Level Paths

Dr. Matt serves as the Appalachian Research Fellow at the Appalachian Ministry Institute at Tri-State Bible College. In this episode, Matt expresses the biblical and contextual principle for pastors to commit to fellowship with one another as a source of encouragement and endurance in ministry.Regional pastors are invited to attend the Pastors' Networking Coffee at TSBC on the first Tuesday of each month from 9:00–10:00 AM.

Dr. Matt illustrates the need for the contextualization of ministry in Appalachia through NASCAR's own Appalachian heritage and experience. Also, Dr. Matt gives an update about our 2026 Appalachian Ministry Conference!

Did Christ come into existence at his birth? Did he give up his deity when he became a human? No and no! Dr. Matt welcomes back President Rex for a special Christmas edition of the Level Paths podcast to focus on a little bit of the theology of the incarnation. Praise to the Son Eternal! Merry Christmas!

After examining evidence-based studies about societal changes following the pandemic, Dr. Matt shifts his focus to the workplace and work relationships, faith and practice, and to the way people view life. Some researchers have called this the time of "The Great Detachment." People's priorities have changed. How has a lack of connection and commitment impacted local churches? Can Christians practice Christianity without community? Clinging to past-pandemic society and life may hinder ministries from being effective and faithful in post-pandemic realities.

Dr. Matt revisits COVID-19. The pandemic increased the speed at which some societal trends had been moving, such as declining mental health and skepticism about the credibility of institutions and authority. It also had the effect of strengthening and expanding the church's resolve toward gathering together. Mental health, authority, trust, gatherings, divisions, loneliness, and technology all relate to the changes ministries are facing in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt explores discouragement in Appalachian ministry through the biblical narrative about the prophet Elijah. He highlights the importance of finding encouragement in the presence of God, in the company of fellow believers, and receiving an endurance from God that never, never gives up.

Dr. Jacob Marshall joins Dr. Matt Shamblin to discuss patterns of change in Appalachian churches. Evidence of a past legacy of faith exists here; however, churches are encountering barriers today that are hindering them from experiencing God's blessing. Listen to learn about the patterns Dr. Marshall has discovered in his research.

Is the mission of the church to perpetuate Appalachian tradition or to make disciples of all nations? Dr. Matt kicks off the sixth season of the Level Paths podcast by exploring Why Change Matters in a Church, especially churches that exist in an Appalachian context.

Dr. Matt welcomes pastor Heath Bauer to discuss the difficulty of serving in Appalachia as opposed to his missionary seasons of service in China and Malaysia. Dr. Matt and pastor Heath offer encouragement to Appalachian pastors.

Dr. Matt and President Rex sit down with Angie Vanover, who serves as the Director of Children's Ministry at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Ashland, KY. Angie has many years of experience in leading dynamic approaches and administrative wisdom for Vacation Bible School in an Appalachian context. If you've ever had questions about out-of-the-box ideas, how to connect with parents, or the purpose that drives VBS, you'll want to get to know Angie!

Dr. David Wheeler joins Dr. Matt and President Rex on this episode of Level Paths. Dr. David is a faculty member in the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University and is an Oak Ridge, TN native. He has over 40 years of ministry experience.

Dr. Matt Shamblin welcomes Dr. Mark Phillips, the VP of Academics at Tri-State Bible College and a member of the Reasons to Believe Scholar Community. Mark also brings his experience as an assistant pastor at FBC Proctorville to address changes in Appalachian evangelism.

Pastor Emeritus of Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA Phil Neighbors joins Dr. Matt and President Rex to tell the story of five generations of Christian ministry from Appalachia to California. The earliest revivals in America and Appalachia are reframed through their impact not only in the immediate historical moment but also in the generational and geographical spread they generated.

Dr. Matt and President Rex discuss the missionary mindset that captured the early church, drove the Christian pioneers that entered north central Appalachia between 1750–1850, and steps to recovering today in and for Appalachia.

Dr. Jacob Marshall joins TSBC President Rex Howe for a light-hearted conversation about Appalachian Christmas Eve traditions. Jacob serves as the Assistant Pastor of Visitation & Outreach at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Ona, WV.

Dr. Matt Shamblin is joined by Tri-State Bible College Vice President of Academics Dr. Mark Phillips. They consider trends of a declining Christian subculture in Appalachia and what that means for the church today.

What's the condition of Appalachian pastors' relationships? The Bible clearly tells us that there are specific relationships to which we are accountable. These relationships can be critical to a pastor's encouragement. Dr. Matt and Rex share challenges and takeaways for community among pastors in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt and President Rex revisit a topic from Season 1 Episodes 11 and 12: What is the state of the church in Appalachia in 2024? Featured guests include Pastor Jacob Marshall of Antioch Baptist Church in Ona, WV and Pastor Kenny Estep of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Ohio. Listen and join the conversation about the trends and transformations happening in Appalachian churches today.