Retrieving Catholicity with Pastor Mason Ballard

7 Thoughts on the Southern Baptist Convention

In this episode, Pastor Mason shares his insights on the current state of the Southern Baptist Convention, reflecting on its challenges, opportunities, and future direction. He discusses cooperation, theological integrity, cultural issues, and the importance of local church focus. Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro 01:48 Personal Connection to SBC 08:50 Cooperation and Its Costs 14:26 Cultural Challenges and Responses 19:48 Self-Obsessed Culture in SBC 25:33 The Role of Seminaries

Theses on Church Growth

In this episode, Pastor Mason explores the complexities of church growth, emphasizing that it is not accidental, contingent on external factors, and often deceptive. He shares seven theses on church growth, highlighting the importance of faithfulness, understanding social fault lines, and maintaining focus on Jesus amidst challenges. Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Understanding Church Growth 06:53 The Nature of Church Growth 18:59 Challenges and Misconceptions of Growth 30:34 The Future of Church Growth

Revisiting: Help from a Dead Guy

In this replay episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard reflects on the significance of engaging with historical theological voices, particularly through the lens of Charles Spurgeon's work. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the universal church that transcends time, encouraging listeners to read the writings of past theologians as an act of love and humility.Ballard introduces Spurgeon's lecture, The Minister's Fainting Fits, which addresses the emotional and spiritual struggles faced by ministers and believers alike. He highlights how these struggles are not only common but can also serve as a means of growth and empathy in ministry.Throughout the episode, Ballard shares insights from Spurgeon's lecture, discussing the reasons behind feelings of despair and the importance of understanding our human frailty. He encourages listeners to view their struggles as part of their calling and to seek comfort in the knowledge that God uses our challenges for greater purposes.As we revisit this conversation, the message remains timely: trust in God's presence during difficult seasons and find solace in the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Catholicity and Historical Voices 06:13 Exploring Spurgeon's 'The Minister's Fainting Fits' 12:04 Understanding Struggles in Ministry 20:03 Finding Hope in Dark Times

Prioritizing the Gospel in Parenting with Reverend Derek Roberts

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard and Reverend Derek Roberts explore the intersection of faith, family, and church life, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the gospel in parenting and personal decisions. They discuss practical challenges faced by young families, the role of church community, and the balance between cultural influences and biblical priorities. Learn more about Rev. Derek Roberts and his ministry at Hope Charleston: https://hopecharleston.org/ Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Catholicity and Personal Journeys 02:02 Navigating Parenthood and Church Life 05:38 The Ideology of Parenting 09:09 The Role of the Gospel in Parenting 13:02 Travel Sports and Church Attendance 16:37 Prioritizing Church in Family Life 24:06 Evaluating Life Priorities 26:31 Authority and Christian Parenting 28:52 Navigating Parenting Ideologies 31:39 Balancing Family and Ministry 34:18 Embracing the Gift of Parenting 37:18 Grace in Parenting Decisions 39:06 Addressing Infertility and Community Support

Local Theologians - The Universal Church and Your Church | A Study Story with Mason Ballard

This week we are sharing an episode of the Local Theologians podcast. Dr. Mason Ballard joins Dr. Travis Montgomery to discuss the doctrine of catholicity (little‑c) and how recovering a sense of the church’s universality across time and space has transformed his ministry. Mason explains how Baptist convictions harmonize with the historic Christian confession of ‘one holy, catholic, and apostolic church,’ why ‘catholic’ doesn’t mean ‘Roman Catholic,’ and how embracing the wholeness of the global and historic church shapes worship, partnership, posture, and humility. They discuss practical expressions of catholicity in church planting, liturgy, ecumenical charity, and ministry context as well as cautions for those rediscovering ancient practices for the first time. About the Podcast Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at: mbts.edu/global Local Theologians YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCZE7aFNgaLTKBygxAymRPrA Local Theologians Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BAUb8dSNL9GIp0AEocQOQ?si=24bca9786e9e4555 Local Theologians Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-theologians/id1849306162 Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Catholicity and Theological Education 02:03 Understanding Catholicity: Definition and Importance 05:21 Practical Implications of Catholicity in Ministry 09:03 Ecumenism vs. Catholicity: A Deeper Look 12:22 Worship Practices and Their Significance 16:03 Cautions for Embracing Ancient Traditions 24:56 Resources for Understanding Catholicity