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by Practical Shepherding
Practical Shepherding is a Gospel-driven resource center for pastors and church leaders to equip 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. Our goal is to examine the life and work of a pastor and give helpful guidance for our brothers laboring with us. This is a podcast by pastors for pastors. We are in the trenches of ministry with you, and we want to equip you to continue in this task.
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- 1 weeks ago31 min
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! Theological framework: plurality of elders and pastors as sheep Acts 20:28 – “Pay careful attention to yourselves” and the danger of wolves Assumptions about fellow elders and transactional leadership meetings Friendship as the foundation for healthy elder relationships Unique vulnerability challenges for pastors vs. church members Lead pastors, authority dynamics, and inviting care from fellow elders Structuring elder meetings for personal check-ins and soul care Pushing past guardedness: sharing real struggles wisely Public vulnerability in preaching without oversharing Unsafe eldership cultures and when elders themselves aren’t safe Final exhortations: cultivating grace-filled accountability and closing prayer
- 2 weeks ago34 min
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! Framing the question: Can a pastor stay too long? Acts 20 & 2 Timothy 4 – finishing your course in ministry 1 Corinthians 16 – “open door” and “many adversaries” as stay/leave indicators High-profile examples: Alistair Begg and contrasting exit models Jim’s personal retirement aspirations and health/age as limits Practical markers that it’s time to step down (diminished gifts, effectiveness) Yes, pastors can stay too long; continuing ministry after leaving the pastorate Why some won’t let go: finances, lack of self-awareness, identity in ministry When no one can tell the pastor, “It’s time” – isolation and lack of accountability Succession planning in churches and ministries (Brian’s and Jim’s examples) Defining “finishing well”: faithfulness over visible success Spurgeon’s ending, realism about messy conclusions, and faithfulness to the end Final Word and Prayer
- 4 weeks ago39 min
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 Hebrews 13:7 and the Call to Remember Our Leaders Biography of Pastor Al Martin & His Ministry Path How Pastor Martin Shaped Jim’s Life and Theology Memorable Preaching Stories & The Weight of the Pulpit Pastor Martin as Shepherd & Christian Gentleman Brian’s Mentor Jackson Boyette & Learning to Love People Well Additional Lessons from Mentors: Convictions, Affections, and Thinking Against the Grain Grief, Spiritual Fatherhood, and Exhortation to Seek and Be Mentors Final Word & Prayer
- May 12, 202646 min
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 Sean’s Role at Practical Shepherding & Transition to Oklahoma Why Tell This Story: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize? First Impressions of the Church: Few People, Limited Runway Early Challenges, Bi‑Vocational Support, and COVID Disruption Encouraging Signs: New Families, Children, and Community Outreach Under-the-Surface Resistance & Entrenched Control Realizing Scheming, Failed Attempts at Resolution Public Conflict at a Business Meeting & the subsequent Discipline Process Emotional, Physical, and Family Toll of the Conflict Decision to Resign, Trusting God’s Will in the Vote Lessons Learned: Suffering, Calling, and “It’s Still Worth It” Closing Reflections & Prayer for Sean and the Church
- Apr 21, 202633 min
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 Framing the Church Calendar Discussion Regulative vs. Normative Principle of Worship Cultural Context & Story of July 4th Processing the July 4th Conflict Seeking a Middle Way on National Holidays Honoring but Not Centering National Holidays Practical Alternatives to Holiday-Centered Services Examples of Ignoring Christmas/Easter Jim’s Practice: Christmas, Easter, & Thanksgiving Why Thanksgiving Feels Most “Biblical” Traditions Without Judgment Mother’s Day as a “Sacred Cow” Pastoral Pressures & Pain Around Mother’s Day Managing Expectations & Training a Congregation Principle: Pastoral Care Over Personal Preference Broader Reflections on Traditions St. Patrick’s Day, Other Minor Days
- Apr 14, 202636 min
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 Setting up the topic and biblical foundation Biblical Ideal of Loving Everyone Sheep vs. Wolves – Setting Parameters Levels of Difficulty – From Mild Criticism to Dislike “Mud in the Face” – Handling Criticism Examples of Painful Feedback & Common Temptations Trust, Tenure, and Misreading People Deep Wounds & The Call to Keep Loving Fighting Bitterness with Scripture Lament as a Godward Outlet Identity in Christ vs. Identity in Ministry Bodily Stress & Practical Self‑Care Leaning In Instead of Pulling Away Story: Visiting a Harsh Critic in Grief: Final word & Prayer
- Mar 31, 202635 min
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. Setting up the topic "life-giving activities" for pastors and broaden definition to people, places, things. Biblical Grounding: References to Elijah, Psalm 23, Jesus' retreats (Matthew 14, Mark 6) and Sabbath/rest. People — Family & Friends: Jim and Brian discuss family time, grateful companions, and friends who aren’t seeking pastoral care. Places — Restful Settings: Conversation about coffee shops, bookstores, mountains, historical cities, and travel as refreshment. Things — Hobbies & Ministry Fruit: Examples include gardening, cooking, sporting events, and the joy of being helpful in ministry. Why pastors need life giving rhythms—prevention of burnout, sustained joy, and ministerial effectiveness. Final Prayer: Prayer for pastors to discover refreshing activities and sustain long-term ministry.
- Mar 24, 202633 min
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 Ronnie’s Transition: leaving his lead-pastor role, and new full-time role with Harbor Network and pastor-in-residence duties. Recent Creative Work: Ronnie’s devotional release, music projects New Podcast & Harbor Network: Launch of Rambles with Ronnie and overview of Harbor Network’s pastor-care focus. Purpose of the Book: Why they wrote The Unhurried Pastor and its aim to revive conversation about pastoral pacing. Impact of The Unhurried Pastor & Events: How the book has opened conversations, influenced trainings, and led to speaking engagements. Biblical Example & Sermon Application: Using Matthew 14 and Jesus’ rhythm as a model for unhurried ministry. Personal Rhythms: Ronnie on learning to wait; Brian on listening to the body as an indicator of pace and health. Practical Advice for Pastors: Emphasize curiosity about recurring anxieties, seek trusted confidents, and separate ministry success from soul health. Closing Prayer & Charge: Prayer for pastors’ renewal and encouragement toward an unhurried, sustainable ministry.
About Trench Talk
Practical Shepherding is a Gospel-driven resource center for pastors and church leaders to equip 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. Our goal is to examine the life and work of a pastor and give helpful guidance for our brothers laboring with us. This is a podcast by pastors for pastors. We are in the trenches of ministry with you, and we want to equip you to continue in this task.
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