Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 34: A Conversation with Dr. Danny Cochran 

Episode Theme: A Lifetime of Passion for Expository Preaching and Fidelity to God's Word

Join host Ben Smith in this episode of "View from the Pulpit" as he sits down with Dr. Danny Cochran, a seasoned pastor, teacher, and mentor with over 45 years in ministry. Dr. Cochran, who, prior to his retirement, pastored Holly Creek Baptist Church for 24 years and holds multiple advanced degrees.

In this episode, Dr. Cochran shares profound insights into his ministry journey and preaching.

Key Highlights:

• Personal Testimony and Call to Ministry: Dr. Cochran shares how a DUI arrest and the need to borrow money from a friend led to a gospel encounter that led to his and his wife’s salvation. This conversion ignited a lifelong passion for studying the scripture, leading to his call to preach.

• Education and Engaging Original Languages: Dr. Cochran describes his unconventional pursuit of theological education and how this has shaped and helped his ministry.

• Community Involvement and Pastoral Experience: Dr. Cochran has ministered to his community through various roles. She shares how these opportunities exposed him to diverse community aspects, influencing his preaching and allowing for unique ministry opportunities.

This conversation is filled with practical insights for pastoral ministry and faithfully preaching God’s words. Join Ben Smith and Dr. Danny Cochran for this honest discussion on preaching and pastoral ministry.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Danny Cochran

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Dr. Danny Cochran recently retired as the long-serving Senior Pastor of Holly Creek Baptist Church in Chatsworth, Georgia. Throughout his distinguished ministry, he faithfully shepherded his congregation and made an indelible impact on both local church life and broader ministry contexts.

Beyond pastoral work, Dr. Cochran has served as an adjunct professor teaching at the Leavell College of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Piedmont International University.

Dr. Cochran holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Liberty Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Piedmont International University. He received his master’s degree from Liberty University.

Dr. Cochran is married to Tina, and they are proud parents of two married sons and grandparents to three granddaughters.

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. 

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id##96433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 33: A Conversation with Dr. Gerald Harris

Episode Theme: Wisdom and encouragement on preaching, leadership, and faithfulness in ministry.

In this episode of View From the Pulpit, Pastor Ben Smith welcomes Dr. Gerald Harris, respected pastor, author, and former editor of The Christian Index. With decades of service in the pulpit and the broader Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Harris brings a wealth of experience, insight, and encouragement for today’s pastors and church leaders.

Together, they discuss the joys and challenges of long-term ministry, the role of biblical preaching in shaping the church, and the importance of staying faithful in an ever-changing cultural landscape. Dr. Harris reflects on his calling, his years of leadership, and the lessons he wishes to pass on to the next generation of ministers.

Key Highlights from this Episode:

·       Faithful Ministry Over the Long Haul – Dr. Harris shares how God sustained him through seasons of both joy and trial, emphasizing that fruitfulness in ministry comes through steady faithfulness rather than chasing trends.

·       The Christian Index Years – As editor, Dr. Harris witnessed significant shifts in church life and culture. He reflects on those years and how pastors can wisely engage with issues of the day without losing focus on the gospel.

·       Encouragement for Today’s Pastors – With warmth and pastoral care, Dr. Harris offers practical counsel for ministers who may feel weary, reminding them that God’s Word is sufficient and His calling is sure.

This conversation is filled with wisdom and encouragement for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone who desires to remain steadfast in their faith and service to Christ.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Gerald Harris for their helpful discussion on preaching, leadership, and faithfulness in ministry.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Gerald Harris

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod 

Dr. Gerald Harris is a seasoned Southern Baptist pastor, editor, and author, best known for his 15-year tenure as editor of The Christian Index, the Georgia Baptist Convention’s official newspaper. His leadership spanned from June 2003 to June 2018.

Born on November 26, 1940, in Hickory, North Carolina, Harris accepted Christ at age 9 at First Baptist Church of Valdese, North Carolina. He was called to preach during his senior year of high school. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University, a Master of Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary. Harris served as pastor at several churches across North and South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. Notably, he pastored Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, for nine years before transitioning to the role of editor at The Christian Index.

