Practical(ly) Pastoring

Practically Pastoring
  • 5.0 (60)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast by pastors for pastors who want to share ideas, become better shepherds and have a good time with friends.

  1. 5D AGO

    Pastors, Pensions, and Planning Ahead

    This week on Practically Pastoring, the guys dive into a conversation a lot of pastors know they need to have, but would rather keep punting down the road: retirement. Sparked by a question from a pastor in his early 40s who is realizing he may be late to the conversation, the episode tackles what it looks like to start getting serious about retirement planning, especially if no one ever helped you think about it in the first place.  The conversation covers denominational pensions, 403(b)s, Social Security, Medicare eligibility, life insurance, debt payoff, and why simply figuring out where you stand right now is a huge first step. The guys share their own situations honestly, from denominational safety nets to trying to build a plan after leaving one, and from paying off a house to making sure a family is protected if the unexpected happens.  A big part of the episode focuses on the practical reality that many pastors who opted out of Social Security may still need to understand their Medicare eligibility and their quarter history. It is one of those classic ministry moments where nobody told you this stuff when you were 22, and now you are trying to piece it together without panicking. The good news is simple: you may not be as far behind as you think, but you do need to start looking now.  In the second half of the episode, the guys shift into a pastoral question about trust, transitions, and what happens when another pastor mishandles a sensitive situation involving a family leaving a church. They talk about grace, communication, exit interviews, member follow-up, and the importance of holding people with open hands instead of treating every departure like a declaration of war. In other words, church life stays complicated, because apparently people did not get the memo to be simple.  Sponsor This episode is sponsored by Church Merch. From comfortable shirts and hats to mugs and custom gear, they help churches create merch that people actually want to use and wear. As the guys mention in the episode, good merch is not just about printing a logo on a shirt, it is about creating something people will actually put on, use, and talk about. Check them out at promotionsguy.com/churchmerch.  In this episode: Why retirement planning sneaks up on so many pastorsHow denominational pensions and 403(b)s can work togetherWhat pastors should know about Social Security quarters and Medicare eligibilityWhy paying off debt can become part of a long-term planHow life insurance fits into protecting your familyWhat to do when another pastor mishandles a sensitive conversationWhy exit interviews and regular member check-ins can help churches growA few lines worth remembering:“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”  “You might not be as far behind as you think you are. But the first step is to spend some time figuring out where you are.”

    31 min

  2. MAR 30

    The Long Runway: Repentance, Trust, and Public Ministry

    This week on Practically Pastoring, Andrew sits down with Tim, Delmar, and Jeff for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with a tough pastoral leadership question and ends with Holy Week and Easter check-ins. Question 1 is a sticky restoration situation: a man who confessed an emotional affair, continued the relationship for a year during a messy divorce, and has been out of meaningful church membership for years, now wants to rejoin the church while also continuing to “preach out.” The guys dig into the difference between membership and leadership, forgiveness and trust, gifting and qualification, and what a clear restoration pathway should include. They also talk about how to guard against implied endorsement when someone is eager to get back on a platform. Then the crew pivots to Holy Week plans, Easter traditions, and what each church is doing this year, including Lakeview’s big tent weekend, Good Friday plans, and the practical realities of big Sundays, food trucks, and yes, counting dogs. SponsorChurch Merch, promotionsguide.com/churchmerch  Key ideas from the episode Membership and leadership are not the same thingForgiveness can be immediate, trust takes timeA restoration plan should be written, measurable, and elder-ledFaithful church membership and submission matter before public ministryChurches should clarify the difference between preaching and testimony sharingHoly Week is coming fast, and pastors are doing what pastors do: improvise, laugh, and carry on

    32 min

  3. MAR 27

    The Care of Souls-Adam Powers

    At the Practically Pastoring Conference, Adam Powers makes a biblical case for elder-led ministry from Hebrews 13:17. He argues that pastors must resist treating churches like businesses and people like customers, and instead recover the hard, joyful work of caring for souls. This talk explores the duty of the church, the duty of elders, and the shared delight that comes when leaders shepherd faithfully under Christ. Along the way, Adam reflects on authority, abuse, suffering in ministry, elder training, and why the care of souls must stay at the center of pastoral work. Follow Adam on instagram @reformedshelves Links: 🌐 Practically Pastoring: https://practicallypastoring.com/ 🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring 👕 Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch 📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring Listen / Watch Practically Pastoring: 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e 🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414 📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring

