Practical(ly) Pastoring

In this episode of Practically Pastoring , Frank, Jeff, Delmar, Andrew, and Tim tackle two big conversations pastors are facing: 1️⃣ Should a pastor’s faithfulness be judged by whether or not they mentioned Charlie Kirk’s assassination from the pulpit? 2️⃣ How should we shepherd well in a season where church attendance is spiking, with many calling it a revival? We’ll talk honestly about pastoral...

Every pastor knows the sting of criticism — sometimes it’s helpful, sometimes it’s ridiculous, and sometimes it’s downright harmful. In this episode, the Practically Pastoring crew share their wildest stories (yes, including “The Devil’s Deli”), break down the three buckets of feedback (helpful, misinformed, and harmful), and offer practical ways to filter feedback without losing your sanity. Whet...

How can churches take safety seriously without losing the heart of hospitality? In this episode of Practically Pastoring , Frank and Tim sit down with Jim Howard , Executive Director of Trinity Security Allies . With 38 years in law enforcement and years of experience training churches across the country, Jim explains why safety is a ministry — not just a security detail. From handling nervous vis...

Fall ministry is here — but is your church ready? In this episode of Practically Pastoring , we share practical church leadership tips to help pastors and ministry leaders plan fall ministry events , reengage volunteers after summer , prepare a church budget , and communicate vision effectively . Frank, Andrew, Tim, Jeff, and Delmar break down what they’re doing to set their churches up for a succ...

In this special Q&A episode, the Practically Pastoring crew tackles your questions! From favorite sermon prep playlists to the hard lessons of leadership, this one has laughs, insights, and a dose of raw honesty. We even talk about firing staff, shifting theological views, and how not to burn out your best volunteers. ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 - Summer break & podcast intro 2:00 - Church merch &...

Leaving a church, especially when you're in leadership, is never easy. In this episode, the guys dive into how to discern when it's time to leave, how to exit with grace, and how to care well for the people you're leaving behind. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro and welcome 01:10 – Sponsor: Church Merch 02:10 – Reddit Post: Youth Pastor Seeking Exit Advice 03:20 – When church leadership dysfu...

This week on Practically Pastoring, we’re talking about one of the most frustrating parts of church leadership: getting people to sign up for stuff! From event planning woes to generational divides, we’re diving deep into why people avoid sign-up sheets and how pastors can adapt and lead with wisdom and grace. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Topic Setup 01:15 - Listener Question from Reddit 03:...

In this episode, the Practically Pastoring crew tackles a tough but necessary topic: what do you do when a long-time volunteer is actually causing harm in your ministry? From nursery drama to worship team woes, the guys share practical advice on how to set clear expectations, implement safe church policies, and have those difficult conversations with grace and firmness. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intr...

In this episode of Practically Pastoring, we tackle a brutally honest question from a young pastor on Reddit: “What do I do when the church I pastor isn’t one I would even attend?” If you’ve ever found yourself disillusioned in church leadership, unsure how to lead change without blowing things up, or just feeling like a glorified chaplain instead of a visionary leader—this conversation is for you...

In this episode of Practically Pastoring, Frank, Jeff, Delmar, Andrew, and Timothy dive deep into the growing cynicism toward the evangelical church. From meme accounts like Pastors with Props to heartbreaking scandals, distrust in church leadership is only getting worse. We also discuss the solution of faithfulness over time, the importance of authenticity, and how to shepherd hurting people who...

In this episode of Practically Pastoring , the crew debriefs Easter Sunday. What went well? What went sideways? And how do you lead through the Super Bowl of church services without losing your soul (or your voice)? Plus, we get into: The emotional and logistical pressure pastors face on Easter Whether small churches should try to “compete” with bigger ones Why WrestleMania made it into our Sunday...

In this episode of Practically Pastoring, the guys dive into two hot-button topics every pastor needs to wrestle with: 👉 A youth pastor crosses several boundaries—what should happen next? Is it just unwise... or something worse? 👉 Can church staff with different political views work together? What does unity look like when red hats and blue hair share the same ministry? ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – In...

