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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How can a pastor be aware of his proximity to burnout? What symptoms should he be aware of that might point to burnout? What steps can he take to prevent burnout?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more in this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should a pastor approach shepherding an older church member? How aware of his own age should a pastor be when shepherding older saints? How can a pastor help older members find their place of ministry in the church?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do different temperaments impact a pastor's ministry? Does temperament change during the course of ministry? How can a pastor be aware of strengths and weaknesses to better shepherd?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreIs a pastor responsible to have an opinion on every topic in politics and society? How can a pastor be wise about when, how, and what he speaks on?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow does the fishbowl of ministry affect pastors? What pressures face pastors as they seek to be faithful in ministry? How can pastors remember their ministering in the sight of God, not merely serving and shepherding the flock?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhen does a pastor actually become the pastor? What public and private aspects should a pastor consider when assessing if he’s built adequate trust and collateral? When he has built adequate trust, what things should he do that perhaps he has strategically delayed?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should pastors shepherd immature sheep? How can you balance loving them where they are while pushing them toward maturity? How does a pastor handle the inner frustration brought on by shepherding an immature congregation?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhen should a man consider stepping back into pastoral ministry? What considerations and questions should he ask himself and his family? How might he guard from operating in the same way this time around? What if ministry is just too difficult?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow important is hospitality for a pastor? If it is important is it a biblical qualification? What aspects should a pastor consider when seeking to be hospitable? Does hospitality mean you have to be extravagant?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do you assess your members resistance to your shepherding? What criteria should a pastor do his own assessment in his shepherding of the sheep? At what point can you determine if your members are wounded sheep or goats? What if an individual, family, or couple no longer receive your ministry the way they once did?
Jim and Brian discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat happens when deacons seek too much authority in a church? How can a pastor teach on deacons to the congregation as well as to the deacons? What ways can deacons serve their pastors?
Jim and Brian tackle these topics and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow can a pastor plan while still holding loosely to his planning? Is there a way that a pastor can plan boastfully? How can a pastor humbly submit his plans before the Lord? What planning is essential and what plans should be held more loosely?
Jim and Brian discuss all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat lessons can be learned in 50 years of ministry? What might be some joys and regrets of a ministry of that length? How might a pastors wife experience ministry differently from her husband? Upon reflection, what lessons can pastors wives learn from a ministry example like this?
Jim and Brian talk with special guest Mai Walker as he shares on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat lessons can be learned in 45+ years of ministry? What might be some joys and regrets of a ministry of that length? How might a pastor of this tenure know when it is time to step away? Upon reflection, what lessons can young aspiring pastors learn from a ministry example like this?
Jim and Brian talk with special guest Austin Walker as he shares on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow ought young men prepare for ministry? Is it better to go to seminary? Does an aspiring have to go to seminary to receive his qualification? What steps should he take in determining his pastoral calling?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreWhat does the bible say about traditions and their usefulness? How does a pastor begin to assess what traditions in his church are healthy or unhealthy? Does he go after those traditions immediately? Are there healthy traditions?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhen does a pastor know that it is time for him to move on? Are there indicators with his family, calling, or soul that might direct him to do so? Are there ever legitimate reasons to leave? If so, what might some of those be? Where in Scripture do we have a foundation for enduring hardship in ministry?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat is plagiarism? Is plagiarism prevalent in pastoral ministry and preaching in particular? What about ghost writers for authors? If a pastor is too busy to prepare his own sermons should he consider another calling or vocation? Does this mean that we cannot use another preacher’s headings in our sermons?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreIs disagreement always sinful or can it be tied to biblical principles? How can clear expectations help guard from disappointment and disagreement? How should you handle disagreements as it pertains to conscience issues?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat are the differences between paid, bi-vocational, and lay pastors? How should these different roles work with one another? Should lay pastors be expected of the same commitment and time as paid pastors? How should each of these compliment one another in service to the church?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
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