Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 7 A Conversation with Bob Richardson

Episode Theme: The difference between a talk and a sermon

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Bob Richardson, senior pastor of Altamaha Baptist Church, Jesup, GA, about his preparation process, sermon illustrations, and preaching lessons he has learned.

Key Highlights:

How to make your Bible for preaching: Bob explains how he marks his Bible to assist his preaching.

Sermon Illustrations: Bob talks about his approach to sermon illustrations

Helpful Criticism: Bob advocates for the benefits of developing relationships with those who can give helpful criticism and coaching to help you become a better preacher.

Joys and hardships of preaching: Bob describes the difficult labor of preparing to preach and the great joy of being able to proclaim God’s word to the church.

Challenges of Bi-vocational ministry: Bob served in a bi-vocational role for some of his ministry. He shares some of the difficulties of bi-vocational ministry and how God used this time to discipline his preparation time.

Join Ben Smith and Bob Richardson for a candid discussion of how God has matured and grown their understanding of and approach to preaching.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Bob Richardson

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

Bob Richardson is the senior pastor of Altamaha Baptist Church, Jesup, GA.

Pastor Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from Valdosta State University and served as a bi-vocational pastor and schoolteacher for 10 years.

Prior to his ministry with Altamaha Baptist Church, Bob served as pastor of Sand Hill Baptist in Race Pond, Georgia, Calvary Baptist Church in Waycross, Georgia (2006-2013), and First Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Bob earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a second Master of Arts degree in Missiology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has served in various leadership roles in two Baptist associations and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

You can find video of Bob Richardson’s preaching at https://altamahabaptistchurch.org/sermons/.

For more information on Altamaha Baptist church, visit https://altamahabaptistchurch.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.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 6

Episode Theme: The Preacher as Pastor

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Rusty Grace, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Waycross, Georgia, about the vital role of preaching and pastoral ministry in today’s churches. Together, they discuss sermon preparation, a little church history, and the challenges of sermon illustrations.

Key Highlights:

Preaching and Worship Planning: Rusty discusses how he plans the worship service in relation to the text he will preach.

Preaching Illustrations: Rusty discusses the dangers and blessings of sermon illustration.

Join Ben Smith and pastor Rusty Grace for a helpful discussion on the importance of preaching and its relationship to the church’s worship and ministry.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Rusty Grace

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

Rusty Grace is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Waycross, GA, where he has served since 2019. He and his wife, Lauren Grace, currently have five children and anticipate soon the adoption finalization of their sixth. For more information about pastor Grace and his church, visit https://fpcwaycross.com/.

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.

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 5: A Conversation with Freddie Smith

Episode Theme: A lifetime of faithfulness

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with retired Freddie Smith about his 63 years of pastoral ministry and the insights he has gained.

Key Highlights:

Importance of exhortation: Freddie Smith talks about the importance of exhortation in preaching.

Importance of Calling: Freddie Smith explains how the call of God in his life has encouraged him and helped him remain faithful to preaching the gospel.

Fear of God vs Fear of Man: Freddie Smith and Pastor Smith discuss how the fear of man will hinder faithful preaching and the importance of a healthy fear of God to compel a man to faithfully preach God’s word.

Changes in church culture: Pastor Ben and Freddie Smith discuss the importance of approaching the pulpit with a sense of holiness and respect.

Join Ben Smith and Freddie Smith for a helpful discussion of drawing on the wisdom gained from 63 years of pastoral ministry.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Freddie Smith

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

Freddie Smith has been preaching for over 63 years. He has served churches in Florida and Georgia, including First Baptist Church, Naples, FL; Central Baptist Church, Sanford, FL; and Sweat Memorial Baptist Church, Waycross, GA. He is the author of Revival Our Survival. Though retired from full-time ministry, Freddie continues to preach regularly.

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.