What are red flags when considering a person for church membership? What might be perceived red flags but really need to be handled with grace and wisdom? How can a pastor know which is which?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

Brian Croft (Practical Shepherding), Steve Bray (Mile One Mission), and Matthew Spandler-Davison (20Schemes) discuss the important coalition of Advancing the Church as well as share an important UPDATE.

Is caring for your aging parents important? Is there a difference between extended and immediate family? What questions should you be asking when your extended family lives hours away from you? At what point should a pastor step away from ministry to care for his family?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

Is a sermon without application still preaching? What role does shepherding play in effective application? How can a pastor use his time wisely to craft pointed application?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk

Can anything good come from Social Media? If so how can pastors use it wisely in their shepherding? What guard rails should be present when using social media as a pastor? Are my people being shepherded by influencers?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

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.

What 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.

Should 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.

What 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.

What 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.

What 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.

Are 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.

How 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

How 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.

How 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.

What 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.

What 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.

How 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.

Are 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