The Sword & The Trowel

A conversation about recognizing and confirming a call to pastoral ministry. They explore biblical definitions of pastor, elder, and overseer and warn against narrow or professionalized approaches. Practical steps for churches to train and test leaders are outlined. They highlight character qualifications, the role of seminary versus mentorship, and the four C's for choosing elders.

Willy Rice, pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater and church-planting advocate, talks vision for Baptist renewal and his SBC presidential nomination. He discusses his church’s multiplication strategy and a new book critiquing growth-obsession. He shares shifts in leadership posture, listening to marginalized pastors, and seven pillars for renewing clarity, accountability, mission, and unity.

A lively tour of Particular Baptist origins from 17th-century English separatists to modern revivals. They trace historic confessions, early congregations, and ministerial training. The conversation covers missionary awakenings, American developments, institutional recoveries, and ongoing tensions within the movement.

A deep dive into Christ as Mediator, focusing on his death, life, and how salvation is accomplished. They explore penal substitution, active and passive obedience, and the debate over particular versus universal atonement. Old Testament worship and promises are shown as pointing forward to Christ and the continuity of salvation across ages.

A theological walk through Christ as mediator, covering his human sanctification, anointing, and role as the new Adam. They unpack Christ’s active and passive obedience and the idea of double imputation. Discussion also touches on two wills in Christ, his fulfillment of the law, and the comfort believers receive from his intercession and resurrection.

A lively discussion of eldership’s biblical basis and practical qualifications. They explore moving to a plurality of elders and why that safeguards pastoral care. Practical training methods are offered, from mentoring to sermon rotations. They tackle decision-making among elders, member submission and church discipline. Character, competency, calling and chemistry get special attention.

A deep dive into Christology, exploring why the person of Christ is crucial and often misunderstood. They trace ancient heresies and show how those errors appear today. Listeners hear careful discussion of the Son’s eternal relation to the Father, the incarnation, the hypostatic union, and why Christ alone can mediate between God and humanity.

They talk about restoring regular family worship and personal stories of starting the practice. They explore why it became rare and how it is being recovered. Practical resources, rhythms for different life stages, and quick tips for making worship engaging are highlighted. They also discuss training children for corporate worship and creative, age‑appropriate practices.

They dig into the Epstein files and the challenge of separating raw allegations from AI forgeries. They wrestle with trust in news and pastors’ duty to shepherd congregations through cultural crises. They discuss law and gospel balance, the role of elders, confessional resources, and practical steps for churches. They also debate immigration, national identity, and how Christians should preserve civic inheritance.

A discussion of recent unrest in Minneapolis and why church leaders cannot ignore its pastoral implications. A look at immigration policy, ICE operations, and how politics shape community tensions. Practical talk about church safety, de-escalation, and preparing congregations for protests. Reflections on nationhood, assimilation, and how cultural shifts affect church life.