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

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith.

Episode Theme: Exegetical Weaver

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of Divinity and preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Smith describes his approach as an "exegetical weaver," interweaving explanation and application throughout the sermon. A notable aspect of his delivery is preaching without notes, relying on "internalization not memorization," which allows for improvisational, Spirit-guided expression. Dr. Smith emphasizes that "what counts is content," not just style, and teaches a 10-step Christocentric method that heavily focuses on deep textual study, including reading the text "50 times". He advocates for the sermon's form to reflect the text's genre, distinguishing between deductive and inductive approaches. Dr. Smith stresses the importance of unity in diversity within the church, encouraging preachers to learn from various cultural preaching traditions and for congregations to value faithfulness to the text over performative dynamics, warning against "emotionalism" that overshadows exegesis.

 Key Highlights:

A Unique Definition and Approach to Expository Preaching: Dr. Smith defines expository preaching as deliberately aiming "to expose what is in the text. Not impose upon it but expose what's in there". He further clarifies it as "usher[ing] people by the word of God into the presence of Christ the Son of God through the power of the Spirit of God for the purpose of transformation". He characterizes his personal preaching style as that of an "exegetical weaver," explaining that he intends to "take the text, expose it, and then... weave the explanation throughout the text with the application" from start to finish, ensuring the listener constantly connects with the sermon as the text unfolds. This means the application is "interwoven with the explanation... from the beginning to the end rather than to wait to give the application at the end".

Emphasis on Internalization Over Memorization for Delivery: Dr. Smith is known for preaching without notes, a practice he states he adopted early in his ministry after a divine prompting to put down his manuscript. He achieves this not through memorization, but through "internalization," where the message becomes "so deep in my soul that... it becomes almost an effortless effort". This allows for an "improvisational" delivery, trusting the Holy Spirit to bring forth thoughts and words that were not explicitly planned. While he models this approach, he teaches his students the importance of versatility in delivery, encouraging them to be proficient with manuscripts, outlines, or no notes, as the "context will demand that". He consistently stresses that "what counts is content. What counts is matter," above style or approach.

Rigorous Textual Saturation as Foundational Preparation: A central tenet of Dr. Smith's 10-step "Christocentric method of preaching" is an intense focus on deeply understanding the biblical text itself. The initial six steps of this method are dedicated entirely to the text, with a notable requirement for his students to read the sermon text "50 times" before they begin sermon preparation (not in one sitting, but over time). This deep reading, combined with understanding the text's literary, historical, canonical, and redemptive-historical contexts, ensures preachers are "thoroughly saturated in the text" and their "senses have been engaged and evoked by the text". He also emphasizes that "the form of the text is inspired just like the text itself," and therefore, the sermon's structure should often reflect the genre of the biblical passage (e.g., narrative, epistle, proverb), contrasting deductive and inductive sermon forms.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Robert Smith for instructive insights into sermon preparation and delivery

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Robert 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 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. Robert Smith Jr. served as professor of Christian preaching at Beeson for more than 25 years and held the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity. Previously, he served as the Carl E. Bates Associate Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Smith is the 2017 E. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference Living Legend. A popular teacher and preacher, he received Southern’s 1996 Findley B. Edge Award for Teaching Excellence. An ordained Baptist minister, he served as pastor of New Mission Missionary Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 20 years. He earned his PhD while serving as a pastor. He is a contributing editor for a study of Christian ministry in the African American church, Preparing for Christian Ministry, and is co-editor of A Mighty Long Journey. Additionally, he has served as an editor of Our Sufficiency Is of God: Essays on Preaching in Honor of Gardner C. Taylor (Mercer University Press, Macon, Georgia: 2010) and Worship, Tradition, and Engagement: Essays in Honor of Timothy George (Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2018). He has written the book, Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville: 2008), which was selected as the winner of the 2008 Preaching Book of the Year Award by Preaching magazine and the 2009 Preaching Book of the Year Award by Christianity Today’s preaching.com. In 2010, Preaching magazine named Doctrine That Dances one of the 25 most influential books in preaching for the last 25 years. He also has written The Oasis of God: From Mourning to Morning—Biblical Insights from Psalms 42 and 43. His latest book is Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Joshua (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville). Smith has spoken at more than 135 universities, colleges, and seminaries in the United States, Great Britain, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. He has taught congregations in several countries, including Greece, Turkey, Rome, the Holy Land, and Switzerland. Smith delivered the closing message of the 22nd Baptist World Congress/Baptist World Alliance, originally scheduled for 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, but transformed into a fully virtual event from July 7-10, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His research interests include the place of passion in preaching, the literary history of African American preaching, Christological preaching, and theologies of preaching. Smith has contributed essays and articles to various books, magazines, and commentaries. He received Beeson Divinity School’s “Teacher of the Year Award” in 2005. He and his wife, Wanda Taylor-Smith, PhD, are the parents of four adult children (two in heaven). 

