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.
Episode 30: A Conversation with Dr. Heath Lambert
Episode 30 of the "View from the Pulpit” podcast, hosted by Ben Smith, with guest Dr. Heath Lambert, pastor of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL. In this episode, Dr. Heath Lambert reflects on the unique experience of pastoring First Baptist Church, which boasts a remarkable, nearly 100-year history of strong, expository preaching. He shares how he navigates the significant legacy of his predecessors, embracing God's unique plan for his own ministry rather than attempting to replicate others.
Dr. Lambert delves into the intensely challenging period of leading his church through a major transition, which he also chronicled in his podcast "What Happened at First Baptist". He details his unwavering commitment to protecting the pulpit during this time, ensuring that sermons remained faithful to the biblical text despite immense personal and congregational pressures, including his own health crises. He shares powerful testimonies of God's grace and encouragement that sustained him and his family through these trials. The conversation touches on the distinction between faithfulness and fruitfulness in ministry, especially when dealing with declining attendance, and how God uses difficult seasons to refine and strengthen the church.
Help Me Wrap Up This Season of the Podcast — I’d Love to Hear from You
Help Me Wrap Up This Season of the Podcast — I’d Love to Hear from You
As this season of View for the Pulpit nears its end, I’ve been reflecting on the conversations we’ve had—and the impact they’ve made on me personally. When I started this podcast, my goal was to offer a resource to the church that would renew our appreciation for faithful preaching and highlight why it is vital to the health and life of the church.
From the beginning, I’ve intentionally invited guests who are committed to—or growing in—expository preaching. Each conversation has stretched me, encouraged me, and given me practical insight. I’ve learned so much by hearing how different men approach the preparation and delivery of their sermons. It’s been a joy to see how God uniquely equips each one to bless the church.
But what’s been just as meaningful? Hearing from you.
Your messages, emails, and conversations about the episodes have been incredibly encouraging. And that got me thinking: why not wrap up this season with you?
A Roundtable Wrap-Up Episode — Featuring Listeners
To close out the season, I’d like to record a special roundtable-style episode featuring listeners like you—pastors, laypeople, men and women, younger and older voices. I want to hear what you’ve learned, what’s helped you most, and how God has used the podcast in your own walk with Christ.
It doesn’t matter where you live—we can connect remotely. The only requirement is that you’ve listened to the podcast and are willing to share your thoughts.
Want to Join the Conversation?
If you'd like to participate, please sign up at:
👉 www.vftppod.com/talk
I’m aiming to wrap up this season in October, and I’d love to release these listener conversations in early November.
Whether you’ve listened to every episode or just a few, your voice matters. I’d be honored to have you be part of this final conversation.
Episode 2: Introduction to View From the Pulpit: Why a podcast about preaching?
Ben Smith introduces View from the Pulpit by explaining why the church must recover a biblical understanding of preaching. Drawing from his own story, he reflects on lessons learned about conviction over education, substance over performance, and faithfulness over crowd size. In this foundational episode, Ben casts a vision for a podcast devoted to strengthening the church’s love for the faithful proclamation of God’s Word.
Introducing View from the Pulpit
Why does preaching still matter?
In this introductory episode of View From the Pulpit, Pastor Ben Smith explains the purpose of the podcast and why faithful biblical preaching remains central to the life of the church. This episode sets the foundation for thoughtful conversations about preaching—its place in worship, its responsibility to the congregation, and its role in God’s ordinary means of grace.