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…
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Contact us. We’d love to serve you Request a stay at a Shepherd’s H ou se Location Give financially to s upport the wo rk of helping pastors thrive Writ e a revie w on Apple Podcasts o r Spotify Find out more about the Adva ncin g the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN. (01:45) Introducing Bethel Webb & Practical Shepherding Women (03:15) Bethel’s…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Grow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort. Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (03:20) Framing the Question: Do Pastors Need Seminary? (05:10) Biblical Foundations for Training (06:50) How Seminaries Assumed the Training Role (07:27) Jim’s…
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…
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…
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.
(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,…
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…
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…
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 &…
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…
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 (01:40) Framing the Church Calendar Discussion (02:38) Regulative vs. Normative Principle of Worship (06:08) Cultural Context & Story of July 4th (07:40) Processing the July 4th Conflict (09:56)…
Join us September 10-11 for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference! 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 (02:30) Setting up the topic and biblical foundation (04:45) Biblical Ideal of Loving Everyone (05:40) Sheep vs. Wolves – Setting Parameters (08:45) Levels of Difficulty – From Mild…
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. (03:40) Setting up the topic "life-giving activities" for pastors and broaden definition to…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive (02:20) Ronnie’s Transition: leaving his lead-pastor role, and new full-time role with Harbor Network and pastor-in-residence duties. (05:00) Recent Creative Work: Ronnie’s devotional release, music projects (08:00) New Podcast & Harbor Network:…
(2:40) Biblical Foundations for Discipleship (5:15) How Discipleship Actually Happens in the Local Church (9:00) “Caught, Not Taught” – Organic, Life-on-Life Discipleship (12:00) The Rise of Small Groups / Community Groups (16:00) Balancing Capacity, Culture, and Methods (20:00) The Case for a Midweek Prayer Meeting (24:55) Comparing Prayer Meetings and Community Groups (29:00) Hospitality as a…
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 (01:57) Biblical Framework for Handling Differences (03:52) The Tension: Bold Preaching with Great Patience (04:21) Scenario 1 – Entering an Established Church with Different Views (06:45) Text-Driven,…
(02:36) Biblical Framework for Unity and Disagreement (05:00) Different Kinds of Elders & Influence vs. Authority (08:12) Helping Quieter / Younger Elders Speak Up (10:14 Categories of Decisions: Must Agree vs. May Differ (11:39) Decisions that Require Unanimous Agreement (13:38) Membership and Church Documents (14:49) Pulpit Access and Preaching Priority (17:41) When Majority Rule Is Appropriate…
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 (01:59) Big Picture of Titus 2 (05:48) Why Two Men Talking About Women in Titus 2? (06:56) Positive Vision for Women’s Ministry (11:04) Equal Value, Different…
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…
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…
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 2:14 – Setting the topic: How should pastors care for older men? Reference to Titus 2 and issues of generational/masculinity crisis 4:21 – Examining Titus 2: Practical framework for church life and…
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…
(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…
(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,…
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…
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…
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 (02:42) Scriptural perspectives on caring about opinions (05:29) Tensions in pastoral reputation—Paul’s examples (06:30) Brian and Jim reflect from personal experience of caring too much and not enough (13:03) Signs of caring too much (19:13) Signs…
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 (00:50) Setting up the topic: Cultivating joy in church communities (02:30) Biblical texts on joy: 2 Corinthians 1, Philippians 1, First Peter (05:15) The relational and gospel roots of joy (08:30) Joy as motivation for perseverance and healthy…
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 (02:13) Dr. Smith’s Background: Early life, move to Cincinnati, and family influences. (05:07) Ministry Balance: Balancing family commitments and itinerant ministry; racial reconciliation as a key focus. (07:12) Pastoral Experience: Pastoring New…
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 (06:14) Setting up the topic (10:29) Fear of hurting church members (15:52) Losing pastoral passion and affection (18:57) Preventing church division (24:04) Practical advice for managing pastoral fears
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 (04:05) Setting the Context (07:28) Biblical Foundations (10:42) Internal Pressures on Pastors (13:22) Understanding Congregational Dynamics (18:36) External Pressures (21:14) Rooting Out Fear of Man (28:51) Pastoral Advice for Future Crises…
