Diligent Pastors

"The world has changed. The cost to follow Jesus is going up. Are you prepared to pay?" Though written in the 1st Century, the letter to the Hebrews recorded in the New Testament has much to say to us in the 21st Century about persevering in the cause of Christ.

Tom Sims is a graduate of the World of Life Bible Institute and has served various churches as youth pastor and teacher. He is the author of the newly published Unpuzzling Hebrews: A New Translation and Commentary. He has been married to his wife Janine since 2008, and the Lord has blessed them with two daughters.

Recommended Resource
Sermon Audio: Share your sermons online with Sermon Audio. Join a library of 2.3 million sermons from theologically conservative churches and other ministries from around the world. Embed your audio on  your site, submit your sermons to podcast directories like iTunes, and list your church on the Local Church Finder.

Resources Mentioned

• unpuzzlinghebrews.com
• David M. Allen. “Deuteronomy and Exhortation in Hebrews: A Study in Narrative Re-Presentation." Mohr Siebeck, 2008.
• Dwight Pryor, Center for Judaic-Christian Studies.
• William Lane's two volume commentary on Hebrews in the Word Biblical Commentary series.
• Edward William Fudge, Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today, Leafwood Publishers, 2009.
• Madison N. Pierce, Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews: The Recontextualization of Spoken Quotations of Scripture, Cambridge University Press, 2020.
• Matthew W. Bates, The Birth of the Trinity: Jesus, God, and Spirit in the New Testament and Early Christian Interpretations of the Old Testament,  Oxford University Press, 2016.
• Jason A. Whitlark, Resisting Empire: Rethinking the Purpose of the Letter to “the Hebrews.”, T&T Clark, 2016.
• Michael Wade Martin and Jason A. Whitlark, Inventing Hebrews: Design and Purpose in Ancient Rhetoric. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
• John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life, Crossway Books, 2003.

"The world has changed. The cost to follow Jesus is going up. Are you prepared to pay?" Though written in the 1st Century, the letter to the Hebrews recorded in the New Testament has much to say to us in the 21st Century about persevering in the cause of Christ.

Tom Sims is a graduate of the World of Life Bible Institute and has served various churches as youth pastor and teacher. He is the author of the newly published Unpuzzling Hebrews: A New Translation and Commentary. He has been married to his wife Janine since 2008, and the Lord has blessed them with two daughters.

Recommended Resource
Sermon Audio: Share your sermons online with Sermon Audio. Join a library of 2.3 million sermons from theologically conservative churches and other ministries from around the world. Embed your audio on  your site, submit your sermons to podcast directories like iTunes, and list your church on the Local Church Finder.

Resources Mentioned

• unpuzzlinghebrews.com
• David M. Allen. “Deuteronomy and Exhortation in Hebrews: A Study in Narrative Re-Presentation." Mohr Siebeck, 2008.
• Dwight Pryor, Center for Judaic-Christian Studies.
• William Lane's two volume commentary on Hebrews in the Word Biblical Commentary series.
• Edward William Fudge, Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today, Leafwood Publishers, 2009.
• Madison N. Pierce, Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews: The Recontextualization of Spoken Quotations of Scripture, Cambridge University Press, 2020.
• Matthew W. Bates, The Birth of the Trinity: Jesus, God, and Spirit in the New Testament and Early Christian Interpretations of the Old Testament,  Oxford University Press, 2016.
• Jason A. Whitlark, Resisting Empire: Rethinking the Purpose of the Letter to “the Hebrews.”, T&T Clark, 2016.
• Michael Wade Martin and Jason A. Whitlark, Inventing Hebrews: Design and Purpose in Ancient Rhetoric. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
• John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life, Crossway Books, 2003.

Bible-teaching churches need Bible teachers. Hear how Steve Brandon equips men to read, explain, and apply the Bible in their homes and in their churches.

About Our Guest
Steve Brandon is the founding pastor of Rock Valley Bible Church in Loves Park, Illinois. He earned his master of divinity from The Master's Seminary and his doctor of ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife Yvonne since 1992, and the Lord has blessed them with five children and one granddaughter.

Featured Resource
The Master’s Seminary: Get equipped for pastoral and academic service beginning with a Master of Divinity through to a Doctor of Philosophy. On-site and distance-learning programs can provide you the flexibility you need to become the best you can be in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resources Mentioned

• Steve's blog
• Jackson Hole Bible College
• Grace Church of DuPage, Warrenville, Illinois
• Kishwaukee Bible Church, DeKalb, Illinois
• Word Partners, Palos Heights, Illinois
• The Charles Simeon Trust
• The Institute for Expository Preaching by OnePassion and Ligonier Ministries, 
• Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, The Trellis and the Vine, Youngstown, OH: Matthias Media, 2021.

Bible-teaching churches need Bible teachers. Hear how Steve Brandon equips men to read, explain, and apply the Bible in their homes and in their churches.