Throughout his ministry, Harris held various denominational leadership positions. He served as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention in 1999 and was a member of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee from 1998 to 2003. Additionally, he chaired the Resolutions Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2007 and was president of the Association of Baptist State Paper Editors in 2015.

An accomplished author, Harris has written several books, including Pardoned to Be Priests (1988), Olympic Heroes, World-Class Athletes Winning at Life (1996), A Gentle Zephyr – A Mighty Wind (2010), A History of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board 1972–2017 (2017), Blessings or Balderdash (2019), and The Rise and Fall of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC (2020). He has also contributed articles and devotionals to various publications, including Decision Magazine, Homelife, and Baptist Record.

Harris and his wife, Martha, have three children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandson

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id##96433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 32: A Conversation with Dr. Jerry Vines.

Episode Theme: Passion Driven Preaching

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Jerry Vines,   

Key Highlights:

The Transformative Shift to Expository Preaching: Dr. Vines vividly describes growing up in an era where most preaching was topical or textual-topical, with very little actual exposition of scripture. He found the constant search for new sermon topics a "misery" early in his ministry. A pivotal moment arrived when he heard Warren Wiersbe at a conference, realizing Wiersbe was "pulling it right out of scripture". This, along with the influence of W.A. Criswell, prompted a dramatic shift to expository preaching, which he believes is the "best way in the world for a congregation of people to really learn the scriptures". He informed his early congregation of this change, and while it was an adjustment that "forced them to bring their Bible", they eventually "fell in love with it and frankly would not be happy with anything else going forward". He notes that while some younger preachers still favor topical approaches, he is encouraged by a growing movement toward the exposition of books, which "bodes well for the future.”

Rigorous Preparation and Passion-Driven Delivery: Dr. Vines outlines a meticulous three-step process for sermon preparation: 1) Investigation: "What does the passage say?" involving extensive reading and consulting various translations and original languages. 2) Interpretation: "What does the passage mean?" through word studies, parallel passages, and understanding Greek/Hebrew words, consulting commentaries only last as a check. He wisely states, "If it's new, it's not true. And if it's true, it's not new". 3) Application: "What does the passage tell me and the people to do?" ensuring the message connects to daily l

Enduring Wisdom for Pastors: Drawing on over 60 years of ministry, Dr. Vines offers timeless advice. He stresses the paramount importance of preaching, stating it is the "primary ministry of the pastor". He encourages pastors to "preach at the place God has put you", emphasizing that the size of the church doesn't matter, as one never knows who they might be influencing. A crucial piece of counsel is to develop a "strong strong devotional life," including daily Bible reading and prayer, as it helps deal with life's challenges. Finally, he advises pastors to "not let the critics bother me". Citing 1 Peter 2:23 and Job 16:19, he says, "Don't defend yourself. Your enemies won't believe it and your friends don't need it". He also humorously suggests not taking oneself "too seriously" and "enjoy the journey" with joy in the Lord.

 Join Ben Smith and Dr. Jerry Vines for valuable insights into what expository preaching is and how to develop a preaching ministry that is faithful to the word.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Jerry Vines

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Dr. Jerry Vines is a native of Carrollton, GA. He was educated at Mercer University (B.A.), New Orleans Theological Seminary (B.D.), and Luther Rice Seminary (Th.D.). His 60+ years of pastoral ministry included pastoring churches in Georgia and Alabama. He served the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida, for twenty-four years. Dr. Vines is an author and a much-sought-after revival preacher. In addition to his pastoral ministry, Dr. Vines has served as president of the Alabama Pastors’ Conference, president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference, and president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

For more information and resources by Dr. Vines, visit: www.jerryvines.com. There you will find Bible preaching and teaching materials that include  Books, DVDs, and CDs of expository teaching from God’s Word. There, you will find over 2000 of Dr. Vine’s sermons available.

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id##96433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

In episode 31 of The View From the Pulpit, host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Brad Waters of First Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, Georgia, for an insightful discussion on preaching the transformative power of the Gospel, driven by an urgent love for lost souls. Waters shares his unique approach to the pulpit, heavily influenced by his early exposure to "camp meeting" style preaching. The conversation explores Brad’s commitment to making every message an invitation for decision.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 31: A Conversation with Brad Waters.

