The Shepherd's Crook

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

Pastor, you need regular reminders of the hardships of pastoral work and the finished work of Jesus. With this episode, I simply want to encourage you! Thanks so much for continuing to come back and listen. Share this podcast with your friends and leave a rating/review on iTunes. Article “Pastor, Be Encouraged”  Here Reminder: Check out The Shepherd’s Crook Intensive  Here  

Thanks again for listening! I hope this episode is helpful and Christ-honoring. Here is the link to the podcast I mentioned with Ryan Huguley and Leonard Sweet  IN THE ROOM  podcast episode 54. Here is the tweet I mention in the show: We need more boomers who recognize their generational sins. What’s happening in the SBC right now is a macro version of what has been happening at every FBC for the...

Young pastors, if we don’t learn from bad older pastors we will become them. In this episode, I explain why I think there has been a surge of church planting over the last 30 years and what young pastors can do now that will help them finish better than their predecessors. Here  is an article from the Baptist Press from last year identifying the very problem I mention in this episode. And An...

We know we are supposed to visit the sick and officiate funeral and graveside services. But how do we do it? I have some tips. The Book I mention in this episode is Kent Hughes book “The Pastors Book”. And I was wrong, it’s not that pricy! Pick it up! HERE You can listen to this episode here on this player or on iTunes and almost every other podcast platform.

Thanks for listening! The book I mention in this episode is “The Meaning of Marriage” by Tim Keller. here  You can listen to this episode right here on this new player or jump over to iTunes  HERE Reminder. I need your help. If you like this content share it and tell pastors/aspiring pastors about it. Then go and leave a review and rating on iTunes.

  Thanks so much for checking out the podcast. This episode is the last full-length episode in the Pastoral Priorities series. If you find this one helpful, go back and listen to the whole series. Pastors, let me remind you of what else The Shepherd’s Crook offers. We do phone/video sessions providing confidential care and counsel. If you need help give us an email or call! Sessions are...

This is the first Bonus Podcast Episode. More will be rolling out soon! Give this one a listen here on the TSC site, iTunes, or any other podcast platform. This is not a conference. This is an “Intensive.” Visit the  Intensive Page  for more details.

Pastor, do you know your people? Book Recommendation Richard Baxter  The Reformed Pastor  Also, be on the lookout for updates and announcements about The Shepherd’s Crook. We have some exciting things in the works that should be helpful to you! The Pastor’s “4 Churches” Family Elders Those you are discipling. Church members.

Thanks so much for listening. I hate to beat a dead horse, but I will. If this has been helpful please head over to iTunes and leave a rating a review. Also, consider sharing this podcast with others. Thank you! Here are the books I recommend in this episode. The Gospel-Centered Life  by Bob Thune Just for Starters  by Mattias Media

Pastor, you have to get some friends! Don’t preach relational depth and then opt out of deep friendships within the church. Healthy Plurality = Durable Church   by Dave Harvey Real accountability requires real friendship. No real friendship? No real accountability.  

  Thanks so much for listening to the podcast. If this has been helpful to you please consider giving the podcast a review and sharing it with a friend! Recommended Books Tim Keller “Prayer” Paul Miller “The Praying Life” Martyn Lloyd-Jones “Preaching and Preachers” David Helm “Expository Preaching”

We are working through a series answering the question “What does a pastor do?” Today I talk about pastoral priority 2 “Manage your household.” Let me know what you think. I would love your feedback!

Episode 12 is live! This podcast is the first of 7 part series on pastoral priorities. In the last 5 episodes, I answered the question “Who is a pastor?” In this series, I answer the question “What does a pastor do?” I hope you find these helpful! In this episode, I mention Eugene Peterson again. This time I read from his book  The Contemplative Pastor.  Jump on Amazon and...