Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. Each episode unpacks topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city.

In this episode, Joel and Akin are joined by Pastor Zach Schlegel of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. Together, they open 1 Timothy 4:16 and explore a sobering and hopeful theme: You don’t want to ruin your life—stay faithful until the end. Zach unpacks what it means to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” and why this command is essential for every pastor and church member.

The conversation moves from the role of the conscience in keeping us on track, to how watching your life and doctrine protects both you and your church. They discuss the devastating ripple effects when a pastor falls, and offer practical helps for guarding the soul, persevering in the faith, and finishing the race well.

Together, they make the case that finishing well is not an accident—it’s the fruit of intentional watchfulness, gospel-centered endurance, and God’s sustaining grace.

Joel is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Akin serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church. Zach serves as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro.

📍 Learn more about FBC Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org

📍 Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com

📍 Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com

📍 Learn more about First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org

🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives

❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate

In ministry, we are tempted to turn to everything else. For many, the Bible is just one tool for knowing God, ourselves, and faith—but is the Bible sufficient? In this sermon, Kevin Smith discusses the sufficiency of Scripture.

The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from years past. Kevin Smith preached at the 2017 ONE HOPE Conference on the question: “Is the Bible enough?” In this episode, we present Kevin’s message for your edification and enjoyment.

Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com.

Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate

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Does theology matter in urban ministry? Most definitely. Healthy ministry in tough places isn’t driven by good programming, it’s driven by good theology. As we kick off year two, we want to focus on the topic of justification by faith. How can a sinner be right with God? Is it really by faith alone? The answer is more crucial than any other question we could ask ourselves. Yet we are prone to attach to our works to our justification. That Christ has done it all, can simply sound too good to be true. Understanding justification by faith begins with knowing our own hopelessness. A clean outward appearance is useless, unless we are washed in the blood of Christ. On this episode, Stephanie, Joel, and Eric dive into the doctrine of justification by faith, exploring its impact for the urban context.

Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate

Watch for updates on ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone at faithalone.eventbrite.com