Ftc.co asks Mark Vroegop ‘What about ministry gives you joy?’.| - For the Church
From two guys who grew up with only brothers comes a podcast on being daddies to only girls. On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the different seasons, challenges, and blessings of raising daughters.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Clint Pressley ‘How do you build consensus on a church team with disagreements?’.| - For the Church
Why should more churches take leadership development seriously? Why is raising up leaders "in house" so important? And how would you go about doing it? On this episode of the podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the ins and outs of raising up the next generation of church leaders in your local ministry.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Aaron Lumpkin ‘What recommendation do you have for college ministry?’.| ftc.co
It's Ross' last mailbag feature on the podcast! Tune in as he and Jared tackle listener-submitted questions and topics. On this week's episode, the guys discuss: whether a call to ministry is permanent, when husbands and wives disagree on a church, men serving in children's ministry, neglected doctrines, dealing with complaints in the church, and more.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Dan Darling ‘What about ministry gives you joy?’.| - For the Church
They don't make headlines. They don't sell books. They're not killing it on Insta or TikTok. But they're probably way better than we deserve. They're boring pastors. In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross talk about why we're tempted to underestimate pastors we find "less than dynamic" (but why we shouldn't) and try to encourage ordinary pastors in their boring-ness to trust God in the normalcy of everdyay ministry.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Mat Alexander ‘What recent resources would you recommend for fellow pastors and believers?’.| For the Church
Ftc.co asks Dan Darling ‘What dangers is the church facing?’.| - For the Church
It's now come to be expected in evangelical headlines -- the fallen pastor. Whether by sexual immorality or greed or abusive patterns of leadership, ministers big and small, famous and relatively unknown, seem to be dropping like flies. How does it happen? And, perhaps more intriguingly, can they be restored? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross talk about fallen pastors and the possibility of restoration to ministry? Also: stick around til the end of the ep for a REALLY BIG ann...| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Jed Coppenger ‘What recent resources would you recommend for fellow pastors and believers?’.| - For the Church
In the occasional Grab Bag! feature of the podcast, Jared and Ross come prepared with two surprise questions for the other. No prep, no warning -- just unfiltered, off-the-cuff responses to each other's curiosity.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Michael Byrd ‘What about ministry gives you joy?’.| For the Church
Our debate over the quality of Christian movies is now notorious and a running gag on the podcast, but this is only the second time ever we've done an official "movie swap." Ross assigns Jared a Christian movie to watch. Jared assigns Ross a "Christian-"eque movie to watch. Then they sit and down and compare notes. On this week's episode of the podcast, the guys discuss 2006's "Facing the Giants" and 1998's "Simon Birch."| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Dan Darling ‘What resources do you recommend for college students?’.| - For the Church
An American and a Scotsman walk into a podcast studio . . . It's not just the start of an obscure joke; it's the start of this conversation about patriotism. Is it a sin? Is it biblical? How should Christians think through national patriotism in a way that still maintains their allegiance to God above all?| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Will Standridge ‘What resources would you recommend?’.| For the Church
It's another installment in the FTC Mailbag feature, where Jared and Ross answer listener-submitted questions. This week's topics include pastors keeping in contact with previous churches, preaching "balance," whether churches should lock their doors during services, the purpose of the trees in the garden of Eden, and suprisingly influential books.| - For the Church
From two guys who don't read a lot of biographies comes a list of favorite biographies. On this week's ep of the For The Church Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the Christian biographies that have impacted them the most.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Dan Darling ‘What does it mean to be “For the Church”?’.| For the Church
What's the big deal? You're just standing up there, talking. On this week's episode of the For The Church Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson suggest some things about preaching the average church member may not know. Some misunderstandings, misperceptions, and even mis-aimed appreciations.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Madison Grace ‘How can pastors develop Christ-centered leadership?’.| - For the Church
One thing Jared and Ross share is sarcasm as a love language. So on this week's ep they're revisiting the subject of humor -- sarcasm among friends, mockery on social media, the pros and cons of humor, the ins and outs of humor sensitivity, and what the Bible says about it all.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Tyler Wittman ‘What about ministry gives you joy?’.| - For the Church
It's a mailbag episode! On this week's For The Church Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson dig into the inbox and tackle questions related to sheep swapping and church hopping, the pursuit of writing, fruitful pulpit supply, and how Satan's rebellion connects to questions of worship, sanctification, and the possibility of sin in the new heavens and new earth. As always, to submit a question for the mailbag, email us at mailbag@ftc.co| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Aaron Lumpkin ‘What resources would you recommend to ministry leaders?’.| For the Church
