Before You Quit

Before You Quit
  • 4.8 (20)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The purpose of BEFORE YOU QUIT is to bring courage and perspective when serving gets hard. Through an interview format, BYQ will address common struggles those in ministry face, and what they can teach us about resilience when the going gets tough.

  1. 5D AGO

    Podcast 156: The Pastor and Trauma Counseling (John Kerr)

    We live in a broken world, and that can often leave us broken. Trauma is often the result of specific events in our lives that leave a lasting mark, often leading to a profound deep deep-seated sense of isolation and pain that can also lead us to make bad choices. A child is molested at a young age, and this event leaves a lasting mark as they grow older, finding it difficult to enjoy life, function well at work, or live in healthy relationships. A soldier sees things in war, comes home, and never talks about it with his family and friends. This is trauma. Even pastors face traumatic events. When people tell me they have been traumatized by a church, I will jokingly say, “Try pastoring for over thirty years, and I will talk to you about trauma.” In this podcast, John Kerr and I talk about how the pastor, or any Christian for that matter, can learn the skills on how to help people going through trauma. We also desire to help you if you have experienced trauma. We also talk about how there is hope in the gospel. Jesus, by dying on the cross, experienced more trauma than we ever will. And he understands us, provides comfort and healing in the gospel, and puts the right people in our lives to help us through our painful events. You can be set free from trauma. In Hebrews 4:15, we are given this wonderful promise: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” John Kerr is a licensed counselor and graduated from Brown University. He lives in Toccoa Ga and currently working in addiction counseling. The post Podcast 156: The Pastor and Trauma Counseling (John Kerr) appeared first on Before You Quit.

    35 min

  2. JAN 22

    Podcast 155: Choosing Elders (Rev. Hobie Wood)

    Choosing godly elders is essential to the health of the church. Pastor Charles Swindoll writes, Every church is the lengthening shadow of those who lead it. Therefore, no issue is more important in any church than having the most-qualified people who model true spirituality serving in leadership as elders. This explains why the lists of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9 are so strict and demanding. Unfortunately, in most churches of America, the method of appointing and selecting those who lead is skewed. In those churches, leaders are chosen by majority vote, having been selected because the candidates are good businessmen or popular among the congregation or wealthy or long-time members or well-known, impressive individuals in the community. Nice and important as those factors may be, they have nothing to do with whether a person is qualified to be a servant leader and to be able to guide the flock of God in a way that honors the Lord Jesus Christ. In this podcast, I interview Pastor Hobie Wood of Christ Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, GA, on his 14 years of experience choosing the right elders for your church. Hobie is married to Hannah, and they have 3 children. He is a native of Tiger, Ga., a graduate of Clemson University (B.S.) and Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC (MDiv.). Prior to seminary and being called to be the pastor at Christ Presbyterian, Hobie and Hannah were on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He’s a rabid Clemson fan, a cyclist, and a (very) novice fly-fisherman. The post Podcast 155: Choosing Elders (Rev. Hobie Wood) appeared first on Before You Quit.

    30 min

  3. JAN 8

    Podcast 154: Growing Up Under Nazi Occupation (Janine Schultz)

    Those who grew up during World War 2 are gradually leaving us. Most who are alive are in their 90s or older. It’s important we keep their memories alive. Both my father and mother grew up in Europe and experienced the trauma of growing up under Nazi Occupation. In this podcast, I interview my 93-year-old mother about her story. Three years ago, my father passed away at the age of 93. My mother lives near us, and while diagnosed with stage three cancer, she remains independent and relatively healthy. For an interview I did with my father, you can click here.   The post Podcast 154: Growing Up Under Nazi Occupation (Janine Schultz) appeared first on Before You Quit.

    28 min

  4. JAN 6

    Podcast 153: Hearing God’s Voice (Dr. Dan Samms)

    Charles Spurgeon said of the Bible, “To me the Bible is not God, but it is God’s voice, and I do not hear it without awe.” I did a quick review on Amazon of the number of books titled “Hearing God’s Voice.” I was amazed at the dozens of books written on that title. For example, Priscilla Shirer in her book, He Speaks to Me, writes, “God desires to speak to you through His Word and His Holy Spirit. By learning to listen to God’s voice and committing to obey Him, you will draw closer to God with a deeper desire to serve Him faithfully.” Did you see her distinction, “through His Word AND His Holy Spirit.”? Is hearing God’s voice something separate from reading scripture? Henry Blackabee, in his book Hearing God’s Voice, writes, “This book is about hearing God’s voice, and by reading it, Christians need to learn to hear God’s voice.” He argues that just as those in scripture learned to hear God’s voice, so can you. Dr. Dan Samms and I ask, “How do we hear God’s Voice?” Our answer is, through his Word, through scripture. Dan is in love with his wife, Christy.  They have three kids, a few chickens, and an awesome dog named “Sam.”  Dan drinks good coffee, enjoys fine woodworking, and writes theology curriculum.  Christy is a licensed counselor. She owns Hope Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC, and is an incredible mother who has a variety of hobbies.  Together, they raise their kids, lead the church, and enjoy God’s blessings.  Dan wrote a book, Follow: A Handbook for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ.  It’s a handy tool for guiding people through initial steps in following Jesus.  You can purchase it on Amazon.com, and it is inexpensive enough that you can easily buy a copy for a friend and read it together.  Dan’s primary role at Restoration is equipping the saints to make disciples.   Email: dan@restorationamherst.org   Instagram: @roaringshepherd Website: www.undergroundseminary.net The post Podcast 153: Hearing God’s Voice (Dr. Dan Samms) appeared first on Before You Quit.

