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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 ago38 min
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 Framing the Question: Do Pastors Need Seminary? Biblical Foundations for Training How Seminaries Assumed the Training Role Jim’s Training Story: Church-Based “Seminary” Brian’s Training Story: Mentors & “Informal M.Div.” Serving at Southern Seminary Without a Seminary Degree So, Is Seminary Required? Global & Historical Perspective Who Really Needs Seminary? Denominations, Missions, Teaching Credentials and Closed Doors Seminary as Structure, Deadlines, and Motivation The “Educational Bubble,” Enrollment Decline, & Competition Tension: “You Need the Church” vs. “You Really Need Us” Encouraging Smaller, Church-Connected Seminaries Alternative Pathways & Practical Shepherding Cohorts Encouragement to Non‑Seminary Pastors Pastors, Don’t Outsource Training Your Men Final Word & Prayer
- 2 weeks ago34 min
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. Biblical Framework: when should/shouldn’t pastors defend themselves? Biblical tension: Jesus’ silence vs. Paul’s self-defense; key NT texts Proposed “template”: personal slights vs. ministerial slander; online smear story Important caveat: abuse, real guilt, and not helping guilty pastors “defend” themselves Clear cases to defend: disqualifying accusations (false romantic relationship story) Private vs. public accusations; defending against allegations of illegal activity Accusations of heresy and doctrinal error; how and why to respond How to defend without being defensive: tone, frequency, and using elders/outside counsel When not to defend: social media critique (“cesspool of wokeness”) and letting it go Critiques of preaching style/length and why not to publicly “answer from the pulpit” Lifestyle criticisms: vacations, cars, “nice things,” and unnecessary self-justification Vacation time example: fear of criticism and the paralysis of people-pleasing Don’t chase gossip; when silence is wiser than trying to correct every rumor Final counsel: humility, prayer, seeking counsel; closing prayer
- Jun 30, 202634 min
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 of Attire by Kyle McClellan here. Setting up the Topic: Good Shepherd, bruised reed, and advocate (John 10; Matt 12; 1 John 2) 2 Timothy 4:2 – strong exhortation joined with great patience and teaching Why harsh, “hammer” preaching is celebrated (reaction to church-growth / soft preaching) Croft’s overreaction to weak preaching and a friend’s “you need to chill” correction Faithful and effective: fear of man, law-only vs. comfort-only ministry How to preach to tender consciences: wounding and then binding up Knowing your flock: medicine vs. poison and dangers of one-tone preaching Keeping sermons hopeful; translating private care of sensitive souls into public preaching Law–gospel tension and the exhausting pursuit of doing “enough” Grace, obedience, assurance, and pride in the tender conscience Final exhortations: patience, prayer, and accepting we cannot fix people
- Jun 23, 2026
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.
- Jun 16, 2026
Ep. 327: Ministering to Widows
Launching the topic: caring for widows and widowers in the church Key biblical texts: Psalm 68:5, James 1:27, 1 Timothy 5, Job Acts 6, the poor–orphan–widow triad, and modern neglect of widows Why widows seem less vulnerable today (social safety nets, insurance, work) First-century context, global poverty, and defining widow/widower Physical needs, deacon ministry, and keeping a clear list of widows Relational needs: loneliness, identity shifts, remarriage questions Widowers’ unique vulnerabilities and differences from widows Equipping members, interns, and stay-at-home moms to visit widows Spiritual care: public prayer, private visitation, Scripture, and prayer Final reflections on the joy of pastoring widows and closing prayer
- Jun 9, 202631 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
- Jun 2, 202634 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
- May 19, 202639 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
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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