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.
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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.
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 MoreWhen does a pastor start to prepare for his transition? What responsibility does he have in helping his flock find another shepherd? Is there a unique challenge if you are a solo pastor versus a plurality?
Jim and Brian discuss planning for the next pastor on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should pastors care for grieving church members before, during, and after the funeral of a loved one? What questions should pastors ask to care for practical needs of those who are grieving? How important is being there for church members in their grief?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench talk
Read MoreWhat practical steps can ministry leaders care for seasonal visitors? How can they encourage their church to excel in hospitality with visitors? What about those who don’t intend to join the church?
Brian and Jim address these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow does a church appropriate missions giving? How can pastors lead their congregation to be strategic and intentional in missions giving? How can a church prioritize giving when church funds are limited? How do you determine who receives support and who doesn’t?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow does a church appropriate missions giving? How can pastors lead their congregation to be strategic and intentional in missions giving? How can a church prioritize giving when church funds are limited? How do you determine who receives support and who doesn’t?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat responsibility does a pastor bear to shepherd his flock through counseling? How can a pastor engage in the ministry of counseling? What pressures might hinder a pastor in counseling?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreIntroducing Advancing the Church (ATC) and what is it? Who is involved in ATC and are we looking to add more organizations? Why do we think a coalition like ATC is necessary and why now? How can pastors, partners, planters support ATC?
Brian Croft is joined by Steve Bray of Mile one Mission and Matthew Spandler-Davison of 20schemes to discuss this important coalition of ministries on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhy is it important for pastors to read books? What types of books do Brian and Jim recommend?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhy do pastors struggle with perfectionism? How can a pastor be self aware of his perfectionism, but also combat it? Does our pursuing perfectionism affect us or those around us?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat are common ministry wounds a pastor might receive? How vital is it that pastors respond to these wounds rightly? What practical ways can pastors show faithfulness in ministering amidst hurt?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat questions should a pastor be asking to discern if his church is becoming more healthy? What important elements of a church should a pastor be looking at to measure health? Do finances play a role in church health?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow vital is it for pastors to be unhurried in their ministry? Where did the premise for The Unhurried Pastor come from? What elements of being hurried do Brian and Ronnie address in the book?
Brian Croft and guest Ronnie Martin address these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
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