Episode 23: A Conversation with Chris Fowler
Chris Fowler
In episode 23 of View from the Pulpit, host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Chris Fowler of Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church in Statesboro, Georgia. Ben and Chris discuss the role of preaching in the church, focusing on Chris's ministry in the college town of Statesboro. Chris shares how God provided for Fletcher Memorial to grow a significant college ministry. Their conversation explores the joys and challenges of ministering to college students. Chris also details his approach to expository preaching, and he explains his weekly sermon preparation process.
Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 23: A Conversation with Pastor Chris Fowler.
Episode Theme: Preaching in a College Town.
In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Chris Fowler, Pastor of Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church in Statesboro, Georgia, about his experiences and perspectives as a pastor in college town and how, his approach expository preaching and leading his church to honor and live out God’s word.
Key Highlights:
· The importance of reading scripture in worship: Christ explains his practice of reading large portions of scripture (chapters or even entire books) in the worship service and how this has contributed to his church growing in appreciation of God’s word and the value of hearing the Word.
· Resources to further the impact of preaching: Christ shares what resources he uses to aid engagement with preaching. These include a listening guide with space for notes and discussion questions provided for use throughout the week.
· Sermon Preparation Process: Pastor Christ details his weekly process for preparing a sermon. He shares how he studies the passage and what he takes to the pulpit to preach from.
Join Ben Smith and Pastor Chris Fowler for a helpful conversation about preaching and leading a church to a great appreciation for God’s word.
Host: Ben Smith
Guest: Chris Fowler
Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.
For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org.
Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr.
For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/.
Other podcasts by Ben Smith:
All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom
Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod
Chris Fowler is the Pastor of Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church, Statesboro, GA. Prior to joining Fletcher Memorial, Fowler served as Associate Pastor of Education and Discipleship at North Peachtree Baptist Church in Dunwoody, GA, and as Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Roanoke, North Carolina. Pastor Fowloer earned both his undergraduate degree and MDiv. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Chris and his wife, Amy, have four children.
Listen to Pastor Fowler’s latest sermons on:
· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fletcherchurch768
· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CuxkyMUtnkjfvb2bGHOlX
A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.
Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8yxbzbDmymNHZz5Z5JUI?si=a7ab7b7157a14ead