Ftc.co asks Will Standridge ‘How can student ministries implement theologically minded student ministry in the church?’.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Aaron Lumpkin ‘What does it mean to be “For the Church”?’.| - For the Church
Lots of singles in the church. Fewer and fewer marriages. What gives? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about their own observations and experienes in the “dating world” of the local church. Why are young men and women finding it difficult to find potential spouses? Why do they find it difficult sometimes to even talk to each other? What are the relational landmines in seeing the church as a dating pool? And what can singles actually do to enhance the...| For the Church
Is there a particularly Christian way to approach sports? Does the Bible say anything about it? Beyond the typical warnings about idolatry and obsession, what good can Christians derive from athetlics and athletic competitions? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the importance and influence of sports, including the question about whether Christians should participate in sports like boxing and MMA.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks John Marc Kohl ‘What is your favorite worship song and why?’.| For the Church
Capitol Hill Baptist Church, located just blocks away from the center of American power, has a rich 150-year history. Its members have participated in significant world events, advocated for religious freedoms, and spoken out against the moral failings of the times. There’s no doubt this church has had a unique impact on evangelicalism from a significant location. But these lively characters and their unique experiences only tell part of this engaging narrative. On today's episode of the FT...| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Jed Coppenger ‘What advice do you have for pastors and churches who desire to be more Great Commision minded?’.| - For the Church
This week the guys decide to touch one of the touchiest subjects in the church -- money. What's it really for? Why is it so difficult to talk about among Christians? How can we best steward it? And how is generosity a reflection of worship?| - For the Church
FTC.co asks Madison Grace ‘How does poor ecclesiology affect the Church?’.| For the Church
In this episode, the latest annual reflection during Easter week, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss why too many preachers and churches frequently leave out the resurrection in their gospel presentations. Why is it so easy to forget the resurrection? And what should this week’s emphasis on Christ’s emergence from the grave mean for our thinking and ministry year-round?| For the Church
FTC. co asks Jed Coppenger ‘What about ministry gives you joy?’.| For the Church
In the second of two live episodes recorded at the Federated Fellowship Bible Conference in Pella, Iowa, this time around Jared and Ross answer questions from the conference audience. No pre-screening. No safety net. Just a couple of guys, a couple of mics, and a handful of surprise queries.| - For the Church
FTC.co asks Madison Grace ‘What about ministry gives you joy?’.| - For the Church
Here's a first for the FTC Podcast! Jared and Ross recorded this Mailbag episode live at the Federated Fellowship Bible Conference in Pella, Iowa on March 8, 2025 as the first part of two total live episodes. The questions submitted by listeners include: when should pastors speak out about politics, why evangelism feels "transactional," the impact of conferences and podcasts on our understanding of pastors, and how uniform church members should be on doctrinal matters.| - For the Church
JT English answers ‘Why I love Minsitry” for ftc.co.| - For the Church
The author of Hebrews says endurance produces proven character. How so? What is endurance? How do we get it? In this episode of the podcast, Jared and Ross talk about the relevance of endurance to ministry and the Christian life in general.| - For the Church
Ftc asks pastor Clint Presley ‘How does a Pastor’s leadership change as his Church grows?’.| - For the Church
Sometimes small church folks are overly critical of big churches. Sometimes big church folks are uncharitable towards smaller churches. We're here to settle the scores! Well, kind of. In this ep of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the pros and cons of big churches versus smaller churches and discuss ways we can encourage and think the best of each other.| - For the Church
Wonder and awe of the beautiful is essential to the human experience. Our souls are often shaped and formed by the aesthetic experiences provided by the Creator. When we neglect this aspect of our lives, we fail to realize how God has created us uniquely to not only enjoy beauty, but to also create the beautiful. A distinctly Christian vision of these realities opens our eyes to see how God has enchanted our world to draw us toward Him, the source and substance of beauty, for a deeper experie...| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Ashlyn Portero ‘What about ministry gives you joy?’.| - For the Church
Jared and Ross return to a past episode format -- "mixing it up" -- where they draw out the usual podcast banter to specific subjects. No agenda; no plan. Just a free-form conversation -- this week, on student ministry.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Dan Darling ‘What gives you hope for the church over the next five to ten years?’.| - For the Church
JFK. 9/11. QAnon. Lizard people? This week, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss conspiracy theories! Why do they attract? What's the fascination? Are they all bunk? And how should Christians think about them?| - For the Church
