Trench Talk

Practical Shepherding
  • 4.8 (188)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Practical Shepherding is a Gospel-driven resource center for pastors and church leaders to equip them in the practical matters of pastoral ministry. In this podcast, pastor Brian Croft sits down with other pastors to discuss the gritty details of pastoral ministry. Our goal is to examine the life and work of a pastor and give helpful guidance for our brothers laboring with us. This is a podcast by pastors for pastors. We are in the trenches of ministry with you, and we want to equip you to continue in this task.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 330: When pastors should or should not defend themselves

    Contact us. We’d love to serve you Request a stay at a Shepherd’s House Location Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Find out more about the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN. (01:45) Biblical Framework: when should/shouldn’t pastors defend themselves? (03:40) Biblical tension: Jesus’ silence vs. Paul’s self-defense; key NT texts (06:55) Proposed “template”: personal slights vs. ministerial slander; online smear story (09:35) Important caveat: abuse, real guilt, and not helping guilty pastors “defend” themselves (10:28) Clear cases to defend: disqualifying accusations (false romantic relationship story) (13:09) Private vs. public accusations; defending against allegations of illegal activity (15:05) Accusations of heresy and doctrinal error; how and why to respond (19:18) How to defend without being defensive: tone, frequency, and using elders/outside counsel (23:26) When not to defend: social media critique (“cesspool of wokeness”) and letting it go (25:39) Critiques of preaching style/length and why not to publicly “answer from the pulpit” (28:23) Lifestyle criticisms: vacations, cars, “nice things,” and unnecessary self-justification (31:10) Vacation time example: fear of criticism and the paralysis of people-pleasing (33:21) Don’t chase gossip; when silence is wiser than trying to correct every rumor (34:12) Final counsel: humility, prayer, seeking counsel; closing prayer

  2. Jun 30

    Ep. 329: Preaching to the tender conscience

    Contact us. We’d love to serve you Request a stay at a Shepherd’s House Location Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Purchase tickets for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN. Find our newest book release, Pastor, what are you wearing? Learning the Unspoken, Powerful Message of Attire by Kyle McClellan here. (03:32) Setting up the Topic: Good Shepherd, bruised reed, and advocate (John 10; Matt 12; 1 John 2)(06:21) 2 Timothy 4:2 – strong exhortation joined with great patience and teaching(07:52) Why harsh, “hammer” preaching is celebrated (reaction to church-growth / soft preaching)(12:37) Croft’s overreaction to weak preaching and a friend’s “you need to chill” correction(16:15) Faithful and effective: fear of man, law-only vs. comfort-only ministry(20:10) How to preach to tender consciences: wounding and then binding up(22:56) Knowing your flock: medicine vs. poison and dangers of one-tone preaching(24:55) Keeping sermons hopeful; translating private care of sensitive souls into public preaching(28:23) Law–gospel tension and the exhausting pursuit of doing “enough”(32:00) Grace, obedience, assurance, and pride in the tender conscience(33:05) Final exhortations: patience, prayer, and accepting we cannot fix people

  3. Jun 23

    Ep. 328: Pastoral Attire with Kyle McClellan

    Brian Croft talks with pastor Kyle McClellan about his new book "Pastor, What Are You Wearing?", launching the Thriving Pastors series. They unpack why clergy attire matters, five guiding principles for what pastors wear, historical context, and practical wardrobe guidance.

  4. Jun 16

    Ep. 327: Ministering to Widows

    (02:33) Launching the topic: caring for widows and widowers in the church(03:33) Key biblical texts: Psalm 68:5, James 1:27, 1 Timothy 5, Job(04:30) Acts 6, the poor–orphan–widow triad, and modern neglect of widows(07:17) Why widows seem less vulnerable today (social safety nets, insurance, work)(09:49) First-century context, global poverty, and defining widow/widower(12:51) Physical needs, deacon ministry, and keeping a clear list of widows(15:43) Relational needs: loneliness, identity shifts, remarriage questions(20:20) Widowers’ unique vulnerabilities and differences from widows(23:08) Equipping members, interns, and stay-at-home moms to visit widows(31:19) Spiritual care: public prayer, private visitation, Scripture, and prayer(34:41) Final reflections on the joy of pastoring widows and closing prayer

