Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss how pastors can keep growing—through daily study, conferences, and even formal education—so they stay spiritually sharp, theologically grounded, and better equipped to serve their people.
Pastors are expected to keep learning—just like doctors, teachers, and counselors. In this episode, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan unpack formal and informal ways to stay sharp: carving out daily reading, using journals and courses, attending conferences, leaning on study Bibles, pursuing study leave or targeted coursework (ThM/DMin), and even teaching as adjuncts. They also warn against using degrees as an escape from ministry and offer practical counsel for staying current on cultural issues while remaining focused on your flock.
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