Trench Talk
Practical Shepherding is a Gospel-driven resource center for pastors and church leaders, equipping them in the practical matters of pastoral ministry. In this podcast, pastor Brian Croft sits down with other pastors to discuss the gritty details of pastoral ministry. The goal is to examine the life and work of a pastor and give helpful guidance for brothers laboring in the trenches of ministry. This is a podcast by pastors for pastors.
Episodes
Ep. 332: Caring for pastors wives and pastors kids with Bethel Webb
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFind out more about the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN.(01:45) Introducing Bethel Webb & Practical Shepherding Women(03:15) Bethel’s Background in the P
Ep. 331: Is seminary necessary for pastors?
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGrow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:20) Framing the Question: Do Pastors Need Seminary?(05:10) Biblical Foundations for Training(06:50) How Seminaries Assumed the Training Role(07:27) Jim’s Trainin
Ep. 330: When pastors should or should not defend themselves
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFind out more about the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN. (01:45) Biblical Framework: when should/shouldn’t pastors defend themselves?(03:40) Biblical tension
Ep. 329: Preaching to the tender conscience
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyPurchase tickets for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN. Find our newest book release, Pastor, what are you wearing? Learning the Unspoken, Powerful Message
Ep. 328: Pastoral Attire with Kyle McClellan
Brian Croft talks with pastor Kyle McClellan about his new book "Pastor, What Are You Wearing?", launching the Thriving Pastors series. They unpack why clergy attire matters, five guiding principles for what pastors wear, historical context, and practical wardrobe guidance.
Ep. 327: Ministering to Widows
(02:33) Launching the topic: caring for widows and widowers in the church(03:33) Key biblical texts: Psalm 68:5, James 1:27, 1 Timothy 5, Job(04:30) Acts 6, the poor–orphan–widow triad, and modern neglect of widows(07:17) Why widows seem less vulnerable today (social safety nets, insurance, work)(09:49) First-century context, global poverty, and defining widow/widower(12:51) Physical needs, deacon
Ep. 326: Cultivating Vulnerability Among Elders
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Register for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference! (02:09) Theological framework: plurality of elders and pastors as sheep(04:50) Acts 20:28 – “Pay careful attention to yourselves” and the danger of wolves(07:20) Assumptions about fellow elders and transa
Ep. 325: Pastors Staying too Long
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Register for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference! (02:39) Framing the question: Can a pastor stay too long?(02:46) Acts 20 & 2 Timothy 4 – finishing your course in ministry(05:31) 1 Corinthians 16 – “open door” and “many adversaries” as stay/leave in
Ep. 324: Remembering our Ministry Mentors
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(03:30) Hebrews 13:7 and the Call to Remember Our Leaders(06:30) Biography of Pastor Al Martin & His Ministry Path(11:00) How Pastor Martin Shaped Jim’s Life and Theology(16:00) Memorable Preaching Stories &
Ep. 323: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyExplore taking a renewal retreat at The Shepherds House(02:00) Sean’s Role at Practical Shepherding & Transition to Oklahoma(04:30) Why Tell This Story: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize?(06:30) First Impressions of the Church: Few People, Limited Runway(09:
Ep. 322: Pastors Leading Through National Holidays
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Explore taking a renewal retreat at The Shepherds House(01:40) Framing the Church Calendar Discussion(02:38) Regulative vs. Normative Principle of Worship(06:08) Cultural Context & Story of July 4th(07:40) Processing the July 4th Conflict(09:56) Seeking a
Ep. 321: When it’s Hard To Love Certain People
Join us September 10-11 for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference!Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(02:30) Setting up the topic and biblical foundation(04:45) Biblical Ideal of Loving Everyone(05:40) Sheep vs. Wolves – Setting Parameters(08:45) Levels of Difficulty – From Mild Criticism to
Ep. 320: Life Giving Activities for Pastors
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFind out more about the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN. (03:40) Setting up the topic "life-giving activities" for pastors and broaden definition to people,
Ep. 319: The Unhurried Pastor Revisited with Ronnie Martin
Contact us. We’d love to serve youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ResourcesGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive(02:20) Ronnie’s Transition: leaving his lead-pastor role, and new full-time role with Harbor Network and pastor-in-residence duties.(05:00) Recent Creative Work: Ronnie’s devotional release, music projects(08:00) New Podcast & Harbor Network: Lau
