Ep. 289: Pastoral vision versus pastoral plodding
What is the difference between vision and faithful ministry? Is there a way to have vision and be faithful? What cautions should a pastor employ as it pertains to vision?
Brian and Jim answer these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 288: Growing through the seasons of Ministry
What insight do Brian and Jim have from 5, 10, and 20-years in ministry? What encouragements do they find in ministry after the 20-year mark? What areas of growth happened in their ministries?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 287: Ministry to kids this summer
How should pastors think through ministry to children? What are strategic and biblical ways to do this well? How important is safety when ministering to children? What levels of safety should be implemented?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk
Ep. 286: Careful and gracious membership process
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.
Ep. 285: An announcement about Advancing the Church
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.
Ep. 284: Doing ministry while caring for aging parents
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.
Ep. 283: The importance of pastoral application in sermons
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
Ep. 282: Shepherding and Social Media
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.
Ep. 281: How long should a pastor preach?
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.
Ep. 280: Ministry tips to aspiring pastors
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.
Ep. 279: Expectations on Lay Pastors and Staff Pastors
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.
Ep. 278: Evaluating Ministry Effectiveness
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.
Ep. 277: Pastoral Ministry Convictions with George McDearmon
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.
Ep. 276: Life and Ministry with George McDearmon
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.
Ep. 275: Ministry in the second half of life
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.
Ep. 274: End of year church budget conversations
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
Ep. 273: The tension of prophetic voice and gospel warmth
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.
Ep. 272: The blessing of older pastoral mentors
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.
Ep. 271: Thriving pastors roundtable
Pastors from around the globe discuss the challenges they're facing and ways they're thriving.
Ep. 270: Understanding administration and delegation
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.