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.
Is finding deep friendship difficult for pastors? What unique hurdles are there for finding friends in the church? What are ways pastors can pursue meaningful and needed friends in ministry?
Listen as Brian and Jim discuss this and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow can pastors strive to make membership matter in their churches? What aspects of church life are non-members unable to participate in, if any? How can pastors ensure that they shepherd the flock entrusted to them?
All these and much more are discussed by Jim and Brian on this episode of TrenchTalk
Read MoreHow can a pastor discuss vacation time with his church? What ways should pastors guard their vacation time and time off? Are there different ways pastors can use this time well? Should pastors take all their vacation time each year?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and much more on this episode of TrenchTalk, the podcast ministry of Practical Shepherding.
Read MoreAre members of your flock following online or celebrity pastors? Do you ever face insecurities in your preaching ministry? How important is the fruit of a ministry of presence? Is God’s design for his church to be primarily through online media?
Jim and Brian discuss all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk, the podcast ministry of Practical Shepherding
Read MoreWhat adversaries are pastors and churches susceptible to? How can pastors discern adversaries inside the church? How can pastors not lose their soul in confronting adversaries?
Jim and Brian discuss all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk the podcast ministry of Practical Shepherding
Read MoreWhat happens when listeners send in a lot of great questions? Jim and Brian dedicate a separate podcast episode to address as many as possible. Enjoy this newest episode of Trenchtalk!
Read MoreIs loneliness an issue for pastors? What about for those with other staff members? What are ways pastors can proactively pursue meaningful relationships?
Brian and Jim discuss these and many more on this episode of Trenchtalk, the podcast ministry of Practical Shepherding.
Read MoreHow important is preaching in pastoral ministry? Are there differences in preparation when preaching once versus preaching three times a week? What role does application play in preaching? How should pastors consult commentaries and other resources in preparation?
Brian and Jim discuss these topics and much more in this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreShould pastors and churches adjust their summer schedules? What expectations should pastors have of their members for attending during the Summer? Is it realistic to expect members to be present every Sunday in the Summer? How can pastors continue to remind their members of the priority gathered worship should have in their christian lives?
Jim and Brian discuss all these topics and more on the newest episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreDo different circumstances of a member leaving provide different impact to a pastor and church? In what ways can pastors be honest with members as they leave? What encouragement can pastors have when members leave?
Jim and Brian discuss these topics and more on this episode of Trenchtalk a podcast ministry of Practical Shepherding.
Read MoreFunerals are an important aspect of a pastor's ministry. How should a pastor think through the different funerals that he will conduct in ministry? What logistics might he need to prioritize? Should a pastor receive compensation for conducting a funeral?
Jim and Brian discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreWhat is the distinction between a staff elder and a lay elder? What is the benefit of having lay elders? How can staff pastors/elders protect and encourage lay elders? What ought a church do since they cannot financial support a lay elder?
Jim and Brian continue their discussion with Charlie on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat is the distinction between a staff elder and a lay elder? What is the benefit of having lay elders? How can staff pastors/elders protect and encourage lay elders? What ought a church do since they cannot financial support a lay elder?
Jim and Brian discuss these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow can a pastor move to plurality before pastor qualified men are identified? What texts might he preach to help his congregation see the biblical nature of pastors? What ought he do when the congregation is unsure about moving forward? What do you do when you and the congregation have identified another pastor qualified man?
Jim and Brian discuss these and more in this episode of Trenchtalk, the podcast of Practical Shepherding.
Read MoreBrian and Jim describe the particular aspects of ministry grind, unpacking the meaningful yet difficult balance of sermon prep and shepherding the flock. Listen as they discuss questions like: what did your sermon prep look like through out your ministry? What were some aspects of ministry that took alot out of you? and much more!
Listen as Brian and Jim tackle this topic on the newest episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreCan a pastor be trapped in ministry? What assessment should be done before a pastor pursues another ministry? Won’t all churches bring particular hardships and/or difficulty?
Jim and Brian tackle all these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat makes ministry so uniquely hard? How might a pastor try to minimize the difficulty? Is it God’s design to have ministers endure hardship? What practical advice would Brian and Jim give in this area?
Listen as Brian and Jim address these questions and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow can pastors develop a short memory when it comes to delivering a bad sermon? What does preparation have to do with preaching bad sermons? What do you do when you thought you preached a bad sermon, but a member of your church said it was incredible?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreHow can a pastor fight to be present with his family after facing ministry challenges? What practical steps can a pastor take to “leaving work at work”?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and many more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow do you care well for unhealthy church members while not neglecting those who are healthy? What are practical steps in doing this well? How can pastors guard against discouragement in this area? Is the goal in Shepherding effectiveness or faithfulness?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
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