Trench Talk

Explore our resourcesApply to stay at The Shepherd’s HouseSupport the ministry with a financial giftWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(03:16) Biblical framework for this discussion (07:25) Reasons for comparison and pulling back the curtain(10:19) Questioning your calling(11:29) A stewardship of pastoral giftingWays to avoid the comparison game(14:51) Content but longing for more(17:15) Pray for spiritual eyes(19:32) Growing in gratitude (20:48) Recognize the stewardship you’ve been given(25:00) Getting away from asking, “how big is your church?”(29:30) Final word and prayerMea Culpa and the importance of place

Explore our resourcesContact us if we can serve you in any waySupport the work of helping pastors thrive (02:08) Biblical foundation for ministry in a local church(06:54) Jim’s personal journey in ministry outside of the local church(11:54) Jim’s reaction to being invited to do ministry outside of the local church(14:01) Brian’s personal journey in ministry outside of the local church(17:37) An encouragement to prioritize your local church(20:13) The primary calling of local church ministry(28:20) Advice to discern when to serve outside the church(33:57) Final word and prayer

(02:16) Biblical framework for lament(08:42) Categories of pastoral lament: church members leaving (12:58) Categories of pastoral lament: Shepherding through tragedy(17:18) Categories of pastoral lament: Feeling ineffective in ministry(20:33) Categories of pastoral lament: Limitations in ministry(22:58) Categories of pastoral lament: state of the church and the world(26:38) Engaging lament: taking it to the Lord(29:01) Engaging lament: taking it to another person(30:27) Engaging lament: public expression (31:17) Engaging lament: model it before your people(32:49) Final word and prayerFind more information about Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy from Mark Vroegop

Explore our resources onlineContact us if we can serve youWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify(02:20) Getting to know Robert Briggs(05:14) a difficult start of ministry(07:24) Training for ministry(10:11) Discerning the Lord’s call to move(15:51) Pastoring a church after pastoral trauma(19:17) Joys and sorrows in ministry(22:38) The state of the American church(26:24) Training other men for ministry(28:54) The importance of family in ministry(31:26) Encouragement to other pastors (33:54) Final word and prayer

Explore our resources onlineContact us if we can serve youSupport the ministry with a financial giftRequest a stay at The Shepherd’s House this FallWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(02:35) Biblical understanding and setting the foundation (06:10) The example of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus(08:36) How important is having an affection toward your elders?(12:45) How important is trusting your fellow elders? (17:32) Determining fit among biblically qualified men(19:50) How important is a relationship with an elders family in serving together?(22:31) Final words and prayer

Explore our resources onlineContact us if we can serve youSupport the ministry with a financial giftRequest a stay at The Shepherd’s House this FallWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(03:10) Theological framework for multiple (and paid) pastors(06:54) Jim Savastio’s church staff experience(09:39) Brian Croft’s church staff experience(13:15) Reasons you would or wouldn’t hire another pastor(17:48) Hire a pastor first then look for a pastor skilled in complimentary ways(22:23) Using the term pastor when the role isn’t to shepherd or teach the Word(25:19) FInal word and prayer

Explore our resources onlineContact us if we can serve youSupport the ministry with a financial giftWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(01:42) Biblical foundation and setting up the topic(05:17) Preaching a gospel you don’t know(09:21) Prevention: Love for the Word(10:55) Prevention: pursue silence over noise and busyness(12:05) Prevention: Relationships with family, friends, and church members(13:57) Prevention: serving Jesus and intimately walking with him(17:44) Recovery: Identify your hearts condition(21:07) Recovery: talk with somebody(23:01) Recovery: courage to endure the consequences(26:31) Final words and prayer

Explore our resources onlineContact us if we can serve youRequest a stay at The Shepherd’s HouseFind out about Sponsor a PastorWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(02:37) Biblical foundation(07:44) Differences of context and personality as it pertains to grit through hardship(12:20) Tough skin and a soft heart(13:11) Is grit related to calling?(20:06) Gauging grit in ministry(26:00) Grit is not strength(26:29) Final words and prayer

Explore our resources onlineContact us if we can serve youRequest a stay at The Shepherd’s HouseWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify(03:10) Biblical foundation and setting up the conversation(07:28) Personal history with denominations(16:52) Benefits of joining a denomination or network: missional impact(19:18) Benefit of remaining independent: avoiding denominational scandals(23:00) Benefit of joining a denomination or network: foundation of fellowship(24:29) Benefit of remaining independent: focus on the churches not the denominational structure (28:33) Wisdom to discern joining a denomination or network(33:51) Helping new generations see the joys of denominational life(36:41) Final words and prayer

Consider supporting the ministry financiallyWrite a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or SpotifyIf we can serve you please reach out and contact us. (02:33) Biblical foundation and setting up the conversation(08:36) Burnout versus the normal wear of ministry(11:55) Questions to aid diagnosing burnout(18:36) Refilling the tank when burnout is near(27:40) Prayer for pastors