Ep. 318: Different Approaches to Discipleship
(2:40) Biblical Foundations for Discipleship(5:15) How Discipleship Actually Happens in the Local Church(9:00) “Caught, Not Taught” – Organic, Life-on-Life Discipleship(12:00) The Rise of Small Groups / Community Groups(16:00) Balancing Capacity, Culture, and Methods(20:00) The Case for a Midweek Prayer Meeting(24:55) Comparing Prayer Meetings and Community Groups(29:00) Hospitality as a Disciples
Ep. 317: Doctrinal differences with a pastor and church
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(01:57) Biblical Framework for Handling Differences(03:52) The Tension: Bold Preaching with Great Patience(04:21) Scenario 1 – Entering an Established Church with Different Views(06:45) Text-Driven, Book-by
Ep. 316: When elders disagree with each other
(02:36) Biblical Framework for Unity and Disagreement(05:00) Different Kinds of Elders & Influence vs. Authority(08:12) Helping Quieter / Younger Elders Speak Up(10:14 Categories of Decisions: Must Agree vs. May Differ(11:39) Decisions that Require Unanimous Agreement(13:38) Membership and Church Documents(14:49) Pulpit Access and Preaching Priority(17:41) When Majority Rule Is Appropriate(19:
Ep. 315: Older women caring for younger women
Contact us. We’d love to serve youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ResourcesGrow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive(01:59) Big Picture of Titus 2(05:48) Why Two Men Talking About Women in Titus 2?(06:56) Positive Vision for Women’s Ministry(11:04) Equal Value, Different Roles in
Ep. 314: Introducing the Seasoned Pastor Collective
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Find out more about the Seasoned Pastor Collective(01:33) Biblical Foundation for Older Men Investing in Younger Men(04:54) Larry Riley’s Story and Early Mentoring Burden(06:38) Key Mentors in Larry’s Life(07:41) Jim Savastio’s Conversion and Formative Mentors
Ep. 313: Pastors Caring for Younger Men
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ResourcesFind more information about the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort(01:56) Biblical Framework for Caring for Younger Men(04:30) The Crisis of Masculinity and Young Men Today(06:32) Why This Crisis Is Worse N
Ep. 312: Pastors Caring for Older Men
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources2:14 – Setting the topic: How should pastors care for older men? Reference to Titus 2 and issues of generational/masculinity crisis4:21 – Examining Titus 2: Practical framework for church life and leadershi
Ep. 311: Cultivating Friendships
Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(00:43) Introducing the Topic: Christian friendship, especially among pastors(2:00) Biblical foundations: Proverbs 17:17, Ecclesiastes 4, Jonathan & David(04:54) Challenges for men in forming close frie
Ep. 310: Mending broken relationships
(01:16) The challenge of mending broken relationships within church communities.(02:47) Scriptural and theological foundation for unity, drawing from both Old and New Testaments.(06:38) Real-life examples and historical anecdotes on church conflicts.(10:00) Causes of relational breakdown: disappointment, neglect, unresolved conflict, political/personal differences.(15:00) Practical ways pastors ca
Ep. 309: Expectations for a New Year
(01:00) Pressures Pastors Face in January: Discussion on new year challenges, unique pressures, and planning.(02:12) Biblical Foundations: Proverbs 16 and James 4 applied to planning and reliance on God's guidance.(05:00) Melancholy and Societal Pressure: Addressing the emotional and practical challenges pastors face at the year's start.(10:00) Preaching Pressure: Balancing expectations, routines,
Ep. 308: Younger pastors leading older pastors
Contact us. We’d love to serve youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ResourcesGrow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive(02:25) Personal Experiences — Both hosts share stories about being young pastors among older leaders and the unique challenges faced.(03:00) Framing the Issue — Dis
Ep. 307: Keeping your heart faithful
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ResourcesGrow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.(02:00) Pastoral Failings & Faithfulness – Discussion on the burden of pastors’ moral failings and burnout.(03:20) Biblical Foundations – Exploring Proverbs 4:23
Ep. 306: Pastors caring too much or not enough
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:42) Scriptural perspectives on caring about opinions(05:29) Tensions in pastoral reputation—Paul’s examples(06:30) Brian and Jim reflect from personal experience of caring too much and not enough(13:03) Signs of caring too much(19:13) Signs of not
Ep. 305: Cultivating Joy in Our People
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(00:50) Setting up the topic: Cultivating joy in church communities(02:30) Biblical texts on joy: 2 Corinthians 1, Philippians 1, First Peter(05:15) The relational and gospel roots of joy(08:30) Joy as motivation for perseverance and healthy church cu
Ep. 304: Life and Ministry with Dr. Robert Smith Jr.
