Practical(ly) Pastoring

Practically Pastoring
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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

  1. 4H AGO

    Baby Dedications and Interfaith Prayer

    In this episode of Practically Pastoring, Andrew, Jeff, and Delmar tackle two timely ministry questions that force pastors to think carefully about doctrine, discipleship, public witness, and pastoral wisdom. The first question centers on baby dedication and what standards churches should use when the family situation is complicated. The guys discuss the difference between dedication and baptism, the importance of grace for new believers, and why churches need clarity before they are forced to make a difficult decision in real time.  The second question focuses on hosting an interfaith National Day of Prayer event in a church sanctuary. The conversation explores whether sharing church space for a multi-faith prayer gathering strengthens community witness or muddies theological clarity. Along the way, the guys reflect on sacred space, civic involvement, symbolism, and why the location of an event can change the meaning of the event itself.  This episode is a great reminder that pastors are often asked to make decisions in gray areas without much time, and that faithful ministry usually requires both conviction and compassion, not just one or the other.  What we cover in this episode How churches should think about baby dedication versus baptism Why a baby dedication is often more about parental and congregational commitment than the circumstances of conception The value of written policies or one-page position papers for difficult pastoral issues How grace and discipleship should shape the way churches respond to new believers Why pastors should be careful not to confuse guarding holiness with guarding appearances Whether hosting an interfaith prayer event in a sanctuary changes the meaning of the event Why a church building may not be a neutral space when the gathering is explicitly spiritual How to think about civic prayer events differently from worship-centered events The challenge of balancing neighborliness, theological clarity, and public witness Resources mentioned Church Merch from Promotions Guypromotionsguy.com/churchmerch Practically Pastoring Facebook CommunityA place for pastors and ministry leaders to ask honest questions, get practical feedback, and avoid doing ministry alone

    35 min

  2. APR 20

    When Ministry Gets Messy: Grace, Truth, and Guardrails

    In this episode of Practically Pastoring, the guys tackle two heavy, real-world ministry situations that require courage, wisdom, and a steady hand. First, they discuss what to do when a staff member or elder appears to mislead the congregation during a church meeting. From Matthew 18 conversations to questions of trust, bitterness, and leadership integrity, the conversation digs into how pastors can respond without blowing up the church in the process. Then, after a Church Merch ad break, the conversation turns to an even more serious issue, how to respond when a man attending the church is discovered to be on the sex offender registry for a crime involving a minor. The guys talk candidly about grace, consequences, written restrictions, background checks, safety teams, and the church’s responsibility to protect children while still offering a path for supervised fellowship and discipleship. This episode is a reminder that pastoring is not just preaching and handshakes in the lobby. Sometimes it means stepping into awkward, uncomfortable, necessary conversations for the good of the flock.  What we cover in this episode How to address a misleading statement made publicly in a church meeting Why budget disagreements and trust issues are not always the same problem The importance of handling conflict directly, privately, and with maturity How past church hurt can shape present reactions Why some leadership problems may reveal deeper cultural issues Best practices for handling a registrant attending church Why written policies, signed agreements, and clear restrictions matter Whether a chaperone or buddy system is wise, and why it often is How background checks help protect kids, churches, and volunteers Why protecting the flock includes both guarding the vulnerable and helping keep sinners from returning to old patterns Resources mentioned Church Merch from Promotions Guypromotionsguy.com/churchmerch Trinity Security AlliesA trusted church safety resource recommended by the team for consultations, policies, and practical safety guidance

    42 min

  3. APR 13

    Big Days Bruised Feelings

    This week on Practical(ly) Pastoring, Andrew, Tim, Delmar, and Jeff tackle two questions straight from the Facebook group, and both of them hit close to home. First, they discuss the sting pastors feel when key families skip their church’s Easter service for the bigger production down the road. Is that just modern church culture, a discipleship issue, a membership issue, or simply one of those wounds pastors have to hand to the Lord? The guys talk honestly about insecurity, church commitment, megachurch envy, Facebook sleuthing, and why relational investment may matter more than confrontation. Then they turn to a second question that may be even harder: how do you actually invite criticism in your church? They unpack how leaders can model humility, create healthy pathways for feedback, separate useful critique from noise, and build a culture where honesty is normal instead of threatening. This episode is brought to you by Church Merch.Whether your church needs t-shirts, hats, pens, name tags, or maybe even a hairnet with your logo on it, they can help.Visit promotionsguy.com/churchmerch and tell them Practical(ly) Pastoring sent you.

    34 min

  4. APR 6

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    206
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Practically Pastoring
  • Show Website
    Practical(ly) Pastoring

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