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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 12/15/2025

    The Christmas Worship Wars: Advent, Carols, and Congregational Nostalgia

    Is Advent a Catholic tradition, or just a really old Christian rhythm we forgot existed? In this Advent themed episode, we answer two real pastor questions: “Is Advent a Catholic tradition? Will this cause issues in a Baptist church?”  “Do you sing Christmas carols during Advent, or wait until Christmas Eve?” (Also, why is this guy getting ambushed in elder meetings?) We talk history, Baptist baggage, and the practical “how do I introduce this without detonating my church” stuff. Plus, we settle the great candle debate: real or electric, and how new the carpet is definitely matters.  00:00 Cold open 00:49 Question 1: “Is Advent a Catholic tradition?”  03:12 How to introduce Advent without chaos (and why you should not just drop it in)  10:59 “Isn’t Advent a Catholic thing?” A simple intro that works  13:23 Why Advent helps your sermon calendar (and saves your brain)  14:57 Practically Pastoring Conference   16:47 Sponsor: Church Merch (stop wearing the 2004 VBS shirt)  17:55 Question 2: Christmas carols during Advent, yes or no? 21:30 “This is bigger than song choice” the pastoral issue underneath Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring Register for the Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026, Tarpon Springs, FL). Tampa Bay pastors, DM us for a special code: https://www.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 📧 Join our mailing list: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3plt5so⁠⁠ 👕 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!

    35 min

  6. 12/07/2025

    At-the-Movies, Sabbath Sundays, & Bad Church Coffee?!

    Welcome to the Practically Pastoring Hot Takes Episode — the one where we unintentionally roast half of evangelicalism and guarantee Andrew never gets invited to another conference again. From At-the-Movies sermons, to canceling church the Sunday after Christmas, to whether bad coffee means you hate visitors… this might be the most unhinged—and honest—episode we’ve ever recorded.  Grab your headphones, brace yourself, and enjoy the chaos. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – The intro that might get us all fired 00:35 – Hot Take #1: At-the-Movies (We said what we said) 05:10 – Is the seeker-sensitive era dead? 09:26 – Conference ad read (but actually funny) 10:42 – Hot Take #2: Canceling the Sunday after Christmas 19:36 – Why “Sabbath Sunday” might be missing the point 20:45 – Hot Take #3: Your livestream probably needs help 27:22 – Why live-stream views don’t count as attendance 30:11 – Hot Take #4: Multi-site churches & accidental celebrity culture 37:11 – When a campus pastor becomes a hostage 38:32 – Hot Take #5: “We’re just being faithful…” or are we lazy? 45:16 – Church revitalization and marketing 46:19 – Lightning Round Hot Takes 47:00 – Kids in service 48:52 – Women on stage 49:57 – Delegation or insecurity? 52:47 – The real story behind “church hurt” 56:26 – The most divisive issue of all: church coffee 01:00:00 – Frank’s wife Cori gets dragged into the show again 01:01:12 – Conference invite + chaos outro 🫂 Join the Practically Pastoring Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring 🎟 Practically Pastoring Conference 2026 📅 February 9–11, 2026 — Tarpon Springs, FL Register now: https://www.practicallypastoring.com/conference 🤝 Tampa Bay Pastors — DM us for your local code! 👕 Get Merch for Your Church Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch 🎧 Listen to 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 Website: PracticallyPastoring.com

    1h 2m

  7. 11/24/2025

    A pastor caught doing WHAT in his Office?!

    Today’s episode starts innocently enough with a simple question about office hours……and ends with one of the wildest Reddit pastor stories we’ve EVER read. We’re talking:• Should pastors still keep traditional office hours?• How do you stay available without being chained to a church building?• Where do you meet people for confidential conversations?• How do you build culture when your staff is hybrid or remote?• AND… what happens when a pastor and his wife get “caught” in the church office after hours 😬 (yes, really). 00:00 Cold Open: The wildest church-office story ever 00:25 Why pastors need to rethink office hours01:06 How different churches handle staff availability02:15 Where should pastors meet for private conversations?03:24 Does anyone actually “drop by” the office anymore?05:15 How COVID changed the way churches think about office space06:51 The realities of meetings, flexibility, and hospital calls09:22 Using Calendly & Google Calendar for pastoral care12:29 How to set healthy availability rhythms15:00 Private meetings: where should they REALLY happen?17:15 Why having an office can still matter18:00 Should pastors be expected to keep “office hours”?21:20 Why some pastors write better sermons in coffee shops22:04 Practically Pastoring Conference 202623:27 Sponsor: Church Merch24:21 The Reddit Story: Pastor caught having relations in his office29:06 Is it wrong, weird, or both?31:13 Is this a fireable offense?34:11 Boundaries, foolishness, and pastoral wisdom37:01 How polity and accountability impact this conversation39:34 Why this affects your witness and your church culture44:20 Final thoughts & Facebook Group invite Join the Practically Pastoring Community:🫂 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring Practically Pastoring Conference 2026:📅 February 9–11, 2026 (Tarpon Springs, FL)🎟 Register now: https://www.practicallypastoring.com/conference🤝 Tampa Bay Pastors — DM us for your local code! Get Merch for Your Church:👕 https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch Listen or Watch the Podcast Anywhere:🎧 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💻 Website – https://PracticallyPastoring.com

    45 min

  8. 11/09/2025

    Recycling Sermons, Disgruntled Members, and Why Bacon Still Works for Men’s Ministry

    In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast, the guys tackle some of the real parts of church leadership — like how to respond when disgruntled members try to recruit others, whether it’s okay to reuse old sermons, and what actually works for men’s and women’s ministry events. Practically Pastoring Conference 2026 — February 9–11, 2026 in sunny Florida! 🌴 It’s three days of real conversations, practical tools, and honest community for pastors who love the church but are tired of doing ministry alone. Early-bird tickets are only $20 if you use code JEFFHATESAI — but prices go up soon! 👉 Learn more and register now at PracticallyPastoringConference.com Links from the show: 🌐 Listen anywhere: ⁠⁠https://practicallypastoring.com/⁠⁠ 🫂 Join our Facebook Group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring⁠⁠ 👕 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring⁠⁠ 📧 Join our mailing list: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3plt5so⁠⁠ 👕 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://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring 💻 PracticallyPastoring.com

    42 min
See All (195)

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
    195
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Practically Pastoring
  • Show Website
    Practical(ly) Pastoring

You Might Also Like