The Everyday Pastor is a new podcast from TGC on the nuts and bolts of ministry. Hosted by Ligon Duncan, with nearly 20 years of pastoral experience, and Matt Smethurst, who planted a church three years ago, it seeks to model how ministers of different generations, levels of experience, and even denominations can apply God’s never-changing Word in a fast-changing world.

It’s not an easy time to be a pastor, but it’s an exciting one—because the Lord is on his throne and his Word is enough to help us navigate the trenches of ministry with fortitude and joy. So join Matt and Lig (and special guests along the way) as they seek to help you think wisely about nitty-gritty issues of everyday ministry.

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Pastoral ministry is hard, and there’s often plenty to be discouraged about. But amid the hardships, it’s easy to lose sight of the joys. In this inaugural episode of The Everyday Pastor, young pastor Matt Smethurst sits down with Ligon Duncan, who has pastored for two decades. Together they reflect on some specific things they love about serving the church, helping pastors in any season to find fresh joy in the work of ministry.

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

• Ligon Duncan: A Tribute to My Mother
• Mark Dever, 2016 T4G: Endurance Needed: Strength For a Slow Reformation and the Dangerous Allure of Speed (“The joy of the elder’s chair”)
• Bobby Jamieson, The Path to Being a Pastor

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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In Christian ministry, it’s difficult to think of a greater occupational hazard than pride. But of course, pride can manifest itself in both “loud” and “quiet” ways. How, then, can pastors avoid the perils of pride? This episode of The Everyday Pastor focuses on practical tips for cultivating humility in the service of Jesus Christ.

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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What should churches do when they gather on Sunday? The answer isn’t as obvious as it may seem. In this episode, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share how they prepare for Sunday worship in light of their pastoral role. And they discuss the “counterintuitively freeing” effect of rightly understanding the regulative principle of worship.

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: 

• Greg Beale, We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Liturgy is all the rage—or it’s not considered at all. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss the importance of a deliberate order of service, or liturgy, for Sunday worship. God summons us into his presence by his Word, and we respond by his grace. But what does this mean practically for what you do—and don’t—include in your Sunday services?

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Would your sermons make sense if Jesus didn’t die and rise again? If the answer is yes, your sermons may well be instructive, insightful, and inspiring, but they aren't yet Christian.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Bryan Chapell—a “Jedi master” on the topic of Christ-centered preaching—brings decades of experience to this conversation with Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan on why (and how) to make Jesus Christ the hero of every sermon.

Recommended resources:

• Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon
• Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Sermons: Models of Redemptive Preaching
• Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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What are your rhythms for sermon preparation? How should this be prioritized alongside other responsibilities? How can you grow more efficient and effective while remaining faithful to the task?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss the rigors and joys of sermon prep.

Recommended resources:

• The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, Vol. 1: A Christian Directory
• J. I. Packer, Truth and Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life
• Jay Adams, Be Careful How You Listen: How to Get the Most Out of a Sermon
• Joel Beeke, Reformed Preaching: Proclaiming God’s Word from the Heart of the Preacher to the Heart of His People
• Ligon Duncan, “How to Listen to a Bad Sermon”

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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When it comes to the art of delivering sermons, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But Matt Smethurst and (especially) Ligon Duncan have learned helpful lessons over the years.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt and Ligon offer practical tips to help pastors reflect on and improve their sermon delivery.

Recommended resources:

• Mark Dever, Application Grid
• Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Church polity is like stretching. It seems boring until something tears—and then you wish you’d devoted more time to it. Despite their differences (Matt Smethurst is a congregationalist and Ligon Duncan is a Presbyterian), both agree Scripture has a lot to say—more than many evangelicals assume—about how a local church should be structured. This is an underrated topic, and pastors impoverish themselves by not giving careful attention to it.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Smethurst and Duncan explore why church polity matters and its overlooked biblical importance.

Recommended resource: Jonathan Leeman, Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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The greatest threat to Christmas isn't secularism or consumerism but our own boredom with the most thrilling story ever told.

In this special Christmas episode of The Everyday Pastor, Sinclair Ferguson joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to marvel at the miracle of the incarnation. How can pastors help their people recapture the wonder? The trio also offers practical tips for shepherding well during this busy and emotionally complex time of year.

Recommended resources: 

• Sinclair Ferguson, Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent
• Sinclair Ferguson, The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Pastoral ministry is far more than preaching. Pastors are fundamentally shepherds, which means we’re called to care for particular sheep. How do we do that well?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan consider specific ways pastors can care for their congregation.

