SCBA Leadership Podcast

What are the benefits of being an intentionally small church? What does the New Testament say about how we structure our worship services that we may be missing?  In this episode of the South Central Baptist Area Leadership Podcast, DOM Matt Singleton speaks with pastor and author, Stephen Atkerson. Stephen is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Seminary. He serves as one of the bi-vocational pastor...

On The Ministry Minute, shorter episodes on the SCBA Leadership Podcast, we talk about the minister's salary package and annual pay increases. The idea for this topic came from a FaceBook post by DOM Matt Singleton after reading that the income needed to purchase a typical U.S. home has increased by 79% in just 5 years ...   "It is a shocking statistic even though personal experience tells me it's...

How can you build a leadership pipeline in your church? Bobby Hicks, Jr. joins us for this podcast on leadership development. Bobby Hicks, Jr. is the Church Health & Growth Strategist with Texas Baptist. A panel of local pastors were also on to ask questions and share their wisdom. It was a great discussion!    

Have you stopped having fun in ministry? In this MINISTRY MINUTE episode of the SCBA Leadership Podcast, DOM Matt Singleton shares his experience as a pastor and how you can find yourself no longer having any fun OUTSIDE of ministry because all the heaviness you deal with INSIDE of ministry. What can you do about it? Matt shares one BIG idea and several examples that can inspire and hopefully help...

How can you begin to do outreach in your community? In this MINISTRY MINUTE episode, DOM Matt Singleton, shares practical steps to get going, from interviewing community members, to demographics, to understanding your own congregation's unique ability to contribute to both the needs and the strengths of the community in which you are placed. You can also WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel:...

Have you been wondering about the results of our SCBA survey? We're trying something new with a series of short episodes called MINISTRY MINUTE. In this first video I share some of the results from our recent survey. You can also WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthCentralBaptistArea-g3j

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with David Foster, Groups & Connections Pastor at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas. They discuss the shortage of young ministers, the value of state conventions for young ministers, how associations can collaborate to raise up young ministers, and how the Pastor's Common is creating a space for young leaders to learn, grow, fellowship and share i...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with David Garcia, pastor of Kirby Baptist Church in San Antonio and Director of Spiritual Formation with the San Antonio Baptist Association. In this conversation they revolved around the spiritual health of the minister. A significant portion of the episode dealt with the temptation for ministers to have an ownership mindset in regards to the church. 

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Dr. David Hardage, the Director of Church Engagement for Texans On Missions. David has also served many years in the pastorate and as the Executive Director for Texas Baptists (BGCT). In this conversation we talk about the many leadership lessons David has learned over the years. What is the best and easiest leadership principle to employ? How can mini...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Tim and Judith Williams. The Williams' have served in ministry as husband and wife for 40+ years. They now both work at the South Texas Children's Home & Ministries (STCHM). Tim is their Director of Church Relations and Judith is a Licensed Professional Counselor. In this conversation we not only discuss the work of STCHM and how it can bless pasto...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Dr. Ronny Marriott, pastor of FBC Richardson and BGCT President. Joining the conversation are the pastors from the Grove Baptist Church, Roland Contreras and Eric Rachui. Together they discuss the ins and outs of the pastor, staff relationship. What happens when you have an underperforming staff member, how can second chair leaders support their pastor...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Dr. Matthew McKellar, Professor of Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Joining the podcast is several pastors who take turns asking Dr. McKellar their most pressing questions about preaching:  What mistakes do preachers often make? What should weekly preparation look like? How can we preach Christ from the Old Testament? These quest...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Terri Durham, former Social Media strategist for the Arizona Southern Baptist Mission Network. We discuss how churches can create a welcoming environment--from social media all the way through the worship service.

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Dr. Mark Turman, Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. In this conversation we discuss the ins and outs of Gen Z, the challenges they face with identity, particularly as it relates to sexuality. Lots of great resources mentioned in this episode and available at the links below. Check it out!   https://www.denison...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Dr. Josh Walters, Pastor of FBC La Vernia. We discuss the the ins and outs of pastoral counseling (pastoral care). Lots of helpful do's and don't's for ministers to consider when serving their people through listening, praying, and sharing God's Word.

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Dr. Keith Durham, Director of Concho Valley Baptist Association. We discuss the difference between small groups and Sunday school, defining discipleship, evaluating discipleship processes, and many more practical aspects of groups ministries.

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton is joined by Dr. Walter Jackson (DOM for Guadalupe Baptist Association) to talk with Dr. Josh Ellis, Executive Director for the Union Baptist Association in Houston. We discuss what strategic planning is, why it is necessary, what are its limitations and some major do's and don'ts to leading a church in discovering and implementing a God-given vision. We mentione...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with Dr. Matt Homeyer, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. We discuss the work of pastor / minister search committees, the unique challenges in rural, normative size churches and the need for honesty and flexibility in this important work. 

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton talks with  Dr. Nick Acker , pastor of Grace Church in Ventura, California. We discuss the problem of pain, suffering and evil in the light of a God who is all knowing, all powerful, all loving and all good. How might we understand it from an academic standpoint, but also from a pastoral reality?   PS--Dr. Acker has recently released a book titled: Exegeting Oral...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton speaks with Nancy Traylor, wife of Pastor Greg Traylor (FBC Beeville). We discuss the challenges of living in a fishbowl, fielding unsolicited advice, and learning who and how to trust. Nancy will be our keynote speaker for our upcoming Minister's Wife Appreciation Banquet on Saturday evening, April 5th, 2025 at Eastside Baptist Church in Gonzales Texas. Register...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton speaks with Dr. Nathan Lorick, the Executive Director for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. In this episode we discuss how the SBTC helps churches and ministers (in surprising and familiar ways), how cooperative giving advances the kingdom in our backyard and around the world, and what the future looks like for the SBTC.  For more information, visit thei...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton speaks with Adam Barker, Director of A Praying Life. We discuss how why praying is hard, how prayer meetings can be more engaging, and the incredible resources A Praying Life ministry has for pastors and churches.  A Praying Life Ministry Sign up for a cohort!

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton speaks with Dr. Ray Gentry, President/CEO of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders. They discuss the past, present, and future of local Baptist associations, including one key characteristics of effective Director of Missions (or Associational Missional Strategist). www.sbcal.org "The Baptist Association" book by Ray Gentry

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton speaks with Cameron Crow, Student Pastor at FBC Farmersville and Next Gen Consultant for the Collin Baptist Association. He is joined by Alex Wheeler, Family Pastor at FBC Karnes City. Lots of great insights, practical ideas, and an overview of a new curriculum leaders can use to help disciple their students. Sprouting For Students: Discipleship Workbook https://...

In this episode DOM Matt Singleton speaks with RoseMary Vickery, Children & Missions Minister at FBC Kenedy and Tamiko Jones, Executive Director at WMU of Texas. They discuss how churches can get involved in missions and how the Woman's Missionary Union of Texas can help. www.wmutx.org