In this video, I discuss the importance of having a system of sermon preparation. Likewise, I share three essential elements every sermon preparation system should include. Enjoy!

During the 2019 Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference, pastor and author, Brian Croft spoke to the pastors about staying put and remaining faithful in a difficult situation. It was arguably the most important message delivered at the conference. Contrary to popular believe, most pastors do not lead so-called "megachurches." The typical pastor leads a small congregation, which is often plateaued or in decline. Many are tempted to quit, looking for greener pastures, or serving with discouragement. Brian Croft, Pastor of the Auburndale Baptist Church and Founder of Practical Shepherding, challenged the pastors to stay put for the long haul...

Each year, during the Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference, we pay tribute to a preacher that should be known and remembered. This year, we paused to remember the life and ministry of Warren W. Wiersbe. Warren W. Wiersbe was a preacher's preacher. He was also a laymen's preacher, who made the word of God plain and clear for any person to understand. Above all, Warren Wiersbe was the Lord's preacher, a man of God who served the Lord in his generation and moved upstairs to his final reward on May 2, 2019. Wiersbe was a pastor, serving several churches...

  I browsed the exhibit hall at a conference recently. A kindly man at a particular booth struck up a conversation. He even offered me a free book. It was a new book by Alexander Strauch. I was grateful and excited to receive it. (My best friends are people who give me a book I have not read yet.) Asking the name of the generous book-giver, I discovered it was none other than Alexander Straugh himself! I have studied the subject of church leadership since I was a young, new pastor. My studies have been greatly aided by the writings...

Conrad Mbewe is the Pastor of the Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia. He has served the Kabwata congregation for more than thirty years. Mbewe has a Ph.D. in Missions from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and is Senior Lecturer at the African Christian University in Zambia. He is also an itinerant preacher, who preaches and teaches globally. A prolific writer, Conrad Mbewe is the author of the book, Pastoral Preaching: Building a People for God. Over the years, I have heard much about "The African Spurgeon," as he is often called. We have the privilege of meeting several...

    Pastor L.A. Kessee has served as pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church of West Los Angeles for the past twenty-five years. A graduate of the legendary Bishop College in Dallas, L.A. Kessee was roommates with E.K. Bailey and served a local church with Melvin V. Wade Sr. during his college years. Kessee is known around the country for his dynamic preaching and leadership. I met Pastor Kessee when I was a boy preacher in Los Angeles. He invited me to preach for him on a Sunday morning. I remember two details about that day. There was a rug...

Clinton McFarland and I tried to figure out how long we have known each other. It has been about twenty years. However, we simply concluded we were still young preachers way back then. I met Clinton McFarland in Columbus, Mississippi, where he served at the time. I lived and served in Los Angeles. Since then, the Lord has moved McFarland to Atlanta. And the Lord has moved me to Jacksonville. Clinton McFarland is the founding pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Atlanta, which he planted almost five years ago. He is also a much -sought after preacher who ministers...

I met Dennis Jones some years ago, as we preached a citywide revival together. We enjoyed one another's company so much, we concluded that we must be cousins! And that is what we have called one another since then. Pastor Dennis Jones is a native of Louisiana. But for the past two decades (since 1998), he has led the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He also leads the foreign missions work for the National Baptist Convention of America. Johns is passionate about gospel of Christ, biblical preaching, and the local church. And he is used of the Lord...

B. Lockhart and R. Johnson were members of my father's church, when I was a boy. This brother and sister had relocated to Los Angeles from Little Rock. They loved my dad and faithfully served our congregation. But they constantly talked about their former pastor and church in Arkansas. I didn't understand why, until they gave me a tape of Jerry D. Black. He was preaching his classic sermon, "A Trip to Job's House." I vividly remember the first time I heard Jerry Black preach in person. It was during the National Baptist Convention USA in Los Angeles in 1990....

Jerry Black is the Pastor of the historic Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, where he has served since 1991.     I had the opportunity to interview Jerry Black about his life and ministry. Enjoy! [embed]https://vimeo.com/279145176[/embed] Did you find this interview helpful?  Join the conversation in the comments section. Related Resources Steve Gaines Interview Donald Parson Interview The Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference will take place September 18-20, 2018, at the Shiloh Church in Jacksonville, Florida.  This conference is designed to train, model, and promote biblical teaching and preaching. Register TODAY!!!!  

Steve Gaines is the Pastor of the historic Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, where he has served since 2005. He has led several congregations over more than thirty years of pastoral ministry. Gaines is also the immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention (2016-2018). Steve Gaines is soul-winning pastor, faithful preacher, and prayer-driven leader, whose leadership, counsel, and preaching a sought-after by many. He is also the author of numerous books, including... Pray Like It Matters by Steve Gaines  Share Jesus Like It Matters by Steve Gaines Pray Like This edited by Steve Gaines When God Comes to Church by...

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time with my friend C.J. Mahaney at their annual Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference.  This interview is a snapshot of our time together and provided me an opportunity to share from my heart some key points that I believe will be beneficial to preachers and pastors in every stage of their ministry.  Enjoy!! 2017 Pastors Conference :: Q & A with H.B. Charles & C.J. Mahaney from Sovereign Grace Churches on Vimeo.