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.
When does a pastor actually become the pastor? What public and private aspects should a pastor consider when assessing if he’s built adequate trust and collateral? When he has built adequate trust, what things should he do that perhaps he has strategically delayed?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should pastors shepherd immature sheep? How can you balance loving them where they are while pushing them toward maturity? How does a pastor handle the inner frustration brought on by shepherding an immature congregation?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhen should a man consider stepping back into pastoral ministry? What considerations and questions should he ask himself and his family? How might he guard from operating in the same way this time around? What if ministry is just too difficult?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow important is hospitality for a pastor? If it is important is it a biblical qualification? What aspects should a pastor consider when seeking to be hospitable? Does hospitality mean you have to be extravagant?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do you assess your members resistance to your shepherding? What criteria should a pastor do his own assessment in his shepherding of the sheep? At what point can you determine if your members are wounded sheep or goats? What if an individual, family, or couple no longer receive your ministry the way they once did?
Jim and Brian discuss these and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreShould a pastor with young children be expected to pastor in the same ways? How can he prioritize his family while making adjustments to study? How can a congregation support a pastor with young children? What ways can a pastor utilize the flexibility of ministry to serve his wife?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and many more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreIs balance in ministry attainable? How can bi-vocational pastors seek balance? In what ways should a pastor balance his soul, ministry, and family?
Jim and Brian discuss these topics and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreHow should pastors respond to allegations of abuse within their flocks? What practical steps can he take in taking these allegations seriously? What if a victim does not want to report to authorities? What dynamics should pastors be keenly aware of when shepherding?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreHow much should a pastor do? Should he always be serving, and if so how much? How can he hand off tasks? and how can he prevent burnout?
Brian and Jim answer all these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk
Read MoreShould a pastors gifting affect the size church he pastors? How can pastors better assess their gifting and shepherding abilities? What steps should a pastor take as a church grows?
Brian and Jim answer these questions and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreCan a pastor shift on theological convictions? If so, what are permissible shifts? How can a pastor wisely share about these shifts with his congregation? What should he do if the church doesn't shift as well?
Jim and Brian discuss all these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do you determine who is a committed member? Does the Bible actually talk about church membership? What role does a church covenant play in this conversation? What do you do with regular attenders who won’t join?
Brian and Jim discuss this and much more on this episode of Trench Talk
Read MoreWhat discouragements do pastors face in the day-to-day grind of ministry? Combatting these with biblical encouragements. What encouragements should pastors look for in evaluating their ministry?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and much more on this episode of TrenchTalk
Read MoreWhat happens when deacons seek too much authority in a church? How can a pastor teach on deacons to the congregation as well as to the deacons? What ways can deacons serve their pastors?
Jim and Brian tackle these topics and much more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreWhat are the differences between pastors and deacons? In what ways are deacons intended to lead in the local church? How can women serve and lead in the local church? Can women serve as deacons? and how did Brian and Jim’s churches see and utilize deacons?
Brian and Jim discuss these topics and many more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreHow can a pastor plan while still holding loosely to his planning? Is there a way that a pastor can plan boastfully? How can a pastor humbly submit his plans before the Lord? What planning is essential and what plans should be held more loosely?
Jim and Brian discuss all these and more on this episode of Trenchtalk
Read MoreIs 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.
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