This is the official page for the Practical Shepherding Podcast entitled, “Trench Talk” where we tackle the issues pastors face and provide practical advice and wisdom for them. Practical Shepherding exists to “help pastors thrive in the trenches of pastoral ministry.” On this podcast, Brian Croft and Jim Savastio are asked the questions that you as pastors and aspiring pastors want them to address. If you would like a particular question addressed, please leave it in the comments section of this page.
Find us on iTunes here.
Should a pastor preach over 40-minute sermons? How long is he required to prepare a sermon for it to be faithful? What role does a pastor’s congregation have in this discussion?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat can a young man do to begin to prepare for pastoral ministry? Is seminary essential in preparing for ministry?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreShould the expectations be different for lay pastors than for those on staff? What ways can a staff pastor ensure that the lay pastors are thriving? What about deacons? What if you are the only staff member, how can you find those to help in the work of ministry?
Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat biblical warrant is there for a pastor evaluating his ministry? What elements should he look at? Does people leaving the church mean the pastor wasn’t effective? Is there something to growing more effective in your later years of ministry?
Brian and Jim address these topics and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat did the church George pastored look like? How was it able to make a kingdom impact while being small? What biblical priorities marked George's ministry?
Brian and Jim are joined by guest George McDearmon in this special episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat joys and challenges might a pastor of 46-years experience? What events took place that helped him know it was time to transition from pastoring? What does life after pastoring look like?
Brian and Jim are joined by guest George McDearmon in this special episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreAre pastors impactful in their second half of ministry? How should pastors pivot in their second half of ministry? What are important aspects to consider when making a ministry transition? What areas of fruitfulness open up in the second half of ministry?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should a pastor go about setting a budget? What should he do when there is disagreements between pastors? How do you navigate a shortfall? How should a pastor balance advocating his own salary?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk
Read MoreHow can a pastor speak with both moral and gospel clarity? How does a Word-centered ministry impact this tension? What role does love and a pastoral tenderness play in this tension?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow important are pastoral mentors in a pastor’s life? What steps can a pastor make to faithfully pursue mentors? What does it look like to move from mentored to mentoring others?
Brian and Jim answer these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MorePastors from around the globe discuss the challenges they're facing and ways they're thriving.
Read MoreWhat responsibility do pastors have to excel in administration? What is an important way to grow in areas of weakness? How might a pastor avoid the ditches of too much or too little time given to administration? What role do deacons, and the raising up of effective deacons play in administration?
Brian and Jim answer these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat types of grief do church members endure? How do pastors care for them well through their grief? How do pastors balance the realities of today and the realities of eternity? What are practical ways to prepare your people to suffer well?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow can pastors shepherd their flocks during the 2024 United States election? How ought pastors handle the pressures members might place on them in regard to a specific candidate? Are pastoral responsibilities different from responsibilities of citizenship?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreAre pastors subject to more intense schemes of the devil? What signs ought you to look for in discerning spiritual warfare? How important is a personal and thriving devotional life to fight of these attacks?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat practical ways can a pastor become a life long learner? What resources, information, or activities might prove helpful? How important is developing intellectual curiosity?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat are common misconceptions of pastoral moral failings? How can pastors guard themselves from falling? How can pastors shepherd their flock when prominent pastors fall?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreBrian, Stephen, and Matthew provide an update on how SBC went and other developments from the last few months for ATC.
Read MoreHow long should a pastor spend preparing his sermon? What elements require more or less time? What practical steps can pastors take to utilize their time more faithfully?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat gifts are unique to pastoring versus being a missionary? What role does the congregation play in helping someone discern their calling? Might pastoring first serve a person before being sent to do missions?
Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trench talk.
Read More
