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Pastor Well with Hershael York

Southern Seminary·Hosted by Hershael York·128 episodes

ChristianityReligionSpiritualityPastoral counselShort episodesWeeklyStandalone topicsMinistry leadershipChristian teaching

Conversations with prominent pastors, teachers, and leaders sharing key insights on their experience in faithful ministry, by Dr. Hershael York (the Dean of the School of Theology at SBTS and Pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort, KY)

Why listen

Pastor Well with Hershael York gives pastors and ministry leaders compact, practical counsel for real church situations, from ordination and conflict to grief, marriage, preaching, and discipleship. The newer episodes feel like direct pastoral coaching from a seasoned pastor-scholar, while older episodes include conversations with notable Christian leaders. It is a strong fit for pastors, elders, seminary students, and church staff who want biblically grounded advice without a long time commitment.

Episodes

12 min
Jun 1, 2026Episode 131
How to Have a Ministry of Encouragement

It's important for a believer to be encouraging, so how can a Pastor model this behavior well? Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

11 min
May 25, 2026Episode 130
Getting Your Church to Support Missions

It can be easy to forget about the missionaries sent out from the church. How do you get your church to raise funds for missions around the world? Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
May 18, 2026Episode 129
Shepherding Women in the Church

In complementarian ministry, how should a pastor equip women to disciple women? In this episode, Dr. York encourages pastors to shepherd women well and empower them to be stewards of the word by leading other women in their walk with the Lord.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

10 min
May 11, 2026Episode 128
Navigating Cohabiting Elderly Couples

How should a pastor navigate the issue of elderly couples wishing to marry in the church's eyes but not legally? In this episode, Dr. York walks through the tricky subject of how to approach this kind of request. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

13 min
May 4, 2026Episode 127
The Significance of Ordination

A Pastor's ordination should be treated as a valuable and important thing in the life of the church. In this episode, Dr. York explains the process of ordination and why it needs to be taken seriously. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

11 min
Apr 27, 2026Episode 126
Having a Vision for Your Church

Pastors may have big dreams and plans for their church, but without a plan and vision they may not come to fruition. In this episode, Dr. York talks about how important writing down these plans can be. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

11 min
Apr 20, 2026Episode 125
How to Deal with Ambition

Can our personal ambition honor the Lord? In this episode, Dr. York talks about how a pastor should be mindful of ambition and not let it take over. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

8 min
Apr 13, 2026Episode 124
Discipling Leaders to Send Out

The goal of the church isn't to build disciples in order to hoard away, but to send out into the world, whether that be to plant churches, attend seminary, or accept a calling elsewhere. Dr. York discusses how to do this well, preparing the church and the disciples to leave.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

12 min
Apr 6, 2026Episode 123
Dealing with False Accusations

As a pastor, you may face false accusations from the church community. How do you deal with those and what is the best approach? Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

11 min
Mar 30, 2026Episode 122
How to Win Church Fights

Disagreements are going to happen in a church, but it all depends on if the hill is worth dying on. In this episode, Dr. York breaks down fighting for principles and not preferences. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

12 min
Mar 23, 2026Episode 121
Changing a Church's Bad Habits

Learning how to discern convictional preferences from personal preferences can be hard, but it is an important responsibility for every pastor. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

12 min
Mar 16, 2026Episode 120
Investing in Marriages

Churches invest in youth and worship, but do they spend enough time investing in marriages? In this episode, Dr. York discusses the importance of prioritizing healthy marriages in the church. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

12 min
Mar 9, 2026Episode 119
Parenting Children to Love Christ

In this episode, Dr. York talks about building a loving foundation for a family in ministry, modeling Christ in the home. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Feb 23, 2026Episode 118
Shepherding Amidst Personal Grief

Grief can be all-consuming and sometimes bring out feelings of hopelessness. How can a pastor carry on shepherding their people in that time? In this episode, Dr. York encourages pastors to lean on the hope of the resurrection.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Feb 16, 2026Episode 117
Addressing National Tragedies in Church

