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. 3D AGO

    Ep. 314: Introducing the Seasoned Pastor Collective

    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 Find out more about the Seasoned Pastor Collective (01:33) Biblical Foundation for Older Men Investing in Younger Men (04:54) Larry Riley’s Story and Early Mentoring Burden (06:38) Key Mentors in Larry’s Life (07:41) Jim Savastio’s Conversion and Formative Mentors (10:18) Brian Croft’s Experience and the Need for Spiritual Fathers (12:33) Why This Matters: The Rarity of Real Mentorship Today (15:28) What’s Going Wrong? The Mentoring Gap (17:24) On-the-Ground Reality for Young Pastors (19:15) Why Aren’t Older Pastors Mentoring? Jim’s Diagnosis (23:55) Official Launch: The Seasoned Pastor Collective (24:41) How the Seasoned Pastor Collective Works (Older Pastors Side) (27:08) How to Join as a Seasoned Pastor (28:20) Training & Vetting: Why Experience Alone Isn’t Enough (30:51) The Joy of Investing in Younger Pastors (32:04) What Makes Mentoring So Rewarding? (33:31) Closing Prayer for the Collective

    34 min

  2. FEB 3

    Ep. 313: Pastors Caring for Younger Men

    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 Resources Find more information about the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort (01:56) Biblical Framework for Caring for Younger Men (04:30) The Crisis of Masculinity and Young Men Today (06:32) Why This Crisis Is Worse Now than in Previous Generations (08:08) Online Influence, AI, and Weak Youth Ministry (09:33) Titus 2 as a Blueprint for the Local Church (10:56) The One Command to Young Men: Sober-Mindedness (13:14) Defining Sober-Mindedness / Self-Control (18:00) Why Sober-Mindedness Matters So Much for Young Men (18:40) How Pastors Can Urge Young Men to Be Sober-Minded (22:08) Young Men in Unreal Worlds: Media, AI, and the Need for Embodied Mentors (24:36) This Is a 2,000-Year-Old Issue with Fresh Applications (26:51) Sober-Mindedness About Self: Gifts, Limits, and Immaturity (28:17) Loving, Listening, and Validating Young Men (30:07) Spiritual Fatherhood and a Culture of Older-to-Younger Mentoring (31:38) Concrete Ideas for Churches and Pastors (33:05) Closing Prayer for a Generation of Godly Young Men

    34 min

  3. JAN 27

    Ep. 312: Pastors Caring for Older Men

    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 Resources2:14 – Setting the topic: How should pastors care for older men? Reference to Titus 2 and issues of generational/masculinity crisis4:21 – Examining Titus 2: Practical framework for church life and leadership distinctions5:13 – Reading and discussing Titus 2:1–8: Exhortations for older men6:41 – Diversity in Church: Bond-servant/master relationships as socio-economic analogy7:32 – Practical directions for ministry to older men and their mentoring impact11:04 – Discussion: Why mentoring roles differ for older men and women in the church12:19 – Importance of intentional intergenerational relationships and mentoring14:24 – Private ministry: Building rapport and learning about older men for deeper care17:49 – Tension for young pastors: Shepherding those more experienced and older than themselves19:36 – Public ministry: Avoiding generational hostility and fostering mutual respect21:11 – Calling older men to spiritual vibrancy regardless of age or physical limitations22:56 – Addressing spiritual immaturity in older men: Drawing out life wisdom, incremental growth26:49 – Encouragement: Realistic expectations, creative engagement, and not giving up on older men29:16 – Incremental growth and encouragement for young pastors; closing reflections29:50 – Final word and Prayer

    32 min

  4. JAN 20

    Ep. 311: Cultivating Friendships

    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 Resources (00:43) Introducing the Topic: Christian friendship, especially among pastors (2:00) Biblical foundations: Proverbs 17:17, Ecclesiastes 4, Jonathan & David (04:54) Challenges for men in forming close friendships (07:00) Defining friendship—surface vs. deep bonds (10:00) Men’s reluctance to invest in friendships (12:37) Pastors’ relationships: transactional vs. genuine (14:02) Qualities of true friendship: presence, safety, loyalty, emotional connection (22:00) Cultivating friendship: prayer, planning, risk-taking, listening, being present (30:00) Sanctifying influence—“iron sharpens iron” (31:31) Final word and prayer

    33 min

  5. JAN 13

    Ep. 310: Mending broken relationships

    (01:16) The challenge of mending broken relationships within church communities. (02:47) Scriptural and theological foundation for unity, drawing from both Old and New Testaments. (06:38) Real-life examples and historical anecdotes on church conflicts. (10:00) Causes of relational breakdown: disappointment, neglect, unresolved conflict, political/personal differences. (15:00) Practical ways pastors can foster church unity; preaching, prayer, sacraments. (21:38) The role of “stealthy peacemakers” and intervening in private disputes. (27:27) Congregational responsibility for reconciliation and unity. (31:10) Limits of reconciliation and pastoral wisdom; closing prayer.

    33 min

  6. JAN 6

    Ep. 309: Expectations for a New Year

    (01:00) Pressures Pastors Face in January: Discussion on new year challenges, unique pressures, and planning. (02:12) Biblical Foundations: Proverbs 16 and James 4 applied to planning and reliance on God's guidance. (05:00) Melancholy and Societal Pressure: Addressing the emotional and practical challenges pastors face at the year's start. (10:00) Preaching Pressure: Balancing expectations, routines, and physical/spiritual health. (15:00) Vision Sermons: The purpose and scope of beginning-of-year vision messages. (21:21) Practical Planning: Realistic planning for preaching, events, and finances. (28:13) Financial & Event Planning: Budget, spending, and gradual ramp-up of church activities. (32:40) Final word and prayer

    33 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Ep. 308: Younger pastors leading older pastors

    Contact us. We’d love to serve you Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources Grow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort. Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive (02:25) Personal Experiences — Both hosts share stories about being young pastors among older leaders and the unique challenges faced. (03:00) Framing the Issue — Discussion on balancing authority and respect as a young pastor. (03:51) Biblical Perspective — Reflection on 1 Timothy 4:12 and examples from Job regarding age, wisdom, and leadership. (09:36) Practical Advice — Emphasis on patience, humility, asking questions, and building relationships with older church members. (12:51) Earning Trust and Respect — Strategies for younger pastors on servant leadership and earning credibility over time. (19:13) Building Relationships — The importance of acknowledging the contributions of older leaders and fostering mutual respect. (33:55) Final words & Prayer

    34 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    Ep. 307: Keeping your heart faithful

    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 Resources Grow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort. (02:00) Pastoral Failings & Faithfulness – Discussion on the burden of pastors’ moral failings and burnout. (03:20) Biblical Foundations – Exploring Proverbs 4:23, 1 Timothy 4:16, and pastoral qualifications. (05:10) Historical vs. Modern Challenges – Impact of technology, social media, and the classic “three G’s” for pastors. (11:00) Theology & Safeguards – The importance and limits of good theology and ecclesiology. (23:00) Practicing Faithfulness – Abiding in Christ, authentic community, marriage, and desire for usefulness. (34:47) Final word & Prayer – Reminders for faithfulness, God’s audience of one, and closing prayer.

    39 min
See All (300)

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

You Might Also Like