Recommended resources:

• Jordan Stone, Love to Christ: Robert Murray M’Cheyne and the Pursuit of Holiness
• Jordan Stone, A Communion of Love: The Christ-Centered Spirituality of Robert Murray M’Cheyne
• Jordan Stone, A Holy Minister: The Life and Spiritual Legacy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” Paul exhorts the young pastor Timothy (1 Tim. 4:16). For many of us, it’s dangerously easy to guard our doctrine but not our lives. How can a busy pastor tend to his soul?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practices for maintaining intimacy with Christ amid the demands of ministry.

Recommended resources:

• Josiah Bull (ed.), Letters of John Newton
• Jonathan Aitken, John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace
• Tony Reinke, Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ
• Sinclair Ferguson, The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters
• David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025. 

They discuss: 

• The rise in Bible sales in 2024
• Declining fertility rates worldwide
• Big changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global South
• The advance of assisted suicide in the UK
• The Cass Report and the truth about transgender treatments
• Encouraging signs among Gen Z
• Trump’s election victory and a GOP shift
• Anticipating the 2025 Gospelbound season
• Book highlights from 2024
• Personal projects and updates
• Don Carson’s legacy and an important update about his life and ministry

Mentioned on this episode:

"My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024" by Collin Hansen (article)

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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If pastors are the supply line, members are the front line. How can pastors equip their sheep to take responsibility for one another’s spiritual well-being? How can pastors foster a culture of relational initiative and deliberate discipleship?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share practical ideas on how to shepherd your congregations to have a discipleship mindset. 

• “I Was Discipled by … the Church” by Brian Bowman
• The Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes a Church Attractive by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop
• Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones
• Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D.A. Carson

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Have you ever wondered why two churches can be so similar in their doctrinal beliefs but so different in their practices? How can we make sure our methodology is rooted in theology, not mere pragmatism?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan are joined by Michael Lawrence to discuss the underrated importance of ministry philosophy in our churches.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Doctrines are more like an interconnected web than an itemized list. So how do we determine which matters are debatable in a church—and which are not? Not all beliefs are equally important, after all. 

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan encourage pastors to think carefully about the respective “weight” Scripture assigns various doctrines—and the implications for unity grounded in truth and love.

Recommended resources:

• Westminster Confession of Faith
• The New Hampshire Baptist Confession of Faith 1833
• Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Leadership is an art, and many pastors get it wrong—sometimes with devastating results.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Paul Tripp joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to discuss how a pastor can lead well for the flourishing of the whole church. The conversation touches on the importance of fostering a healthy leadership community, the gift of limits, responding to criticism and praise, the difference-making role of gospel grace, and more.

Recommended resources:

• Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp
• Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp
• Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Theology is vital for life. We know this as pastors, but do our members? Are we helping them to grow in thinking theologically?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practical ways to promote deeper love for God’s truth. After all, how our people view him will make all the difference in their lives.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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When Paul lists elder qualifications, he mentions Satan twice (1 Tim. 3:6–7). Why? The devil loves to stalk and destroy shepherds. And one of his main strategies is tempting us toward little compromises—which never remain little—in the realm of sexual purity.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Garrett Kell joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to discuss lessons he’s learned the hard way, how to foster transparency among leadership, practical tools for pursuing purity, and more.

Recommended resource: Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the Promises of God by Garrett Kell

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Assurance of salvation is a deeply precious gift, but many Christians struggle to experience it. Pastors have the unique privilege—and challenge—of being “soul doctors” in our people’s lives.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss how to apply the gospel to nominal Christians (who shouldn’t have assurance), struggling Christians (who should), and all Christ’s sheep who are meant to revel in marvelous news: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Do your members prioritize the Lord’s Day? Are they maximizing their time at church? In a hyper-busy age, we can serve our people by preparing them to come on Sundays ready to grow, ready to serve, and ready to launch.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst offer practical tips for helping your congregation get the most out of corporate worship.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Men and women aren't interchangeable, and God’s gendered design is a beautiful thing. How can pastors encourage and equip the godly women that the Lord entrusts to their care? It has been said, after all, that there’s no such thing as a healthy church in which the men flourish but the women don't.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss how pastors can better support the women in their churches, highlighting the vital role women play in the overall health of the congregation.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Pastors are called to walk alongside suffering saints, but what about when the pastor is the sufferer?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, pastor Garrett Kell joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to share about a season of family hardship—and what it looked like to receive care from his church community. He testifies to the beauty of Christ’s body and the faith-fortifying role of pain, encouraging shepherds to remember that they, too, are among Christ’s sheep.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Every pastor affirms the importance of prayer and likely excels at it publicly, but consistency in private prayer is hard. And it isn't easy to foster a congregation-wide culture of prayer.

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practical tips for improving your prayer life—and the praying habits of your whole congregation. After all, a church that will be found faithful is a church that will be found praying.