When horrible events happen in our world, how do we approach these topics from the pulpit? In this episode, Dr. York walks through some appropriate responses to how to discuss these tragedies in church. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

12 min
Feb 9, 2026Episode 116
How to Address Tithing

In this episode, Dr. York approaches the topic of tithing and whether or not a Pastor should preach on the subject in church. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

13 min
Feb 2, 2026Episode 115
How Personality Impacts Pastoring

How does personality impact one's ministry? In this episode, Dr. York discusses the importance of understanding your weaknesses in order to overcome them. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Dec 9, 2025Episode 114
The Wife as a Ministry Partner

In this episode, Dr. York discusses why he and his wife decided to be full-time ministry partners and how that choice benefited him as a Pastor over the years. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Dec 2, 2025Episode 113
What Will Get a Pastor Fired

Pastors getting fired from a church is a difficult process. In this episode, Dr. York talks about ways to avoid getting fired in the first place. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.

12 min
Nov 24, 2025Episode 112
Abiding with the Lord

As a Pastor, abiding with God daily is an ongoing process that requires discipline. Through spending time in prayer and reading the word, we deepen our relationship with God each and every day. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

13 min
Nov 23, 2025Episode 111
Preaching In Times of Personal Suffering

In this episode, Dr. York talks about how suffering can make it difficult to preach sermons, but reliance on the Holy Spirit is especially important in those times of need. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

13 min
Nov 23, 2025Episode 110
How Much Should a Pastor Share with his Wife?

A pastor's role involves hearing private matters. In this episode, Dr. York discusses how to approach sharing church matters with your wife. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

14 min
Nov 4, 2025Episode 109
What Does Church Success Look Like?

Success is not defined by the size of a church nor the number of converts. There's more to success than these measurements. In this episode, Dr. York talks about how to find success in ministry. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

13 min
Oct 27, 2025Episode 108
My Preaching Pet Peeves

Not to be confused with rules for preaching, Dr. York discusses some of his pet peeves in sermon practices.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

13 min
Oct 20, 2025Episode 107
Bringing Men into the Church

Many churches have more women than men. In this episode, Dr. York discusses why that might be the case, and how to challenge men to be a part of the body.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Oct 13, 2025Episode 106
How to be a Lifelong Learner

We never stop learning and growing. It's important to keep your mind alert and relationships deep. In this episode, Dr. York discusses some ways to be a lifelong learner.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

11 min
Oct 6, 2025Episode 105
Setting up a Successor

When a pastor's time at a particular church comes to a close, it's important to set the church up with a successor who is prepared for the role.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

12 min
Sep 29, 2025Episode 104
Do You Need to Mention Jesus in Every Sermon?

Dr. York walks through the importance of a message in relation to church context and church audience.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

12 min
Sep 22, 2025Episode 103
Raising Funds for Capital Projects

Asking for money for the church building can seem like a daunting task. In this episode, Dr. York walks through how a pastor can undertake this in a healthy way.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

12 min
Sep 15, 2025Episode 102
Dealing with Confrontation in Pastoral Meetings

Having hard or difficult meetings can be common in a pastoral role. Dr. York walks through how to navigate those difficult conversations with humility and respect.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Sep 8, 2025Episode 101
Lessons in Humility

Pride is difficult to navigate in the age of likes on the internet. How can a Pastor remain humble while trying to grow their church?Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

11 min
Sep 1, 2025Episode 100
What I Learned From Bad Pastors

Even though we shouldn't seek bad pastors out, it's possible to learn from negative examples. In this episode, Dr. York walks through the different lessons he's learned about how to NOT pastor well.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Aug 25, 2025Episode 99
Being with Those on Their Deathbed

Congregants may not remember sermon outlines or illustrations, but they will always remember their pastor being there for them in difficult times. Being with those as they move from this life to the next is a weighty thing, but part of how a pastor can love his flock better.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

