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.
Find us on iTunes here.
How should pastors communicate in their end of year member’s meeting? When financial givings exceeds expectations, how and who decides what to do with the surplus? What about with a deficit? When dealing with finances how ought pastors walk wisely in discussing or leading in these things?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreThe Church in the 21st century is riddled with member autonomy and authoritarianism from the pulpit. What does Scripture provide as a model for leadership that guards against both? What are practical ways pastors can Lead without Lording? What parameters can be set up to guard against lording over the flock?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhen you have labored in ministry for a long time without a sabbatical the reflections and experiences of your first will be raw. Listen as Brian asks Jim how his sabbatical was, how the Lord met with him, and how he is feeling physically, mentally, and spiritually now that he is back.
Listen to Jim discuss his feelings before taking his first sabbatical.
Read MoreIn this special 2-part series Brian talks with pastor Ronnie Martin about life and ministry. Enjoy this discussion as they talk about Ronnie’s conversion and call to ministry, and how he got from music ministry in a large church in SoCal to planting a church in the Midwest.
Read MoreIn this special 2-part series Brian talks with pastor Ronnie Martin about life and ministry. Enjoy this discussion as they talk about Ronnie’s conversion and call to ministry, and how he got from music ministry in a large church in SoCal to planting a church in the Midwest.
Read MoreIs caring for dying members the responsibility of pastors? How does a pastor prepare emotionally for this work? What are practical ways to shepherd dying people?
Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreWhy is our humanity such a hindrance to ministry? What are helpful ways to adjust pastoral expectation and prevent burnout?
Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreWhat is a sabbatical? Do pastors deserve an extended vacation? What should pastors do on sabbatical? Should there be any requirements for a sabbatical?
Join Brian Croft and Jim Savastio as they discuss these things and much more!
Read MoreWhat do you do when you are the regular preacher yet sometimes you just don’t feel like preaching? Should we just cease to preach? What do you do when you are scheduled to preach and you have nothing on Saturday? Does not feeling it mean the sermon isn’t working?
Join Brian Croft and Jim Savastio as they discuss these things and much more!
Read MoreJoin Brian Croft and special guest Doug Logan of Acts 29 and Grimke Seminary as they discuss theological education, pastoral ministry, urban ministry, Doug’s ministry mentors, and much more on this special 2-part Trenchtalk episode.
Read MoreJoin Brian Croft and special guest Doug Logan of Acts 29 and Grimke Seminary as they discuss theological education, pastoral ministry, urban ministry, Doug’s ministry mentors, and much more on this special 2-part Trenchtalk episode.
Read MoreYour a pastor and you aren’t sure how to discern a credible profession of faith, or your a new pastor trying to get a pulse on the spiritual state of your congregation; what questions should I ask, what actions does the Bible say I should I be looking for to evaluate conversion? What fruit is evident, and what are its roots?
Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreHow should a pastor seek to provide for his family’s needs when the church isn’t able to fully financially support him? At what point do you go and work an additional job and what might be a good fit? What are some creative solutions to this problem?
Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreAre there things pastors should not disagree on? Are there things they should disagree on? What about when there are disagreements, how much do you share with the congregation? What if the worst happens and a pastors steps down?
Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreRaising kids is difficulty no matter what your occupation. Listen as Jim and Brian discuss how hearing their children talk about being pastors kids, and what their relationships with the Lord (and His church) looks like now. They’ll answer questions like: What was it like for Brian and Jim to hear their kids be interviewed by one another? Was there anything their kids said that took them by surprise?
All this and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat would the kids of a longtime pastor have to say about the church? Will they still love the church, the pastor, and the Lord? What advice might they give to pastors with young kids?
Jim Savastio asks these questions and more to Claire, Isabelle, and Abby Croft.
Listen to this special podcast. Part 2 in a series on Pastor’s Kids.
Read MoreWhat would the kids of a longtime pastor have to say about the church? Will they still love the church, the pastor, and the Lord? What advice might they give to pastors with young kids?
Brian Croft asks these questions and more to Erin, Olivia, and David Savastio.
Listen to this special podcast. Part 1 in a series on Pastor’s Kids.
Read MoreAre there topics that you, as a pastor should not confront? Are there topics that, as a pastor, must confront? How are you to know which is which? And what is a helpful and healthy posture of confrontation? What if this issue is not prevalent in your church?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
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.
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