For the Church Podcast

Episode 260: FTC Mailbag

April 24, 2024 06:18 - 43 MB

A new mailbag installment of the FTC Pod is upon us! In this episode, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer your submitted questions and topics, including: when should pastors refer members to professional Christian counselors?, are church dress codes for those "on stage" reasonable?, preparing a small town church ready for city growth, when does a church plant become a "real" church?, is the age of accountability in the Bible?, what's the best thing about the American Church?, best resources...

Episode 259: Why Stories Matter

April 17, 2024 06:00 - 28.6 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about the importance of "story" as it pertains to our testimonies and to preaching and teaching, as well as the biblical and theological significance of the concept of story, before discussing Jared's new book The Storied Life: Christian Writing as Art and Worship. The Storied Life, designed for writers and artists of all kinds, is published by Zondervan and is available to order/purchase wherever you buy Christian books....

Episode 258: When a Church Changes

April 10, 2024 06:00 - 35.4 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss how mature Christians might learn to consider, process, and adjust when their churches change in a variety of ways, as well as how leaders might initiate change in a way that best positions a church for health and stability.

Episode 257: Grab Bag!

April 03, 2024 14:30 - 40.7 MB

The latest installment in our new Grab Bag! feature comes with a twist. This grab bag is a movie swap! Jared and Ross assigned movies to one another. Jared has to watch Ross's "Christian movie" recommendation. Ross has to watch Jared's "is it a Christian movie?" recommendation. Then they discuss. Will they like their assignments? Will they hate them? Listen in and find out.

Episode 256: What’s the Big Deal About the Resurrection?

March 27, 2024 06:00 - 32.5 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about the ways some churches celebrate Easter that seem to have little to do with the resurrection of Jesus, how to re-embrace the power of the full message of the gospel, and why we sometimes drift into resurrection amnesia.

Introducing the Heart of Pastoring Podcast

March 21, 2024 14:00 - 892 KB

Now available on the Midwestern Seminary podcast platform: The Heart of Pastoring, featuring hosts Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin. Listen in week by week as Jared and Ronnie reflect on the biblical qualifications for ministry with spiritual insights, pastoral reflections, and personal stories. Season 1 is is releasing now wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Episode 255: Raising Kids Who Love the Church

March 20, 2024 06:06 - 33.4 MB

Some estimates put the adult church dropout rate for kids raised going to church within evangelicalism at 70%! How do we help our kids love the church? On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson have a conversation about influencing our kids to grow up into adults who are committed to the family of God.

Episode 254: Being a Good Listener

March 13, 2024 06:00 - 29.9 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the art of listening. How can we make sure the people in our lives and churches feel heard? And why is that important? Included are some practical tips for becoming better listeners.

Episode 253: Ronnie Martin on the Pastor’s Inner Life

March 06, 2024 07:00 - 30.6 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson visits with returning guest Ronnie Martin about the inner life of our pastors.

Episode 252: Narcissism in the Church

February 28, 2024 07:00 - 32.2 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about the problem with narcissists in the life and leadership of the church. How do we spot narcissism? What is the cause? Is there any remedy? And how would I know if I am one?

Episode 251: FTC Mailbag

February 21, 2024 07:00 - 44.3 MB

On this latest Mailbag installment of the For the Church Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer your submitted questions and topics. This episode features discussion of: pastoral priorities, church first impressions, thoughts on church "vision," planting vs. revitalization, tailoring worship songs for generational attraction, how to know if you're called to ministry, and what "threat" Christian nationalism might pose to the church.

Episode 250: Grab Bag!

February 14, 2024 07:00 - 28.4 MB

It turns out the Grab Bag concept was a hit! Y'all liked the first episode with this concept so much, we're going to make it a regular feature on the program. In the Grab Bag episodes, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson each bring 2 surprise topics or questions for the other to answer.

Episode 249: Leading with Brokenness

February 07, 2024 07:00 - 29.3 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the ins and outs of ministry brokenness. AW Tozer once said, "Before God blesses a man greatly, he must hurt him deeply." Is that true? How does such thinking play out in terms of leading with transparency, honesty, and confession? What does it look like for ministers to lead with, from, and even *to* brokenness?

Episode 248: Thinking the Best of Each Other

January 31, 2024 07:00 - 49.6 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about a "hermeneutic of suspicion" in our relationships and the impact of viewing others this way upon our lives and local churches. Why should we "believe all things" about others? And how can we do that?

