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.
Find us on iTunes here.
Is it more important to live closer to your building or your people? How do Brian and Jim feel about the benefits and burdens of a parsonage? What are practical considerations a pastor should think through about their housing?
Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhat does Harbor Network do to care for pastors? What are common hardships that pastors are facing? How can pastors develop a resiliency to stay in a hard place? What words of encouragement do pastors need today?
Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin address these, and many more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreWhen does a pastor have to take responsibility for his problems? How can he identify what needs to be changed and how should he go about making those changes?
Brian and Jim answer these questions and more on this episode of Trench Talk.
Read MoreHow 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
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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
Read MoreAre 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreHow 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.
Read MoreHow 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
Read MoreHow 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreHow 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
Read MoreHow 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.
Read MoreHow 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.
Read MoreShould 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.
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