How can your church become a caring church for those with disabilities? What practical steps might you need to take to care for those with physical disabilities? How might you instruct and train your church to be welcoming to those with disabilities? How do you care not only for the one with the disability, but also for the family?

Brian and Jim answer these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk

What practical tips do Brian and Jim have for making hospital visits? What are musts when visiting members in the hospital? What fears might a pastor need to overcome to minister faithfully in a hospital context?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

What do pastors do and what do members expect them to be doing? What does the Bible expect and require for pastors to do? How can pastors guard against unhealthy expectations?

Brian and Jim discuss these and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.

What should a man do when he is seeking a pastorate but is unable to get hired? How might a man asses his own character, gifting, and call when seeking a pastorate? Isn't pastoring just about the pulpit ministry? How important is shepherding in pastoring?

Jim and Brian discuss these and much more on this episode of Trench Talk.

In this episode of Trench Talk Brian and Jim discuss their early ministries as they share about the joys, sorrows, and surprises of pastoral ministry.

Enjoy their reflections from 60 years of combined ministry experiences.

In this special episode Brian is joined by friend and co-author James Carroll as they discuss the writing process behind many of their books including the newest Practical Shepherding title: Pastoral Perseverance (OUT NOW)

Enjoy this newest episode of Trench Talk

Are there bullies in the church? How can pastors discern if they’re being bullied or being criticized? How can you determine a wounded sheep from a wolf in sheep’s clothing? What encouragements does a bullied pastor need?

Jim and Brian answer these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

What is some bad ministry advice Brian and Jim have received? Did they implement some of it? If not, how did God use this advice to shape them and their ministry?

Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

How impactful are accusations brought against a pastor? Are all accusations of equal weight? What accusations must always be taken seriously? What role do the other pastors play in evaluating the truthfulness in accusations? What impact has technology played on accusations?

Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

How does a pastor evaluate spiritual fruit? Is there fruit even if a pastor can’t see it? What role does spiritual fruit in the life of the church play in a pastor assessing or growing in gifting? Is faithful ministry enough to be called a fruitful ministry?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trenchtalk

How do Brian and Jim use social media? What safeguards should a pastor put in place to keep himself from conflicts and vices while using social media? What beneficial ways can a pastor leverage social media for ministry purposes?

Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

What are some of the reasons for unjustified terminations? What should a pastor do when presented with termination paperwork that includes a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)? What are his options when a movement to unjustly terminate him are presented? How should the congregation be involved in these things?

Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

What is there to say about 15 years of ministry at Practical Shepherding? In this special episode Brian and Jim discuss the beginning of what has become Practical Shepherding, how God has blessed it over these 15 years, and where Practical Shepherding is headed in the years to come.

How should a pastor prioritize his wife amidst difficult ministry? What questions should he be asking to discern how ministry is affecting her? How can a pastor reconcile with his wife when he has prioritized other things above her?

Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trench Talk

How do you create an environment where new members are not often welcomed well? What practical steps can you take to become a welcoming church? What do you do if you’ve failed in this area? 

Jim and Brian discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench talk.  

How can pastors fight comparing themselves to other pastors? What common ways do pastors compare themselves to others? What role does calling, gratitude, and contentment play in avoiding comparison?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench talk.

Should a pastor be involved in serving on ministries outside of his local church? How ought he prioritize his time to both the external ministry and his local church? What advice would you offer to someone when committing to ministry outside of the local church? 

Jim and Brian discuss these questions and much more on this episode of Trench talk.  

How important is lament for pastoral ministry? What are categories of lament a pastor faces? How can pastors engage in the work of lament?

Brian and Jim discuss these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.

What does life and ministry look like when you serve in one church for 20-years? What joys and sorrows come through a long ministry in the same church? How do you raise up fellow pastors while avoiding cynicism? How should pastors be encouraged to labor faithfully in their own context?

Brian and Jim discuss these things and more with pastor Robert Briggs on this episode of Trench Talk.

How important is friendship among elders? What role does affection and trust play in eldering? Is there a scenario when a biblically qualified man is not a good fit relationally among elders? Is it important for elders to have a genuine affection for the families of other elders?

Brian and Jim discuss these and more on this episode of Trench Talk.