Practical(ly) Pastoring

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

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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. FEB 2

    You’re Not Their On-Demand Pastor: Healthy Access and Expectations

    In this episode, the guys tackle two real-life ministry situations pastors face all the time: 1) What do you do with the church member who constantly needs your attention—daily messages, constant crises, and an emotional drain that starts affecting your ministry and your family? 2) What do you say to the person preaching their very first sermon who feels unqualified, nervous, and unsure where to start? We talk boundaries, access, expectations, pastoral care vs. professional counseling, and how to prep your first message with clarity and faithfulness. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro + frozen Chicago river banter 0:50 Today’s two questions 1:07 Q1 — “That one member” who constantly needs your attention 1:55 Diagnose the situation: real need vs. unhealthy access 6:14 Standing meetings + boundaries that actually work 8:03 Tender vs. tough (and what to expect when you set limits) 11:04 Systems that protect you (and why access changes everything) 14:38 Pastoral care limits + when to refer out 15:31 Watch your own heart: codependency and the “needed” trap 19:37 Ad — Practically Pastoring Conference 21:22 Ad — Church Merch 23:00 Q2 — “I’m preaching for the first time… where do I start?” 24:07 Prep basics: start with a text, one big idea, rehearse out loud 30:30 Simple sermon frameworks that help you stay clear 34:05 Encouragement story + God using imperfect messengers 39:05 First-sermon mistakes (and practical tips you’ll thank us for) 41:31 The main goal: you’ve “been with Jesus” 42:53 Closing + conference reminder 43:34 Outro Resources mentioned: - Boundaries (Henry Cloud & John Townsend) Practically Pastoring Conference: https://practicallypastoring.com/conference Links from the show: 🌐 Listen anywhere: ⁠⁠https://practicallypastoring.com/⁠⁠ Join our Facebook Group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring⁠⁠ Follow us in Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring⁠⁠ Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch Hosts: 🧔🏽‍♂️ Frank Gil - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/⁠⁠ 👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/⁠⁠ 👱🏼‍♂️ Delmar Peet - ⁠⁠https://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=4a942df64e48410e 🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414 📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc 💻 PracticallyPastoring.com YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring 🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!

    44 min

  6. JAN 28

    When the Old Guard Won’t Quit (and the Bi-Vocational Burnout Dilemma)

    Welcome back to Practically Pastoring. In this episode, we pull two real questions from Reddit and get painfully practical. Question 1: A rural Methodist pastor has seen real growth, but the “old guard” is wearing him down with constant complaints and unreasonable expectations. Question 2: A bi-vocational pastor/CTO is overloaded and torn between an IT master’s (paid for by work) and a doctorate in Bible exposition, while trying to protect his health and family time.  Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro + why Reddit questions hit so hard 00:29 — Question 1: “The old guard is making me miserable” (rural Methodist church) 01:14 — The complaint list (and why some of it is wild) 02:42 — Committees, bureaucracy, and the shadow side of church systems 05:16 — “They want a chaplain” and resetting expectations for pastoral care 07:10 — Perception is reality: communication, tone, and leadership clarity 09:32 — The 80/20 rule: it feels like “everyone,” but it’s usually not 10:49 — Leverage you don’t realize you have (and who to call) 12:30 — Ad: Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026) 14:50 — Ad: Church Merch (quality merch people actually want) 15:53 — Question 2: Bi-vocational pastor/CTO overwhelmed and choosing degrees 18:25 — Stewardship, margin, health, and family: what can you actually carry? 19:38 — Prioritizing earning potential and ministry margin 21:27 — Andrew’s offer: email if you want to talk doctorates at Liberty 23:26 — Frank’s take: bi-vocational life has limits, and that’s okay 26:09 — Free learning options (seminary resources, YouTube, Greek tools) 28:25 — Closing + subscribe + conference reminder Links from the show: Listen anywhere: ⁠⁠https://practicallypastoring.com/⁠⁠ Join our Facebook Group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring⁠⁠ Follow us in Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring⁠⁠ Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch Hosts: 🧔🏽‍♂️ Frank Gil - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/⁠⁠ 👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/⁠⁠ 👱🏼‍♂️ Delmar Peet - ⁠⁠https://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=4a942df64e48410e 🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414 📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc 💻 PracticallyPastoring.com 🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode! Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026 | Tarpon Springs, FL): https://practicallypastoring.com/conference Use code notintheoffice40 for a discount, and Tampa Bay local pastors can reach out for local discounts too.

