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
Mar 17, 2020 • 24min
Pastors with Thick Skin and Tender Hearts
How can pastors exhibit a tender heart while still having thick skin? How do you keep loving the flock when you fear them breaking your heart? Where are you most prone to error, tender-heartedness or thick skin? Should you deny close friendships due to the risk of being hurt? How do we wisely pursue tenderness and thick skin simultaneously?Brian Croft and Jim Savastio discuss these questions in this episode of Trench Talk.
Mar 10, 2020 • 27min
How to Choose What Books of the Bible to Preach
What should cause us to choose the books of the Bible that we preach through? Should you look at the specific flock God has given you when selecting books to preach? What would be some books you would start with as you begin your preaching ministry? Should we use some forms of caution when selecting the books we preach through? Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer on this episode of Trench Talk.
Mar 3, 2020 • 25min
Facing Pastoral Loneliness
Where does pastoral lonliness show up most vividly? Is the lonliness pastors experience unique in some ways? What biblical grounding do we have to define this and chart a course to pursue Christ and shepherd the flock in the midst of lonliness? How should pastors seek a support system while in a difficult situation?
Feb 25, 2020 • 27min
What is Pastoral Ordination?
Resources mentioned in this episode.Prepare them To Shepherd by Brian CroftBiblical Eldership by Alexander StrauchNine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
Feb 18, 2020 • 24min
Leading our people to be readers of good books
How can pastors encourage members (particularly the men) in their church to read good books? Is “I just don’t read” a good enough excuse? Should a pastor be careful with the books he recommends his members read? What other tips would you give to assist your members in taking in good books?Brian Croft and Jim Savastio answer these questions and more on this week’s edition of Trenchtalk.
Feb 11, 2020 • 26min
Pastors Caring for Pastors
How do pastors pastor other pastors? What scriptures address this charge? What responsibility do pastors have to call other pastors to repentance for the good of the flock? How do you encourage a healthy eldership that causes equality among other pastors?All of these questions and more covered on this episode of Trenchtalk with Brian Croft and Jim Savastio.
Jan 28, 2020 • 21min
Confronting Pastoral Cynicism
What is cynicism when it comes to pastoral ministry? When diagnosed how do you confront it? What biblical texts provide hope in confronting cynicism? How do we strive to be faithful in what God has entrusted to us while leaving to God what is God’s?These questions and many more, all tackled in this episode of Trenchtalk with Brian Croft and Jim Savastio.
Jan 21, 2020 • 23min
When the Pastor's Kids are the only Kids in the Church
How does a pastor lead his family and children when they may be the only ones that age in the church? How do you lovingly shepherd your family in a difficult situation? Is it okay to have the mentality that my kids and wife should sacrifice for my ministry? How do we parent in a way that will lead them to love the Lord and the Church?
Jan 14, 2020 • 29min
Premarital Counseling
Is premarital counseling a biblical requirement? What should a pastors primary goal be when providing biblical premarital counseling to church members? Should a pastor require premarital counseling for couples under his care? What resources (other than the bible) do you take couples through?All these issues are addressed by Brian Croft and Jim Savastio on this episode of Trenchtalk.
Dec 17, 2019 • 24min
When the Pastoral "Blahs" do not Lift
Why is Pastoral Ministry more draining than any other vocation? How do we fight through the fatigue that follows the Sunday gathering? Are there ways to identify a lack of sharpness of mind versus backsliding? Is the enemy scheming in these “blahs”? Am I neglecting caring for my own soul? How do I utilize my down time for rest?