14 min
Aug 18, 2025Episode 98
Advice I Received from My Mentor: Adrian Rogers

Mentorship is important even for pastors. In this episode, Dr. York shares some of the advice he received over the years from his mentor, Adrian Rogers.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

11 min
Aug 11, 2025Episode 97
Making Theology Accessible And Rich

The church welcomes people from all walks of life, from new believers to lifelong Christians. How can you best enrich and serve both sides of the spectrum in a meaningful way?Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

10 min
Aug 4, 2025Episode 96
The Importance of Community Engagement

The church is a lamppost, not a fortress. It's not meant to escape culture, but instead it's meant to influence the culture with grace and truth. Dr. York walks through some ways the church can be a presence in the community.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

10 min
Jul 28, 2025Episode 95
The Private Battles Pastors Face

How can a pastor approach heart issues while maintaining their role as the church's shepherd? In this episode, Dr. York walks through how to have a healthy spiritual lifestyle as a pastor in community.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

9 min
Jul 25, 2025Episode 94
Working Through Pastoral Envy

When watching peers find ministry success, how should a pastor work through envy and comparison? In this episode, Dr. York points us back to scripture, seeking ways to glorify the Lord through our ministry.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.

12 min
Jul 14, 2025Episode 93
Manuscripts vs Outlines

Is it better for pastors to use manuscripts or outlines in church? In this episode, Dr. York walks through the benefits of not using a manuscript while preaching a sermon.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

12 min
Jul 7, 2025Episode 92
Using Strong Sermon Illustrations

Should pastors strive to keep their sermons engaging and memorable? In this episode, Dr. York discusses how being a good storyteller can help you pastor well.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

11 min
Jun 30, 2025Episode 91
A Wife's Role in Church Ministry

How should a Pastor's wife approach ministry in the church? In this episode, Dr. York dives deeper into how a Pastor and his wife need to be on the same page when it comes to ministry involvement.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry. Previous Episode on this topic: https://youtu.be/4NUv3_ksKLM?feature=shared Interview with Tanya: https://youtu.be/8907fTzVWR4?feature=sharedMentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

11 min
Jun 23, 2025Episode 90
Inviting Guest Preachers

How should a pastor approach asking and welcoming someone to speak at their church?Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

11 min
Jun 16, 2025Episode 89
Ways to Navigate Opinions on Worship

What are some best practices for adding changes to a worship service? In this episode, Dr. York walks through how to model worship in church as a pastor.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

15 min
Jun 9, 2025Episode 88
When Rebaptism might be necessary

Is it alright to be baptized more than once? In this episode, Dr. York walks through the complicated circumstances of rebaptizing a member of the church.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

14 min
Jun 2, 2025Episode 87
A Pastor's Boundaries with Friendship

In this episode, Dr. York walks through how to establish healthy boundaries between shepherds and the congregation.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

13 min
May 26, 2025Episode 86
When a Church is in Decline

A church in decline can be a difficult space for a pastor to be in. In this episode, Dr. York walks through some ideas on how to get attendance up and engage the congregation. Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/DZfdUqesWKwMentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

9 min
May 20, 2025Episode 82
Incorporating Media into Sermons

Is it alright to show things on the screen, or have bulletins with sermon outlines? In this episode, Dr. York walks through how to approach media's use in the church.Mentioned in this episode:The Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary

7 min
May 19, 2025Episode 85
Expositional Preaching

In this episode, Dr. York walks through the importance of expository preaching and why it's important.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The PhD at Southern Seminary

10 min
May 12, 2025Episode 84
A Pastor's Wife's Role in Ministry

How can a Pastor who's married use his wife's giftings to better serve the church? Dr. York talks about how his wife has served alongside him in ministry.Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:Help Shape the Next Generation with Boyce Collegeboycecollege.com

12 min
May 5, 2025Episode 83
Leaving a Church

At what point should you consider leaving your church, and what is the best way to go about it? Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.Mentioned in this episode:The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary

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Listening context

Casual listening
Best for: commutes, morning routines, between meetings, walks, church prep
Tone: practical, pastoral, thoughtful, grounded

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