The Everyday Pastor

Ministry is about a lot of things, but central to the task is preparing people to die and face their Creator. This is deeply challenging, though, in a death-denying age. In this episode, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst welcome Matt McCullough—a pastor in Nashville and the author of two excellent books, ‘Remember Death’ and ‘Remember Heaven’—to discuss how to shepherd God’s people to embrace their mortality, anticipate their heavenly inheritance, and make the most of their lives.Resources Mentioned:Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope by Matt McCulloughDoes God Love Everyone? (Church Questions) by Matt McCulloughRemember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime by Matt McCulloughThe Saints' Everlasting Rest: Updated and Abridgedby Richard Baxter, abridged by Tim Cooper

Every church has the privilege of thinking about how to best serve the children and youth entrusted to its care. In this episode, Jared Kennedy joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to discuss various ministry models and best practices, as well as wisdom for equipping parents, selecting curriculum, vetting volunteers, caring for children with special needs, and more. Resources Mentioned:Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families, by Sandra PeoplesDid the Resurrection Really Happen?, by Timothy Paul JonesGospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide, by Cameron Cole and Jon NielsonSame Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability, by Stephanie O. HubachThe Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the World, by Trevin Wax and Thomas WestWhere Is God in a World with So Much Evil?, by Collin HansenSee Jesus Ministries (Paul Miller)Simply the Gospel: Resource Library

Real friendship is an irreplaceable gift from God. Without it we will struggle—and shrivel—as humans made for one another. Pastors know this, and yet ministry can be exceedingly lonely. In this episode, Garrett Kell joins Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst to discuss how a busy pastor can foster (and maintain) meaningful, life-giving friendships amid the complicated dynamics of ministry.Recommended Resources:Augustine of Hippo: A Biography, by Peter BrownMade for Friendship: The Relationship That Halves Our Sorrows and Doubles Our Joys, by Drew HunterThe Four Loves, by C.S. LewisTim Keller on the Christian Life, by Matt SmethurstWise Counsel, by John Newton

In a special crossover episode of The Everyday Pastor and Gospelbound, Wesley Huff joins Lig, Matt, and Collin to discuss the role of apologetics in pastoral ministry. How can pastors excel in giving a compelling reason for the hope within us—and train others to do the same? Drawing from both academic expertise and personal experience, Huff offers various cautions and tips for everyday pastors and believers. He shares examples of good apologists today, recommends books, and answers a lightning round of classic objections to the Christian faith.

How do you prioritize health? How do you stay sharp? Can you be friends with church members? How do you care for your wife? When’s a time you were wrong? How do you choose what to preach? And many, many more questions pastors may be asking.In this special episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan answer listener-submitted questions, recorded live at TGC’s 2025 National Conference.

“Walk to a wedding, but run to a funeral.” So advised an older pastor to a young Ligon Duncan.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst discuss the powerful opportunity that funerals present to hold out gospel hope, as well as common pitfalls and practical advice for navigating dynamics surrounding the death of a loved one.Recommended Resources:Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope  by Matt McCulloughRemember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime  by Matt McCullough

Joni Eareckson Tada knows a thing or two about suffering. Ever since a diving accident left her paralyzed nearly 60 years ago, she has given eloquent testimony to the sovereign goodness of our Savior.In this powerful episode of The Everyday Pastor, Joni joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to share lessons she’s learned about enduring hardship, and practical advice for pastors who wish to care for sufferers well.Resources mentioned:Joni and FriendsSongs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls by Joni Eareckson TadaThe Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior Joni: An Unforgettable StoryJoni and Ken: An Untold Love StoryDiamonds in the Dust: 366 Sparkling DevotionsWhen God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty

Every pastor has the joy (at least usually it’s a joy) of officiating Christian weddings, which can be a beautiful picture of the gospel. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst offer practical advice for stewarding these opportunities and making the most of a wedding weekend.

Two years ago today, Tim Keller went to be with the Lord. Using Matt’s new book—Tim Keller on the Christian Life, published by Crossway—as a discussion guide, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst reflect on underappreciated teachings from Tim’s body of work.

Ministering to the women in our churches and equipping them to disciple one another is a privilege. But how can pastors do this well?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Ligon Duncan and Matt Smethurst welcome Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor to the podcast. They draw from extensive experience to discuss practical tips for cultivating a healthy women’s ministry in your local church.

