SCBA Leadership Podcast

In this unique episode, Dr. Matthew Singleton (Director of Missions for the SCBA) interviews Pastor David Segura. In the first episode David tells about his life growing up, joining a gang, selling drugs on the street and ending up in prison. In the second episode David shared what life was like in prison after he became a Christian and the challenges he faced when he got out. In this final episod...

What does it mean to be a deacon in the local church? What are the qualifications and key contributions they make to the ministry? How can they best work with the pastor in creating a healthy church context?   In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, interviews Dr. Jeff Lynn. Jeff serves as the Senior Strategist for Church Health and Leadership, reso...

What makes for a good worship song?   How does a worship team plan well?   In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, interviews Will Stevens, long time Worship Pastor at Oakwood Baptist Church in New Braunfels. Also on the episode is Rachel Lamb who serves on staff with Will as a worship leader. 

What are the 5 (maybe 6) reasons churches are unfriendly?   What are some easy, low cost ways to increase friendliness?   In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, interviews Dr. Matthew Kim. Dr. Kim is a former pastor and currently serves as the professor of preaching and pastoral leadership, holder of the George W. Truett Endowed Chair in Preaching...

What are the first steps in starting or restarting a children’s ministry?   What policies and procedures must be in place?   In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, interviews Tonya Horn, Children’s Director for FBC Kyle. After having served as a volunteer in her church’s children’s ministry, she joined the staff to help restart it after covid. They...

In preaching, how can you set the table and serve a delicious and nutritious meal to those hungry for the word?   How can paying attention to verbs improve a sermon?   In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, interviews Dr. Vernon J. Shazier on his new book, “Full Course Preaching: From Appetizer to Dessert - How to Craft and Deliver Sermons that Tru...

How can you best utilize parents in student ministry?   How can you tell students are engaged in your message?   In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, visits with Rowdy Lind, Student Pastor at The Connection Church in Buda and San Marcos, Texas. This is a wide-ranging conversation that is sure to bless and equip those serving teenagers.

What are practical ways ministry leaders can cultivate a calling in the lives of teenagers and young adults?   Is it better for the newly called to go straight into ministry or get some kind of training first?   In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, visits with Dr. Grant Byrd, the Student Ministry Associate with the Southern Baptist of Texas Conve...

In this unique episode, Dr. Matthew Singleton (Director of Missions for the SCBA) interviews Pastor David Segura. David follows up on a previous episode where he told of life growing up, joining a gang, selling drugs on the street and ending up in prison. In this episode he shares what life was like in prison after he became a Christian and the challenges of life when he got out. We ran out of tim...

How has a lack of husbands/fathers in the home and the spread of alcoholism affected the people of Guatemala?   What are the greatest needs of those living in financial poverty in this Central American country?   In this episode, Dr. Matthew Singleton (Director of Missions for the SCBA) interviews Jimmy and Charlyn Speed about their efforts to aid the spread of the gospel in Guatemala. Through Uni...

How can churches lead first time guests to become mission-aligned members?   In this episode, Dr. Matthew Singleton (Director of Missions for the SCBA) interviews Dr. Anthony Svajda, the Pastoral Ministries Associate for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Dr. Svajda heads up the Regenesis effort to revitalize plateaued and declining churches. You can access his article/worksheet on assimil...

How can Paul’s letter to the Ephesians help Christians today get the church inside of them?   In this episode, Dr. Matthew Singleton (Director of Missions for the SCBA) interviews Dr. Steven K. Parker, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Weslaco in South Texas. Dr. Parker is the author of a new book, Getting the Church Inside You: Balancing Faith and Action. You can purchase the book and find mo...

In this unique episode, Dr. Matthew Singleton (Director of Missions for the SCBA) interviews Pastor David Segura. David tells his story, coming from a good family but ending up as a drug dealing gang member who was in and out of prison. While behind bars he read Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Though his journey to Go...

What’s the difference between a church security team and a safety team?   What should safety teams prioritize?   What resources exist to help them be successful in their ministry to the church and community?   In this podcast our Director of Missions, Dr. Matt Singleton, interviews Alfred Tanagho of FBC Schulenburg. Alfred brings knowledge, training, and practical wisdom to the world of church saf...

Where should the work of revitalization begin?   How and what should be celebrated when leading change?   What are some keys to making big shifts or starting major initiatives?   In this series we interview pastors who have been used of God to revitalize their church, bringing renewed health and vibrancy to a local congregation.   In this episode our Director of Missions, Matt Singleton, interview...

What does an effective church planting process look like?   What are different models of church planting?   How can associations partner with state conventions and national entities to help with assessment and equipping of church planters?   In this episode our Director of Missions, Matt Singleton, interviews Morgan Malone, Executive Director of Denton Baptist Association. Morgan has worked with N...

What are 2 key questions you should ask someone before they volunteer?   What diagnostic question can you ask yourself to see how you are doing in raising up leaders?   What are red flags to pay attention to when evaluating potential leaders?   In this episode our Director of Missions, Matt Singleton, interviews Danny Rangel, BT-McAllen Campus Pastor. Danny has been in a variety of leadership role...

What are the root issues that are often under the problems many couples present?   How can the gospel help couples give grace to one another?   In this episode our Director of Missions, Matt Singleton, interviews Dr. Chad Schapiro and Dr. Erica Schapiro. The Schapiro's have served in the local church for many years and both earned advanced degrees focused on marriage and now they provide custom ma...

What are markers of true spiritual movements?   Why is it important for church leaders to discern these movements?   In this episode our Director of Missions, Matt Singleton, interviews Dr. Darrell Horn, Executive Director of the San Antonio Baptist Association. Dr. Horn spent 17 years writing “Discerning Spiritual Movements: Testing the Spirits.” You can get a copy on Amazon or by contacting the...

Why start a Christian school in a small town?   What are the benefits of a Christian education?   In this episode our Director of Missions, Matt Singleton, speaks with Corey Barnes, President of the School Board for Grace Community School in Runge, Texas and its School Director, Victoria Medina. GCS will begin their first semester in the fall of 2026! For more information, visit their website and...

How can local churches, associations, state conventions and national entities work together to support the start of new churches? What are signs a person is ready to plant a church? In this particular episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the SCBA, interviews Robby Partain, Executive Director for the Bluebonnet Association, and Dustin Wooten, the Church Planting Consultant for BBA and a...

How can a seminary education be a benefit to ministers?   What are the obstacles to gaining an education and how can they be overcome?   On this episode of the SCBA Leadership Podcast, Matt Singleton (DOM for the SCBA) speaks with Dr. Joe Rangel, Director of Truett Seminary in San Antonio (house at Trinity Baptist Church’s campus). Dr. Joe Rangel previously served as interim dean of the School of...

When is it time to close the doors of a church?   What should come of the resources they have left?   Who can help with this process?   What might a pastor or church member experience in the process of closing a church?   This episode is part of a short series on churches at risk. People may be few, funds may be low, facilities may be in disrepair and big changes are likely needed, but there is he...

How should Christians view the protest that recently took place inside a house of worship?    What should churches do (and not do) if protesters interrupt their worship services?   What does the Bible say about how immigrants ought to be treated?   Where might faithful Christians disagree on the issue of illegal immigration?   On this episode of the SCBA Leadership Podcast, Matt Singleton (DOM for...

What is the difference between a church marriage (merger) and a church adoption?   What circumstances make a merger or adoption possible? What are warning signs it won’t work?   This episode is part of a short series on churches at risk. People may be few, funds may be low, facilities may be in disrepair and big changes are likely needed, but there is help available. If your church needs assistanc...