Episode 247: FTC Mailbag

January 24, 2024 07:00 - 47.4 MB

A new mailbag installment is here! A couple good questions on preaching, whether it's ever permissible to "sprinke" rather than immerse, what to do with an unqualified elder team, how important is it to know the biblical languages?, moving a church away from a senior pastor model, and more.

Episode 246: What Happened to the Gospel-Centered Movement?

January 17, 2024 07:00 - 38.7 MB

Is the gospel-centered movement dead? Are the young Reformed these days restless? What happened to gospel-centrality and why does it matter? Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss these questions and more on this week's episode of the FTC Podcast.

Episode 245: Resourcing Your Church

January 10, 2024 07:00 - 33.5 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson visits with Jonathan Carswell, CEO of 10 of Those, to talk about the unique ministry of effectively resourcing the church, the state of Christian readership, the importance of physical media, what one thing to look for in a Christian book, and how Christian leaders can better equip their own churches for quality reading.

Episode 244: The Problem with Resolutions

January 03, 2024 07:00 - 28.6 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the problems we run into when we make New Year's resolutions -- or resolutions of any kind -- and how to best handle new commitments and new habits in the Christian life.

Episode 243: The First Ever “FTC Grab Bag” Episode

December 27, 2023 07:00 - 39.1 MB

We start a new feature this week we're calling the FTC Grab Bag. Unlike the FTC Mailbag, where we answer your submitted questions and topics, on Grab Bag episodes Jared and Ross will each bring "surprise" topics or questions they want to discuss with each other. Will it be interesting? Will it go terribly? Tune in and find out.

Episode 242: The Annual Christmas Episode

December 20, 2023 07:00 - 37.3 MB

Why do the more traditional Christmas songs feel the most timeless? Mr. Christmas himself -- pastor and author Dr. Ronnie Martin -- is back for our annual Christmas episode. This time he and host Jared Wilson discuss their favorite Christmas music. And we have a BIG announcement to share at the end of the episode!

Episode 241: FTC Mailbag

December 13, 2023 07:00 - 27 MB

It's a Mailbag episode! On this week's For the Church Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer your questions and discuss your submitted topics, including how to handle burnout and ministry discouragement, advice for pastors who have unmarried couples who are cohabitating, developing a culture of Bible readers in the church, the place of apologetics or academic discussions in preaching, identifying potential elders, and even our favorite dad jokes.

Episode 240: Church Size Dynamics

December 06, 2023 07:00 - 39.1 MB

Different size churches experience different cultural and communal dynamics. Different size churches need different kinds of leadership, as well. On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about how church size affects church experience and church ministry.

Episode 239: The Great De-Churching

November 29, 2023 07:00 - 33 MB

We are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. It is greater than the First and Second Great Awakening and every revival in our country combined...but in the opposite direction. On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson chats with Jim Davis and Michael Graham, co-authors of the new book The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?, about the eye-opening and challenging findings of the first-eve...

Episode 238: An Attitude of Thanksgiving

November 22, 2023 07:00 - 25.1 MB

On this special Thanksgiving week episode of the For The Church Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving in the Christian life year-round.

Episode 237: The Trajectory of Apostasy

November 15, 2023 07:00 - 37.2 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the peculiar tragedy of those who evidently "fall away." Are there warning signs before apostasy? What should we look out for and how can we address the red flags in biblical and gracious ways?

Episode 236: When It’s Hard to Forgive

November 08, 2023 07:00 - 35.1 MB

What's the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? Why is it so hard to forgive? Do we have to forgive everybody? On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross tackle these difficult questions and discuss why we have such trouble with forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation.

Episode 235: FTC Mailbag

November 01, 2023 06:00 - 44.2 MB

In this Mailbag installment of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross answer your questions. This week's episode features discussions of devotional resources, whether pastors' parsonages are a good idea, reasonable vacational policies for pastors, the influence of global evangelicalism, ministering to older saints, unique cautions for churches pursuing gospel-centrality, and more.

Episode 234: Can We “Do Life Together?”

October 25, 2023 06:00 - 37.3 MB

How can church members foster a greater sense of community with each other? What does it mean to "do life together," and is it even possible in our Western culture? Jared and Ross talk about the possibilities and the pitfalls of experiencing community with other believers.

