Trench Talk

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.

How should a pastor take seriously the sobering task of shepherding the soul of every member of his congregation? What does exercising spiritual oversight of souls look like in the weekly rhythm of pastoral ministry? How does a minister prepare to face the day when he will give account for his stewardship of the souls entrusted to him? What are the categories of individual soul-care with which the minister should concern himself? How might a pastor create an environment in his church conducive to soul-care? What questions might the pastor ask his members in order to care well for their souls? Listen as Brian and Jim explore these questions and more in this podcast.

Biblically, how should pastors and deacons relate to and work with one another? What areas of overlap exist between these offices? How do pastors and deacons communicate with one another and how often should they meet together? How do pastors and deacons respect biblically appointed boundaries in their respective offices? Should deacons have concern for the physical needs of the pastor and his family? Do deacons need the pastors/elders’ approval of every decision they make?Listen as Brian and Jim address these issues and more in this episode.

What are deacons and how are they supposed to function in the life of the church? What biblical characteristics should deacons evidence in their lives? What are the role-distinctions between the elders and deacons? How should deacons interact with the leadership of the church? How should deacons serve the leadership of the church? How might a pastor correct dysfunction in the diaconate?Listen as Brian and Jim address these issues and more in this episode.

How does a pastor maintain a warm heart for the Word of God while ministering that Word week in and week out? What might help a pastor avoid becoming overly-familiar with the Word? How may a pastor guard against the Word becoming mere background noise in his ministry? Are pastors in danger of becoming overly-fond of the sound of their own voice in preaching? How does a pastor keep his affections properly stirred for the Word of God? Listen as Brian and Jim address these issues and more in this episode of Trench Talk.

What are the priorities of a pastor in the early years of ministry? How does a beginning pastor lay a God-honoring foundation for his ministry? What is the one thing such a pastor must do first and above all else? What commitments does the pastor make in relation to the flock? What should a pastor do in a situation where a church is significantly disconnected from its biblical priorities? How quickly can a pastor reasonably expect to make significant changes in the structure of a church? What kind of preaching is effective in the early years of ministry? On what categories should a pastor focus to avoid becoming a statistical casualty in pastoral ministry? Listen as Brian and Jim address these questions and more in this episode.