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:13) Dr. Smith’s Background: Early life, move to Cincinnati, and family influences.(05:07) Ministry Balance: Balancing family commitments and itinerant ministry; racial reconciliation as a key focus.(07:12) Pastoral Experience: Pastoring New Missio
Ep. 303: Good fears for faithful pastors
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(06:14) Setting up the topic(10:29) Fear of hurting church members(15:52) Losing pastoral passion and affection(18:57) Preventing church division(24:04) Practical advice for managing pastoral fears
Ep. 302: The pastoral pressure to address current events
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(04:05) Setting the Context (07:28) Biblical Foundations (10:42) Internal Pressures on Pastors (13:22) Understanding Congregational Dynamics (18:36) External Pressures (21:14) Rooting Out Fear of Man (28:51) Pastoral Advice for Future Crises (33:24) P
Ep. 301: Dealing with disagreements among elders
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:01) Biblical Foundation for Unity (08:39) Essential Areas of Agreement for Elders Membership and leadership selection First-tier doctrinal issues (deity of Christ, salvation) Issues affecting church unity(16:31)Handling Disagreements directly
Ep. 300: Church building programs, the good and bad
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveFind out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(00:00) Introduction and welcome (01:13) Discussion about Jim's recent theater production (05:00) Setting up the discussion: Church building programs (06:35) Biblical perspective fro
Ep. 299: The church and foster care
(02:12) Scripture foundation and setting up the topic from Psalm 68 (07:16) Bryce's background in ministry and entrepreneurship(10:00) Discussion on foster care (12:20) Shocking statistic: 80% of foster youth age out in a difficult situation (18:01) How pastors can help and get involved with foster care (25:00) Connection between foster care and human trafficking (27:51) Introduction to Bryce's po
Ep. 298: Gospel work in the urban poor
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveRegister for the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:17) Theological and Cultural Struggles (13:06) Costs of Theological Convictions (16:56) Planting Urban Hope Community Church (23:27) Gospel-Centered Ministry Approach (33:02) Grocery Store and Buil
Ep. 297: Life and Ministry with Alton Hardy
(02:29) Background on how Brian and Kyle met Pastor Alton(04:10) Pastor Alton discusses his vision for church planting (07:24) Sharing his initial prayer and vision for the church (12:43) Challenges of the first five years of ministry (16:34) Current church growth and encouragement (24:12) Leadership Initiative details (29:42) Training approach for young men in the Leadership Initiative (37:41) De
Ep. 296 The importance of hobbies
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveRegister for the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:01) Theological Foundations of Hobbies(07:32) Jim's Acting Experience(12:42) Importance of Enjoying Hobbies(18:12) Examples of Personal Hobbies(22:50) Pastoral Challenges with Hobbies(26:11) Practi
Ep. 295: Pastors knowing and being known by their people
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveRegister for the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:42) Biblical Foundation and setting up the topic(10:00) Tips for getting to know church members(15:26) Book recommendation: David Brooks' "How to Know a Person"(18:58) Being autobiographical in min
Ep. 294: Pastor Pivots in a Changing Church Culture
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveRegister for the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:51) Biblical Framework and setting up the topic (08:57) Biographical Background (13:47) Challenges for Modern Pastors (22:58) Time Management and Ministry Responsibilities(30:43) Adapting to Changi
Ep. 293: Younger Pastors Hurt by Older Pastors
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveFind out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(01:30) Biblical Framework and setting up the Topic (10:02) Personal Ministry Experiences (15:11) Preparing for Ministry Challenges (22:27) Dealing with Pastoral Betrayal (28:26) Hea
Ep. 292: Pastoral Blindspots
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveFind out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference. Request a stay at the Shepherd’s HouseWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(01:19) Defining a blindspot(02:45) Setting up the conversation and biblical foundation (08:55) Blindspot #1: I’m a really good preacher(12:45)
Ep. 291: How to stay refreshed and hopeful
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveFind out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference. Request a stay at the Shepherd’s HouseWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:40) Biblical foundation and setting up the conversationBeing refreshed spiritually:(06:40) abiding in Christ(11:35) Laboring in hope with th
Ep. 290: The finding and function of deacons
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveApply to stay at The Shepherd’s House this Fall!Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(01:36) Setting up the conversation and biblical foundation (07:36) The importance of the right balance of plurality(09:55) What do de
Ep. 289: Pastoral vision versus pastoral plodding
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveFind out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:37) Setting up the conversation and biblical understanding(08:36) The tension that exists(12:35) Vision versus being creative(17:28) The definition of faithfulness(23:19) Faithfu
Ep. 288: Growing through the seasons of Ministry
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:44) Biblical foundation and setting up the conversation(07:44) The first 5-years of ministry(16:35) The first 10-years of ministry(17:10) Cultivating patience and avoiding idealism (19:40) Almost a second ministry(22:30) The first 20-years of mini
Ep. 287: Ministry to kids this summer
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:30) Biblical Foundation(10:18) How location is important in thinking about ministry to children(15:35) Specific programs for different maturity levels (17:38) Intentionality in your children’s ministry and VBS(22:15) Questions to ask as you plan
Ep. 286: Careful and gracious membership process
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(01:42) Setting up the topic and biblical foundation(08:21) The standard for being a member: commitment(16:14) A clear profession of faith(18:45) A history of regular contention(21:55) Moral issues (24:45) Things that are not a red flag as it pertains
Ep. 285: An announcement about Advancing the Church
(00:46) What is the coalition of Advancing the Church?(06:38) Why another conference?(08:10) Providing unique partnerships and relationship(09:12) Who are the speakers and what is the format?(13:11) Focus on training faithful and strong women in ministry(17:57) 10ofThose: a faithful ministry partner(18:58) Ministry showcase not exhibitors(21:40) Graceland Baptist Church: a faithful ministry partne
Ep. 284: Doing ministry while caring for aging parents
Contact us. We’d love to serve youVisit the Shepherd’ s HouseGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:38) Biblical perspective and setting up the conversation(12:42) Caring for your family as a pre-requisite to ministry (14:13) What do you do when your parents are located many hours away?(19:36) Is there a way to care fo
Ep. 283: The importance of pastoral application in sermons
Contact us. We’d love to serve youVisit the Shepherd’ s HouseGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:51) Biblical Framework and Setting up the Topic(09:48) Balancing exposition and application(16:15) Keeping the congregation engaged in application(19:26) Thinking through application(21:26) Application from shepherding t
Ep. 282: Shepherding and Social Media
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:08) Biblical Framework and Setting up the Topic(05:05) Uses for social media (09:15) Benefits of Social Media in shepherding(12:30) Using social media to edify(13:15) Using social media as a Prayer chain(16:15) The ability to build up and tear dow
Ep. 281: How long should a pastor preach?
(01:40) Setting up the topic and biblical foundation(05:37) Appropriate sermon length: considering the setting, hearers, and your own experience(14:40) Growing in editing(18:41) Expositional preaching and the pressure to comment on every verse(23:30) Awareness of time in preaching(29:07) Avoiding sloppiness in sermon prep(32:45) Final words and prayer
Ep. 280: Ministry tips to aspiring pastors
Contact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(01:36) Biblical framework and Setting up the topic(06:13) Connection to seminary(10:00) Know your English bible(12:59) Teach a children’s Sunday School class(14:19) The care and cultivation of your own soul(17:04) Caring for those who are hurting(24:4
Ep. 279: Expectations on Lay Pastors and Staff Pastors
Contact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyResources(02:19) Setting up the topic and Biblical Framework(06:33) Other life circumstances matter (08:29) Expectations of functions of the pastors(12:40) Expectations of lay pastors(16:15) Expectations of time for lay pastors(20:05) Expectations for deacons(25
Ep. 278: Evaluating Ministry Effectiveness
(02:23) Biblical background and setting up the topic(08:42) Evaluating your preaching ministry(12:35) Ministry of the Word, private and public(19:30) Effectiveness as you grow older in ministry(22:44) Knowing our gifting in ministry to be effective(25:37) How should people leaving our church cause us to evaluate our effectiveness(31:37) Final word and prayer
Ep. 277: Pastoral Ministry Convictions with George McDearmon
Listen to part 1 with George McDearmonContact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:13) Jim introduces George McDearmon(02:49) Details of his ministry: the size of the congregation and its community(05:15) The call to ministry: internal aspirations and character externally confirmed by a local church(07
Ep. 276: Life and Ministry with George McDearmon
Contact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:19) Jim introduces George McDearmon(03:10) Getting to know George McDearmon(07:24) The call to ministry and beginning in the work(14:16) Joys of shepherding a church for 46-years(19:16) Challenges of shepherding a church for 46-years (23:28) Challenges to yo
Ep. 275: Ministry in the second half of life
Contact us we’d love to serve youApply to stay at the Shepherd’s HouseExplore the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort NOW in Spanish! Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:39) Setting up the conversation(04:14) Biblical foundation: Making the best of the opportunities(08:08) Reasons pastors are devalued as they get older(09:19)
Ep. 274: End of year church budget conversations
Contact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:25) Setting up the conversation and biblical foundation(06:42) Practical steps to develop a church budget(11:08) Steps to take when your church doesn’t meet budget(18:58) Creative ways to meet shortfalls while not compromising mission(24:45) When pastors dis
Ep. 273: The tension of prophetic voice and gospel warmth
Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveContact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesFind rest at a Shepherd’s House location nearest youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(02:12) Biblical background and setting up the topic(08:42) Moral clarity or Gospel clarity?(12:20) Practical ways to balance the tension(13:02) What kind of ministry do you want? Wo
Ep. 272: The blessing of older pastoral mentors
Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveContact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesFind rest at a Shepherd’s House location nearest youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:58) Biblical foundation and setting up the topic (2 Timothy 2:2)(06:43) Finding mentors as a young man(12:23) Impact of mentors in your early adulthoodEp. 199 with Austin WalkerE
Ep. 271: Thriving pastors roundtable
Show notes will be added shortly.
Ep. 270: Understanding administration and delegation
Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveContact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesFind rest at a Shepherd’s House location nearest youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:36) Biblical foundation and setting up the topic(06:36) The pastoral struggle with delegation and administration(09:34) Two pastors: too much or too little administration(18:04)
Ep. 269: Preparing our people to suffer well
Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveContact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesFind rest at a Shepherd’s House location nearest youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:33) Setting up the topic and biblical framework(07:15) Distinguishing sufferings(11:55) Important questions: Who are you?, how do you live?, and how do we suffer well?(16:51) Pas
Ep. 268: Pastoring as the election draws near
Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveContact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesFind rest at a Shepherd’s House location nearest youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:37) Setting up the topic and biblical framework(07:31) The pressure of how much do you say or not say? (09:42) Handling congregational pressures (13:12) Distinguishing pastoral r
Ep. 267: Pastors battling spiritual warfare
Contact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesFind rest at a Shepherd’s House location nearest youApply to the 2025 Practically Trained Pastor’s CohortGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(02:07) Biblical understanding(13:59) Ways to discern warfare versus failure(19:33) Signs the enemy is attacking the church(24:22
Ep. 266: Becoming life long learners
Contact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesFind rest at a Shepherd’s House location nearest youApply to the 2025 Practically Trained Pastor’s CohortGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(03:19) Biblical understanding and setting up the conversation(06:43) Strive to master the Bible(09:48) Perfect your preaching cr
Ep. 265: Learning from ministry falls
Contact us we’d love to serve youExplore our online resourcesGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(03:41) Biblical Framework and setting up the conversation(08:01) The misconception that good theology protects us from falling(10:57) The misconception that being older protects us from falling(13:42) The combustible nature of our ow
Ep. 264: Advancing the Church
Brian, Stephen, and Matthew provide an update on how SBC went and other
developments from the last few months for ATC.
Ep. 263: Feeling enslaved to the study
Contact us we’d love to serve youExplore locations of The Shepherd’s HouseRegister for the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort Explore our online resourcesGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(02:24) Setting up the topic and biblical foundation(12:42) The pursuit of a home run sermon(15:00) Fear of man in preparation and preaching(
Ep. 262: Am I called to be a missionary or pastor?
Register for the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort Explore our online resourcesContact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveExplore locations of The Shepherd’s HouseWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:41) Setting up the topic and biblical framework(04:49) Defining what a missionary is and the Internal and external call(11:32) Supporting
Ep. 261: Planning for the next pastor
Explore our online resourcesContact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveExplore locations of The Shepherd’s HouseWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(01:06) Setting the conversation and biblical understanding(08:54) Should a pastor stay in his congregation after he transitions from being a pastor?(15:11) Should the long-term pastor be invol
Ep. 260: Walking with the Grieving
Explore our online resourcesContact us we’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveExplore locations of The Shepherd’s HouseWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(02:08) Biblical understanding (08:01) The pastor’s role in helping members grieve(16:40) Pastoral care for families during funeral planning and visitation (24:03) Pastoral care after burying a
Ep. 259: Caring for seasonal visitors
Discover articles written by pastors for pastors so that they might thrive Financially support the work of Practical ShepherdingIf you have a question or need encouragement contact us!Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(03:07) Biblical support for caring for seasonal visitors(05:57) Practical ways to welcome seasonal visitors(09:47) What a church should share/not share with seasonal guests
Ep. 258: The Kingdom-minded Pastor with Joel Littlefield
Show Notes:Explore our resourcesFind rest and retreat at one of the many Shepherd’s House locationsWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyVisit the contact Page(02:00) Introducing Joel Littlefield(05:10) The unique challenges to ministry in Maine(08:00) Why the topic of Kingdom-minded pastor?(12:42) The ministry of Isaac Case(15:36) The Kingdom-Minded Pastor(19:54) Who is The Kingdom-Minded Pa
Ep. 257: Decisions around missions giving
Show Notes:Explore our resourcesFind rest and retreat at one of the many Shepherd’s House locationsFind offerings provided to Women in Ministry Advancing the Church (ATC) Podcast EpisodeWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyVisit the contact Page(02:07) Biblical framework for giving for gospel advancement(06:02) How Reformed Baptist Church Louisville determined missions giving(10:00) Cooperat
Ep. 256: The pastor and counseling the flock
Show Notes:Explore our resourcesFind rest and retreat at one of the many Shepherd’s House locationsWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyVisit the contact Page(03:34) Biblical understanding of overseeing the flock in counseling them(08:14) Important aspects of shepherding/engaging in this wayStay in your lane with the ministry of the WordThe ministry of [physical] presenceThe ministry of [emo
Ep. 255: Advancing the Church
(01:46) Steve Bray of Mile One Mission(06:08) Matthew Spandler-Davison of 20schemes and Church in Hard Places(12:17) What is Advancing the Church (ATC)?(16:24) Are we adding more to this coalition? (23:11) Why ATC?(28:20) How you can support Advancing the Church
Ep. 254: Pastors and Reading Books
Why is it important for pastors to read books? What types of books do Brian
and Jim recommend?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of
Trench Talk.
Ep. 253: The Peril of Pastoral Perfectionism
Show Notes:Visit the contact PageRequest a stay at one of the 6 locations of The Shepherd’s HouseNew Resources: Pastoral Perseverance and The Unhurried PastorWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(02:09) Biblical understanding(05:43) Reasons why pastors pursue perfectionism(14:29) Rooted in Pride(15:10) How pastors can work on their perfectionism(18:06) Before God, before others, before ourse
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