About Our Guest
Steve Brandon is the founding pastor of Rock Valley Bible Church in Loves Park, Illinois. He earned his master of divinity from The Master's Seminary and his doctor of ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife Yvonne since 1992, and the Lord has blessed them with five children and one granddaughter.

Featured Resource
The Master’s Seminary: Get equipped for pastoral and academic service beginning with a Master of Divinity through to a Doctor of Philosophy. On-site and distance-learning programs can provide you the flexibility you need to become the best you can be in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resources Mentioned

• Steve's blog
• Jackson Hole Bible College
• Grace Church of DuPage, Warrenville, Illinois
• Kishwaukee Bible Church, DeKalb, Illinois
• Word Partners, Palos Heights, Illinois
• The Charles Simeon Trust
• The Institute for Expository Preaching by OnePassion and Ligonier Ministries, 
• Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, The Trellis and the Vine, Youngstown, OH: Matthias Media, 2021.

Many young men feel a call to pastoral ministry. Hear how the Lord brought Chris Turner from that initial call, through seminary, to his first church.

About Our Guest
Chris Turner serves as pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Williamstown, Kentucky. He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2020, earning a masters of divinity in Christian ministry. He has been married to his wife Brianna since October 2020, and the Lord has blessed them with one son.

Featured Resource
Accordance Bible Software: Study the Bible in the original languages and more on your laptop, smartphone, and mobile device.

What You Will Learn

• How did you come to faith in the Lord Jesus? (2:20)
• What does a call to pastoral ministry look like? (4:00)
• What advice do you have for young men who feel a call to ministry? (7:13)
• What attracted you to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary? (8:47)
• Why on-campus seminary classes are preferred? (11:20)
• What other advice do you have for young men considering seminary? (13:04)
• How is involvement in a local church vital for seminary students? (16:27)
• How did you come into full-time pastoral ministry just after you graduated from seminary? (18:39)
• What were your first sermons during your candidacy? (21:54)
• What was it like to work with a church pastoral search committee? (23:56)
• What is the leadership structure of the church you serve? (25:32)
• What has it been like coming on board a historic Baptist Church that had been without a pastor for over a year? (27:45)
• As a solo pastor, what does a typical week look like for you? (30:53)
• Why should you prioritize Bible study and sermon preparation? (33:03)
• How does handling mundane administrative tasks help you connect with and serve others? (33:58)
• What two priorities did you decide to focus on at the start of your ministry? (36:02)
• How have your expectations of pastoral ministry changed? (38:44)
• What advice do you have for seminary graduates looking for their first church ministry? (43:27)
• When should seminary students start looking for ministry positions? (46:00)
• How does your wife help you in pastoral ministry? (48:31)

Many young men feel a call to pastoral ministry. Hear how the Lord brought Chris Turner from that initial call, through seminary, to his first church.

About Our Guest
Chris Turner serves as pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Williamstown, Kentucky. He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2020, earning a masters of divinity in Christian ministry. He has been married to his wife Brianna since October 2020, and the Lord has blessed them with one son.

Featured Resource
Accordance Bible Software: Study the Bible in the original languages and more on your laptop, smartphone, and mobile device.

What You Will Learn

• How did you come to faith in the Lord Jesus? (2:20)
• What does a call to pastoral ministry look like? (4:00)
• What advice do you have for young men who feel a call to ministry? (7:13)
• What attracted you to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary? (8:47)
• Why on-campus seminary classes are preferred? (11:20)
• What other advice do you have for young men considering seminary? (13:04)
• How is involvement in a local church vital for seminary students? (16:27)
• How did you come into full-time pastoral ministry just after you graduated from seminary? (18:39)
• What were your first sermons during your candidacy? (21:54)
• What was it like to work with a church pastoral search committee? (23:56)
• What is the leadership structure of the church you serve? (25:32)
• What has it been like coming on board a historic Baptist Church that had been without a pastor for over a year? (27:45)
• As a solo pastor, what does a typical week look like for you? (30:53)
• Why should you prioritize Bible study and sermon preparation? (33:03)
• How does handling mundane administrative tasks help you connect with and serve others? (33:58)
• What two priorities did you decide to focus on at the start of your ministry? (36:02)
• How have your expectations of pastoral ministry changed? (38:44)
• What advice do you have for seminary graduates looking for their first church ministry? (43:27)
• When should seminary students start looking for ministry positions? (46:00)
• How does your wife help you in pastoral ministry? (48:31)

Pastors produce a wealth of material in the course of sermon preparation and delivery. Scott LaPierre tells us how to publish this into books.

About Our Guest

Scott LaPierre is senior pastor for Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, Washington.  He is an author and conference speaker, and serves as a regional facilitator for Church and Family Life. He has been married to his wife Katie since 2006, and the Lord has blessed them with nine children.

Sign up for Scott’s newsletter and receive a free copy of his book, Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Marriages.

