Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan and Mark talk with Joel Beeke about his new book A Thriving and Lifelong Ministry: Cultivating Spiritual and Pastoral Vitality for the Long Haul. With pastors leaving ministry in droves, Joel makes the case for long-term pastorates and against jumping ship every few years, and warns of the slow slide from heartfelt calling into mere professionalism. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan and Mark sit down with Mez McConnell, founder of 20schemes, to hear his remarkable testimony and the story of his ministry to Scotland’s “schemes” — the poor, multi-generational housing communities most of the church has overlooked. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan and Mark are joined by Ben Lacey and Dr. Matthew Bingham to discuss Bingham’s new book A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation. Together they survey some of the popular approaches to spiritual formation shaping evangelicals today and show why each tends to sideline regeneration and the sufficiency of God’s Word. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Alex Duke fills in for Mark Dever to talk with Jonathan Leeman about his book, Using Authority Well: A Concise Guide for Men. Jonathan makes the case that authority is not a necessary evil but a gift from God; one meant to create and build up life, as pictured in 2 Samuel 23 and Psalm 72, rather than to exploit or destroy. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever sits down with Sean DeMars to talk about his book Redemption Song, a short and approachable primer on congregational singing. Using Moses' song in Exodus 15 as a lens, they explore why God's people sing, how the regulative principle guides our worship (and why it needn't be scary or restrictive), and why singing is part of the word ministry of the church that pastors, not just music leaders, are accountable for. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan talks with Ryan Robertson about his new book (co-authored with Matt Bennett), The Path to Being a Missionary. Together they unpack why "I'm called" is better understood as aspiration tested by a local church, and why Ryan so often tells eager candidates to wait. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan talks to Mark and Connie Dever, a candid vulnerable conversation about being a pastor's wife.

In this special live episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman sits down with hymn writer, worship professor, and pastor Matt Boswell to talk about the craft and calling of writing hymns for the church. They also explore what a hymn writer and a theologian each see, how Matt writes with specific suffering church members in mind, why singing is meant to be horizontal as well as vertical, and what to do if you don't like your church's music (spoiler: sing anyway).

Note: this episode was recorded live and has some audio issues throughout.

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever are joined by David Lawrence, pastor of Erbil Baptist Church, and Jeremy Barker of the Mustard Seed Foundation, to discuss gospel work in Kurdistan — the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Caleb Morell and Mark Dever sit down with Australian author Tony Payne (co-author of The Trellis and the Vine) to discuss his new book, Let the Word Dwell Richly. Payne makes the case that alongside the public preaching of the Word, the New Testament everywhere assumes a "one another word" — believers speaking Scripture and its implications to one another for mutual spiritual benefit.

In this special episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever welcome John Piper to reflect on his book The Pleasures of God, newly reissued by Crossway. Together they explore why God's self-exaltation is not vanity but love, how grace overflows from a God who is full and free, the connection between God's glory and His happiness, and why a gloomy view of God distorts everything downstream. 

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever discuss the unusual sermon Mark preached on July 5th, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence; tackling the question, "Are we celebrating the 250th anniversary of a sin?" Along the way they reflect on when to depart from expositional preaching for a topical occasion, rightly ordered love of country versus idolatry.

In this special episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman sits down with Mark and Connie Dever to talk through Mark's sudden medical event. Mark and Connie recount the story, from the emergency room to Mark's slow recovery, and reflect on what the experience revealed: how a healthy church cares for a pastor and his family in crisis, and the importance of building those habits of mutual care long before you need them.

In the season finale of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman is joined by Ligon Duncan and Michael Lawrence to discuss the state of the pastoral pipeline — examining why fewer men are entering ministry, the role of demographics and seminary debt, and what healthy churches and seminaries can do about it.