Education

MDiv, PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Doctor of Sacred Theology (Hon.), Temple Community Bible College 

Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa, Newburgh Theological Seminary 

BS, Cincinnati Bible College 

AS, God's Bible College

Books

Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Joshua. B&H Publishing Group, 2023.

The Oasis of God: From Mourning to Morning—Biblical Insights from Psalms 42 and 43. BorderStone Press, 2014.

Worship, Tradition, and Engagement: Essays in Honor of Timothy George. Pickwick, 2018.

Our Sufficiency Is of  God:  Essays on Preaching in Honor of Gardner C. Taylor. Mercer University Press, 2010.

Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.

Awards

E. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference Living Legend, 2017

Preaching Book of the Year Award by Christianity Today’s preaching.com, 2009

Preaching Book of the Year Award by Preaching magazine, 2008

Beeson Divinity School’s “Teacher of the Year Award," 2005

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's Findley B. Edge Award for Teaching Excellence, 1996 

Follow Dr. Smith on X: @DrRobertSmithJr

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 24: A Conversation with Pastor John Roland.

Episode Theme: Blessings and challenges of bi-vocational ministry.

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor John Roland, Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Sterrett, AL, about his experiences and perspectives as a bi-vocational pastor, his approach to preaching, and the unique aspects of his ministry at Beulah Baptist Church.

Key Highlights:

Study and Preparation on the Go: Pastor Roland's sermon preparation has to be mobile to accommodate his secular job requirements. He typically reads the chosen passage multiple times, writing down questions about it, and then consulting trusted commentaries to find answers. He outlines three to four main points for his sermon and writes out a manuscript in Google Docs. He often copies and pastes commentary notes below his points and summarizes them. He works on this document throughout the week, utilizing Google Docs for mobility across his devices (iPad, laptop, phone), especially when traveling for his secular job. He puts the finishing touches on the manuscript on Friday or Saturday.

Challenges for Bi-vocational ministry: One of the significant challenges is the limited time for traditional pastoral duties like hospital visits and extensive personal visitation. He struggles with feeling like he should be doing more and has had to learn to say no to commitments outside his primary roles to manage his time effectively. Balancing the demands of his secular job with pastoral responsibilities also means he often doesn't have a dedicated day off during the week, requiring constant effort to maintain physical and mental energy.

Importance of relationships: Pastor John encourages young pastors to prioritize "building relationships in the community, and partner with as many other ministries and pastors that you can for accountability, encouragement, and collaboration.”

Join Ben Smith and Pastor John Roland for an enlightening conversation about bi-vocational ministry.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: John Roland

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

Pastor John Roland is the Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Sterrett, AL. Prior to coming to Beulah Baptist Church, Pastor Roland has served as a transitional pastor and a senior pastor. He earned his undergraduate degree from Samford University, MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an MBA from Kennesaw State University.

John has worked for many years for various organizations as an executive in advancement. He is currently the Advancement officer for the Howard College of Arts and Sciences of Samford University.

John and his wife, Amy, have three adult children.

Follow Pastor John Roland on X at https://x.com/jaroland74

Listen to Pastor Roland’s latest sermons through the Beulah Baptist Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BeulahBaptistChurchSterrett

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/id1796433489

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

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 23: A Conversation with Pastor Chris Fowler.

Episode Theme: Preaching in a College Town.

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Chris Fowler, Pastor of Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church in Statesboro, Georgia, about his experiences and perspectives as a pastor in a college town and how his approach to expository preaching and leading his church to honor and live out God’s word.

Key Highlights:

·      The importance of reading scripture in worship: Christ explains his practice of reading large portions of scripture (chapters or even entire books) in the worship service and how this has contributed to his church growing in appreciation of God’s word and the value of hearing the Word.

