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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.
Latest Episodes
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- 1 weeks ago33 min
Ep. 336: Moving a church from topical to expository preaching
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 The Listener Question: Topical to Expository The Anchor Text: 2 Timothy 3-4 The Case for Expository Preaching Broad Exposure to the Whole Bible Teaching People How to Read Their Bibles Brian's Own Church: 70 Years of Topical Preaching Start Short, Familiar, and Compelling Larger Chunks, Shorter Series "Why Are You Giving Us a Bible Study?" The Band of Brothers Illustration Sermon Length as the Hidden Variable Simplicity, Spurgeon, and Ryle Patience — A Multi-Year Horizon Preacher and Congregation Growing Together They're Being Patient With You, Too Sprinkling Topical Sermons Back In Don't Preach a Commentary — Point to Christ Working on the Craft of Communication Final word and Prayer
- 2 weeks ago37 min
Ep. 335: Pastors thinking through retirement
Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveFind out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference.Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Framing the topic: pastors, money, and the question of retirement Biblical tension: trust God vs. plan wisely for the future Providing for wives and widows; inheritance and 1 Timothy 5:8 Calling, longevity in ministry, and the “20–25% who make it to retirement age” Brian and Jim’s ages and seasons; Dr. Robert Smith Jr. on “I’m not retiring, I’m reassigned” Longer lifespans, medical costs, and needing expert financial help Life insurance amounts, caring for a likely-longer-lived wife, and Social Security decisions Power of starting small: investing early (e.g., $100/month from age 30) Split in the road: U.S. context vs. international context for pastors Global realities: pastors in parsonages with no home, savings, or safety net (Philippines example) Denominational support, pensions drying up, and intergenerational housing as a “retirement plan” U.S. pastors: Social Security, basic salary packages, and lack of formal retirement accounts Owning a home vs. long-term parsonage living; basic retirement practices for U.S. pastors Medical costs, health-sharing programs, and the burden of healthcare in later life Core exhortation: don’t punt on planning—life insurance, small retirement contributions, home ownership International pastors: when retirement options are minimal, planning with children and family Developing a life skill / bivocational trade to support long-term provision Encouragement for bivocational pastors and challenges for older men without alternate skills “Retirement” vs. “reassignment” in ministry callings Jim’s distinction: calling to full-time pastoral work vs. continued service in other roles Case study: seminary president planning to step down at 75, then feeling able to keep serving Practical implications: stepping aside from paid role while freeing salary for younger men Importance of planned transition before you “feel done” (Alistair Begg example; Brian’s own 60+ plan) Final exhortations: have a plan; others are affected by your decisions
- 3 weeks ago33 min
Ep. 334: Discerning the care of Weaker Sheep
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 conversation—1 Thessalonians 5:14 and Categories in the Church Metaphor: Buckets with Holes vs. Buckets with Solid Bottoms Identifying the Weak, Faint‑Hearted, and Idle Dangers of Ignoring or Being Consumed by Weak Sheep When Investment Bears Fruit vs. Feels Wasted Admonish, Encourage, Help – Three Pastoral Approaches Setting Boundaries and Bringing Others into Care Non‑Compliance, Coddling, and Loving Admonishment Life‑Giving vs. Life‑Draining Meetings for Pastors Distinguishing Truly Weak from Resistant and Bitter Final Exhortations, Two Quotes from Mentors, and Closing Prayer
- 4 weeks ago30 min
Ep. 333: Advancing the Church Conference (Equip 2026)
Purchase tickets to Equip 2026 using discount code: MSD50 to get 50% off! Coalition Ministries Introduced (Mile One, 20 Schemes, Church in Hard Places, Practical Shepherding) Mile One Mission & Newfoundland Context 20 Schemes: Church Planting & Revitalization in Scotland’s Schemes Church in Hard Places: Global Training for Indigenous Leaders Why a Coalition? Shared Theology, Hard Places, and Cooperation What Makes This Conference Different (Equipping Focus & Non‑Celebrity Speakers) Main Sessions in Titus: Building Robust Leadership Pipelines Working Together Across Contexts: “Landing the Plane in Different Airfields” Exhibitors & Partners: Curated Ministries, Not Vendor Hall Equipping Tracks Overview: Church Planting, Revitalization, Missions Biblical Counseling Track: Addiction, Abuse, and Local Church Care Additional Tracks: Women, Men, and Expository Preaching Pricing, Group Rates, and Discount Code: MSD50 Friendship, Cooperation, and the Need for Pastoral Companionship Invitation to Attend & Closing Prayer for the Conference
- Aug 11, 202634 min
Ep. 332: Caring for pastors wives and pastors kids with Bethel Webb
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. Introducing Bethel Webb & Practical Shepherding Women Bethel’s Background in the Philippines & Ministry Family Call to Counseling & Move to Southern Seminary Connecting with Kara Croft & Joining Practical Shepherding Two Types of Pastors’ Wives The Deep Struggle of Isolation for Pastors’ Wives Finding a Place in the Church & Expectations Cultural Differences in Expectations of Pastors’ Wives Global Patterns & Unique Church Contexts Three Pillars of the Women’s Ministry: Care, Content, Cohorts Counseling, Writing, and Upcoming Book Studies Global Cohorts & Safe Spaces for Pastors’ Wives Mentoring Pastors’ Wives & Need for Seasoned Leaders Challenges Facing Pastors’ Kids & Deconstruction Giving PKs Freedom, Voice, and Honest Conversation Final word and Prayer
- Jul 21, 202638 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
- Jul 14, 202634 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
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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