Recommended resources:

• A Way to Pray by Matthew Henry
• 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids by Melissa Kruger
• 5 Things to Pray for Your Spouse: Prayers That Change and Strengthen Your Marriage by Michael and Melissa Kruger
• I'm Praying for You: 40 Days of Praying the Bible for Someone Who Is Suffering by Nancy Guthrie
• Prayers on the Psalms by David Calhoun (ed.)
• Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation by Don  Carson

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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”

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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It’s the most important book in the universe, but it can also be intimidating. Many of our members may be discouraged to admit that their resolutions have sputtered out—again. As pastors, how can we prepare and motivate our members to dive into God’s Word for themselves?

In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share practical tips for promoting a culture of biblical literacy in the local church.

Recommended resources: 

• Matt Smethurst at Southern Seminary
• Bible Talk by 9Marks

For a full list of recommended resources on this episode, visit our website.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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“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

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Real friendship is an irreplaceable gift from God. Without it we will struggle—and shrivel—as humans made for one another. Pastors know this, and yet ministry can be exceedingly lonely. In this episode, Garrett Kell joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to discuss how a busy pastor can foster (and maintain) meaningful, life-giving friendships amid the complicated dynamics of ministry.

Recommended Resources:

• Augustine of Hippo: A Biography, by Peter Brown
• Made for Friendship: The Relationship That Halves Our Sorrows and Doubles Our Joys, by Drew Hunter
• The Four Loves, by C.S. Lewis
• Tim Keller on the Christian Life, by Matt Smethurst
• Wise Counsel, by John Newton

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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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.

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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One of a pastor’s primary responsibilities is not only to teach Scripture, but also to help his people learn how to read the Bible for themselves. Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share how pastors can encourage their congregations to engage deeply with God’s Word, meditate on how he has revealed himself, and approach Scripture with obedience and joy.

Resources Mentioned:

• A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation by Matthew C. Bingham
• A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life by J. I. Packer
• Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures For Approaching God's Word by Matt Smethurst
• The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made by Mark Dever
• The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept by Mark Dever
• Ryken's Bible Handbook by Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken, and James Wilhoit
• Survey of the Bible by William Hendriksen

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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A church budget is not primarily a financial tool, but a spiritual one. Jamie Dunlop joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to discuss how pastors can encourage generous giving with theological clarity, and steward their church’s budget in a way that models trusted leadership and God-honoring faith.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Why Should I Give to My Church? by Jamie Dunlop
• Budgeting for a Healthy Church by Jamie Dunlop
• The Compelling Community by Jamie Dunlop
• Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy by Jamie Dunlop
   

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Pastors are expected to keep learning—just like doctors, teachers, and counselors. In this episode, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan unpack formal and informal ways to stay sharp: carving out daily reading, using journals and courses, attending conferences, leaning on study Bibles, pursuing study leave or targeted coursework (ThM/DMin), and even teaching as adjuncts. They also warn against using degrees as an escape from ministry and offer practical counsel for staying current on cultural issues while remaining focused on your flock.

Resources Mentioned:

• TGC’s Themelios journal
• TGC courses & pastors’ hub
• The Carson Center at TGC
• Study Bibles

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Suffering is not a glitch in the Christian life—it’s part of it. In this conversation, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan talk about how pastors can prepare their people to face pain with faith and endurance. They discuss what it means to view hardship through God’s providence, why the “victorious Christian life” often looks like just hanging on, and how preaching, hymns, and patient shepherding can help believers trust God when He seems silent.

Resources Mentioned:

• When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent by Ligon Duncan
• Joni Eareckson Tada
• Mark Talbot, When the Stars Disappear
• John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life
• Psalm 88; Psalm 40; 2 Corinthians 4; Romans 8; Genesis 50:20
• Hymns: How Firm a Foundation, Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul, Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Many pastors enter ministry to preach and shepherd, not manage spreadsheets—but good administration is deeply spiritual work. Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan talk with Jamie Dunlop (Capitol Hill Baptist Church) about how faithful administration protects unity, supports preaching, and strengthens trust in the church. They discuss deacons, elders, executive pastors, and practical ways to build systems that serve people, not just processes. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• The Compelling Community
• Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy 
• Budgeting for a Healthy Church 
• Deacons by Matt Smethurst 
• The Pastor and Counseling

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Every pastor wants a culture of care, but not every pastor feels equipped to counsel—much less to equip others to counsel one another. In this episode, Deepak Reju—a Delaware pastor who served for nearly 20 years as the counseling pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church—joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to discuss counseling versus discipling, how to build a culture of lay counseling, advice for getting tooled up, tips for pastors who feel out of their depth, thoughts on medication and referrals, and more.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Cure of Souls by David Powilson
• Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness by David Powlison
• How People Change by Paul David Tripp
• How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks
• Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp
• The Art of Disagreeing: How to Keep Calm and Stay Friends in Hard Conversations by Gavin Ortlund
• The Pastor and Counseling: The Basics of Shepherding Members in Need, by Jeremy Pierre and Deepak Reju
• Journal of Biblical Counseling
• New Growth Press Minibook Counseling Resource Pack
• Counseling Talk Podcast
• Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) Course

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Practicing church discipline is a vital biblical responsibility that’s often ignored in our modern age. In this episode, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst discuss what church discipline is (and isn’t), why healthy congregations practice it, and why it’s actually a form of love. Drawing from experience, they also offer advice for fostering a culture in your church where discipline will seem faithful, not foreign.