    46 min

  4. MAR 23

    New Show Alert

    We’re launching a new podcast. Get a Job with Andrew and Riley is a limited-run series following a real-time ministry job search—from the moment you realize it might be time to leave, all the way through interviews, candidating, and whatever comes next. Riley is living it. Andrew is asking the questions. And together, we’re pulling back the curtain on what the process actually looks like—honestly, practically, and sometimes awkwardly. If you’ve ever wondered how ministry transitions really work (or you’re in one right now), this podcast is for you. First episode coming soon. A podcast about calling, clarity, and the awkward in-between. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-a-job-with-andrew-and-riley/id1887401983 https://open.spotify.com/show/3EVMMXy3OfqMVEqKmTntii

    4 min

  5. MAR 10

    The Big Buddy Plan: What Churches Should Do When Trauma Shows Up on Sunday Morning

    Welcome back to Practically Pastoring. Andrew hosts Jeff, Del, Frank, and guest missionary Zach Harrod, serving in Prague, for an episode that is equal parts pastoral weight, practical systems, and classic pastor banter. Question 1, Kids ministry trauma and safetyA church leader asks how to care well for an 11-year-old who disclosed abuse (now under investigation by police and CPS) while also protecting other kids and volunteers. The crew talks through trauma-informed ministry, supervision, and wise safeguards that communicate compassion without ignoring safety. Key takeaways Do not create “reactionary policy” for one child. Build trauma-aware practices that serve your whole next-gen ministry.Consider training for children’s and youth volunteers so everyone understands trauma, triggers, and appropriate response.Use a “big buddy” approach: an extra trusted adult in the room who can provide stability, keep eyes on the situation, and help de-escalate without stigmatizing the child.Care for the parents too. Church family means supporting the whole household, not just managing behavior on Sundays.Write an emergency action plan for kids ministry: clear steps for escalation, who does what, and how you protect the room if an incident occurs.Be proactive, not reactive. Policies and plans made ahead of time protect kids, volunteers, and the church.Question 2, Tracking online attendanceA question from Reddit asks how to track online attendance across YouTube, Facebook, and streaming platforms without constantly rewriting numbers. The team talks about defining what “attendance” means, avoiding inflated or unethical reporting, and remembering that online engagement is not the same as embodied discipleship, while still acknowledging the value streaming can have for shut-ins, medically vulnerable families, and certain demographics. Practical tips discussed Decide what metric you mean before you track it, since each platform counts differently.Consider peak simultaneous viewers as a simple, consistent metric.Tools like Restream can provide reporting on peak viewership by platform, and send post-stream summaries.Question 3, Bible marking without regretA listener asks for real systems for marking up a high-quality wide-margin Bible without ending up with a mess. The crew shares approaches ranging from keeping a separate “study Bible,” to using clear sticky notes for temporary markings, to building a color-coded system, to writing prayers and notes with legacy in mind for kids and future readers. GuestZach Harrod shares his story of coming to faith, long-term ministry in Prague, and how proactive planning and “respond, don’t react” leadership instincts translate into church life and family care.Learn more about Zach and his ministry at http://harrodovi.com Links mentioned Church Merch: promotionsguy.com/churchmerchThe Body Keeps the Score (recommended reading) https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748Chapters00:00 Intro and Zach Harrod joins the show03:00 Question 1, Kids ministry trauma and the Big Buddy Plan24:00 Church Merch sponsor31:00 Question 2, Tracking online attendance across platforms52:00 Question 3, Bible marking systems that work1:10:00 Wrap-up and Facebook group invite

    52 min

  6. MAR 2

    Lanes, Not Levels, Building Disciple Making Pathways That Actually Work

    This is a session from the Practical(ly) Pastoring Conference. Chad Williams, lead teaching pastor at Building 28 in Clearwater and former church planter and Chick-fil-A leader, argues that many churches accidentally build discipleship like a corporate ladder. The result is efficiency without formation, status without maturity, and a system where people feel stuck. Using the 1911 South Pole race as a vivid illustration, Chad reframes disciple making as lanes, not levels: same destination, different pace, different proximity, different responsibilities. He grounds the model in Jesus’ own practice with the 72, the 12, and the 3, then offers a practical framework for churches to clarify the destination, define disciple focuses, identify lanes, and implement resources at different speeds. Key takeaways A shared destination does not require identical movement Levels organize people, lanes develop people Levels unintentionally create status and shame, Jesus’ leadership is about carrying, not climbing Jesus discipled in concentric circles, 72, 12, 3, same mission, different proximity and pace The goal of discipleship is not a position, it’s a person, Christlikeness Build a clear destination language, then choose a few disciple focuses for everyone Lanes let people change pace without feeling demoted, seasons change, lanes can too Potential is found in the gap between vision and execution, most churches do not have a vision problem, they have an execution problem

