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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Is disagreement always sinful or can it be tied to biblical principles? How can clear expectations help guard from disappointment and disagreement? How should you handle disagreements as it pertains to conscience issues?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more questions on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow 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 MoreIs it important for pastors to regularly fellowship with one another? What might it look like to start your own pastoral fellowship? What non-negotiables should be required in a formal environment like this? How is the Practical Shepherding Pastoral Fellowship on Practical Theology setup?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow well do you celebrate the blessings of your sheep? Should there be categories of sheep that are difficult and those that are a blessing? How can we love those who bless us in the way they are faithful and encouraging members? How can we seek to shepherd all of the sheep, even the difficult ones?
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 MoreWhat, if any, metrics should we use to gauge our effectiveness in ministry? How can we look beyond the things that are seen to perhaps what cannot be seen? Why is it important to focus our attention away from the B’s (budgets, buildings, butts) of ministry? If not those, then what is most important to see the Spirit’s work in your local church?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreAre businesses and churches synonymous? Should they be run similarly? What does it mean that Scripture is sufficient? Is Scripture sufficient in everyway? Are the means of ministry pragmatism worth the ends of church growth?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreIs it important for a local congregation that their preacher has a unique preaching voice? What does it mean to have a unique preaching voice? Is there value in sounding like other faithful preachers? Isn’t imitation the greatest form of flattery? How does a young developing preacher develop a unique preaching voice?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more 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 MoreWhat are the differences between denominations? What are the differences within each denomination making a local church distinct? How much agreement should there be for a pastor, or be a faithful member, at a specific local church? Should your primary goal be to move a congregation to a certain doctrinal position?
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 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 can a younger pastor shepherd congregants who have more life experiences than him? Is there wisdom that he can provide? What if your church is made up of one age and stage in life? Does biblical wisdom and authority provide help for a pastor without life experiences? Is there a requirement for a pastor to relate with all of his people?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHas the western church forgotten the importance of corporate prayer? What role should prayer play in the life of the church? How can we ensure that our churches are a place that prioritizes deep prayer? How much do you preach when you pray? and is this a good thing? What role should prayer play in the gathered worship service?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat are some of the unique joys of being a pastor? Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer this important question and give examples from their ministries on this special 100th episode of Trench Talk.
Thanks for your faithful listening and support!
Read MoreWhat obligations do pastors have to those who attend their church but have not become members? Is he obligated to them? Is church membership biblical? What is the difference between affection and obligation? Will a pastor give an account for non-members?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreShould a pastor raise up Elders or move toward the process of having an Elder-led polity? How can pastors identify other Elders within their congregation? How can pastors intentionally raise up men to be Elders? What 3 qualities does Brian look for in an Elder?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
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