Episode 233: Rediscovering Prayer

October 18, 2023 06:00 - 43.1 MB

Find it difficult to pray? Struggle with sluggishness or a wandering mind in your quiet times? You're not alone. On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross talk about ways to reinvigorate our approach to prayer.

Episode 232: Spiritual Warfare

October 11, 2023 06:00 - 34.5 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the biblical portrait of spiritual warfare and what it means for the everyday Christian life. Plus: a BIG announcement!

Episode 231: FTC Mailbag

October 04, 2023 06:00 - 40.4 MB

Everybody's favorite feature is back! On this FTC Mailbag episode, Jared and Ross respond to listener-submitted questions and topics like pastoring without seminary, terms for elders, restoring disqualified pastors, what happens to the soul when someone dies, whether SBC churches should bring into membership those baptized as infants, and more.

Episode 230: Our Most Influential Authors

September 27, 2023 06:00 - 29.8 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the authors who have most influenced them and edified them in their Christian walk.

Episode 229: Congregation Pet Peeves

September 20, 2023 06:00 - 35.2 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson return to the popular "pet peeves" series and turn the tables! Instead of focusing on peeves about leaders, we look at some annoying habits in congregations, with warmth and affection, of course, and an eye toward how to better love our churches and their leaders.

Episode 228: Caring for the Poor

September 13, 2023 06:00 - 33.1 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the vital ministry of the church's care for the poor and marginalized. Why is it important? What does the Bible say about it? And how can our churches better facilitate this ministry corporately and individually?

Episode 227: FTC Mailbag

September 06, 2023 06:05 - 50.4 MB

It's another Mailbag installment of the FTC Podcast. This time Jared and Ross discuss listener-submitted questions on patriotic worship services, difficult books of the Bible, communicating to a church a pastor's transition, discipleship with and for the disabled, how to know when one is ready to take a lead pastorate, and more.

Episode 226: Friendship with the Friend of Sinners

August 30, 2023 06:00 - 34.1 MB

Reunited and it feels so goooood! On this episode of the FTC Podcast, former co-host Ronni Kurtz returns as a guest to talk with Jared about Jared's new book Friendship with the Friend of Sinners and the remarkable possibility of closeness with Jesus.

Episode 225: Rediscovering Your Love for the Bible

August 23, 2023 06:00 - 42.3 MB

Has your Bible reading time grown stagnant? Feel like you're in a rut or stalled out in some way? In this episode, Jared and Ross talk about some ways to reinvigorate your Bible study time, including a few ways they've personally experienced refreshing in their time in God's word.

Episode 224: When Church Meetings Go Wild

August 16, 2023 06:00 - 50.3 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross talk about how and why church business/member meetings sometimes go off the rails and how both leaders and laity can pursue greater unity and more peace in these important events in a church’s community life.

Episode 223: Christian Social Media Pet Peeves

August 09, 2023 06:00 - 46.8 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, the guys discuss the different "annoying" types one finds in Christian social media spheres and then offer some brief words of advice on how to enhance one's use of the platforms.

Episode 222: FTC Mailbag

August 02, 2023 06:00 - 54.9 MB

In this Mailbag installment of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer listener-submtted questions on life and ministry. This episode includes topics like the challenge of AI to ministry, how bivo pastors can manage preaching load, what to do with those “unteachable” members, how you shouldn’t discipline your church Eeyores, and more.

Episode 221: What the World Wants in a Pastor

July 26, 2023 06:00 - 42.2 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson look at the biblical qualifications for pastors and how both the culture’s and oftentimes the church’s expectations differ.

Episode 220: Most Embarrassing Preacher Stories

July 19, 2023 06:00 - 48.3 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss their most embarrassing moments in the pulpit.

Episode 219: What Does Revival Look Like?

July 12, 2023 06:00 - 41.3 MB

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the happenings at Asbury College and dig into the historical apprasial of genuine revival as our measurements for true revival today.

Episode 218: FTC Mailbag

July 05, 2023 13:32 - 28.4 MB

It’s another Mailbag installment of the FTC Podcast, with Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answering listener-submitted questions and topics, including counseling baptism for children, pastoral recovery from pandemic burnout, and more. Due to technical difficulties, this episode’s recording was cut shorter than usual Mailbag episodes. We will make up for it in the next installment!

For the Church Podcast

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