    41 min

  7. FEB 24

    Pastoral Side Piece: Setting Boundaries When Former Members Want Care After Leaving Your Church

    First, an anonymous pastor shares a painfully honest question: a longtime member left a small church for a megachurch, but keeps reaching back for hospital visits and crisis care. The pastor wants to be gracious, but the situation feels like being the “pastoral side piece.” The guys talk through what is fair, what is faithful, and how to set boundaries that are clear without being petty. Then, the conversation takes a hard left into a headline story involving a large-church pastor, his family crisis, and the difference between “unwise” and “disqualifying.” The crew works through wisdom, reputational stewardship, pastoral qualification over seasons, and how premarital counseling should approach sex with holiness and guardrails, not curiosity. If you have ever felt pulled to provide care for people who are not actually committed to your church community, or if you have wondered where wisdom ends and disqualification begins, this episode is for you. Key topics Pastoral care and boundaries when former members still want “their pastor”Small church vs megachurch expectations, and how care works differently at scale“Don’t overfunction for dysfunction”: what that looks like in real lifeKingdom-minded handoffs: calling the new church and visiting togetherConsumer ecclesiology after COVID: treating sermons and worship like contentWhen something is unwise vs sinful vs disqualifyingPremarital counseling and sex: guardrails, holiness, and how to address pornography wiselyChurch Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch Links from the show:🌐 Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2776612042461533👕 Follow us in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring/ Hosts:👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/👱🏼‍♂️ Delmar Peet - https://www.instagram.com/delmarpeet/👨🏼‍💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/ Listen or Watch on:🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=5a5a6386fb9b496d🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring💻 PracticallyPastoring.com

    44 min

  8. FEB 16

    When the Wine Runs Out: Soul Rest for Burned-Out Pastors (Tim Wildsmith - John 2)

    Pastors don’t start cynical or burned out. But somewhere along the way, the wine runs out and we keep preaching, leading, and carrying burdens we were never meant to carry. In a Practically Pastoring Conference session, Tim Wildsmith walks through John 2:1–11 and connects it with Matthew 11:28–30, offering a simple but piercing invitation: name the need, surrender the burden, and pursue soul rest in Jesus before ministry emptiness turns into something worse. Follow Tim Wildsmith: Website: https://timwildsmith.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@timwildsmithInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/timwildsmithX: https://x.com/timwildsmithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimWildsmith/ Timestamps: 00:00 – Tim’s story (Belmont, YouTube, Bible nerd life) 03:44 – Why this talk (ministry grind, running on empty) 05:42 – Reading: John 2:1–11 (Wedding at Cana) 08:02 – When the wine runs out (ministry parallels) 10:29 – Mary’s model: “They have no more wine” (name the need) 12:57 – Burnout realities + overwhelming expectations 15:28 – Matthew 11:28–30: where do you go for rest? 19:23 – The “rock” exercise: why we don’t want to set burdens down 22:12 – What is the soul? (Dallas Willard) + “rest for your souls” 25:12 – Take His yoke: you can’t wear both yokes 27:23 – Back to John 2: obedience makes space for Jesus to work 29:10 – Production vs. obedience (faithfulness, not self-sufficiency) 30:04 – Diagnostic questions: where has the wine run out? 32:07 – Practical step: name the need (even hard conversations) 36:24 – Prayer for peace, surrender, and courage Links: 🌐 Practically Pastoring: https://practicallypastoring.com/ 🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring 👕 Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch 📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring Listen / Watch Practically Pastoring: 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e 🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414 📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring

    41 min
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5
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

A podcast by pastors for pastors who want to share ideas, become better shepherds and have a good time with friends.

Information

  • Creator
    Practically Pastoring
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Practically Pastoring
  • Show Website
    Practical(ly) Pastoring

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