Episode Theme: Preaching for decisions

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Brad Waters of First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst, GA, about expository preaching, particularly within the context of evangelism. Waters shares how the urgency of evangelism motivates his approach to every sermon.

Key Highlights:

The Evangelistic Burden of Preaching: Waters approaches every message as if it's the last, preaching "like a dying man to dying people," and consistently weaving an invitation to accept Christ into his sermons.

The Power of Content Over Style: While acknowledging that his "demonstrative" style is influenced by his early exposure to "camp meeting" preaching, Brad shares how the power of God in preaching lies in the "content of what you preach" – the Word of God itself – rather than the delivery style.

Join Ben Smith and Brad Waters for an instructive conversation on expository preaching, how a burden for the lost emboldens the preacher, and helpful insights into sermon preparation and delivery.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Brad Waters

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information about Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, please visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast featuring sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Brad Waters is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst, GA, where he has served since 2012. He and his wife, Cheryl, have five children and one grandson.

Watch and listen to Brad Waters’ latest sermons, visit https://www.fbchazlehurst.org/media

For more information about First Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, GA, visit: https://www.fbchazlehurst.org/

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id3196433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 30: A Conversation with Dr. Heath Lambert

Episode Theme: Preaching faithfully in every season

This episode of the View from the Pulpit podcast features host Ben Smith in conversation with Dr. Heath Lambert, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Lambert.

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Lambert reflects on the unique experience of pastoring First Baptist Church, which boasts a remarkable, nearly 100-year history of strong, expository preaching. He shares how he navigates the significant legacy of his predecessors, embracing God's unique plan for his own ministry rather than attempting to replicate others

Dr. Lambert delves into the intensely challenging period of leading his church through a major transition and controversy, which he also chronicled in his podcast "What Happened at First Baptist". He details his unwavering commitment to protecting the pulpit during this time, ensuring that sermons remained faithful to the biblical text despite immense personal and congregational pressures, including his own health crises. He shares powerful testimonies of God's grace and encouragement that sustained him and his family through these trials. The conversation touches on the distinction between faithfulness and fruitfulness in ministry, especially when dealing with declining attendance, and how God uses difficult seasons to refine and strengthen the church.

Additionally, Dr. Lambert explains how his extensive background in biblical counseling profoundly impacts his preaching, making his sermons more practical and relevant to the everyday struggles of his congregation. He also outlines his diligent sermon preparation process, which involves deep study and prayer leading to preaching without notes. The episode concludes with Dr. Lambert's poignant advice, emphasizing that ministry will rarely unfold as initially envisioned and that true joy is found in embracing God's sovereign leading and being faithful to His unique call, regardless of personal expectations or external circumstances.

Key Highlights:

• Embracing Unique Ministry and Legacy: Dr. Lambert openly discusses the pressure of following a nearly century-long line of gifted expository preachers at First Baptist Jacksonville. He shares how he consciously avoids trying to replicate previous ministries, choosing instead to trust God's sovereign plan and embrace his own distinct giftedness and perceived weaknesses. This perspective helps him navigate the natural ebbs and flows of church size and external expectations, believing God uses each leader for a specific purpose at a specific time.

• Protecting the Pulpit During Crisis: He details the immense personal and congregational challenges of pastoring through a period of intense controversy and personal health crises, including brain surgery. Dr. Lambert highlights his unwavering commitment to expository preaching throughout these times, ensuring the pulpit remained steadfastly focused on God's Word and not on personal grievances or emotional distractions, consistently relying on divine grace to sustain him.

• Biblical Counseling's Transformative Influence on Preaching: Dr. Lambert explains how his extensive background and deep commitment to biblical counseling have profoundly shaped his approach to preaching. He argues that engaging in counseling forces him to understand the real-life problems, difficulties, and challenges of his congregation, which in turn prevents him from delivering abstract sermons. This commitment enables him to craft and deliver messages that are practical, relevant, and deeply connect God's Word to the daily lives of his hearers.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Heath Lambert for a candid and authentic discussion of how to faithfully preach in difficult and challenging seasons in the church.