In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast , the crew dives into two HUGE topics in church leadership and youth ministry: 1️⃣ What should churches do when a teenage girl wants to bring her newborn baby to youth group ? 2️⃣ Should we finally kill off the paper bulletin and go fully digital? We unpack the pastoral heart behind pro-life ministry, how to care well for young moms, the messine...

In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast, we tackle two HUGE challenges for pastors: 1️⃣ How do you tell a worship leader they can’t sing? 🎤 What happens when someone’s heart is in the right place… but their voice isn’t? We break down the awkward, hilarious, and painful reality of handling these tough conversations. 2️⃣ Why is church hiring SO slow and frustrating? ⏳ One pastor share...

In this episode of Practically Pastoring Podcast, we tackle a tough but all-too-common question: "When is it time to leave your church job?" A youth pastor is struggling with leadership conflicts, and we break down the real reasons pastors leave, the 18-month youth pastor turnover trend, and whether staying or leaving is the right move. We also dive into church finances—should your churc...

🎙 In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast, we’re diving into TWO huge challenges in ministry: 1️⃣ How to connect with students when you're an introverted youth pastor (without forcing awkward small talk or pretending to be someone you’re not). 2️⃣ What to do when you're on staff at a church where everyone else is related (and you feel like an outsider). 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Ep...

⏳ Struggling with work-life balance as a pastor? In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast , we dive into the hard truths about ministry, family, and work expectations. From dealing with unrealistic work hours to figuring out who stays home when the kids are sick. 🔥 Key Topics We Cover: ✅ The danger of prioritizing church over family (and how to avoid it) ✅ Should churches track pas...

Balancing ministry and work can be one of the hardest decisions pastors face—should you leave your full-time job for a part-time church role? In this episode, we break down the realities of bivocational ministry, the risks of part-time church jobs, and how pastors can create financial security through smart side hustles. We also discuss if it is ok to tell jokes in the pulpit. 🚨 Topics Covered in...

Being a young pastor leading a team of older, more experienced staff can feel overwhelming. How do you earn respect while stepping into your leadership role? In this episode of Practically Pastoring, we dive deep into the challenges of leading when you're the youngest in the room, navigating church finances, and the importance of having a strong pastoral community. Topics Covered: 👉 The chall...

How do you balance eager new church attender who want to serve with the need for spiritual growth? In this episode, we tackle managing volunteers while protecting the health of your church. Plus, we answer a fun but honest question: What do pastors wish their congregation would know about them? You might be surprised by the answers! We discuss: ✅ The difference between serving and leading in the...

Pastors face constant invitations, expectations, and unspoken pressures—but do you always have to say yes? In this episode, we dive into the challenges of balancing ministry, family, and social obligations. Should pastors feel obligated to attend every event? How do you set healthy boundaries without offending church members? And what happens when church politics get involved? Links from the show:...

In this episode, the guys discuss a solo pastor whose elders want him to prepare his sermons earlier. We also chat about a pastor who is wrestling with members whose behavior demand church discipline. 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.instag...

In today's episode we help a youth pastor who is burnt out on doing games in his ministry and we help a new lead pastor who is trying to balance all the work of the ministry with social events with the congregation. Links from the show:  Listen anywhere: ⁠https://practicallypastoring.com/⁠ Join our Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring⁠   Follow us in Instagram: ⁠ht...

In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast, we help a pastor figure out how to count people correctly for CCLI reporting. We also help a pastor who is moving from chaplaincy to the formal pastorate. Links from the show:  Listen anywhere: ⁠https://practicallypastoring.com/⁠ Join our Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring⁠  Follow us in Instagram: ⁠https://ww...

In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast , the crew unpacks creative ways to approach pastoral compensation, including book budgets, coffee allowances, and unique perks like date-night credits and gym memberships. They also explore how to balance member expectations with in office hours. Links from the show:  Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/ Join our Facebook Group: h...