    45 min

  5. 10/23/2025

    Podcast 152: Transgenderism and the Gospel

    To understand transgenderism, we must understand our fallen nature. God created us in his image, and this is distorted by sin. The pressure from society to accept that you are born in the wrong body only leads to fatalism and despair. The gospel, however, brings hope and points to the restoration of our God created design through the God-man, Christ Jesus. In this podcast, my cohost and I discuss the origins of transgenderism, societal pressures, and how the church can better address the issue. Here is a sermon Pastor Dan Stegeman preached on the subject: Click the link here. Below is the lecture Pastor Dan Stegeman gave on the subject: Click the link here. For the Focus On the Family article on how to address transgenderism with your family, click the link here.   The post Podcast 152: Transgenderism and the Gospel appeared first on Before You Quit.

    34 min

  6. 09/11/2025

    Podcast 151: The Pastor and His Prayer Life (Pastor John Fogal)

    John Owen wrote, “A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more.” Most pastors that I know are committed to a prayer life. However, it is something that is easily neglected. The weight of the sermon and the burdens for his people will cause the pastor to look for help, and the best help comes from the Lord Jesus. King David wrote in Psalm 34:6, “This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.” In this podcast, Pastor John Fogal discussed together the challenges for a praying pastor, the importance of prayer for the sermon, and the critical need to prayer for those he shepherds. John W. Fogal lives in Ft. Wayne, IN. He pastored for twenty years and served as a district superintendent with the Christian and Missionary Alliance for 18 years. He has also served as a coach for pastors and churches. John is also the author of Living the Beatitudes. Click on the book cover to order John’s book. The post Podcast 151: The Pastor and His Prayer Life (Pastor John Fogal) appeared first on Before You Quit.

    46 min

  7. 08/23/2025

    Podcast 150: Preaching Law and Gospel (Pastor Dan Samms)

    What is good, Gospel preaching. We believe it must center on preaching both the law and the gospel. According to Eric Beach from 9 Marks, Scripture contains both commands to obey (law) and promises to believe for salvation (gospel). These are not antithetical to each other. Instead, they play indispensable yet different roles in the lives of Christians. A “gospel-centered” hermeneutic which unintentionally downplays or sidelines the commands of God for Christians will often result in significant problems over the long-term. The solution is not to downplay the gospel with a soft moralism or sideline the law with a soft antinomianism. Rather, teachers should proclaim both the law and the gospel. Pastor, preach the gospel of Christ the glorious savior in every sermon. But also preach the whole counsel of the word of God. Give your sheep God’s instructions and his commands for holy living. (See link here) Pastor Dan Samms and I discuss the importance of preaching LAW AND GOSPEL and how to frame the sermon so it does here in this podcast. Dan is in love with his wife, Christy.  They have three kids, a few chickens, and an awesome dog named “Sam.”  Dan drinks good coffee, enjoys fine woodworking, and writes theology curriculum.  Christy is a licensed counselor. She owns Hope Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC, and is an incredible mother who has a variety of hobbies.  Together, they raise their kids, lead the church, and enjoy God’s blessings.  Dan wrote a book, Follow: A Handbook for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ.  It’s a handy tool for guiding people through initial steps in following Jesus.  You can purchase it on Amazon.com, and it is inexpensive enough that you can easily buy a copy for a friend and read it together.  Dan’s primary role at Restoration is equipping the saints to make disciples.   Email: dan@restorationamherst.org   Instagram: @roaringshepherd Website: www.undergroundseminary.net   The post Podcast 150: Preaching Law and Gospel (Pastor Dan Samms) appeared first on Before You Quit.

    38 min

  8. 08/14/2025

    Podcast 149: The Pastor and Expository Preaching (Pastor Matt Cohen)

    I interviewed Pastor Matt Cohen on the discipline of expository preaching. Below is a summary of what expository preaching is from Qot Questions. See the link here. Expository preaching involves the exposition, or comprehensive explanation, of the Scripture; that is, expository preaching presents the meaning and intent of a biblical text, providing commentary and examples to make the passage clear and understandable. The word exposition is related to the word expose—the expository preacher’s goal is simply to expose the meaning of the Bible, verse by verse. To prepare an expository sermon, the preacher starts with a passage of Scripture and then studies the grammar, the context, and the historical setting of that passage in order to understand the author’s intent. In other words, the expositor is also an exegete—one who analyzes the text carefully and objectively. (See our article “What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?”) Once the preacher understands the meaning of the passage, he then crafts a sermon to explain and apply it. The result is expository preaching. G. Campbell Morgan, pastor of London’s Westminster Chapel and known as “the prince of expositors,” taught that a sermon is limited by the text it is covering. Every word from the pulpit should amplify, elaborate on, or illustrate the text at hand, with a view towards clarity. He wrote, “The sermon is the text repeated more fully.” A sermon’s primary function is to present the text. Matt Cohen is the lead pastor of Citylight Church in Philadelphia, PA, where he has served since planting the church in 2011-2012. Matt is also the Dean of the Center for Christ-centered Preaching and professor of preaching at Grimke Seminary. Matt has been married to Andrea since 2007 and they have two children, Soren and Sage. To hear a recent sermon from Pastor Matt, go here. To hear Matt share about how to become a preacher, listen to this interview here. The post Podcast 149: The Pastor and Expository Preaching (Pastor Matt Cohen) appeared first on Before You Quit.

    30 min
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About

The purpose of BEFORE YOU QUIT is to bring courage and perspective when serving gets hard. Through an interview format, BYQ will address common struggles those in ministry face, and what they can teach us about resilience when the going gets tough.

Information

  • Creator
    Before You Quit
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Before You Quit