    29 min

  7. JAN 19

    Frank & Tim talk church planting and a building project.

    In this episode, the guys flip the script and interview Frank and Tim.Part 1: Frank gives a real-time update on the Cross & Crown Church plant (what’s working, what’s hard, what’s next, and the hunt for a launch location).Part 2: Tim walks through what it’s actually like for a sending church to release a pastor and dozens of people, while also preparing for a major vision campaign and building expansion at Lakeview.If you’re planting, sending, or leading through transition, this one’s for you. Timestamps / Chapters00:00 — Episode setup: two interviews, one episode01:02 — Frank update: Good Gift Pop-Up, prayer & fasting, startup party, launch team gathering03:12 — The biggest challenge right now: finding a location (schools, backups, and wild options)11:09 — Ad: Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026)13:34 — Ad: Church Merch (get great merch for your church)14:13 — Launch team growth: where they’re at, the goal of 100, and why it matters18:05 — How to invite people without sounding salesy (startup parties + clear next steps)20:08 — Reaching the community: word-of-mouth + VisitorReach + community events23:42 — Switching to Tim: sending a pastor, sending people, and the real impact on the church26:19 — Where Lakeview will feel it most: worship team + kids ministry + staffing transition28:13 — Hiring Frank’s replacement + what 2026 will require from the church31:24 — Vision series: planting + future plans + rallying the church to serve and give32:56 — Building/vision campaign: how it started, what surprised Tim, what’s next37:39 — 60 meetings in 60 days + leading by example in giving39:54 — Wrap-up + ways to share and stay connectedLinks from the show:Listen anywhere: ⁠⁠https://practicallypastoring.com/⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring⁠⁠Follow us in Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring⁠⁠Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerchHosts:🧔🏽‍♂️ Frank Gil - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/⁠⁠👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/⁠⁠👱🏼‍♂️ Delmar Peet - ⁠⁠https://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=4a942df64e48410e🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc💻 PracticallyPastoring.com🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!Want to be in the room with other pastors?Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026, Tarpon Springs, FL): https://practicallypastoring.com/conference

    41 min

  8. JAN 12

    2026 Church Forecast: What We’re Doubling Down On & What We’re Cutting

    In this episode, Frank, Andrew, Jeff, and Delmar talk about the real pressure points we are feeling heading into 2026, what ministry plays are losing traction, and what we’re personally changing so we can last for the long haul (without burning out our people or ourselves).Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome back + New Year banter (and the great “koozie vs cozy” debate)01:49 — Q1: Biggest pressure point in 2026 (delegation, space, contentment vs complacency, church-plant overwhelm)16:25 — Ad: Practically Pastoring Conference (what it is, who it’s for)19:56 — Q2: One ministry play that used to work but won’t in 2026 (come-and-consume, texting vs email, “authentic” as a strategy, pastor your context)39:23 — Ad: Church Merch (stop making cringe shirts)41:00 — Q3: If you could only focus on one thing this year… (depth over breadth, do what only you can do, discipleship that multiplies)46:35 — Q4: What are you changing in 2026 so you can last? (rest, health, reading, margin, marriage, boundaries)57:18 — Wrap-up + next steps (FB group + conference)Join the Practically Pastoring Facebook Group (we pull questions and topics from there).Register for the Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11) + use code JEFFHATESAI for a discount.Practically Pastoring Conference: https://practicallypastoring.com/conferenceUpgrade your church merch (t-shirts/hoodies/guest gifts/volunteer shirts) without the 2007 youth-camp clip art.Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerchLinks from the show:🌐 Listen anywhere: ⁠⁠https://practicallypastoring.com/⁠⁠🫂 Join our Facebook Group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring⁠⁠👕 Follow us in Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring⁠⁠Hosts:🧔🏽‍♂️ Frank Gil - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/⁠⁠👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/⁠⁠👱🏼‍♂️ Delmar Peet - ⁠⁠https://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=4a942df64e48410e🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc💻 PracticallyPastoring.com

    59 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
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Practically Pastoring
  • Show Website
    Practical(ly) Pastoring

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