In part three of their series on raising up leaders, Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever work through nine practical principles Mark uses to identify and develop future pastors — from spotting qualified men and extending trust early, to delegating well, cultivating feedback loops, embracing a healthy view of authority, and modeling clarity and humility. Along the way they discuss why spending time with a few people often matters more than chasing a platform, and why a senior pastor who always wins the vote is quietly undermining his own eldership.

Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever continue their conversation on raising up leaders, exploring the connection between discipleship, evangelism, and church planting, how to measure ministry fruitfulness beyond numbers, and what it means to steward your church for the next pastor.

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan and Mark dive into the essential, yet often challenging, practice of raising up leaders and passing out authority. They discuss what it takes to build a ministry around giving authority away rather than consolidating it.

Hebrews 2:1  warns believers to pay close attention to the gospel message to avoid drifting away from their faith. Mark and Jonathan talk to Jared Wilson about his book on this topic and how believers should be thinking carefully about the centrality of the gospel in their lives.

How should pastors think about their work hours? What are some principles that churches and pastors can consider for pastors to get reimbursed? Mark and Jonathan talk with Garrett and Mike on lessons learned.

Should Christians talk about discerning the repentance of other Christians? What are the instructions from the New Testament to churches? Mark and Jonathan invite Caleb Morell to discuss this.

How to pastor and walk with those in the unique season of life when they can't leave home and approaching death. Mark and Jonathan discuss practical ideas on how to be mindful as pastors.

Jonathan and Mark Feather talk to Joshua Schooping, a former Eastern Orthodox priest, on how to pastor church members who may be considering joining the Eastern Orthodox church.

Jonathan, Mark and Mark Feather talk to Joshua Schooping, a former Eastern Orthodox priest, on the reasons he had to leave that church.

Jonathan talks to Reuben Bredenhof, author of The Ministry of Small Things. They consider the ordinary ministry of pastors, focusing on all the small things they must be faithful to, and reflect on the temptation of pastoral cynicism.

If Jesus is the great deacon, what does that say about the office of deacon in our churches?

Jonathan sits down with Larry Lazarus to discuss why it is important for churches to know the job descriptions of deacons.

Have you ever wondered why it's important for congregations to know their pastor's job description according to the Bible? Jonathan sits down with his senior pastor, Larry Lazarus, to consider this question.

Mark talks to H.B. Charles Jr. on ministerial calling and how he prepares for preaching.

Mark sits down with H.B. Charles Jr. to talk about his ministerial journey and how God has used him.

Is there a doctrine of religious liberty in the Bible? Mark and Jonathan talk with Andrew Walker on how to think about this question.

On this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark and Jonathan talk with Matt Rhodes about his new book, Persecution in Missions.

On this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark and Jonathan invite Stephen Yuille and Caleb Morell to talk about the writing of John Cotton, focusing on his perspective on Congregationalism.

How should christians think about protests that stop church services?
Mark and Jonathan talk about the recent disruption that happened at St. Paul Church.

Mark and Jonathan talk to Jimmy Scroggins about similarities and difference on how 9Marks' principle apply in a mega church context.

Mark and Jonathan sit down and review this past year by talking about the transition and sharing a top 10 list of things 9Marks did.

How should people in ministry relate to boredom and the nature of repetition? Mark and Jonathan talk about the good and the concerns on how we relate to those things.

You can enter the giveaway at mbts.edu/pastorstalk

As a pastor, talking to the church about money and the budget could be difficult for several reasons. In this episode Jonathan and Mark talk to Jamie Dunlop about his experience when he talks to the church about the budget.

Does the Bible require pastors to officiate weddings? How should we think about christian marriage ceremonies? In this episode Mark and Jonathan discuss the practice of weddings.

Mark and Jonathan talk with Taylor Hartley on the new issue of Church Matters and on the Ordinances.

Finally! After 300 episodes we cover the topic of Congregationalism. Mark and Jonathan discuss the biblical evidence and its helpfulness for the life of the church

Mark and Jonathan talk to Aaron and Harshit about their book Prioritizing Missions in the Church and how important it is for the life of the church.