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.
Mondays are sometimes unexplainably difficult, why is that? What does the work done on Sunday have to do with the exhaustion that shows up on Monday? How can pastors fight these feelings and persevere through through difficult Mondays?
Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat aspects of pastoral ministry and church life were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic? How might a pastor re-train himself and his congregation to reclaim important aspects that were lost?
Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhen a man/young man comes and tells you he aspires to the office of pastor what do you do next? How does a pastor identify and train men for pastoral ministry? What qualities and characteristics should you look for when assessing their call and fitness for pastoral ministry?
Jim and Brian discuss all these questions and more on this episode of TrenchTalk
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a vacation and a sabbatical? How can a pastor try to unplug during his sabbatical? How important is rest during a pastoral sabbatical? Is the place you take a sabbatical important?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow can pastors cultivate patience in their ministries? Are we as fallen humans naturally patient? What does the Bible have to say about patience as it pertains to pastoral ministry? Is impatience in ministry always or ever compromise?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreShould pastors expect affliction and difficulty in ministry? What ought they do when the temptation to quit presses in? How can they test if it is temptation or a genuine need to leave ministry or the church?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreShould pastors consider the children in their congregation when preaching? Does the bible give commands to instruct children? What are intentional ways to simplify your sermons for children?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreShould it be a priority for a church to be multi-generational? What if the church isn’t, how might they pursue this? How can pastors get a good gauge on this aspect of church health?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow 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.
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