The Pulpit and the Prayer Closet: Dr. Keeney Dickenson on Spurgeon’s Legacy

Expositors Collective

How did Charles Spurgeon’s theology of prayer shape one preacher’s lifelong commitment to expositional ministry, personal integrity, and staying rooted in a single congregation? In this conversation, Mike Neglia sits down with Dr. Keeney Dickenson, a seasoned pastor and mentor, to explore the spiritual and pastoral depth that comes from decades of prayer-soaked preaching and long-term faithfulness in one place.

From his first sermon at age 17 to a lifetime of week-in, week-out preaching through entire books of the Bible, Keeney shares the lessons, struggles, and joys of walking closely with the Lord and his congregation. Drawing deeply from Spurgeon’s example, he explains how prayer isn’t just part of sermon prep—it is the sermon prep. He walks us through his rhythm of turning Scripture into prayer, resisting the temptation to preach second-hand insights, and staying attentive to the Spirit and the lives of his people.

Whether you're preparing your first sermon or your 500th, this conversation is a warm and wise reminder that faithful preaching flows from a faithful life.

Highlights & Topics:

• Preaching your first sermon at 17… and still learning
• How long-term ministry deepens both sermon and shepherd
• Lessons from Spurgeon on prayer, integrity, and health
• Writing prayers from the text before writing sermons about the text
• Why approval from God matters more than applause from people
• Encouragement to remain personally tethered to the Word, not just to study tools
• The pastoral danger of preaching disconnected from lived experience

About Dr. Keeney Dickenson:

Dr. Keeney Dickenson has served as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Crockett, Texas since 2003. With over two decades of local church leadership, he is known for his deep commitment to Christ-centered preaching, pastoral longevity, and the integration of prayer into every aspect of ministry. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Truett Theological Seminary and is the founder and director of Prayeridigm Ministries, a training and resource initiative aimed at helping pastors and churches grow in their understanding and practice of prayer. Dr. Dickenson regularly mentors young leaders and speaks on topics related to spiritual formation, biblical exposition, and sustainable ministry.

Related Links:

• In Times of Loss: Preaching at Funerals and Consoling the Grieving with Paul Beasley-Murray:
  https://cgnmedia.org/podcasts/in-times-of-loss-preaching-at-funerals-and-consoling-the-grieving
• Hard Work, Charles Spurgeon and You - David Guzik on lessons learned from the life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon : https://open.spotify.com/episode/2eaB8MhareGvYXdAhIA7eV?si=xWB1N-JDQOaMcLx8AG4qUQ
• Dr. Keeney Dickenson's Prayeridigm resources:
  https://cgnmedia.org/ministries/prayeridigm

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