For the Church Podcast

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

Was Gen-Z at TGC? Beginning with that strange question, today's episode of the FTC Podcast transitions to a conversation about the calling of young adults for Christ's kingdom. At some point in the last fifty years, our society began to see the young adult years as a season of life when you can just “figure things out” and have as much fun as possible while you do. Of course, our teens and twenties can be fun. And no college student or young adult in a first job can know what the next ten to fifteen years will hold. But these decades are also the launching pad for the rest of your life. Young adults will have opportunities to make an eternal difference. After all, they're on mission now. Jesus's commissioning is all that is needed to love God, love people, and witness to the truth of the gospel. Jared Wilson visits with returning guest, author and pastor Jeremy Writebol, about his new book Make It Your Ambition, which presents young adults with seven worthy pursuits to ignite young people's imaginations to discover what a life marked by robust, gospel-fueled, and Spirit-filled obedience can look like.

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 their potential for Christian marriage?

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.

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 FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson visits with Caleb Morell, author of A Light on the Hill, which tells the history and personal stories behind the influence Capitol Hill Baptist Church enjoys today.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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 experience of the Christian life. On this episode, Jared Wilson talks with pastor and author Matt Capps about his new book Drawn by Beauty and the place of awe and wonder in the Christian life. We even talk about Christian movies!

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hebrews 2:1 warns us to pay closer attention to what we have heard "lest we drift away from it." In this episode of the podcast, Jared and Ross talk about the concept of gospel drift -- what it is, what are the signs, and how to avoid it. Relevant to the discussion is Jared's brand new book Lest We Drift: 5 Departure Dangers from the 1 True Gospel, now available from Zondervan Reflective wherever Christian books are sold.

It's Jared and Ross's 100th episode together(!) and another installment in the FTC Mailbag feature, where they answer listener-submitted questions. This week's topics include church membership processes, should pastors tithe?, the church in the Northeast, small groups, stewardship campaigns, using quotes in sermons, and resources on hospitality.

From throwing microphones to walking out of meetings, we've seen (and done) some unfortunate things in the midst of church conflict. Listen in as Jared and Ross discuss the roots and rationales of church conflicts -- and how to respond when fights take over a church.

It's another installment in the Grab Bag feature, where Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson ask each other two surprise questions for off-the-cuff responses. Tune in and find out what we caught each other off guard about this week.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Have you been discipled? Do you disciple others? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about the importance of personal discipleship and share some applicational practice for more fruitful disciple-making.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared talks with author Emily Jensen about her new book with Laura Wifler, *Gospel Mom,* and about the ins and outs of gospel-centered motherhood.

Every year the Christmas holiday seems to creep up and then speed past. How can we make the most out of the Christmas holiday season? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the importance of Advent and how our participation in this anticipation can help us enjoy Christmas more than we'd expected.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared visits with Dr. Scotty Smith, one of the spiritual fathers of gospel-centrality, to talk about his early influences and ministry, pastoring early CCM artists, and how to stay focused on grace through decades of shifting cultural distractions.

It's another installment in the Grab Bag feature, where Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson ask each other two surprise questions for off-the-cuff responses. Tune in and find out what we caught each other off guard about this week.

Jesus said, "The one who perseveres to the end will be saved." Obviously perseverance is a necessary component of the Christian life! On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk about the doctrine of the "perseverance of the saints," how perseverance is treated in Scripture, and how Christians might cultivate it in their lives.

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."

It's another installment of the regular Mailbag feature. This week, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer listener-submitted questions and topics, including: topical vs. book sermon series, closing a church well, women officiating weddings, use of AI in pastoral work, how "baptism saves," and Shepherds for Sale. Plus, Jared and Ross attempt to "convert" a Mennonite listener to Baptist (at his request).

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/

This week on the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson conclude their three-week mini-series, drawing out the usual podcast banter to specific subjects. No agenda; no plan. Just a free-form conversation -- this week, on serving the church. Why do 5% of church members do 95% of the work? Who can serve in a church? How do you keep zealous members from burning themselves out? How can we motivate non-servers to join the efforts? What do you do when a congregation demands a ministry that none of them want to actually contribute to? All that and more in this final episode of "mixing it up."