Featured Resource
How must the church and the family work together to accomplish God’s work in this world? Church and Family Life proclaims the sufficiency of Scripture to direct churches and families in the true worship of God.

What You Will Learn

• The LaPierres’ ninth child is named after George Müller (1:55)
• Scott’s salvation following his brother's death (3:19)
• Leaving the Roman Catholic Church and how it affected his parents (11:09)
• About Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, Washington (17:46)
• About the spiritual climate of Pacific Northwest (24:02)
• Scott's process of sermon preparation and how it leads to book publishing (26:46)
• Benefits and disadvantages of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing (33:30)
• The typology of Genesis 22: How Abraham and Isaac foreshadow Christ (39:05)
• How the ongoing political/health crisis led to a church split and what came of it (41:06)
• Looking forward to upcoming conferences (47:29)

How to Follow Scott LaPierre

Personal website: scottlapierre.org
Facebook: ScottLapierreMinistries
Twitter: @PastorWCC
Instagram: @PastorWCC
LinkedIn: PastorWCC
YouTube: ScottLaPierre

Pastors produce a wealth of material in the course of sermon preparation and delivery. Scott LaPierre tells us how to publish this into books.

About Our Guest

Scott LaPierre is senior pastor for Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, Washington.  He is an author and conference speaker, and serves as a regional facilitator for Church and Family Life. He has been married to his wife Katie since 2006, and the Lord has blessed them with nine children.

Sign up for Scott’s newsletter and receive a free copy of his book, Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Marriages.

Featured Resource
How must the church and the family work together to accomplish God’s work in this world? Church and Family Life proclaims the sufficiency of Scripture to direct churches and families in the true worship of God.

What You Will Learn

• The LaPierres’ ninth child is named after George Müller (1:55)
• Scott’s salvation following his brother's death (3:19)
• Leaving the Roman Catholic Church and how it affected his parents (11:09)
• About Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, Washington (17:46)
• About the spiritual climate of Pacific Northwest (24:02)
• Scott's process of sermon preparation and how it leads to book publishing (26:46)
• Benefits and disadvantages of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing (33:30)
• The typology of Genesis 22: How Abraham and Isaac foreshadow Christ (39:05)
• How the ongoing political/health crisis led to a church split and what came of it (41:06)
• Looking forward to upcoming conferences (47:29)

How to Follow Scott LaPierre

Personal website: scottlapierre.org
Facebook: ScottLapierreMinistries
Twitter: @PastorWCC
Instagram: @PastorWCC
LinkedIn: PastorWCC
YouTube: ScottLaPierre

Dr. Owen Strachan as a Christian intellectual has committed his life to bring theology into collision with culture.

About Our Guest

Dr. Owen Strachan is a prolific author and speaker, hosts The City of God podcast, and also directs The Residency PhD program of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He’s been married to his wife Bethany since 2006, and the Lord has blessed them with three children. 

What You Will Learn

• Why the late sexual revolution is continued evidence of Satan’s rebellion against God
• How Dr. Strachan came to faith as a child in New England
• How an early pursuit of politics fostered a desire for debate and cultural engagement
• How Christian intellectuals encouraged Dr. Strachan to engage culture with theology
• How reading a biography of Jonathan Edwards awoke in Dr. Strachan a passion for God-centered theology
• How Dr. Strachan determined to tackle despised doctrines in the church and the world
• How Dr. Strachan protects his writing time
• How a Reformational mindset keeps Christians contending for the faith
• How a rich theology sustains Christians in the face of worldly opposition

How to Follow Dr. Strachan

• Twitter: @ostrachan
• Facebook: OwenDStrachan
• Instagram: @profstrachan
• Center for Public Theology
• Thought Life blog on Patheos
• The City of God podcast

Dr. Owen Strachan as a Christian intellectual has committed his life to bring theology into collision with culture.

About Our Guest

Dr. Owen Strachan is a prolific author and speaker, hosts The City of God podcast, and also directs The Residency PhD program of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He’s been married to his wife Bethany since 2006, and the Lord has blessed them with three children. 

What You Will Learn

• Why the late sexual revolution is continued evidence of Satan’s rebellion against God
• How Dr. Strachan came to faith as a child in New England
• How an early pursuit of politics fostered a desire for debate and cultural engagement
• How Christian intellectuals encouraged Dr. Strachan to engage culture with theology
• How reading a biography of Jonathan Edwards awoke in Dr. Strachan a passion for God-centered theology
• How Dr. Strachan determined to tackle despised doctrines in the church and the world
• How Dr. Strachan protects his writing time
• How a Reformational mindset keeps Christians contending for the faith
• How a rich theology sustains Christians in the face of worldly opposition

How to Follow Dr. Strachan

• Twitter: @ostrachan
• Facebook: OwenDStrachan
• Instagram: @profstrachan
• Center for Public Theology
• Thought Life blog on Patheos
• The City of God podcast