Quick note: In this episode, Ben mentions a book and credits it to Boice. He actually meant John A. Broadus’ On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Heath Lambert

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Dr. Heath Lambert has been preaching at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida, since January of 2016, and became Senior Pastor in September of 2017. Prior to serving at First Baptist, Pastor Heath served as the Executive Director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and as a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Heath earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in biblical and theological studies and political science from Gordon College in 2002, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Christian Ministry from Southern Seminary in 2005, and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in biblical counseling and systematic theology from Southern Seminary in 2009.

He is married to Lauren, and they have two sons, a daughter, a son-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter.

For more information on First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL, visit  https://fbcjax.com/

You can find audio and video of Dr. Heath Lambert’s preaching at:

https://fbcjax.com/watch-live/ and https://fbcjax.com/sermon-archive/

Follow Heath Lambert on X at https://x.com/HeathLambert

To watch or listen to “What Happened at First Baptist?” visit:

https://fbcjax.com/first-thoughts/what-happened-at-first-baptist/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-happened-at-first/id1695333370

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 29: A Conversation with Chris Roberts.

Episode Theme: Convictional expositional preaching

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Chris Roberts, lead pastor and elder of Bridge Church, Blackshear, GA, about expository preaching, particularly within the context of church planting. Roberts shares his journey to expository preaching, the importance of prioritizing God's word, and his practical approach to sermon preparation and training others to preach. 

Key Highlights:

The Foundational Shift to Expository Preaching: Chris shares his personal transition from topical preaching, particularly during his time as a student pastor, to expository preaching. This change was significantly influenced by a seminary class focusing on Nehemiah chapter 8 and the example of Ezra reading and explaining the law, which drove home the priority of God's word. He emphasizes that expository preaching involves expounding upon the word, being driven by the text itself, rather than starting with a subject matter and finding scripture to support it.

Prioritizing Preaching in Church Planting: As the founding pastor of Bridge Church, Chris faced the challenge of establishing cultures and ministries. He explains how preaching was made the primary ministry from day one by protecting his personal study time, particularly designating Tuesday for focused preparation. By making preaching a personal priority, it became a priority for the congregation as well. The service structure was designed to dedicate the majority of time to the preaching of God's word, testifying to its central place in the church.

Training Men to Preach (The Timothy Project): Bridge Church has a process called the "Timothy Project" for training men, with a focus on raising up future pastors and preachers. Men then undergo training in hermeneutics to learn how to study and understand the original meaning of the text, followed by opportunities to teach in small groups. After this, men are given opportunities to preach from the pulpit, receiving coaching to help them develop their unique presentation style.

Join Ben Smith and Chris Roberts for valuable insights about expository preaching, the importance of prioritizing God's word, and how to train others to preach.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Chris Roberts

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information about Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, please visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast featuring sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Chris Roberts is the lead pastor, elder, and founding pastor of Bridge Church, Blackshear, GA, where he has served since 2010. Prior to founding Bride Church, he served as the student pastor at First Baptist Church of Blackshear, GA. Chris earned his undergraduate degree in Speech Communications from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kami, have four children.

Watch and listen to Chris Roberts’ latest sermons, visit https://www.bridge419.com/sermons.

For more information about Bridge Church in Blackshear, GA, visit: https://www.bridge419.com/.

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2996433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

In this episode of "View From the Pulpit," host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Danny Akin, President and Professor of Preaching and Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Akin shares his journey and conviction for expository preaching, defining it as text-driven, where "the text of scripture sets the agenda both in terms of the structure of your sermon and the substance of your sermon". The conversation explores the historical shift toward expository preaching in pulpits and seminaries, Dr. Akin's meticulous sermon preparation process, and offers valuable advice for both preachers and congregations.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 29: A Conversation with Dr. Danny Akin.

Episode Theme: Text-driven preaching

In this episode of "View From the Pulpit," host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Danny Akin, President and Professor of Preaching and Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary about expository preaching, the historical shift towards expository preaching in pulpits and seminaries, Dr. Akin's meticulous sermon preparation process, and valuable advice for both preachers and congregations.

Key Highlights:

The Power of Expository Preaching: Dr. Akin passionately advocates for expository preaching as the most genuine and effective method for feeding the soul and nurturing discipleship, contrasting it with topical preaching that may lack sufficient biblical substance. He emphasizes that the sermon's agenda should be dictated by the biblical text itself, not the preacher's ingenuity or external topics.

