Episode 9: A Conversation with Dr. Don Hattaway

Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 9: A Conversation with Dr. Don Hattaway

Episode Theme: The Importance of Pastoral Patience

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Don Hattaway, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Douglas, GA, about the role of preaching in growing and maturing a church, how Sunday school and the ministry of teaching relate to preaching, and the importance of pastoral patience

Key Highlights:

Long pastoral tenures and the power of the Word: Don discusses how preaching the Word of God is essential to every congregation, serves as the source of authority for the pastor, and will transform a congregation. Healthy evangelism and numerical growth stem from faithfulness to preaching God’s Word.

The blessing of churches who love the Word: It is the preacher's responsibility to preach God’s Word faithfully; however, Don shares how a church that loves and honors faithful preaching encourages and blesses the ministry of preaching.

Importance of expository preaching: Don advocates for the value and importance of expository preaching.

Teaching ministry of the church: Don discusses how the church's teaching ministry, such as Sunday school, is an important ministry and an extension of the preaching ministry. He also discusses his investment in training and teaching Bible study teachers, as well as the importance of teaching doctrine and Baptist history.

Learning to honor faithfulness to the Word more than style: Don shares how what is preached is more important than how one preaches. Referencing 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, Don encourages the church to respond to preaching as the power of God, not the wisdom of man.

Pastoral Patience: Don talks about how his long pastoral tenures affect how he preaches difficult passages. Don shares that the key is to love your congregation and speak to them faithfully, but in love and with great patience. He reflects on the command of 2 Timothy 4:2 to preach the Word with “all long-suffering.”

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Don Hattaway for an insightful discussion of how God uses faithful preaching and a faithful preacher to mature and grow the church.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Don Hattaway

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