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
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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
Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel Kurz, Stephanie Greer unpack topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city.
In today’s culture, everything is on the move—always running, always grinding, always reaching for more. But where’s it all going? There’s no finish line, just an endless chase for greatness. Sadly, pastors, ministry leaders, and church members often get caught in the same cycle. Even in the midst of doing great things for God, many are running on empty—exhausted, burned out, and wondering if this is how it’s supposed to be.
In this episode, we explore how pride can quietly fuel our exhaustion. Joel and Stephanie discuss how pride in place, planning, and purpose often leads to spiritual—and even physical—burnout. But there is a remedy: humility. In humility, we learn to rest—not by striving, but by trusting. This episode calls us to a deeper dependent trust in God, the only true source of rest.
In addition to their work with ONE HOPE, Joel serves as lead pastor at The Garden Church, where Stephanie also serves on staff. Visit thegardenbaltimore.com to learn more.
Learn more about ONE HOPE and how you can help build churches in the inner city: www.onehope.gives
Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate
The Stoop Sessions
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
