants are (and are not) meant to do. Don’t underestimate this glorious office.

Last week, we considered what elders are, biblically speaking, and which traits should characterize a candidate for the office.

In this follow-up episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan get even more “nuts and boltsy,” discussing tips for working with fellow elders, leading elders’ meetings, establishing healthy cultural dynamics, and more.

Recommended resources:

• “Want to Be an Elder? Start Eldering Now.” by Bobby Jamieson
• Church Elders: How to Shepherd God's People Like Jesus (Building Healthy Churches) by Jeramie Rinne

There are few greater gifts for a pastor than getting to serve with a godly band of brothers. But not every church has multiple elders—and not every elder team functions in a healthy way.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss what elders are, why every church should seek to have them, and what a pastor should be looking for in potential elders.

Recommended resources: 

• Christ’s Call to Discipleship by James Boice
• The Elder and His Work by David Dickson
• “Want to Be an Elder? Start Eldering Now.” by Bobby Jamieson
• The Path to Being a Pastor by Bobby Jamieson
• “On Transitioning to Elders - Part 2”