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View from the Pulpit with Ben Smith

View from the Pulpit with Ben Smith

By: Ben Smith
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Discover why preaching is fundamentally central to every church with "View from the Pulpit" hosted by pastor Ben Smith. Each episode will feature interviews with pastors and church members exploring the role of preaching, the labor of preparing to preach, the effectiveness of how one preaches, and so much more. This podcast is about preaching, but it is not just for preachers. Whether each Sunday you are behind the pulpit or in the pew, tune in for engaging conversations that will help you better understand why preaching is vital to the church's health.

@2025 View from the Pulpit with Ben Smith Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • Episode 15: A Conversation with Mitch Hall

    Episode 15: A Conversation with Mitch Hall
    Jun 2 2025

    Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 15, A Conversation with Mitch Hall

    Episode Theme: Building relationships and relying on the Holy Spirit

    In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Mitch Hall, Pastor of Mershon Baptist Church, Mershon, GA, about his experience of being called to preach later in life, the unique ministry demands of a rural church, and the importance of building authentic relationships with church members. Mitch shares how successful ministry is dependent on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the blessing he received through the mentorship of an older pastor. And Ben and Mitch have a few laughs as they recount lighter ministry moments.

    Key Highlights:

    Called to be involved in the lives of church members: Mitch shares how the ministry requires personal investment and involvement in the lives of church members.

    The necessity of Holy Spirit empowerment: Mitch explains that faithful ministry depends on being empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.

    The power of prayer: Mitch describes how a call to prayer changed his church’s response to Lord’s Day worship.

    The gift of mentorship: Mitch shares an older pastor helped his ministry and mentored him during the early days of his pastoral ministry.

    How to balance loving your congregation and speaking hard truths: Mitch speaks honestly about the importance of accountable relationships within the church that help guard faithfulness in the pulpit.

    Join Ben Smith and Mitch Hall for an informative discussion on authentic ministry, church community relationships, and biblically faithful preaching.

    Host: Ben Smith

    Guest: Mitch Hall

    Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

    For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org

    Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr

    For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/

    Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

    All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

    Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

    Mitch Hall is the pastor of Mershon Baptist Church, Mershon, GA, where he has served since 2015. Before his ministry with Mershon Baptist, he served as youth pastor of Rehobeth Baptist Church, Blackshear, GA.

    For more information on Mershon Baptist Church, Mershon, GA, visit https://www.facebook.com/mershonbaptist/.

    A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

    Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 14: A Conversation with Clint Pressley

    Episode 14: A Conversation with Clint Pressley
    May 26 2025
    Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 14: A Conversation with Clint Pressley Episode Theme: A Lifelong LaborIn this episode, Pastor Pressley shares how God has shaped and matured him as a pastor and how he continues to strive to be a more effective communicator of God’s word.Key Highlights:Learning to preach: Clint shares how his early opportunities to pastor and preach were vital opportunities to learn how to communicate God’s word effectively.Handwritten manuscripts: In a world of technology, Pastor Pressley has found it helpful to handwrite his sermon notes. He shares his preparation process and why handwriting is helpful to his preparation and preaching.State of the pulpits in the Southern Baptist Convention: As president of the Southern Baptist Convention, pastor Pressley has a unique perspective on SBC churches and pastors. Pastor Pressley shares his thoughts on the present state and future of SBC pulpits.The recovery of a biblical understanding of the office of pastor/elder/overseer: In recent years, the Southern Baptist Convention has struggled to recover a biblical understanding of this office. Pastor Pressley shares his thoughts and perspective on where the SBC is on this issue.Challenges of a multi-campus church: Hickory Grove Baptist Church has multiple campuses. Pastor Pressley shares the advantages and challenges of a multi-site church.The pastor's uniform: Pastor Pressley is well known for being a sharp dresser. Pastor Pressley explains the background of why he dresses as he does and why it is more convictional than preferential. Join Ben Smith and Clint Pressley for an honest and authentic conversation on how God uses and matures those he calls to preach.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Clint Pressley Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, NC.For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, NC, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.Other podcasts by Ben Smith:All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod Clint Pressley has served as Senior Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 2010.A native of Charlotte, Clint joined Hickory Grove as a teenager before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Wofford College in South Carolina and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisiana. He pastored two churches in Mississippi before returning to Hickory Grove in 1999 as Senior Associate Pastor of Preaching. In 2004, he was called as Senior Pastor of the historic Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. In 2010, he returned to Hickory Grove as Co-Pastor and was installed as Senior Pastor in 2011.In June 2024, Clint was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served the Convention as Vice President of the SBC Pastor’s Conference in 2013, First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2014-2015, Trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015, and member of the NC Baptist Board of Directors since 2023.Clint is married to Connie, and they have two sons.For more information on Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC, visit https://www.hickorygrove.org/.You can listen to Pastor Clint Pressley preach on the Hickory Grove Baptist Church sermon podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hickory-grove-baptist-church/id589559966Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2S798kxI65HeYnRWbxw7z7?si=f583a79992d141f0 Clint Pressley can be found online at:X: http://x.com/PastorClintInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintpressley A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.
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    51 mins
  • Episode 13: A Conversation with Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson

    Episode 13: A Conversation with Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson
    May 19 2025

    Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 13, A Conversation with Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson

    Episode Theme: Seasons and Challenges of Preaching

    In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson, Transitional Pastor of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Griffin, GA, about his journey through various stages of pastoral ministry. Dr. Patterson discusses his transition from topical to expository preaching, the impact of his health issues on his ministry, and the importance of genuine and non-performative preaching. The conversation covers practical aspects of sermon preparation, the significance of personal illustrations, and the necessity of maintaining connections with the community outside the church. Ben and Jimmy Dale also discuss the role of criticism from the congregation and one’s spouse in refining one’s preaching and ministry.

    Key Highlights:

    God’s grace: Jimmy Dale shares how God deepened his understanding of the Bible and transformed his preaching from topical to exegetical. (2:33)

    Balance of ministry and community involvement: Jimmy Dale talks about how he balanced the demands of ministry while seeking opportunities to connect to the community and have a gospel witness beyond the church. (12:53)

    Weekly sermon preparation process: Jimmy Dale describes his sermon preparation process. (23:40)

    Health Challenges and God’s Grace: Jimmy Dale shares how recent health challenges have impacted his ministry and how God has demonstrated his grace through them. (38:06)

    Advice for Young Pastors: With remarkable candor, Jimmy Dale shares powerful wisdom for young pastors. (43:27)

    Join Ben Smith and Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson for an insightful discussion on preaching, church ministry, and celebrating the grace of God.

    Host: Ben Smith

    Guest: Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson

    Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

    For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org

    Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr

    For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/

    Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

    All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

    Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

    Dr. Jimmy Dale Patterson is the transitional pastor of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Griffin, GA, where he has served since 2024. Prior to his work as a transitional pastor, he served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Newnan, GA. He has served churches in Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Jimmy Dale graduated from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX.

    For more information on Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Griffin, GA, visit https://mgbc.org./

    For more information on First Baptist Church, Newnan, GA, visit https://www.fbcnewnan.org/

    A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

    Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.
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    58 mins
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