The Shepherd's Crook

Preaching faithfully is not easy and it should be taken very seriously.  In this episode, I share about a couple of pitfalls of both expositional preaching and topical preaching. To avoid missing the whole because of the parts of the Bible, you must have a good understanding of Biblical and systematic theology. Read, read, read, and re-read your Bible!  

Doug Wilson is a prolific writer. His books can be found at  Canon Press.  Doug’s blog Blog and Mablog can be found  Here Follow him on twitter @douglaswils If you have never read any of Doug Wilson’s books, I recommend starting with  Future Men.  Our sponsor for this month is Crossway. Check out their Heirloom line of Bibles today!  Link

HB2495 Article Pro-Life Rally Speak for the Unborn End Abortion Now 5 Ways to Respond Fierce Commitment to the Gospel. Confront the Sin of State Leaders. Pray. Protest. Pay Taxes

Pastor, don’t get burned out! We are lifelong learners.

Bob Lepine is one of the Voices of Family Life Today and is a pastor at  Redeemer Community Church  in Little Rock Arkansas. Bob has also written a movie that was released last year  Like Arrows As always, thanks for continuing to come back! I really appreciate you all and I am prayerful that these episodes are God-honoring and helpful to you! Remember, if you need any crises-care or counsel on pa...

This episode completes the 10-part series “The Importance of a Decade.” I hope it was helpful! This month’s episodes are sponsored by Crossway, publisher of the English Standard Version of the Bible and a high-end line of Heirloom Bibles that are designed to reflect the beauty of God’s Word. Each Heirloom Bible is skillfully created using the highest quality materials and expert...

Thanks so much for coming back! The Real Problems In The SBC The Shepherd’s Crook Intensive  

Thank you so much for listening. Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and a review on iTunes and share with your friends. If you need care or help navigating pastoral ministry, contact me and lets set up a session. 5 Criteria For Leaving A Church If the church does not believe in the authority of the Word. If your family is hurting and being mistreated. If you don’t have at least some goo...

Jordan and I have learned so much from Brian and Lexy. They live in Ogden Ut. with their three kids Ari, Ira, and Daphne. We really love them and think you will too! Brian is the lead pastor of  Refuge Church  in Ogden Ut. Refuge Church is a fellow   Sojourn Network Book Recommendations from Brian and Lexy.  The Pastor’s Wife  by Gloria Furman True Companion  by Nancy Wilson True Companion B...

Thanks so much for listening! Check out and register for the Shepherd’s Crook Intensive  Here  

Pastor Toby Sumpter serves as Associate Pastor at Christ Church in Moscow Id. Pastor Toby’s Podcast CrossPolitic Book Recommendations Blood-Bought World  by Toby Sumpter Check out other titles at  Canon Press Shepherd’s Crook Intensive Info/Registration TSC Intensive Podcast Episode

Thanks for listening! If you have found this podcast helpful, go to iTunes and leave a rating & review! That is one simple way you can help me get this in the ears of as many people as possible. Thanks for the help! Please consider coming to the Shepherd’s Crook Intensive. Check it out on the site and register today!  

Book Recommendations George Seaton Christ’s Doctrine of the Atonement The Apostles Doctrine of the Atonement  

Book 9 Marks of a Healthy Church Church planters who are fat on missiology and starved on ecclesiology are on the path to burn out. It’s just a matter of time.  

Check out the work of Matthew Robinson and  Media Gratiae  Here   Also, you can watch the film on Martyn Lloyd-Jones “Logic on Fire” on Amazon Prime Instant Video. Book Recommendations “Joy Unspeakable”  By Martyn Lloyd-Jones “Gospel Wakefulness”  by Jared C. Wilson

In this bonus episode, I get to interview my wife Jordan. This was a lot of fun and think you will enjoy it!

Thank you so much for continuing to listen. If you have not done this yet, please head ever to iTunes and rate/review the show. Also, consider checking out the Shepherd’s Crook Intensive. Go to the top of the site and register today!  

Big shout out to my son Ransom Sparks for being the first guest on The Shepherd’s Crook Podcast;) Luke 9:26 “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” I am thankful for how God has used Doug Wilson and Dr. Paul C. Maxwell in my life. In this episode, I tell yo...

This is part three in a ten-part series on “The Importance of a Decade”. Marriage Find a woman who 1. Loves Jesus 2. Looks good 3. Likes you. 4. Knows what it means to be a woman. Work The workaholic pastor gets praise from everyone except his family and Jesus.

Thanks for listening. Here  is the link to the “Pastors Talk” Podcast episode with Mark Dever, Jonathan Leeman, and Matt Chandler. Go give it a listen. Planting from revival is better than planting as a strategy for revival.

This episode is part-2 of a ten-part series on “The Importance of A Decade.” We all need mentors and sages. Sometimes, we are blessed to have older men approach us, but most often we have to find them and invite ourselves into their lives. In my second year of ministry, I found out I was clueless about life and ministry. God brought help. Thanks for listening!

This episode in on year 1 of a ten-part series on “The Importance of a Decade” Thanks again for listening. I continue to need your help. If this resource has been helpful to you, please share it with friends and leave a review/rating on iTunes. I am wanting to help as many people as possible and need your help to do that. Here  is the link to an article I wrote about the crazy first ye...

Merry Christmas! I hope this Christmas season is going well for you! This episode introduces a ten-part series I am going to be doing on lessons from a decade.

Thanks for listening. I hope you laughed! Here is the link to the video of the first story I told.  Unusual Sermon Intro