This week on the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson continue their three-week mini-series, drawing out the usual podcast banter to specific subjects. No agenda; no plan. Just a free-form conversation -- this week, on worship music. What is it for? Who is it for? What are some strange things they've encountered in worship services? Why do some worship services seem stuck in time? All that and more in this episode of "mixing it up."

This week on the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson a three-week mini-series, drawing out the usual podcast banter to specific subjects. No agenda; no plan. Just a free-form conversation -- this week, on preaching. What is it? What should sermons do? What were the guys' first sermons like? How have they grown over the years? What are some things beginning preachers should keep in mind? All that and more in this episode of "mixing it up."

It's another installment of the regular Mailbag feature. This week, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer listener-submitted questions and topics, including: how unified pastors should be on "third-tier" issues, ministry calling, finding good Sunday School teachers, the youth pastor drought, and whether avoiding danger should be a missional priority.

One of the most frequent questions we get relates to how to go about leading change in a church. In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the potential for negative change in a church -- how it happens and how to prevent it -- and the process for leading positive change in a church.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson talk all things communion! What does it mean? Who is it for? How should we practice it? And how not to spill the cup on someone's cream-colored pants.

It's another installment in the Grab Bag feature, where Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson ask each other two surprise questions for off-the-cuff responses. Tune in and find out what we caught each other off guard about this week.

Are you a late to church arriver? Are you a sleep in service attender? Are you a size everybody up fellowshiper? On this episode of the FTC Pod, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the practical, dispositional, and spiritual considerations we should all make in preparing for church -- everything from the logistics to getting there on time to the attitude of graciousness towards those worshiping alongside us.

You want your church to be reaching out with the gospel. Your sermons often include a call to evangelize. You've held evangelism training events. So . . . where are the conversions? Is your church actually reaching the lost? How do you become a genuinely soul-winning church? On today's episode of the FTC Podcast, authors and ministers J.A. Medders and Doug Logan join Jared Wilson to talk about their new book The Soul-Winning Church and its six keys to fostering a genuine evangelistic culture in your church.

In this installment of the Mailbag, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson answer questions all submitted via email, including: recommended books for training lay elders, succession plans for senior pastorate, how to know if you're "gospel-centered" enough, how churches should handle sex offenders who want to be members, the process of disciplining church leaders, and what compromises are appropriate in looking for a church.

On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson celebrate some of the unsung heroes of congregations around the world. They don't often get the fanfare or the spotlight, but these faithful member "types" help churches grow and flourish, and they are huge encouragements to their pastors.

It's another installment of the Grab Bag feature here at the FTC Pod. Jared and Ross each come with unique questions for the other. Tune in and find out what surprise topics they discussed!

Evangelicals love conferences. Well, most of them do anyway. Is the church's interest in conferences changing? On this week's episode of the podcast, Jared and Ross discuss the recent phenomenon of the mega-conference, what they like and don't like about conferences, whether evangelicals' love affair with conferences has changed, the advantages of smaller conferences, and even some thoughts on speaking at and hosting/organizing conferences.

We know pastors love books and talking about books, so on this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared and Ross share a few books they recommend for the pastor's shelf.

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.

Revelation shouldn't leave us fearful or confused, but its imagery and concepts often confound our modern ears. If all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable, though, we should assume Revelation is as accessible and helpful as any other book of the Bible. Teacher and author Jen Wilkin has written a new Bible study guiding readers through Revelation verse-by-verse to discover how the last book of the Bible is accessible, helpful, and speaks a steadying word of assurance and endurance to the church in every age. Wilkin joins Jared Wilson on this episode of the FTC Podcast to discuss. https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/revelation-bible-study

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!

In honor of Father's Day coming up, the guys are bringing their short lists of the best dads in the Bible. We've got some curve balls for you on this one!