Ep. 226: When to hire a second pastor
When do you know if you should hire another pastor? What qualifications do you prioritize? Should they possess complimentary skills or be similar?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep 225: Pastoral Backsliding
What are some symptoms of a backslidden pastor? How can he prevent himself from backsliding and pursue Christ? If a pastor is backsliding how can he pursue recovery?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Ep. 224: Pastoral Grit
What is pastoral grit and how can a pastor prepare for the long haul of ministry? Is grit just being strong and shut off emotionally from your flock? How can a pastor develop grit in ministry?
Brian and Jim discuss these topics and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 223: Should I leave or join a denomination or network?
Should a pastor lead his church to join a denomination or network? What questions should he be asking when deciding between independence or affiliation? What are the blessings of independence? What are the blessings of affiliation?
Brian and Jim discuss these topics and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 222: Signs of pastoral burnout
How can a pastor be aware of his proximity to burnout? What symptoms should he be aware of that might point to burnout? What steps can he take to prevent burnout?
Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more in this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 221: Caring for older members
How should a pastor approach shepherding an older church member? How aware of his own age should a pastor be when shepherding older saints? How can a pastor help older members find their place of ministry in the church?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 220: Pastoral Temperament and knowing yourself
How do different temperaments impact a pastor's ministry? Does temperament change during the course of ministry? How can a pastor be aware of strengths and weaknesses to better shepherd?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 219: Pastors and Hot Takes
Is a pastor responsible to have an opinion on every topic in politics and society? How can a pastor be wise about when, how, and what he speaks on?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 218: The pressure of the pastoral fishbowl
How does the fishbowl of ministry affect pastors? What pressures face pastors as they seek to be faithful in ministry? How can pastors remember their ministering in the sight of God, not merely serving and shepherding the flock?
Jim and Brian discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Ep. 217: How to earn and spend your pastoral collateral
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.
Ep 216: Pastoral frustration with an immature congregation
How 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.
Ep 215: Getting back into pastoral ministry
When 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.
Ep. 214: Pastors and the call to hospitality
How 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.
Ep. 213: Pastoring people who don't want your ministry
How 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
Ep. 212: Pastoring in a season with little kids
Should 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
Ep. 211: Pastors Living a Balanced Life
Is 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.
Ep. 210: Pastors caring for victims of abuse
How 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
Ep. 209: The small church pastor who does everything...help
How 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
Ep. 208: Pastoral gifts compared to congregational size
Should 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.
Ep 207: When Pastors shift on doctrinal beliefs
Can 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.