![The Power of the Pulpit (with H. B. Charles) [The Everyday Pastor - Ep. 52] @thegospelcoalition](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TqeuHRVtdjY/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What keeps a pastor preaching faithfully when ministry feels discouraging?
In this episode, H.B. Charles joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to talk about expository preaching, sermon preparation, pastoral application, grief, perseverance, and why the power for ministry is still found in the Word of God.
From becoming a pastor at 17 years old to preaching through seasons of pain and pressure, H.B. offers wisdom and encouragement for pastors who want to faithfully “preach the Word” for the long haul.
🔗 MENTIONED
▫ On Preaching by H. B. Charles Jr. - amazon.com/Preaching-Personal-Pastoral-Insights-Preparation/dp/0802411916?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ On Pastoring by H. B. Charles Jr. - amazon.com/Pastoring-Living-Leading-Ministering-Pastor/dp/0802414605?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ On Worship by H. B. Charles Jr. - amazon.com/Worship-Understanding-Participating-Leading-Corporate/dp/B0BDMVQDXK?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks - amazon.com/Precious-Remedies-Against-Satans-Devices/dp/B0DJ2C2TDV/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Toward an Exegetical Theology by Walter Kaiser Jr. - amazon.com/Toward-Exegetical-Theology-Biblical-Preaching/dp/0801021979?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Mark Dever's Application Grid - anglicanexpositor.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/application-grid.pdf
▫ Come and See by Jonathan Pennington - amazon.com/Come-See-Journey-Knowing-Scripture/dp/1433571285?tag=thegospcoal-20
If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit bit.ly/SBTS-TEP to learn more.
0:00 — Why expository preaching needs application
1:04 — Introducing H.B. Charles
2:03 — Becoming a pastor at 17 years old
3:40 — Acts 6:4 and pastoral ministry
3:59 — Learning expository preaching
5:24 — How H.B. trained himself to preach
7:13 — “I gave my life to preaching”
8:34 — Why studying matters for preaching
9:07 — Prayer and sermon preparation
11:10 — Structuring mornings for study and prayer
12:09 — Common misconceptions about expository preaching
14:57 — Common mistakes young preachers make
16:13 — Why sermon application matters
17:14 — Practical tools for better application
18:25 — Loving the people you preach to
20:33 — Knowing your congregation’s struggles
24:17 — Preaching to your actual church
25:21 — How grief shaped H.B.’s preaching
27:59 — The bad advice pastors sometimes receive
29:23 — “Preach to broken hearts”
31:20 — The power of the pulpit during hard seasons
33:29 — Why pastors shouldn’t vent from the pulpit
35:05 — Encouragement for discouraged pastors
36:44 — “The Word works”
38:39 — Waiting on God’s timing
40:13 — Final encouragement to pastors
40:47 — H.B. Charles prays for pastors
———
🎁 Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
📫 SIGN UP for exclusive content and updates for pastors: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/pa...
🎧 Don’t miss an episode of “The Everyday Pastor” with Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan!
▫ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-everyday-pastor/id1772922853
▫ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2oCDMJFvOI5P3yB2RlKhJy
✅ SUBSCRIBE:
▫ YouTube: / @thegospelcoalition
▫ TGC Updates: thegospelcoalition.org/newsletters
What keeps a pastor preaching faithfully when ministry feels discouraging?
In this episode, H.B. Charles joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to talk about expository preaching, sermon preparation, pastoral application, grief, perseverance, and why the power for ministry is still found in the Word of God.
From becoming a pastor at 17 years old to preaching through seasons of pain and pressure, H.B. offers wisdom and encouragement for pastors who want to faithfully “preach the Word” for the long haul.
🔗 MENTIONED
▫ On Preaching by H. B. Charles Jr. - amazon.com/Preaching-Personal-Pastoral-Insights-Preparation/dp/0802411916?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ On Pastoring by H. B. Charles Jr. - amazon.com/Pastoring-Living-Leading-Ministering-Pastor/dp/0802414605?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ On Worship by H. B. Charles Jr. - amazon.com/Worship-Understanding-Participating-Leading-Corporate/dp/B0BDMVQDXK?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks - amazon.com/Precious-Remedies-Against-Satans-Devices/dp/B0DJ2C2TDV/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Toward an Exegetical Theology by Walter Kaiser Jr. - amazon.com/Toward-Exegetical-Theology-Biblical-Preaching/dp/0801021979?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Mark Dever's Application Grid - anglicanexpositor.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/application-grid.pdf
▫ Come and See by Jonathan Pennington - amazon.com/Come-See-Journey-Knowing-Scripture/dp/1433571285?tag=thegospcoal-20
If you're ready to go deeper, Southern Seminary's PhD program is where that begins. Visit bit.ly/SBTS-TEP to learn more.