·      Resources to further the impact of preaching: Christ shares what resources he uses to aid engagement with preaching. These include a listening guide with space for notes and discussion questions provided for use throughout the week.

·      Sermon Preparation Process: Pastor Christ details his weekly process for preparing a sermon. He shares how he studies the passage and what he takes to the pulpit to preach from.

Join Ben Smith and Pastor Chris Fowler for a helpful conversation about preaching and leading a church to a great appreciation for God’s word.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Chris Fowler

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

Chris Fowler is the Pastor of Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church, Statesboro, GA. Prior to joining Fletcher Memorial, Fowler served as Associate Pastor of Education and Discipleship at North Peachtree Baptist Church in Dunwoody, GA, and as Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Roanoke, North Carolina. Pastor Fowler earned both his undergraduate degree and MDiv. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Chris and his wife, Amy, have four children.

Listen to Pastor Fowler’s latest sermons on:

·      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fletcherchurch768

·      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CuxkyMUtnkjfvb2bGHOlX

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/id1796433489

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

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 22: A Conversation with Dr. Mac Brunson 

Episode Theme: Changes and Trends among Baptist churches in approaches to preaching

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor of Valleydale Church in Birmingham, AL, about his approach to Bible study, sermon preparation, and lifelong pursuit of learning.

Key Highlights:

Early Days: Dr. Brunson chronicles how God has developed his preaching from his first church to his present ministry.

Exposure to and learning to preach expository sermons: Dr. Brunson recounts his first exposure to expository preaching and how he learned to preach expository sermons.

Sermon Illustrations: A gifted sermon Illustrator, Dr. Brunson, shares his insights into using illustrations for greater effect and where he finds his illustrations.

Honoring the ministries of former pastors while being honest about your own personality and giftedness: Dr. Brunson shares his experience of pastoring FBC Dallas and FBC Jacksonville while honoring the legacy and ministry of the pastors that preceded him.

Lifelong learner: Brunson shares how books and reading are crucial to a pastor’s pursuit of lifelong learning.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Mac Brunson for an engaging conversation about ministry, preaching, and the lifelong pursuit of learning.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Mac Brunson

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. Mac Brunson is the Senior Pastor of Valleydale Church in Birmingham, AL. Prior to coming to Valleydale Church, Dr. Brunson served as senior pastor of both the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL, and the First Baptist Church of Dallas, TX. He holds a PhD, DMin., and MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, an honorary doctorate of divinity from Dallas Baptist University, and earned a B.A. from Furman University. He is an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a sought-after conference preacher. He has published several books and articles, including the 2023 publication God is For You: Learning to Trust God's Wisdom through Life's Crises (2023)

Mac and his wife, Debbie, have three adult children and 16 grandchildren.

Follow Dr. Mac Brunson on X at https://x.com/brunson_mac.

Listen to Dr. Brunson’s latest sermons through the Valleydale Church Sermons podcast available in Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/valleydale-church-sermons/id1345039445

For more information on Valleydale Church, Birmingham, AL, visit https://www.valleydale.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/id1796433489

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

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 21: A Conversation with Dr. Landon Dowden

Episode Theme: “Nothing is better for God's people than God's word.” 

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Landon Dowden, Lead Pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA, about his approach to expository preaching, the preparation process, and the importance of biblical literacy.

Key Highlights:

Balanced preaching from both the Old and New Testaments: Dr. Dowden is a strong advocate for preaching from both the Old and New Testaments. He was influenced by his mentor, Jim Shaddix, who emphasized expository preaching. Dr. Dowden believes that avoiding the Old Testament robs people of a way God has spoken, particularly concerning Christ. Preaching the "whole counsel" of God, as Paul mentions in Acts 20, includes the Old Testament Scriptures. He is intentional about switching between Testaments and genres (narratives, wisdom literature, letters, etc.) to equip God's people with the full scope of God's word and how it points to Christ.

Expository Preaching: Dr. Dowden's exposure to expository preaching under Jim Shaddix was a transformative "Emmaus road experience" where his heart burned as the scriptures were opened. This experience led him to believe that "nothing is better for God's people than God's word." He contrasts this with earlier experiences where sermons relied heavily on illustrations or were more topically driven without a faithful handling of a specific text. Expository preaching shifts the focus from the preacher's rhetorical skill ("diving board preachers") to the richness of the biblical text itself ("swimming pool"). This emphasis on substance over style ensures that the audience connects with Christ through the word, rather than just with the preacher's performance.