To celebrate Called Month this March, Midwestern Seminary is giving away a free eBook from Charles Spurgeon! Written as private prayers or devotional exercises, Charles Spurgeon’s Christ Our All express his sorrows, hopes, and love for God with striking imagery and bold conviction. We pray it would encourage you to pursue your calling with conviction!| For the Church
It's a new mailbag installment of the podcast, where Jared and Ross answer listener-submitted questions. On this episode, the guys weigh in on: first steps for newly appointed lay elders, pastors running for political office, cultivating healthy desires in a church, "fencing the table," navigating differences of opinion on alcohol, and more.| - For the Church
Ftc.co asks Aaron Lumpkin ‘What advice would you give for urban pastors?’.| - For the Church
On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson visits with Cedarville University’s Dr. Jason Alligood about his new book Raised in Splendor and about the hope of glorification in our secular age.| For the Church
Ftc.co asks Matt Alexander ‘What about Ministry gives you joy?’.| For the Church
1 Timothy 3:1 “The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”| For the Church
How is contentment a superpower? And how do you get it? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the strangeness of contentment in a discontented world.| For the Church
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. If pastors mean to reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd, they will pursue a servant’s heart. But we find this pursuit frustrated by our own laziness, a sense of entitlement, or even others’ presuming upon our service. How can we push through these frustrations and develop a vision for open-hearted caretaking of others? In this final episode, Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin commend the wisdom pr...| For the Church
Another year older and deeper in . . . gratitude? Jared and Ross celebrate the new year by reminiscing on the year past and encouraging others to make 2025 a year of renewed focus.| For the Church
Pastors constantly operate in an encouragement deficit. The practice of encouragement gives life. But so many ministers are drowning in criticism or just general disappointment. How can we become better encouragers of others when we receive so little of it ourselves? In this episode, Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin share some encouraging insights about encouragement! This wisdom practice can revolutionize our lives and enliven our ministries.| For the Church
The annual Christmas episode is here! And in our annual podcast tradition, Mr. Christmas himself — Ronnie Martin — is joining Jared again to fill your hearts with holiday cheer. On this year’s special episode, Jared and Ronnie talk about their favorite “snapshots” of Christmas past and discuss the delight (and the downside) of the ideal Christmas.| For the Church
The Lord has made us not simply to work, but to play. He has given us talents and taste buds, interests and abilities, wonder and “wirings”—all to help us enjoy his common grace and glorify him in that enjoyment. But how do we devote good time to hobbies and interests without feeling guilty, or letting them overrule our life? In this episode, Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin have a lively conversation about the surprising wisdom practice of recreation.| For the Church
It’s another installment in the FTC Mailbag feature, where Jared and Ross answer listener-submitted questions. This week’s topics include evangelizing the comfortable, the difference between preaching and teaching, leaving churches with shallow preaching, divisive church members, chemistry on the elder board, and the structure of pastoral residencies.| For the Church
Most pastors fall into a pattern of overwork. Why is that? And how does sabbath set us free from worldly metrics of productivity? In this episode, Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin explore the wisdom practice of guilt-free rest and “fasting” from being needed.| For the Church
It’s a perennial question among many evangelicals. How should Christians think about Halloween? Avoid it? Embrace it? Reform it? On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the spotty history of Halloween and survey the contemporary perspectives, challenges, and opportunities related to the Christian’s consideration of the “holiday.”| For the Church
Why is sitting still before the Lord important? What are the benefits to our heart, mind, and soul? What are we looking to see happen when we practice it? In this episode Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin have a penetrating conversation about the increasingly vital need for the wisdom practice of silence in the life of the pastor.| For the Church
On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson is joined by Dr. Ronnie Martin to talk about the “wisdom practices” pastors should adopt as regular rhythms in their life in the pursuite of spiritual maturity, emotional stability, and ministerial endurance. Jared and Ronnie’s Midwestern Seminary podcast The Heart of Pastoring is now back in its 2nd season and available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. https://ftc.co/resource-library/heart-of-pastoring-podcast/| For the Church
The first wisdom practice to explore is prayer. But why do pastors often find it so difficult to practice? And why is it so vital? What are some practical ways to think about prayer so that it comes from a place of delight over duty? In this episode Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin discuss the crucial rhythm of prayer in the life of the pastor.| For the Church
How can pastors practically and devotionally invest in spiritual (and physical) endurance and sustainable faithfulness in ministry? In this new season of Midwestern Seminary’s The Heart of Pastoring, veteran pastors Jared Wilson and Ronnie Martin return to discuss 12 “wisdom practices” important for every ministry leader to adopt as gospel-centered rhythms in their personal and vocational lives. In this preface to the season, Jared and Ronnie survey the evangelical landscape, explore th...| For the Church
