Trench Talk

What does Scripture say about pastors receiving gifts? Should pastors exercise caution in receiving such gifts? What might be some issues a pastor should consider when a member offers him a gift? How should a pastor view such gifts? What should be the posture of the pastor’s heart in receiving individual gifts? Listen as Brian and Jim consider the implications and nuances of receiving gifts from individual church members.

What role does the pastor play in the church’s work of evangelism? What does Scripture say about the pastor in relation to the work of evangelism? How does pastoral evangelism relate to the church’s tendency toward apostasy? What does pastoral evangelism look like in the context of the local church and its surrounding community? How might evangelism affect the preaching ministry of a pastor? Listen as Brian and Jim address this oft-neglected aspect of pastoral ministry.

What is that sin which can slowly, almost imperceptibly, permeate a pastor’s entire life and ministry? What is that sin that can, if left unconfronted, silently poison your soul and drive you from the field of faithful pastoral ministry? How might you deal with such a lethal sin and kill it before it kills you? Listen to this episode as Brian Croft and Jim Savastio address these questions and more.

Every pastor either has or will soon be criticized. What is God doing when people criticize him? How do we determine whether criticism is a mountain or a mole hill? What are some common criticism one occasions in pastoral ministry? Are all pastoral criticisms necessarily baseless? In what unhealthy ways do pastors sometimes handle criticism? How do we resist the impulse to defensiveness when criticized? Should we be comfortable as pastors if we receive no criticism? How should a pastor process criticisms? Listen as Brian Croft and Jim Savastio address these vital questions and more in this episode.

This month Practical Shepherding is celebrating 10 years of God’s blessing and providence. Listen as Brian Croft and Jim Savastio reflect on God’s guiding hand in the formation and growth of this ministry.

This month Practical Shepherding is celebrating 10 years of God’s blessing and providence. Listen as Brian Croft and Jim Savastio reflect on God’s guiding hand in the formation and growth of this ministry.

What does faithfulness in pastoral ministry look like? How does a pastor practice gentleness and patience in pastoral ministry and yet remain courageous to boldly guard the truth and protect the flock? How does a pastor discern when it is time to do battle and when it is time to simply be patient and loving? Listen as Brian Croft and Jim Savastio discuss the unusual tensions present in faithful pastoral ministry.

Jim Savastio unexpectedly experienced the onset of Bell’s Palsy in late November and has been unable to fill his pulpit for two months. Listen as Jim reflects on God’s good providences and what he is learning during this time of being laid aside.

In this episode, special guest Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia discusses the training of pastors and comments on the state of the global church.

In this episode, special guest Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia discusses his conversion, calling, formative influences, and ministry with Brian and Jim.