Pastor Ben Smith

The 2026 SBC Annual Meeting has generated much discussion but often not well understood. Here are four reflections on this year’s meeting in Orlando, including the Truth and Unity Amendment, the need for doctrinal clarity, and why I left encouraged by the direction of the Southern Baptist Convention.

2026 SBC Annual Meeting: Polity, Doctrine, and the Truth and Unity Amendment — Ben Smith A pastoral reflection on the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, including Baptist polity, doctrinal clarity, the Truth and Unity Amendment, faithful ecclesiology, and why Southern Baptists should be encouraged.

The invitation is to exchange the yoke of sin for the yoke of Christ. One condemns and destroys, the other redeems and gives life.

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The worthiness of fighting for something is not from the outcome but the value of what could be lost. It is worth the risk to contend for a brother’s restoration and lose than surrender him to the devil without a fight.

The Risk and Reward of Church Discipline From the sermon, The Church's Testimony, Matthew 15:15-20The wort...

For a long time, biblical ecclesiology has been taken for granted with little attention or thought among many churches. As such, the proper administration of the ordinances has received little attention. I am so encouraged that among Southern Baptists, there is growing serious attention given to membership and the related ordinances of the church. You may not agree with all of these 12 propositions, but wrestling with them will help you think more critically about how the church should faithfully administer the ordinances.

12 Propositions | Getting the Ordinances and Membership Right - 9Marks Church membership, baptism, and the Supper should ordinarily be kept together because all three do the same work—identifying the citizens of Christ’s kingdom—working together as a thing, an entry sign of the thing, and ongoing sign of the thing.

Listen to Repent for the Kingdom is Near, Matthew 4:17 and considers what biblical repentance is, why it confronts us, and why the call to repent is also a gracious call to be saved.

Repent for the Kingdom is Near, Matthew 4:17 | All for the Kingdom Sermon — Ben Smith Jesus begins His public ministry with the call, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This sermon from Matthew 4:17 explains biblical repentance as turning from sin and self to Christ, submitting to God’s authority, and responding to the urgent call of the gospel.

When you delight in the Lord your delight will be satisfied.

What does it mean to delight in the Lord? (Sermon Short) What does it mean to delight in the Lord?Psalm 1 teaches that the...

The promises of God are not found by following the wisdom of the world they are only found by walking
according to the word of God.

The Way of the Righteous, Psalm 1 Additional podcasts, books, and downloadable PDFs of Pastor Ben’s s...

Listen now to Endings and Beginnings, 2 Kings 2:1–19 and consider how the church is called to invest faithfully in the next generation.

Endings and Beginnings, 2 Kings 2:1–19 | Elijah, Elisha, and Faithful Ministry — Ben Smith In 2 Kings 2:1–19, Elijah’s ministry ends and Elisha’s begins. This sermon considers biblical succession, next generation discipleship, faithful ministry, and the ongoing witness of God’s word and kingdom.

Faithfulness to God's word requires speaking truth in every season, not out of anger, but out of love and a desire for repentance

Faithful in Every Season, 1 Kings 21:17–29 | Elijah Sermon — Ben Smith In this sermon on 1 Kings 21:17–29, Ben Smith preaches on Elijah confronting Ahab, the call to speak truth, the judgment of God, biblical repentance, and the mercy of God that desires restoration.

It is impossible to love Jesus and remain in sin willingly. (Sermon Short)

It is impossible to love Jesus and remain in sin willfully. (Sermon Short) From the sermon Gospel Light, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6.It is not that a Christian no longer struggles with sin and temptation, but those who are in Christ no long...