A Glimpse into Sermon Preparation: Dr. Akin details his personal preparation process, which often involves mapping out sermon series months in advance. For each message, he dedicates approximately 15 hours of preparation, including multiple readings of the text in various translations (including Greek and Hebrew), consulting five to ten commentaries (critical, expository, and devotional), and meticulously crafting outlines that reflect the structure of the scripture. He stresses the importance of weaving application throughout the message rather than backloading it and individually working on introductions and conclusions to ensure a strong start and finish.

Encouragement for Pastors and Churches: Dr. Akin addresses challenges such as the misconception that expository preaching is "boring" (attributing boredom to delivery, not substance) and the pressure on church planters for "cool series" over biblical fidelity. His advice to churches is to pray for their pastors and to applaud, affirm, and encourage them when they faithfully open and explain the Bible. He concludes with his lifelong guiding principle for ministry: "All that matters in life is that you please God".

Join host Ben Smith and Dr. Danny Akin, President of SEBTS, as he shares insights on the art and importance of text-driven expository preaching, his personal sermon preparation, seminary education, and the enduring power of God's Word for the church.

Host: Ben Smith

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information about Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, please visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast featuring sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Guest: Dr Danny Akin

Dr. Danny Akin serves as the President and Professor of Preaching and Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest, North Carolina. His extensive academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Criswell College (1980), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1983), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities from the University of Texas at Arlington (1989), specializing in History with a minor in Philosophy. Dr. Akin's career in theological education began at Criswell College in the 1980s, followed by a period at SEBTS as an Associate Professor and Dean of Students. He then had a significant tenure at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he held various roles including Associate Professor, Dean of the School of Theology, Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, and Professor of Theology and Christian Preaching. He assumed the presidency of SEBTS in 2004, a position he has held for over 20 years.

An Atlanta, Georgia native, Dr. Akin and his wife Charlotte have four adult sons, all of whom are serving in ministry or ministry-related professions. Beyond his leadership and teaching, he is a prolific author of numerous books and articles, notably authoring or editing many volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series. Dr. Akin's ministry and life are underpinned by his guiding principle: "All that matters in life is that you please God."

For more information on Dr Akin, visit https://www.danielakin.com/, where you will find blog posts, sermons, lectures, podcasts, and much more from Dr. Akin.

To download Dr. Akin’s resource, Building a Theological Library that Ben mentions in the podcast, visit https://www.danielakin.com/building-a-theological-library-2019/. This free resource contains over 1000 of Dr. Akin’s recommended resources to assist you in building your library and faithfully serving our Lord. Each resource has been carefully chosen, and this edition has been updated in 2023.

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2996433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 27: A Conversation with Noah Oldham.

Episode Theme: Cultivating a church culture that deeply values God's word.

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Noah Oldham, Executive Director of Send Network about establishing the central place of preaching in new churches, the critical role of biblical, expositional preaching, training the next generation of preachers, and cultivating a church culture that deeply values God's word.

Key Highlights:

Preaching is Central to Church Planting: Noah emphasizes that church planting is about engaging the city with the gospel and making disciples. Central to this is the declaration of God's word. Strong biblical expositional preaching is considered "everything" in the early years of a church plant for growth, unity, and vision.

Biblically Shaped Culture: Noah shares how building a church culture that is hungry for God's word requires intentionality in the worship service. Practices like beginning services with scripture reading to indicate God has the first word and centering the service around preaching shape people's understanding of what is important. Allotting a significant amount of time to preaching communicates its value.   Join Ben Smith and Noah Oldham for valuable insights into establishing the central place of preaching in new churches, the critical role of biblical, expositional preaching, training the next generation of preachers, and cultivating a church culture that deeply values God's word.  

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Noah Oldham

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod  

Noah Oldham is the Executive Director of Send Network. He served as the founding and lead pastor of August Gate Church for 15 years and the Send City Missionary to St. Louis for almost 10 years. In both roles, he led his church and dozens of others in planting churches throughout the St. Louis region and beyond. He holds a master’s degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Leadership from Liberty University and an undergraduate degree from McKendree University. He writes, speaks, and trains in the area of church planting and the local church. Noah and his wife Heather have been married since 2005 and have five children.

