In this roundtable-style episode, Ben is joined by friends Job Dalomba and Stephen Spinnenweber to discuss two weighty themes from Pastoral Theology by Thomas Murphy: Preaching as the Minister’s Chief Calling, and Christ as the Sum and Substance of All Preaching.

“The minister ought, by all means, to cultivate a very high appreciation of the importance of preaching, and to concentrate on it all his energies. The hour in the pulpit he should look upon as the harvest hour of the week. Everything else in the life, studies, and other duties of his office should be made to centre upon this his most momentous work.” -Thomas Murphy

“If we do not preach [Christ and His great salvation], our ministry is nothing. It is without authority, without spirit, without power, without an adequate object, and will be without any substantial results for good.” -Thomas Murphy

"Don't you know, young man, that from every town and from every village and from every little hamlet in England, wherever it may be, there is a road to London? And so from every text in Scripture there is a road to the metropolis of the Scriptures, that is Christ. And, my dear brother, your business is when you get to a text, to say, 'Now, what is the road to Christ?' And then preach a sermon running along the road to the great metropolis, Christ. I have never yet found a text that had not a road to Christ in it; and if ever I do find one that has not, I will make one. I will go over a hedge and ditch but I will get at my Master, for the sermon cannot do any good unless there be a flavor of Christ in it." -Charles Spurgeon

“Christ, and him crucified, was the one theme for the preaching of which the ministry was appointed. There is no other conceivable object which was worthy of the establishment and perpetuation of such a sacred office. And it is with us either the preaching of Christ or nothing. We have no title to our ministry excepting what is involved in this.” -Thomas Murphy

(Quotations taken from 2025 Log College Press edition of Pastoral Theology pages 161-166, 179-187)

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Matt Adams joins Ben to explore the significance of preaching, focusing on Matt's personal journey from a Pentecostal background to becoming a Presbyterian minister.

They discuss the philosophy of preaching, emphasizing the importance of explaining and applying biblical texts in a Christ-centered manner. Matt shares his sermon preparation process, detailing how he maps out sermon series and the mechanics of writing and delivering sermons, highlighting the need for personal engagement with the text.

Adams even shares a story from his exciting Pentecostal upbringing.

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Ben walks through Romans 10:1–15—a passage that not only clarifies how sinners are saved, but how that salvation reaches them: through preaching.

Paul gives us a chain of logic that leads to a staggering conclusion: salvation depends on the preached Word. We explore the implications of that truth—for hearers of preaching and for those who do the preaching. Romans 10 raises the stakes of every sermon and frames the pulpit as a place where Christ Himself addresses His people.

Rom. 10:14-15 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

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Ben sits down with Logan Almy to explore the heart of a preacher’s calling, the mechanics of sermon preparation, and the necessity of unction in the pulpit. Logan shares his story—from a Southern Baptist upbringing and powerful high school conversion experience to a Presbyterian pulpit shaped by personal trials, theological clarity, and a longing for power in preaching.

Together, they discuss the theology of preaching, the role of seminary and pastoral mentorship, and how personal godliness fuels faithful ministry. Logan opens up about preparing sermons in dry seasons, preaching through criticism, and his deep conviction that Christ continues His prophetic office through fallible men by His Spirit.

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Ben Ratliff and Jim McCarthy explore the journey of ministry, focusing on the call to preaching, the tools and practices involved in sermon preparation, and the importance of personal piety in a minister's life.

Jim shares his experiences from his early days in ministry, the growth of his preaching style, and the challenges he faces in balancing sermon preparation with other pastoral responsibilities. The discussion emphasizes the significance of being grounded in faith and the necessity of prayer in the life of a preacher.

They discuss the necessity of private worship, the importance of learning from older ministers, and the value of teachability in ministry. McCarthy emphasizes the need for ministers to have a clear conscience and to genuinely cherish Christ in their own lives to effectively preach to their congregations. The conversation also highlights the significance of mentorship and the impact of older brothers in faith, culminating in the joy and privilege of proclaiming the Word of God.

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Ben Ratliff sits down with James Logan, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. James shares his journey into pastoral ministry—from teaching Bible in private schools to discovering a call to pulpit ministry at RTS Jackson—and how that call has taken root in the rhythms of small-town church life.

Together, they discuss the heart of preaching as proclaiming Christ for the salvation of sinners and the sanctification of saints, the weekly grind and joy of sermon prep, and the irreplaceable role of pastoral presence in the community. James offers reflections on how soul care, congregation visits, and even youth group Bible studies bleed into his pulpit work—and how visiting shut-ins has become an unexpected proving ground for sermon clarity.

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In this episode of Especially the Preaching, Ben sits down with Rev. Scott Davis, pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Scott shares how he moved from member to minister in the same congregation, what it’s like to serve bivocationally as both pastor and professional magician, and how preaching became the centerpiece of his calling. The conversation covers sermon preparation, preaching philosophy, difficult texts, and the ordinary realities of preaching in season and out of season.

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