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 (02:01) Biblical Foundation for Unity (08:39) Essential Areas of Agreement for Elders Membership and leadership selection First-tier doctrinal issues (deity of Christ, salvation) Issues affecting church unity (16:31)Handling Disagreements directly…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (00:00) Introduction and welcome (01:13) Discussion about Jim's recent theater production (05:00) Setting up the discussion: Church building programs (06:35) Biblical perspective…
(02:12) Scripture foundation and setting up the topic from Psalm 68 (07:16) Bryce's background in ministry and entrepreneurship (10:00) Discussion on foster care (12:20) Shocking statistic: 80% of foster youth age out in a difficult situation (18:01) How pastors can help and get involved with foster care (25:00) Connection between foster care and human trafficking (27:51) Introduction to Bryce's…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Register for the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (03:17) Theological and Cultural Struggles (13:06) Costs of Theological Convictions (16:56) Planting Urban Hope Community Church (23:27) Gospel-Centered Ministry Approach (33:02) Grocery Store and…
(02:29) Background on how Brian and Kyle met Pastor Alton (04:10) Pastor Alton discusses his vision for church planting (07:24) Sharing his initial prayer and vision for the church (12:43) Challenges of the first five years of ministry (16:34) Current church growth and encouragement (24:12) Leadership Initiative details (29:42) Training approach for young men in the Leadership Initiative (37:41)…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Register for the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (03:01) Theological Foundations of Hobbies (07:32) Jim's Acting Experience (12:42) Importance of Enjoying Hobbies (18:12) Examples of Personal Hobbies (22:50) Pastoral Challenges with Hobbies…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Register for the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (03:42) Biblical Foundation and setting up the topic (10:00) Tips for getting to know church members (15:26) Book recommendation: David Brooks' "How to Know a Person" (18:58) Being autobiographical…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Register for the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (03:51) Biblical Framework and setting up the topic (08:57) Biographical Background (13:47) Challenges for Modern Pastors (22:58) Time Management and Ministry Responsibilities (30:43) Adapting to…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (01:30) Biblical Framework and setting up the Topic (10:02) Personal Ministry Experiences (15:11) Preparing for Ministry Challenges (22:27) Dealing with Pastoral Betrayal (28:26)…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference . Request a stay at the Shepherd’s House Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (01:19) Defining a blindspot (02:45) Setting up the conversation and biblical foundation (08:55) Blindspot #1: I’m a really good preacher…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference . Request a stay at the Shepherd’s House Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (02:40) Biblical foundation and setting up the conversation Being refreshed spiritually: (06:40) abiding in Christ (11:35) Laboring in hope…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Apply to stay at The Shepherd’s House this Fall! Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (01:36) Setting up the conversation and biblical foundation (07:36) The importance of the right balance of plurality (09:55) What…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference . Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (02:37) Setting up the conversation and biblical understanding (08:36) The tension that exists (12:35) Vision versus being creative (17:28) The definition of faithfulness (23:19)…
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 (03:44) Biblical foundation and setting up the conversation (07:44) The first 5-years of ministry (16:35) The first 10-years of ministry (17:10) Cultivating patience and avoiding idealism (19:40) Almost a second ministry (22:30) The first 20-years…
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 (03:30) Biblical Foundation (10:18) How location is important in thinking about ministry to children (15:35) Specific programs for different maturity levels (17:38) Intentionality in your children’s ministry and VBS (22:15) Questions to ask as you…
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 (01:42) Setting up the topic and biblical foundation (08:21) The standard for being a member: commitment (16:14) A clear profession of faith (18:45) A history of regular contention (21:55) Moral issues (24:45) Things that are not a red flag as it…
(00:46) What is the coalition of Advancing the Churc h? (06:38) Why another conference? (08:10) Providing unique partnerships and relationship (09:12) Who are the speakers and what is the format? (13:11) Focus on training faithful and strong women in ministry (17:57) 10ofThose: a faithful ministry partner (18:58) Ministry showcase not exhibitors (21:40) Graceland Baptist Church: a faithful…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Visit the Shepherd’ s House Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (03:38) Biblical perspective and setting up the conversation (12:42) Caring for your family as a pre-requisite to ministry (14:13) What do you do when your parents are located many hours away? (19:36) Is there a way to…
Contact us. We’d love to serve you Visit the Shepherd’ s House Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources (02:51) Biblical Framework and Setting up the Topic (09:48) Balancing exposition and application (16:15) Keeping the congregation engaged in application (19:26) Thinking through application (21:26) Application from…