Call to response should be tied to the text: Dr. Dowden believes the call to response should be directly tied to the specific text being preached, moving beyond traditional, generic options. He diligently considers what the Spirit is calling the congregation to do in light of the passage. For example, when preaching on Abram's decision to go to Egypt, the call to response was tailored to different situations: warning against heading towards "Egypt" (sinful choices), encouraging those already in "Egypt" that God is their only help, and supporting those coming out of "Egypt" who desire God's help to avoid future similar situations. This approach ensures the response is rooted in the biblical truth presented.

·       Advice for proclaiming God’s word: Dr. Dowden offers several pieces of vital advice based on his years of ministry. First, he stresses that there is no substitute for prayer and personal intake of the word; sermon preparation should be worship as much as work. Second, he emphasizes the necessity of obedience in the pastor's life. Third, he highlights the importance of good accountability relationships for confession and receiving grace. Fourth, he urges young pastors to prioritize their families, as family time is limited compared to ministry meetings. Finally, he advises learning who you are okay disappointing. While you don't want to needlessly disappoint people, you also cannot be dominated by every agenda or preference. Learning to rest in the gospel and God's approval in Christ is crucial to avoid seeking approval elsewhere and to be free to serve others.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Landon Dowden for an instructive conversation about ministry, preaching, and teaching God’s word.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Landon Dowden

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. Landon Dowden has served as the Lead Pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA, since 2018. He is originally from Louisiana, where he graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Management. He also earned a Master of Divinity, a Master of Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Landon has been a Lead Pastor since 2005. He has led student camps for many national student organizations since 1996. He currently serves as an adjunct professor for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, working in the Doctor of Ministry program in the field of preaching. He has published two commentaries in the Christ-Centered Commentary Exposition Series, which are Exalting Jesus in Ezekiel, Exalting Jesus in Esther, and forthcoming Exalting Jesus in Deuteronomy. Landon’s conviction regarding preaching is that nothing is better for God’s people than God’s word, which leads him to preach expositionally through books of the Bible. He also intentionally alternates between the Old and New Testaments, as well as the different genres. Landon has held numerous denominational roles at the associational, state, and national levels, as well as serving on 14 international mission trips.

Landon and his wife, Tera, have four children.

Follow Dr. Landon Dowden on X at https://x.com/landondowden      

Listen to Dr. Dowden’s latest sermons through the Hebron Baptist Church Sermons podcast available in Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hebron-on-the-go-podcast/id1799251636

For more information on Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula, GA, visit https://hebronchurch.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/id1796433489

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

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 20: A Conversation with Randy Mullinax

Episode Theme: Changes and Trends among Baptist churches in approaches to preaching

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Randy Mullinax, senior adult pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA, about his experience working with two Baptist state conventions, how he came to appreciate expository preaching, and how he employs an expositional approach to ministry with senior adults.

Key Highlights:

Learning to preach: Mullinax discusses how he “backed in” to learning to preach expositional sermons and how it changed his approach to preaching.

Encouraging trends: Randy shares how, through his work with State Baptist Conventions, he has witnessed encouraging trends toward more churches and pastors pursuing expository preaching.

Ministry Transition: Randy, who is now serving on staff after a career as a senior pastor, discusses how he enjoys his new ministry role.

Senior Adult Ministry: Randy Mullinax talks about his ministry as a senior adult pastor and the blessings and challenges of senior adult ministry.

Join Ben Smith and Randy Mullinax for a helpful discussion of ministry and preaching over a long career.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Randy Mullinax

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

Randy Mullinax is the senior adult pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA. He pastored churches for 30 years before taking on the role of Director of Evangelism and Discipleship with the Illinois Baptist Convention. Later, he would serve the Georgia Baptist Convention (now known as the Georgia Baptist Mission Board) as a state missionary on the Evangelism and Church Revitalization team.

Wayne and his wife, Jeanee, have two adult children.

Follow Randy Mullinax on X at https://x.com/Randy_Mullinax

For more information on Northside Baptist Church, Valdosta, GA, visit https://nbcvaldosta.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/id1796433489

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