  5. Jun 9

    Ep. 326: Cultivating Vulnerability Among Elders

    Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Register for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference! (02:09) Theological framework: plurality of elders and pastors as sheep(04:50) Acts 20:28 – “Pay careful attention to yourselves” and the danger of wolves(07:20) Assumptions about fellow elders and transactional leadership meetings(09:45) Friendship as the foundation for healthy elder relationships(11:50) Unique vulnerability challenges for pastors vs. church members(14:30) Lead pastors, authority dynamics, and inviting care from fellow elders(17:10) Structuring elder meetings for personal check-ins and soul care(20:20) Pushing past guardedness: sharing real struggles wisely(23:30) Public vulnerability in preaching without oversharing(26:40) Unsafe eldership cultures and when elders themselves aren’t safe(29:10) Final exhortations: cultivating grace-filled accountability and closing prayer

  6. Jun 2

    Ep. 325: Pastors Staying too Long

    Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Register for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference! (02:39) Framing the question: Can a pastor stay too long?(02:46) Acts 20 & 2 Timothy 4 – finishing your course in ministry(05:31) 1 Corinthians 16 – “open door” and “many adversaries” as stay/leave indicators(08:00) High-profile examples: Alistair Begg and contrasting exit models(09:33) Jim’s personal retirement aspirations and health/age as limits(13:37) Practical markers that it’s time to step down (diminished gifts, effectiveness)(17:18) Yes, pastors can stay too long; continuing ministry after leaving the pastorate(19:25) Why some won’t let go: finances, lack of self-awareness, identity in ministry(22:21) When no one can tell the pastor, “It’s time” – isolation and lack of accountability(26:00) Succession planning in churches and ministries (Brian’s and Jim’s examples)(29:30) Defining “finishing well”: faithfulness over visible success(31:44) Spurgeon’s ending, realism about messy conclusions, and faithfulness to the end(33:03) Final Word and Prayer

  7. May 19

    Ep. 324: Remembering our Ministry Mentors

    Contact us. We’d love to serve you Request a stay at a Shepherd’s House Location Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (03:30) Hebrews 13:7 and the Call to Remember Our Leaders(06:30) Biography of Pastor Al Martin & His Ministry Path(11:00) How Pastor Martin Shaped Jim’s Life and Theology(16:00) Memorable Preaching Stories & The Weight of the Pulpit(19:30) Pastor Martin as Shepherd & Christian Gentleman(23:00) Brian’s Mentor Jackson Boyette & Learning to Love People Well(27:30) Additional Lessons from Mentors: Convictions, Affections, and Thinking Against the Grain(33:30) Grief, Spiritual Fatherhood, and Exhortation to Seek and Be Mentors(38:30) Final Word & Prayer

  8. May 12

    Ep. 323: When a Church Doesn't Revitalize

    Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Explore taking a renewal retreat at The Shepherds House (02:00) Sean’s Role at Practical Shepherding & Transition to Oklahoma(04:30) Why Tell This Story: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize?(06:30) First Impressions of the Church: Few People, Limited Runway(09:00) Early Challenges, Bi‑Vocational Support, and COVID Disruption(12:00) Encouraging Signs: New Families, Children, and Community Outreach(16:00) Under-the-Surface Resistance & Entrenched Control(21:30) Realizing Scheming, Failed Attempts at Resolution(26:00) Public Conflict at a Business Meeting & the subsequent Discipline Process(31:00) Emotional, Physical, and Family Toll of the Conflict(36:00) Decision to Resign, Trusting God’s Will in the Vote(40:30) Lessons Learned: Suffering, Calling, and “It’s Still Worth It”(45:00) Closing Reflections & Prayer for Sean and the Church

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4.8
out of 5
188 Ratings

About

Practical Shepherding is a Gospel-driven resource center for pastors and church leaders to equip them in the practical matters of pastoral ministry. In this podcast, pastor Brian Croft sits down with other pastors to discuss the gritty details of pastoral ministry. Our goal is to examine the life and work of a pastor and give helpful guidance for our brothers laboring with us. This is a podcast by pastors for pastors. We are in the trenches of ministry with you, and we want to equip you to continue in this task.

Information

  • Creator
    Practical Shepherding
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Practical Shepherding, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Trench Talk

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