Episode 270: Baptists on Baptism
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.
Episode 268: FTC Mailbag
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!
Episode 265: Dealing with Criticism
We all swim in a sea of negativity every day, but how should Christians process and respond to specific criticism that comes their way? Whether pastors receiving criticism from their congregations or everyday believers receiving critical words from others, what’s the biblical response to hearing criticism?
Episode 264: FTC Mailbag
Let’s check the mailbag! In the latest installment of the FTC Podcast’s most popular feature, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss your submitted question and topics, including: positives and negatives of VBS, avoiding pragmatism, church mergers, disagreeing with a senior pastor’s ministry philosophy, can pastors have close friends in the church?, picking songs for Sunday worship, and . . . church potlucks? Yes, even a question on church potlucks. (Jared and Ross have strong opinions.) Listen in and submit your own questions/topics for the next mailbag ep via [email protected]
Episode 260: FTC Mailbag
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 for training church leaders in gospel-centrality, and opinions about the streaming show The Chosen. You can submit a question or topic for the Mailbag any time via social media or via email at [email protected]
Episode 9: Not Greedy
Does anyone go into ministry for the money? Maybe. Jared and Ronnie didn’t think they’d have a lot to say about the pursuit of money — and what the apostle Peter calls “shameful gain” — but they did. And it turns out ministerial greed and shameful gain isn’t just about money. There are other things pastors often succumb to becoming greedy about. In this conversation, our hosts explore the variety of ways pastors pursue discontentment, gluttony for things and experiences, and even how congregations can help pastors avoid financial (and other kinds of) anxiety and unrest.
Episode 258: When a Church Changes
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 8: Not a Bully but Gentle
Is gentleness the lost art of pastoring? The apostle Paul forbids pastors from being bullies and from being quarrelsome, but many pastors (and churchgoers) today seem to think these qualifications are optional and even valorize ministerial violence, manipulation, and conflict. In this honest conversation, Jared and Ronnie share some of their own experiences serving under bully pastors, what sows the seeds of abuse in ministers, and how to pursue not an image of peace but a heart and reality of peace.
Episode 7: Able to Teach
Does every pastor need to be gifted in the pulpit? Does every pastor need to be an academic or a scholar? What does the biblical qualification of pastors that they be “able to teach” actually mean? Jared and Ronnie, two long-time preachers and teachers, have a straightforward conversation in this episode about the place of creativity and eloquence in preaching and teaching, the non-negotiable basics of the teaching qualification, pursuing clarity in our communication, and what it takes to “find your voice” as a teacher.
Episode 255: Raising Kids Who Love the Church
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.