0:00 — Why expository preaching needs application
1:04 — Introducing H.B. Charles
2:03 — Becoming a pastor at 17 years old
3:40 — Acts 6:4 and pastoral ministry
3:59 — Learning expository preaching
5:24 — How H.B. trained himself to preach
7:13 — “I gave my life to preaching”
8:34 — Why studying matters for preaching
9:07 — Prayer and sermon preparation
11:10 — Structuring mornings for study and prayer
12:09 — Common misconceptions about expository preaching
14:57 — Common mistakes young preachers make
16:13 — Why sermon application matters
17:14 — Practical tools for better application
18:25 — Loving the people you preach to
20:33 — Knowing your congregation’s struggles
24:17 — Preaching to your actual church
25:21 — How grief shaped H.B.’s preaching
27:59 — The bad advice pastors sometimes receive
29:23 — “Preach to broken hearts”
31:20 — The power of the pulpit during hard seasons
33:29 — Why pastors shouldn’t vent from the pulpit
35:05 — Encouragement for discouraged pastors
36:44 — “The Word works”
38:39 — Waiting on God’s timing
40:13 — Final encouragement to pastors
40:47 — H.B. Charles prays for pastors
———
🎁 Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
📫 SIGN UP for exclusive content and updates for pastors: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/pa...
🎧 Don’t miss an episode of “The Everyday Pastor” with Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan!
▫ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-everyday-pastor/id1772922853
▫ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2oCDMJFvOI5P3yB2RlKhJy
✅ SUBSCRIBE:
▫ YouTube: / @thegospelcoalition
▫ TGC Updates: thegospelcoalition.org/newsletters
![The Power of the Pulpit (with H. B. Charles) [The Everyday Pastor - Ep. 52]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TqeuHRVtdjY/mqdefault.jpg "The Power of the Pulpit (with H. B. Charles) [The Everyday Pastor - Ep. 52]
What keeps a pastor preaching faithfully when ministry feels discouraging?
In this episode, H.B. Charles joins Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan to talk about expository preaching, sermon preparation, pastoral application, grief, perseverance, and why the power for ministry is still found in the Word of God.
From becoming a pastor at 17 years old to preaching through seasons of pain and pressure, H.B. offers wisdom and encouragement for pastors who want to faithfully “preach the Word” for the long haul.
🔗 MENTIONED
▫ On Preaching by H. B. Charles Jr. - https://www.amazon.com/Preaching-Personal-Pastoral-Insights-Preparation/dp/0802411916?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ On Pastoring by H. B. Charles Jr. - https://www.amazon.com/Pastoring-Living-Leading-Ministering-Pastor/dp/0802414605?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ On Worship by H. B. Charles Jr. - https://www.amazon.com/Worship-Understanding-Participating-Leading-Corporate/dp/B0BDMVQDXK?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices by Thomas Brooks - https://www.amazon.com/Precious-Remedies-Against-Satans-Devices/dp/B0DJ2C2TDV/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Toward an Exegetical Theology by Walter Kaiser Jr. - https://www.amazon.com/Toward-Exegetical-Theology-Biblical-Preaching/dp/0801021979?tag=thegospcoal-20
▫ Mark Devers Application Grid - https://anglicanexpositor.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/application-grid.pdf
▫ Come and See by Jonathan Pennington - https://www.amazon.com/Come-See-Journey-Knowing-Scripture/dp/1433571285?tag=thegospcoal-20
If youre ready to go deeper, Southern Seminarys PhD program is where that begins. Visit https://bit.ly/SBTS-TEP to learn more.
0:00 — Why expository preaching needs application
1:04 — Introducing H.B. Charles
2:03 — Becoming a pastor at 17 years old
3:40 — Acts 6:4 and pastoral ministry
3:59 — Learning expository preaching
5:24 — How H.B. trained himself to preach
7:13 — “I gave my life to preaching”
8:34 — Why studying matters for preaching
9:07 — Prayer and sermon preparation
11:10 — Structuring mornings for study and prayer
12:09 — Common misconceptions about expository preaching
14:57 — Common mistakes young preachers make
16:13 — Why sermon application matters
17:14 — Practical tools for better application
18:25 — Loving the people you preach to
20:33 — Knowing your congregation’s struggles
24:17 — Preaching to your actual church
25:21 — How grief shaped H.B.’s preaching
27:59 — The bad advice pastors sometimes receive
29:23 — “Preach to broken hearts”
31:20 — The power of the pulpit during hard seasons
33:29 — Why pastors shouldn’t vent from the pulpit
35:05 — Encouragement for discouraged pastors
36:44 — “The Word works”
38:39 — Waiting on God’s timing
40:13 — Final encouragement to pastors
40:47 — H.B. Charles prays for pastors
———
🎁 Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Lets Build Together: Donate Today at https://tgc.org/together
📫 SIGN UP for exclusive content and updates for pastors: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/pa...
