For The Church Podcast

It's a new mailbag installment of the podcast, where Jared and Ross answer listener-submitted questions. On this episode, the guys weigh in on: first steps for newly appointed lay elders, pastors running for political office, cultivating healthy desires in a church, "fencing the table," navigating differences of opinion on alcohol, and more.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson visits with Cedarville University's Dr. Jason Alligood about his new book Raised in Splendor and about the hope of glorification in our secular age.

The author of Hebrews says endurance produces proven character. How so? What is endurance? How do we get it? In this episode of the podcast, Jared and Ross talk about the relevance of endurance to ministry and the Christian life in general.

Sometimes small church folks are overly critical of big churches. Sometimes big church folks are uncharitable towards smaller churches. We're here to settle the scores! Well, kind of. In this ep of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the pros and cons of big churches versus smaller churches and discuss ways we can encourage and think the best of each other.

Hebrews 2:1 warns us to pay closer attention to what we have heard "lest we drift away from it." In this episode of the podcast, Jared and Ross talk about the concept of gospel drift -- what it is, what are the signs, and how to avoid it. Relevant to the discussion is Jared's brand new book Lest We Drift: 5 Departure Dangers from the 1 True Gospel, now available from Zondervan Reflective wherever Christian books are sold.

It's Jared and Ross's 100th episode together(!) and another installment in the FTC Mailbag feature, where they answer listener-submitted questions. This week's topics include church membership processes, should pastors tithe?, the church in the Northeast, small groups, stewardship campaigns, using quotes in sermons, and resources on hospitality.

From throwing microphones to walking out of meetings, we've seen (and done) some unfortunate things in the midst of church conflict. Listen in as Jared and Ross discuss the roots and rationales of church conflicts -- and how to respond when fights take over a church.

It's another installment in the Grab Bag feature, where Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson ask each other two surprise questions for off-the-cuff responses. Tune in and find out what we caught each other off guard about this week.

How is contentment a superpower? And how do you get it? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the strangeness of contentment in a discontented world.

Another year older and deeper in . . . gratitude? Jared and Ross celebrate the new year by reminiscing on the year past and encouraging others to make 2025 a year of renewed focus.

The annual Christmas episode is here! And in our annual podcast tradition, Mr. Christmas himself -- Ronnie Martin -- is joining Jared again to fill your hearts with holiday cheer. On this year's special episode, Jared and Ronnie talk about their favorite "snapshots" of Christmas past and discuss the delight (and the downside) of the ideal Christmas.

It's another installment in the FTC Mailbag feature, where Jared and Ross answer listener-submitted questions. This week's topics include evangelizing the comfortable, the difference between preaching and teaching, leaving churches with shallow preaching, divisive church members, chemistry on the elder board, and the structure of pastoral residencies.

Have you been discipled? Do you disciple others? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about the importance of personal discipleship and share some applicational practice for more fruitful disciple-making.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared talks with author Emily Jensen about her new book with Laura Wifler, *Gospel Mom,* and about the ins and outs of gospel-centered motherhood.

Every year the Christmas holiday seems to creep up and then speed past. How can we make the most out of the Christmas holiday season? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the importance of Advent and how our participation in this anticipation can help us enjoy Christmas more than we'd expected.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared visits with Dr. Scotty Smith, one of the spiritual fathers of gospel-centrality, to talk about his early influences and ministry, pastoring early CCM artists, and how to stay focused on grace through decades of shifting cultural distractions.

It's another installment in the Grab Bag feature, where Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson ask each other two surprise questions for off-the-cuff responses. Tune in and find out what we caught each other off guard about this week.

Jesus said, "The one who perseveres to the end will be saved." Obviously perseverance is a necessary component of the Christian life! On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about the doctrine of the "perseverance of the saints," how perseverance is treated in Scripture, and how Christians might cultivate it in their lives.

It's a perennial question among many evangelicals. How should Christians think about Halloween? Avoid it? Embrace it? Reform it? On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the spotty history of Halloween and survey the contemporary perspectives, challenges, and opportunities related to the Christian's consideration of the "holiday."

It's another installment of the regular Mailbag feature. This week, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer listener-submitted questions and topics, including: topical vs. book sermon series, closing a church well, women officiating weddings, use of AI in pastoral work, how "baptism saves," and Shepherds for Sale. Plus, Jared and Ross attempt to "convert" a Mennonite listener to Baptist (at his request).