In episode 17 of The View From the Pulpit, host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Bart Barber, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, about preaching and the unique demands of ministry. The discussion highlights the impact of community demographic changes. Dr. Barber explains how Farmersville's transition from a rural area to a growing bedroom community has impacted how he illustrates his sermons.They also discuss how Dr. Barber weaves systematic theology into the Biblical theology of his expositional preaching. Dr. Barber, who has conducted extensive academic studies in biblical languages, explains how he utilizes his language skills to understand and interpret biblical texts and offers practical advice on how anyone can engage with the Bible’s original languages. Finally, in addition to discussing his sermon preparation process, he advocates for the value of theological education and gaining preaching experience.