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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 17: A Conversation with Dr. Bart Barber

    Episode 17: A Conversation with Dr. Bart Barber
    Jun 16 2025
    Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 17: A Conversation with Pastor Dr. Bart Barber. Episode Theme: “I will occasionally explain myself.”In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Dr. Bart Barber, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Farmersville, TX, about how to integrate systematic theology with Biblical theology through expositional preaching, effectively utilize original language study in preaching, and his unique method of sermon preparation process. Key Highlights:· The challenge of demographic changes: Dr. Barber describes how the rural context in which his church has existed throughout its history has been transformed by population growth, and the effect and challenges this has had on his preaching, especially in relation to the sermon illustrations he uses.· Integration of systematic theology with biblical theology: Dr. Barber describes his approach to expository preaching and preaching through books of the Bible. He explains how this approach is focused on biblical theology and how he often preaches a conclusory sermon series to integrate a systematic theological approach to issues that were prominent in the book.· Use of original languages in preparation and preaching: Dr. Barber is an accomplished scholar in biblical languages, having conducted extensive academic work in both Greek and Hebrew. He explains how he integrates his linguistic expertise into his preaching and offers suggestions on how anyone, regardless of their linguistic ability, can engage in basic language studies.· Preparing to preach months in advance: During his PhD studies, Dr. Barber recognized that meeting the academic demands while handling the regular and often unexpected demands of ministry required that he prepare his sermon well in advance. Dr. Barber explains how he plans and prepares a year’s worth of sermons during an intensive week dedicated to this singular task. Join Ben Smith and Dr. Bart Barber for a fascinating conversation about expository preaching and how to be most faithful when proclaiming God’s word.Host: Ben SmithGuest: Dr. Bart BarberBen 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-allforthekingdomSermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspodBart Barber has served as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, since 1999. At an associational summer camp at the Mount Zion Baptist Camp in Walcott, Arkansas, Bart surrendered to pastoral ministry in the summer of 1981. The following year, just prior to the start of his senior year in high school, he assumed the pastorate at New Hope Baptist Church in Black Oak, Arkansas.A National Merit Scholar, Dr. Barber earned his BA in the University Scholars program with an emphasis in Greek and Hebrew from Baylor University, Waco, TX. He would go on to earn an MDiv with advanced standing in biblical languages, a PhD in church history, and a minor in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Bart has served in various denominational capacities with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. At the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, June 14-15, 2022, Bart was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Tracy, have two children.Find Dr. Barber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbartbarber/Follow Dr. Barber on X: https://x.com/bartbarberListen to Pastor Barber’s latest sermons on:· YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drbartbarber· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hINKd4GBOMJ8RxrFMqZ3d Glossary of Key TermsBiblical Theology: The study of what a particular book, chapter, or section of the Bible conveys about a specific theme or doctrine, examined on its own terms within its historical and literary context.Christology: The study of the nature and person of Jesus Christ, including his divinity and humanity.Conclusory Sermons: A series of sermons preached after completing an expository series through a book, designed to summarize and emphasize key doctrinal themes found within that book.Eschatology: The study of the "last things" or end times, including topics such as the second coming of Christ, the millennium, and the final judgment.Exegesis (Exegetical Work): The critical interpretation and explanation of a biblical text, involving careful study of the original languages, historical context, and literary features.Expository Preaching: A style of preaching that aims to ...
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 16: A Conversation with Wayne Woods

    Episode 16: A Conversation with Wayne Woods
    Jun 9 2025

    Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 16: A Conversation with Wayne Woods

    Episode Theme: A preacher’s preparation and the role of preaching in the church

    In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Wayne Woods, pastor of Ten Mile Baptist Church in Alma, GA, about how God called him to the ministry, how he learned to preach, and the relationship between preaching and pastoral care.

    Key Highlights:

    Call to Ministry: Woods discusses how God worked in his life to call him to ministry after a full career with the United States Navy and how the maturity with which he entered the ministry helped him in his pastoral work.

    Learning to Preach: Woods shares lessons he learned in seminary and beyond on how to prepare a sermon and how to preach.

    All Preaching is Invitational: Sometimes, only the final conclusion of a sermon is considered invitational to respond to the gospel. Pastor Woods shares how every part of the sermon should be an invitation to the gospel.

    Making the Gospel Clear: Pastor Woods and Ben discuss the need to be graciously bold with a clear gospel message in every context, and as the culture grows more secular, there is a growing appreciation for the true gospel.

    Join Ben Smith and Wayne Woods for a straightforward discussion of the calling of God to preach, the power of God to use His word, and the joys and sorrows of faithful ministry.

    Host: Ben Smith

    Guest: Wayne Woods

    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

    Wayne Woods is the pastor of Ten Mile Baptist Church, Alma, GA. He has served churches in Georgia and Alabama. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Woods served as a U.S. Navy pilot flying P3 Orion sub-hunters. After retiring from the Navy and working a few years in the private sector, Woods felt called of God to the ministry. On an Easter Sunday, Woods said yes to God and immediately made plans to begin his seminary studies at Mid-America Baptist Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee.

    Wayne and his wife, June, have two adult children.

    For more information on Ten Mile Baptist Church, Alma, GA, visit https://tenmilebaptist.com/

    You can find videos of Wayne Woods’s preaching at the Facebook page of Ten Mile Baptist Church https://www.facebook.com/tenmile.baptist

    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 2 mins
  • 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
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