Show us a church with distracted elders, and we’ll show you a church without effective deacons. For better or worse, deacons are difference-makers in congregational life. But when it comes to this topic, too many churches are operating from custom and tradition—with Bibles closed.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan revisit the Bible’s job description for deacons, highlighting what these servants are (and are not) meant to do. Don’t underestimate this glorious office.

Last week, we considered what elders are, biblically speaking, and which traits should characterize a candidate for the office.In this follow-up episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan get even more “nuts and boltsy,” discussing tips for working with fellow elders, leading elders’ meetings, establishing healthy cultural dynamics, and more.Recommended resources:“Want to Be an Elder? Start Eldering Now.” by Bobby JamiesonChurch Elders: How to Shepherd God's People Like Jesus (Building Healthy Churches) by Jeramie Rinne

There are few greater gifts for a pastor than getting to serve with a godly band of brothers. But not every church has multiple elders—and not every elder team functions in a healthy way.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss what elders are, why every church should seek to have them, and what a pastor should be looking for in potential elders.Recommended resources: Christ’s Call to Discipleship by James BoiceThe Elder and His Work by David Dickson“Want to Be an Elder? Start Eldering Now.” by Bobby JamiesonThe Path to Being a Pastor by Bobby Jamieson“On Transitioning to Elders - Part 2”

It’s the most important book in the universe, but it can also be intimidating. Many of our members may be discouraged to admit that their resolutions have sputtered out—again. As pastors, how can we prepare and motivate our members to dive into God’s Word for themselves?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan share practical tips for promoting a culture of biblical literacy in the local church.Recommended resources: Matt Smethurst at Southern SeminaryBible Talk by 9MarksFor a full list of recommended resources on this episode, visit our website.

Pastors are called to walk alongside suffering saints, but what about when the pastor is the sufferer?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, pastor Garrett Kell joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to share about a season of family hardship—and what it looked like to receive care from his church community. He testifies to the beauty of Christ’s body and the faith-fortifying role of pain, encouraging shepherds to remember that they, too, are among Christ’s sheep.

Every pastor affirms the importance of prayer and likely excels at it publicly, but consistency in private prayer is hard. And it isn't easy to foster a congregation-wide culture of prayer.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practical tips for improving your prayer life—and the praying habits of your whole congregation. After all, a church that will be found faithful is a church that will be found praying.Recommended resources:A Way to Pray by Matthew Henry5 Things to Pray for Your Kids by Melissa Kruger5 Things to Pray for Your Spouse: Prayers That Change and Strengthen Your Marriage by Michael and Melissa KrugerI'm Praying for You: 40 Days of Praying the Bible for Someone Who Is Suffering by Nancy GuthriePrayers on the Psalms by David Calhoun (ed.)Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation by Don  Carson

Leadership is an art, and many pastors get it wrong—sometimes with devastating results.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Paul Tripp joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to discuss how a pastor can lead well for the flourishing of the whole church. The conversation touches on the importance of fostering a healthy leadership community, the gift of limits, responding to criticism and praise, the difference-making role of gospel grace, and more.Recommended resources:Dangerous Calling by Paul David TrippLead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David TrippInstruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp

Theology is vital for life. We know this as pastors, but do our members? Are we helping them to grow in thinking theologically?In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss practical ways to promote deeper love for God’s truth. After all, how our people view him will make all the difference in their lives.

When Paul lists elder qualifications, he mentions Satan twice (1 Tim. 3:6–7). Why? The devil loves to stalk and destroy shepherds. And one of his main strategies is tempting us toward little compromises—which never remain little—in the realm of sexual purity.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Garrett Kell joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to discuss lessons he’s learned the hard way, how to foster transparency among leadership, practical tools for pursuing purity, and more.Recommended resource: Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the Promises of God by Garrett Kell

Assurance of salvation is a deeply precious gift, but many Christians struggle to experience it. Pastors have the unique privilege—and challenge—of being “soul doctors” in our people’s lives.In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss how to apply the gospel to nominal Christians (who shouldn’t have assurance), struggling Christians (who should), and all Christ’s sheep who are meant to revel in marvelous news: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).