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 plurality important in a local church? How does a church affirm a first among equals among their pastor/elders? Is it right to use the term Sr. Pastor? How can a pastor cultivate in his church a trust in other pastor/elders? Should a pastor defer to the other pastors?
Jim and Brian discuss these and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.
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 MoreHow should pastors assess a potential ministry transition later in their ministry? How involved should their family be in these discussions? What opportunities exist for men seeking to stay in ministry to the kingdom but not stay in a pastorate?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreAre there members who simply won’t return post-COVID to in-person worship? How can pastors lovingly and biblically pursue them? What if they won’t return, if and when should a church pursue discipline? Is there a category where you remove a member without disciplining them?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreHow do you discuss a pastor’s salary? How much should he make? How much can a church afford? How significant is a pastors tenure in determining his salary?
Jim and Brian discuss all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow can parents faithfully shepherd their kids through sports? When does a pastor talk with a member about non-attendance due to sports? How important should Lord’s Day worship be for a believer?
Jim and Brian discuss all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreWhat should a pastor do when he critiques his every word and action? Are pastors operating on depleted reserves of encouragement? What kinds of self-loathing do pastors heap on themselves? How can pastors live in light of the gospel they preach?
Brian and Jim discuss all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow does a pastor establish his ministry in an already established church? Are there important things a pastor should take on in his first year at an established church? Is it important to distinguish between preferences and convictions?
Jim and Brian discuss these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreWho is Billy Graham and what is “his” rule? How can pastors wrongly and rightly apply the Billy Graham Rule? How can pastors pursue being above reproach? How important is it that pastors care well for the women in their congregation?
Jim and Brian answer all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreIs 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.
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