

Trench Talk
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 8, 2022 • 37min
Ep. 197: Dealing with Traditionalism in a Church
Contact usHelp pastors thrive through Sponsor a Pastor(01:57) Defining tradition and the biblical understanding of traditionalism(11:53) Charting a course toward biblical faithfulness over human tradition(16:02) Building and spending pastoral collateral(19:30) Taking steps toward biblical faithfulness over human tradition(25:45) Established traditions and how to balance them in the congregation (35:49) Final words and prayer

Nov 1, 2022 • 37min
Ep. 196: Middle-aged pastoral transitions
Explore our Resource LibraryReserve a stay at the Shepherd’s HouseHelp pastors thrive through sponsorapastor.org(01:47) Introduction and Biblical Framework(11:11) Discerning if you need a sabbatical or if you need to step away(14:22) Jim’s “break” and how the Lord used it(17:22) Discussing, with your family, if you need a sabbatical or if you need to step away(18:55) Discover other options for providing income if stepping away from a pastorate(21:01) Financial fears that come up from “failing” in ministry(24:48) Where do you go when pursuing a transition? (28:53) Brian’s story of transitioning from pastoral ministry(32:52) Considering another Church when transitioning (35:05) Final words and prayer

Oct 25, 2022 • 41min
Ep. 195: Dealing with the Dones
Help pastors thrive through Sponsor a Pastor(01:21) Defining the dones(05:31) Biblical foundation of the importance of gathering on the Lord’s Day(09:49) The complexity of living in a technological world(11:10) Implications of the dones in day-to-day ministry(17:54) What about those who genuinely must rely on the online service(19:32) Practical ways to pursue the dones(24:32) If/When they don’t come back(32:19) Removing a member carefully in a non-disciplinary way(40:24) Final word and prayer

Oct 18, 2022 • 39min
Ep. 194: The Pastor's Salary
Find great resources online at practicalshepherding.comWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(02:06) Framing the conversation(07:25) Discussing your salary with the church(10:21) Determining a fair salary(16:00) Sharing your needs with the leaders(21:00) Recognizing that expenses are more expensive than in 2021(23:20) Cost of living increase is not a raise(24:58) Your tenure at a church matters(32:24) When you start from the bottom but think you’re (35:25) Final words and prayer

Oct 11, 2022 • 40min
Ep. 193: The Sunday Sports Dilemma
Apply to stay at The Shepherd’s HouseSupport the work of ministry through a financial donation(01:56) History of sports for kids on Sundays(03:20) The greater issue: Is Lord’s Day worship important?(07:08) Brian and Jim’s theological differences on the Sabbath(09:22) Wrestling with this issue in life(16:20) Conflict and resolution surrounding these things(19:04) Flexibility surrounding these things(25:25) When and how do you address attendance with a church member?(34:15) Convictionally Leading your family, not just your flock(37:51) Final word and Prayer

Oct 4, 2022 • 32min
Ep. 192: Battling Shame and Negative Self-Talk
Contact us if we can serve you in any way. Write a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(2:44) Biblical understanding of shame (8:21) Total depravity and the image of God (10:11) Understanding your worth in pastoral ministry(13:42) Ways to combat self-loathing, shame, and negative self-talk(19:00) Accurately evaluating your ministry(21:30) Practical steps to speak the gospel to yourself(31:08) Final word and prayer

Sep 27, 2022 • 40min
Ep. 191: Pastoring an Established Church
Explore our resources at practicalshepherding.com Financially support the work of ministry through Practical ShepherdingPurchase Pastoral Friendship through 10ofThose use code PFRND8 at checkout(1:55) Biblical and Historical examples of established churches(5:25) Categories and characteristics of an established church(7:31) Priorities for your first year of pastoring an established church(16:43) Priorities for your first 5-10 years of pastoring an established church (27:05) When an established church searches for a new pastor(32:23) How should an established church view an interim period(37:32) Final word and prayer

Sep 20, 2022 • 38min
Ep. 190: The Billy Graham Rule
Read our blog resourcesHave a need? Contact usApply to stay at the Shepherd’s HouseSupport pastors through a financial gift to the ministry(01:53) Billy Graham and defining the Billy Graham Rule(05:44) Biblical Understanding(11:49) An example from another pastor(12:55) Why a generation frowns on this rule(19:42) The rule gone bad(25:20) Practical questions to care well for those in your flock(33:00) Final words and prayer

Sep 13, 2022 • 31min
Ep. 189: Pastoral Friendship
Explore our online resourcesSupport pastors with a tax deductible contributionWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or SpotifyContact us if we can serve youPurchase Pastoral Friendship by Michael Haykin, Brian Croft, and James Carroll(2:21) Biblical understanding for friendship(4:51) Unique hurdles pastors face in finding meaningful friendship(8:56) Pastoral friendship in the church(16:56) Pastoral friendship out of the church(22:34) Ways to pursue friendships in ministry and outside of the community(29:50) Prayer

Aug 30, 2022 • 35min
Ep. 188: Establishing a Church Membership Process
Find resources to help you in your ministryRequest a stay at the Shepherd’s HouseSupport pastors in the trenches of ministry through practical shepherdingContact us if we can serve you(1:44) Membership in the Bible(5:23) The process by which an attender becomes a member(10:21) Changing a faulty process(15:11) Commitments that must be made when joining a local church(19:07) Defining Statement of faith from Church covenant(23:40) Benefits for membership vs. non-membership(30:42) Expectations for church members(32:21) Final word and prayer