Cover art for the podcast 'View from the Pulpit' featuring Ben Smith, a man wearing a navy suit and a light blue patterned bow tie, smiling against a textured blue background with geometric patterns.

View from the Pulpit

View From the Pulpit: Exploring the Heart of Expository Preaching

Discover why expository preaching is central to the life and health of every church with Pastor Ben Smith. Each episode features conversations with pastors, church leaders, and members, exploring the role of expository preaching, the work of preparing and delivering sermons, and the impact of faithful preaching on the congregation.

This podcast is about preaching—but it’s not just for preachers. Whether you sit behind the pulpit or in the pew, View From the Pulpit will help you understand why expository preaching is vital to the church and how it strengthens the faith of every believer.

Available in your favorite podcast app.

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Episode 26: A Conversation with Brian Carroll
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Episode 26: A Conversation with Brian Carroll

In this episode of “View From the Pulpit”, host Ben Smith talks with Pastor Brian Carroll, Pastor of Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church in Flintstone, GA, about expository preaching and the challenges and rewards of long-term pastoral ministry. Pastor Carroll explains his commitment to faithful biblical exposition, his sermon preparation process, and the importance of loving and knowing one's congregation.

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Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith
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Episode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith

In episode 25 of The View From the Pulpit, host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of Divinity and preaching at Beeson Divinity School, in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Smith describes his approach as an "exegetical weaver," interweaving explanation and application throughout the sermon. A notable aspect of his delivery is preaching without notes, relying on "internalization not memorization," which allows for improvisational, Spirit-guided expression. Dr. Smith emphasizes that "what counts is content," not just style, and teaches a 10-step Christocentric method that heavily focuses on deep textual study, including reading the text "50 times". He advocates for the sermon's form to reflect the text's genre, distinguishing between deductive and inductive approaches. Dr. Smith stresses the importance of unity in diversity within the church, encouraging preachers to learn from various cultural preaching traditions and for congregations to value faithfulness to the text over performative dynamics, warning against "emotionalism" that overshadows exegesis.

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Episode 24: A Conversation with John Roland
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Episode 24: A Conversation with John Roland

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Pastor John Roland, Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Sterrett, AL, about the unique blessings and challenges of balancing secular employment with pastoral ministry, highlighting the importance of efficient study methods and relying on the Holy Spirit.

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