Resources Mentioned:

• Is It Loving to Practice Church Discipline? By Jonathan Leeman
• What Should We Do about Members Who Won’t Attend? By Alex Duke
• Understanding Church Discipline by Jonathan Leeman
• Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus by Jonathan Leeman

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Ministry is about a lot of things, but central to the task is preparing people to die and face their Creator. This is deeply challenging, though, in a death-denying age. In this episode, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst welcome Matt McCullough—a pastor in Nashville and the author of two excellent books, ‘Remember Death’ and ‘Remember Heaven’—to discuss how to shepherd God’s people to embrace their mortality, anticipate their heavenly inheritance, and make the most of their lives.

Resources Mentioned:

Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope by Matt McCullough

Does God Love Everyone? (Church Questions) by Matt McCullough

Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime by Matt McCullough

The Saints' Everlasting Rest: Updated and Abridgedby Richard Baxter, abridged by Tim Cooper

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Every church has the privilege of thinking about how to best serve the children and youth entrusted to its care. In this episode, Jared Kennedy joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to discuss various ministry models and best practices, as well as wisdom for equipping parents, selecting curriculum, vetting volunteers, caring for children with special needs, and more.

Resources Mentioned:

• Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families, by Sandra Peoples
• Did the Resurrection Really Happen?, by Timothy Paul Jones
• Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide, by Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson
• Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability, by Stephanie O. Hubach
• The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the World, by Trevin Wax and Thomas West
• Where Is God in a World with So Much Evil?, by Collin Hansen
• See Jesus Ministries (Paul Miller)
• Simply the Gospel: Resource Library

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Conflict is inevitable in pastoral ministry—but how pastors handle it shapes the health of their church. In this episode, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst explore theological controversy, denominational tension, and local church conflict, offering biblical wisdom for leading with courage, humility, and love.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• When Martyn Lloyd-Jones Confronted a Pastor Who Loved Controversy and Denunciation by Justin Taylor
• On Controversy by John Newton
• The Multi-Directional Leader by Trevin Wax
• Forgive by Tim Keller
• The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit by Jeremiah Burroughs

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Spiritual warfare is real in ministry—but often misunderstood. Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan help pastors think biblically and pastorally about Satan’s schemes, the Spirit’s indwelling power, and how to resist discouragement while persevering in faithful ministry.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks
• The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall
• The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon
• The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
• The Work of the Holy Spirit by Abraham Kuyper
• New Life in the Wasteland by Douglas F. Kelly
• The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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How do you talk about Jesus when people don’t share your assumptions anymore?

Glen Scrivener joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to help pastors navigate evangelism in a post-Christian culture. They explore how secular people are still shaped by Christian ideas, why believers shouldn’t feel embarrassed about their faith, and how leaning into Christian “weirdness” can actually open doors for gospel conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• The Air We Breathe by Glen Scrivener 
• 3-2-1 by Glen Scrivener
• Speak Life
• Making Sense of Us by Glen Scrivener

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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What is the gospel—really?

In this episode, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan tackle the confusion surrounding one of the most important words in Christianity. They explain why the gospel isn’t self-help advice or vague spiritual encouragement, but the good news of what God has done in Jesus Christ to save sinners.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Before You Share Your Faith by Matt Smethurst
• What Is Wrong with the World by Tim Keller
• God Is the Gospel by John Piper
• The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson
• Knowing God by J.I. Packer

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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Should Sunday sermons be evangelistic—or focused on believers?

In this episode, Matt Smethurst, Ligon Duncan, and Garrett Kell tackle a false dichotomy: faithful preaching should do both. They explore how pastors can preach in a way that honors God, builds up the church, and clearly calls unbelievers to repentance and faith.

From cultivating an evangelistic culture to preaching about hard truths like hell with compassion, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for pastors who want their preaching to reach both the saved and the lost.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Making Sense of God by Tim Keller
• The Air We Breathe by Glen Scrivener
• Evangelistic Expository Preaching by Mark Dever
• The Message of the Old and New Testament by Mark Dever

If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit sbts.edu/phd to learn more.

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