For more information and resources from Noah Oldham, visit:

Follow Noah on X: www.x.com/noaholdham

Find articles and podcasts at www.newchurches.com

Find sermons at www.augustgate.com

Find sermons and teaching at www.sojournwoodstock.com

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/. Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2796433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead

Help Me Wrap Up This Season of the Podcast — I’d Love to Hear from You

As this season of View for the Pulpit nears its end, I’ve been reflecting on the conversations we’ve had—and the impact they’ve made on me personally. When I started this podcast, my goal was to offer a resource to the church that would renew our appreciation for faithful preaching and highlight why it is vital to the health and life of the church.

From the beginning, I’ve intentionally invited guests who are committed to—or growing in—expository preaching. Each conversation has stretched me, encouraged me, and given me practical insight. I’ve learned so much by hearing how different men approach the preparation and delivery of their sermons. It’s been a joy to see how God uniquely equips each one to bless the church.

But what’s been just as meaningful? Hearing from you.

Your messages, emails, and conversations about the episodes have been incredibly encouraging. And that got me thinking: why not wrap up this season with you?

A Roundtable Wrap-Up Episode — Featuring Listeners

To close out the season, I’d like to record a special roundtable-style episode featuring listeners like you—pastors, laypeople, men and women, younger and older voices. I want to hear what you’ve learned, what’s helped you most, and how God has used the podcast in your own walk with Christ.

It doesn’t matter where you live—we can connect remotely. The only requirement is that you’ve listened to the podcast and are willing to share your thoughts.

Want to Join the Conversation?

If you'd like to participate, please sign up at:
👉 www.vftppod.com/talk

I’m aiming to wrap up this season in October, and I’d love to release these listener conversations in early November.

Whether you’ve listened to every episode or just a few, your voice matters. I’d be honored to have you be part of this final conversation.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 26: A Conversation with Pastor Brian Carroll.

Episode Theme: Convictional expositional preaching

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Brian Carroll, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Flintstone, GA about his commitment to faithful biblical exposition and preaching through books of the Bible, his sermon preparation process, and the importance of loving and knowing one's congregation.

Key Highlights:

·      Preaching through books: Pastor Carroll is committed to preaching through books of the Bible and adhering to a rigid preaching schedule. Typically, Pastor Carroll does not deviate from his preaching schedule for church or secular holidays. Recently, a particularly uncomfortable text from Revelation 17 fell on Mother’s Day Sunday. Rather than avoid the text, Pastor Carroll took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to preaching through books of the Bible.

·       Collaborative model of Sermon Preparation: A significant aspect of Pastor Carroll’s preparation process is collaboration with his staff. He brings the week's text to Monday morning staff meetings for questions, insights, and different perspectives.

·       The Profound Impact of Long-Term Pastoral Ministry: Both Carroll and Smith highlight the value and impact of serving a church for a significant period. Carroll, with tenures of over 12 years at his previous church and seven years at his current church, emphasizes how knowing the congregation deeply shapes his preaching and pastoring. His current position at Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church is particularly significant as it was the church where he attended college, was called to preach, and experienced spiritual growth. This history creates a sense of "homecoming" and a desire to "invest in the church.

Join Ben Smith and Pastor Brian Carroll for valuable insights about expository preaching and how to be most faithful when proclaiming God’s word.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Pastor Brian Carroll

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.

For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Brian Carroll has served as lead pastor of Chattanooga Baptist Church, Flintstone, GA, for seven years.  Prior to coming to Chattanooga Baptist, he pastored Northside Baptist Church of Newnan, GA. Brian earned his undergraduate degree from Shorter University in Rome, GA, a MDiv from Beeson Divinity School,  and a Master of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.  In addition to his pastoral duties, Brian serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Shorter University.

Brian and his wife, Heather, have two children.

Follow Pastor Carroll on X: https://x.com/pastor_brian

Watch and listen to Pastor Carroll’s latest sermons on:

·      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattanoogaValleyBaptistChurch

·      Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chattanooga-valley-baptist-church/id1484400386

For more information on Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church, visit: http://cvbchurch.org/

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.

Subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app and never miss an episode.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-pulpit-with-ben-smith/id2696433489

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead