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.
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How does a pastor faithfully shepherd single mothers? Are single mothers like and therefore need similar care as widows? What needs can you meet when the resources of your church are sparse? Is there a responsibility for the church to help as matchmaker? If so, what cautions might be needed?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat is the correlation between anger and expectations? How do those unmet expectations then produce pastoral guilt? Are anger and guilt completely positive or negative? What does the Bible have to say about these things?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreIs the role of shepherding more difficult in the midst of a pandemic? What is the biblical role of a pastor/shepherd? What are the best ways to combat being disconnected from church members?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow do you bear the burden of your congregation when you sense that your sheep are overwhelmed in this life? What impact does the regular care of members have on the pastor? Is the pastor called to fix the burdens of members?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow can pastors face the pressure self, or externally, imposed for their Advent sermons to be “home runs”? Does a John 3:16 bring more weight than a sermon in Leviticus? How do you continue preaching each and every sermon as the inspired word of God?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreBrian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreAs a pastor, you are unfortunately not absolved from criticism from your flock? How should a pastor discern if the criticism is true or false? What scriptures can we point to in helping receive criticism? How can you determine if the one bringing the criticism is regenerate?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow can you shepherd those in your congregation who are straying away from the church and perhaps nearing apostatizing? What if a pastor has pursued a person drifting away, and they simply don’t want to return? Is every member who doesn’t attend the regular gathering of the church in danger of apostasy? What if a church member continues in doubt, when is it necessary to pursue church discipline?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow should a pastor address underlying sin within the congregation? What biblical passages inform us on this topic? Should sin be confronted from the pulpit? What are practical steps pastors can take to correct but also provide hope?
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused churches to think about things they had not done previously. How should churches (and Pastors) navigate these times? What changes and what stays the same? The call to minister the Word in season and out of season stays the same. How can this be done well outside of the preaching of the Word? Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow can pastors encourage members (particularly the men) in their church to read good books? Is “I just don’t read” a good enough excuse? Should a pastor be careful with the books he recommends his members read? What other tips would you give to assist your members in taking in good books?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these questions and more on this week’s edition of Trenchtalk.
Read MoreHow do pastors pastor other pastors? What scriptures address this charge? What responsibility do pastors have to call other pastors to repentance for the good of the flock? How do you encourage a healthy eldership that causes equality among other pastors?
All of these questions and more covered on this episode of Trenchtalk with Brian Croft and Jim Savastio.
Read MoreIs premarital counseling a biblical requirement? What should a pastors primary goal be when providing biblical premarital counseling to church members? Should a pastor require premarital counseling for couples under his care? What resources (other than the bible) do you take couples through?
All these issues are addressed by Brian Croft and Jim Savastio on this episode of Trenchtalk.
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