Jonathan Leeman

Episode 19: Church Mergers and Plants

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 9Marks Journal: Church Mergers and Plants | 06.20.2017

We just released a Journal on church planting and church mergers. Because neither Mark nor Jonathan wrote an article for it, we devoted this episode of Pastors’ Talk to the topic.

Audio Interviews with Pastors Who Attempted Church Mergers

By Jonathan Leeman | 9Marks Journal: Church Mergers and Plants | 06.20.2017

Recently, Jonathan Leeman sat down with three groups of pastors to talk to them about their experience with church mergers—whether they failed or succeeded.

Church Mergers and Plants

Summer 2017
Purchase a Print Edition

Episode 18: On Conversion

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 06.13.2017

Mark and Jonathan chat about how a pastor’s doctrine of conversion will have massive effects on his philosophy of ministry.

Episode 17: On How to Receive and Dismiss Members

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 06.06.2017

One of the most important and time-consuming tasks for a church and its pastors involves receiving and releasing members. And yet, it’s almost never talked about in books on the church or in seminary.

Episode 16: On Corporate Prayer

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 05.30.2017

In many evangelical churches, the public prayers are casual, short, and few. Is that a problem?

Episode 15: On How Quickly a Pastor Should Make Changes

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 05.24.2017

It’s tempting for a new pastor to show up with a laundry list of problems that need to be fixed. But that approach almost never works.

Mailbag #62: How to Encourage Attendance at Members’ Meetings; The Relationship between Baptism & Church Membership

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.19.2017

— Could you provide some wisdom for how to handle situations where members are consistently neglectful of attending members’ meetings? — I understand that baptism should precede church membership. But must membership always follow baptism?

Episode 14: How the “Senior Pastor” Relates to Other Pastors

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 05.16.2017

If you’ve served in a church with a plurality of elders, then you’ve felt tension over questions about how the “senior” pastor relates to other pastors.

Episode 13: On Being a Word-Centered Church

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 05.09.2017

How can I grow my church? If your answer doesn’t mention God’s Word, then you’re starting in the wrong place.

Mailbag #61: Does God Want Some Churches to Die; A Question about a Non-Intimate Marriage

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.05.2017

— Does God want some churches to die, regardless of how faithful the leaders are? — How would you counsel a couple where the husband views pornography because the wife has no interest in sexual relations, but is still upset by his actions?

Episode 12: On Small Groups

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 05.02.2017

These days, small groups are quite common. But are they enough for community and accountability? What’s the best way to do small groups such that they don’t interfere with the regular Sunday gathering?

Episode 11: On Being “Called” to Ministry

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 04.25.2017

Jonathan asked Mark about common misconceptions of pastoral calling, how pastors can cultivate an environment where callings get tested, and the role of the church throughout.

Mailbag #60: How to Divide the Text; Making Sunday Accessible for Non-Believers

By Jonathan Leeman | 04.21.2017

— Do you have any tips on how quickly or slowly pastors should preach through books? — Should Sunday mornings primarily aim for edifying believers or evangelizing non-believers?

Episode 10: Should A Church Reflect Its Surrounding Community?

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 04.18.2017

Does your congregation look like the people who live around it? If not, does it matter? How important is it that a church reflects its surrounding community?