For The Church Podcast

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson is joined by Dr. Ronnie Martin to talk about the "wisdom practices" pastors should adopt as regular rhythms in their life in the pursuite of spiritual maturity, emotional stability, and ministerial endurance. Jared and Ronnie's Midwestern Seminary podcast The Heart of Pastoring is now back in its 2nd season and available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. https://ftc.co/resource-library/heart-of-pastoring-podcast/

This week on the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson conclude their three-week mini-series, drawing out the usual podcast banter to specific subjects. No agenda; no plan. Just a free-form conversation -- this week, on serving the church. Why do 5% of church members do 95% of the work? Who can serve in a church? How do you keep zealous members from burning themselves out? How can we motivate non-servers to join the efforts? What do you do when a congregation demands a ministry that none of them want to actually contribute to? All that and more in this final episode of "mixing it up."

This week on the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson continue their three-week mini-series, drawing out the usual podcast banter to specific subjects. No agenda; no plan. Just a free-form conversation -- this week, on worship music. What is it for? Who is it for? What are some strange things they've encountered in worship services? Why do some worship services seem stuck in time? All that and more in this episode of "mixing it up."

This week on the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson a three-week mini-series, drawing out the usual podcast banter to specific subjects. No agenda; no plan. Just a free-form conversation -- this week, on preaching. What is it? What should sermons do? What were the guys' first sermons like? How have they grown over the years? What are some things beginning preachers should keep in mind? All that and more in this episode of "mixing it up."

It's another installment of the regular Mailbag feature. This week, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer listener-submitted questions and topics, including: how unified pastors should be on "third-tier" issues, ministry calling, finding good Sunday School teachers, the youth pastor drought, and whether avoiding danger should be a missional priority.

One of the most frequent questions we get relates to how to go about leading change in a church. In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the potential for negative change in a church -- how it happens and how to prevent it -- and the process for leading positive change in a church.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk all things communion! What does it mean? Who is it for? How should we practice it? And how not to spill the cup on someone's cream-colored pants.

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.

Are you a late to church arriver? Are you a sleep in service attender? Are you a size everybody up fellowshiper? On this episode of the FTC Pod, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the practical, dispositional, and spiritual considerations we should all make in preparing for church -- everything from the logistics to getting there on time to the attitude of graciousness towards those worshiping alongside us.

You want your church to be reaching out with the gospel. Your sermons often include a call to evangelize. You've held evangelism training events. So . . . where are the conversions? Is your church actually reaching the lost? How do you become a genuinely soul-winning church? On today's episode of the FTC Podcast, authors and ministers J.A. Medders and Doug Logan join Jared Wilson to talk about their new book The Soul-Winning Church and its six keys to fostering a genuine evangelistic culture in your church.

In this installment of the Mailbag, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer questions all submitted via email, including: recommended books for training lay elders, succession plans for senior pastorate, how to know if you're "gospel-centered" enough, how churches should handle sex offenders who want to be members, the process of disciplining church leaders, and what compromises are appropriate in looking for a church.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson celebrate some of the unsung heroes of congregations around the world. They don't often get the fanfare or the spotlight, but these faithful member "types" help churches grow and flourish, and they are huge encouragements to their pastors.

It's another installment of the Grab Bag feature here at the FTC Pod. Jared and Ross each come with unique questions for the other. Tune in and find out what surprise topics they discussed!

Evangelicals love conferences. Well, most of them do anyway. Is the church's interest in conferences changing? On this week's episode of the podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the recent phenomenon of the mega-conference, what they like and don't like about conferences, whether evangelicals' love affair with conferences has changed, the advantages of smaller conferences, and even some thoughts on speaking at and hosting/organizing conferences.

We know pastors love books and talking about books, so on this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross share a few books they recommend for the pastor's shelf.

It's an "everything baptism" episode today! Jared and Ross talk about the biblical meaning and mode of baptism, the phenomenon of "spontaneous baptisms," the connection between baptism and membership and discipleship, what age is the right age to baptize, and even their funny baptism stories.

Revelation shouldn't leave us fearful or confused, but its imagery and concepts often confound our modern ears. If all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable, though, we should assume Revelation is as accessible and helpful as any other book of the Bible. Teacher and author Jen Wilkin has written a new Bible study guiding readers through Revelation verse-by-verse to discover how the last book of the Bible is accessible, helpful, and speaks a steadying word of assurance and endurance to the church in every age. Wilkin joins Jared Wilson on this episode of the FTC Podcast to discuss. https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/revelation-bible-study

On this installment of the regular Mailbag feature of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the alleged pastor deficit, benevolence ministry, dealing with disqualified leaders in inter-church events, young adult Bible studies, should pastors attend Sunday School?, and more!

In honor of Father's Day coming up, the guys are bringing their short lists of the best dads in the Bible. We've got some curve balls for you on this one!

A new installment in the Grab Bag feature, where Jared and Ross each bring two surprise questions for the other to answer.