🎧 Don’t miss an episode of “The Everyday Pastor” with Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan!
▫ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-everyday-pastor/id1772922853
▫ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oCDMJFvOI5P3yB2RlKhJy
✅ SUBSCRIBE:
▫ YouTube: / @thegospelcoalition
▫ TGC Updates: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/newsletters/")
![‘Not a Child-Safe Technology’: Proactive Parenting in the Age of AI [Recorded - Ep. 15]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/USKI37RP4Ic/mqdefault.jpg "‘Not a Child-Safe Technology’: Proactive Parenting in the Age of AI [Recorded - Ep. 15]
If we have learned anything from our last two technological waves—smart phones and social media—then we know one thing: Those who are probably going to be most harmed by AI are our kids.
AI is already taking over their education. It’s trying to build emotional relationships with them. And it might take away their jobs. But our theology tells us AI does not surprise or alarm God. He is sovereign over this too. So how can we calmly and clearly see what is happening and then protect, guide, and prepare our children?
Join Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra as she sorts out fears, finds the facts, and proposes a faithful way to parent in the age of AI.
📝 ON THIS VIDEO:
00:00 Introduction
1:35 Concerns About AIs Impact on Education and Emotional Well-being
3:52 Educational Challenges Posed by AI
12:22 AIs Effect on Learning and Memory
29:27 Emotional Risks of AI
32:11 Parental Responsibility and AI Use
38:44 AIs Impact on the Job Market
46:21 Preparing Children for the AI Economy
51:59 Balancing AI Use with Human Interaction
52:14 The Role of Christian Parents in AI Education
🎁 Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Lets Build Together: Donate Today at https://tgc.org/together
🎧 Don’t miss an episode of “Recorded” with Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra!
▫ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
▫ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43Rq03a...
✅ SUBSCRIBE:
▫ YouTube: / @thegospelcoalition
▫ TGC Updates: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/ne...")
![Recognizing Our Own Marks of Righteousness [The Deep Dish - Ep. 34]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XrlxZCp7asg/mqdefault.jpg "Recognizing Our Own Marks of Righteousness [The Deep Dish - Ep. 34]
Courtney and Melissa talk about how to recognize and repent of the ways we may be relying on self-righteousness rather than the righteousness of Christ. They talk about tribalism, what happens when debatable issues are treated as primary, and how, paradoxically, the areas where we feel despair may point to areas of pride or self-righteousness in our lives.
📝ON THIS VIDEO:
0:00 Exploring Marks of Righteousness and Personal Worthiness
2:57 Understanding Righteousness and Its Role in Salvation
5:17 Exploring Self-Righteousness in Church and Cultural Norms
12:26 Finding True Confidence Beyond Religious Pedigree and Tribalism
15:37 Tribalism and Righteousness in Modern Believer Communities
18:33 Humility and Righteousness in the Christian Life
23:11 Understanding Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Issues in Faith
27:46 Navigating Parenting Challenges and Marks of Righteousness
36:38 Balancing Convictions and Unity in Christian Fellowship
45:20 Guilty Pleasures: Hot Tamales Versus Sizzling Cinnamon Jelly Bellies
RELATED RESOURCES:
Finding the Right Hills to Die On by Gavin Ortlund - https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Right-Hills-Die-Theological/dp/1433567423/?tag=thegospcoal-20
The Sticky Sin of Always Being Right - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/sticky-sin-always-right/
Self-Righteousness Wears Many Disguises - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/self-righteousness-wears-many-disguises/
For more resources, visit our website.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/deep-dish/
———
🎁 Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Lets Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
📫 SIGN UP for exclusive content and updates for women: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/tgcwomen/#subscribe
🎧 Don’t miss an episode of “The Deep Dish” with Courtney Doctor and Melissa Kruger!
▫ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deep-dish/id1794426491
▫ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1DQPjm9wmcZn63RtxrMFGL?si=ryUMMcdeRcWIII3VMX8FVg
✅ SUBSCRIBE:
▫ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegospelcoalition
▫ TGC Updates: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/newsletters/")
