Category Archives: Missional

Episode 106: When My Friend Gives Up On God!

Each of us longs to know what we can do to help those we love restore their relationships with God. Nehemiah – the Old Testament hero – offers us help and hope. Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist … Continue reading

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Episode 103: We Are Called to Care!

Welcome back to the Transformed podcast. Thank you for joining us! Have you ever wondered what God thinks of your next-door neighbors? In our new series, “Walking with the Wounded,” Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of … Continue reading

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Praying For Our City Leaders

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith My phone rang yesterday afternoon. It was one of our city council members in El Segundo, California, where I recently accepted a lead pastor position. His kind words of welcome and thanks for my recent … Continue reading

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Why Can’t We See Them?

As we walked the streets of our community this weekend giving away small bags of Valentine’s candy, my heart almost broke as I thought about all the people near our worship facility. Who are they? What’s their story? Do they … Continue reading

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Urban World Being Tackled By Agrarian-Structured Denominations

In a recent article in the California Southern Baptist, Mark Kelly reported that Focus 21 Task Force Chairman E. Glen Paden, a retired pastor and president emeritus of California Baptist Foundation, said committee members agree dramatic changes are needed to … Continue reading

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Dr. Smith Speaking in Chicagoland This Weekend!

Dr. Matthew Smith will be the worship speaker this Sunday, December 4th at the Brainard Avenue Baptist Church in Countryside, IL.   He will speak that the 9:30 am worship service on the subject, It’s All About the Mission!   … Continue reading

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Signs of Impending Death in an Urban Church

Visit most any urban church in America and you will often find a small group of people rattling around in a large facility. The “glory days” for the church have passed them by and things are currently being held together … Continue reading

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Transformed Interviews Shannon O'Dell About "Transforming Church in Rural America!"

In today’s episode, we want to explore effective ministry in rural areas. Matt would tell you that many of the truths in this episode apply equally to urban ministry as well. Shannon O’Dell has focused on vision, attitude, leadership and … Continue reading

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Immigration and the Gospel (Guest Blog)

By Dr. Russell Moore The Christian response to immigrant communities in the United States cannot be “You kids get off of my lawn” in Spanish. While evangelicals, like other Americans, might disagree on the political specifics of achieving a just … Continue reading

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Transformed! Interviews Mike Slaughter about "Change the World!"

We are so pleased you have returned to the Transformed podcast. In today’s episode, we explore how we can recover the message and mission of Jesus, and thus, Change the World. Matt’s guest today is Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at … Continue reading

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