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 do you transition out of ministry well? How do you assist your church in finding the pastor who will succeed you? What responsibility does shepherding place on transitioning well? What if there is no clear successor? How much of a leadership role do you take in presenting a new pastor? What about the pastor who doesn’t feel like he can leave?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreIs part of the calling of a pastor to live well below their means? Are preaching pastors called to receive “extra” pay? Does the pay a pastor receives correlate to the churches understanding of pastoral ministry? What responsibility do pastors have to use their means for the benefits of the church? Brian Croft and Jim Savastio discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow much should our families determine where we go in ministry? How do you balance leading your family and following at times in ministry? What might a pastor’s wife struggle with in ministry situations? Pastor, are you caring for your wife as you would other members (or worse) or are you treating her as your wife?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should pastors consume and contribute on social media? What are the blessings and curses of social media? Do pastors have to be active on social media? Should a pastor address things on social media from the pulpit? How should we restrict our usage?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat are some of the unique joys of being a pastor? Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer this important question and give examples from their ministries on this special 100th episode of Trench Talk.
Thanks for your faithful listening and support!
Read MoreWhat obligations do pastors have to those who attend their church but have not become members? Is he obligated to them? Is church membership biblical? What is the difference between affection and obligation? Will a pastor give an account for non-members?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreCan pastors come to different conclusions on how to navigate the days in which we find ourselves? What biblical guidance do we have to help us navigate what is before us? What about when brothers disagree with contention rather than unity? Should you address this contention through social media? How do we pastor contentious church member?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreShould you plant a church where there are many healthy churches already doing faithful ministry? What aspects should we think about as it pertains to church planting? When should a church consider planting or replanting a church? Why should you not want to plant a church?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat should pastors be reading? What books might be more accessible for bi-vocational pastors? What doctrines should a pastor be well versed in? Should there be a balance between “heady” and “devotional” reading? Should a pastor buy a set of commentaries or individual volumes?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreShould a pastor raise up Elders or move toward the process of having an Elder-led polity? How can pastors identify other Elders within their congregation? How can pastors intentionally raise up men to be Elders? What 3 qualities does Brian look for in an Elder?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreIs making a transition a wise decision? Can you begin to shepherd and establish a relationship with a new church in the midst of a pandemic? Should a church proceed with calling a pastor in the midst of a pandemic? Should you leave a church in the midst of a pandemic? Is the financial situation of the new church an important aspect to know?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do we pursue pastoral care in the midst of the pandemic? What biblical foundation do we turn to for wisdom in a pandemic? How should pastors shepherd the flock through social media? Should you meet face-to-face with couples for counseling?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do we prepare to gather again? What do we need to be thinking about before we reopen? Should your church allow your members to hug, shake hands, etc.? Do you continue children’s or nursery ministry? Do you gather if less than 50% of your church is not attending?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should a pastor address underlying sin within the congregation? What biblical passages inform us on this topic? Should sin be confronted from the pulpit? What are practical steps pastors can take to correct but also provide hope?
Read MoreWhat should cause us to choose the books of the Bible that we preach through? Should you look at the specific flock God has given you when selecting books to preach? What would be some books you would start with as you begin your preaching ministry? Should we use some forms of caution when selecting the books we preach through?
Read MoreWhat should cause us to choose the books of the Bible that we preach through? Should you look at the specific flock God has given you when selecting books to preach? What would be some books you would start with as you begin your preaching ministry? Should we use some forms of caution when selecting the books we preach through?
Read MoreNo one knows and loves the sheep of their flock like the shepherd; the pastor. As a pastor how do you shepherd your flock through crisis? Does crisis call a pastor to alter his sermon series? How can pastors fulfill their calling in new and creative ways given the circumstances? How can we care for our flocks when we cannot be with them?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused churches to think about things they had not done previously. How should churches (and Pastors) navigate these times? What changes and what stays the same? The call to minister the Word in season and out of season stays the same. How can this be done well outside of the preaching of the Word? Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do we show vulnerabilty while being careful? What is the balance? What Biblical texts should we refer to for information? Is this propensity to put on a strong persona ultimately driven by fear? How do you fight to be vulnerable with your congregation?
Read MoreHow can pastors exhibit a tender heart while still having thick skin? How do you keep loving the flock when you fear them breaking your heart? Where are you most prone to error, tender-heartedness or thick skin? Should you deny close friendships due to the risk of being hurt? How do we wisely pursue tenderness and thick skin simultaneously?
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