Is Advent a Catholic tradition, or just a really old Christian rhythm we forgot existed?
In this Advent themed episode, we answer two real pastor questions:
“Is Advent a Catholic tradition? Will this cause issues in a Baptist church?”
“Do you sing Christmas carols during Advent, or wait until Christmas Eve?” (Also, why is this guy getting ambushed in elder meetings?)
We talk history, Baptist baggage, and the practical “how do I introduce this without detonating my church” stuff. Plus, we settle the great candle debate: real or electric, and how new the carpet is definitely matters.
00:00 Cold open
00:49 Question 1: “Is Advent a Catholic tradition?”
03:12 How to introduce Advent without chaos (and why you should not just drop it in)
10:59 “Isn’t Advent a Catholic thing?” A simple intro that works
13:23 Why Advent helps your sermon calendar (and saves your brain)
14:57 Practically Pastoring Conference
16:47 Sponsor: Church Merch (stop wearing the 2004 VBS shirt)
17:55 Question 2: Christmas carols during Advent, yes or no?
21:30 “This is bigger than song choice” the pastoral issue underneath
Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
Register for the Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026, Tarpon Springs, FL). Tampa Bay pastors, DM us for a special code: https://www.practicallypastoring.com/conference
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.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
Welcome to the Practically Pastoring Hot Takes Episode — the one where we unintentionally roast half of evangelicalism and guarantee Andrew never gets invited to another conference again.
From At-the-Movies sermons, to canceling church the Sunday after Christmas, to whether bad coffee means you hate visitors… this might be the most unhinged—and honest—episode we’ve ever recorded.

Grab your headphones, brace yourself, and enjoy the chaos.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – The intro that might get us all fired
00:35 – Hot Take #1: At-the-Movies (We said what we said)
05:10 – Is the seeker-sensitive era dead?
09:26 – Conference ad read (but actually funny)
10:42 – Hot Take #2: Canceling the Sunday after Christmas
19:36 – Why “Sabbath Sunday” might be missing the point
20:45 – Hot Take #3: Your livestream probably needs help
27:22 – Why live-stream views don’t count as attendance
30:11 – Hot Take #4: Multi-site churches & accidental celebrity culture
37:11 – When a campus pastor becomes a hostage
38:32 – Hot Take #5: “We’re just being faithful…” or are we lazy?
45:16 – Church revitalization and marketing
46:19 – Lightning Round Hot Takes
47:00 – Kids in service
48:52 – Women on stage
49:57 – Delegation or insecurity?
52:47 – The real story behind “church hurt”
56:26 – The most divisive issue of all: church coffee
01:00:00 – Frank’s wife Cori gets dragged into the show again
01:01:12 – Conference invite + chaos outro
🫂 Join the Practically Pastoring Community
Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
🎟 Practically Pastoring Conference 2026
📅 February 9–11, 2026 — Tarpon Springs, FL
Register now: https://www.practicallypastoring.com/conference
🤝 Tampa Bay Pastors — DM us for your local code!
👕 Get Merch for Your Church
Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
🎧 Listen to 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
Website: PracticallyPastoring.com
Today’s episode starts innocently enough with a simple question about office hours……and ends with one of the wildest Reddit pastor stories we’ve EVER read.
We’re talking:• Should pastors still keep traditional office hours?• How do you stay available without being chained to a church building?• Where do you meet people for confidential conversations?• How do you build culture when your staff is hybrid or remote?• AND… what happens when a pastor and his wife get “caught” in the church office after hours 😬 (yes, really).
00:00 Cold Open: The wildest church-office story ever
00:25 Why pastors need to rethink office hours
01:06 How different churches handle staff availability
02:15 Where should pastors meet for private conversations?
03:24 Does anyone actually “drop by” the office anymore?
05:15 How COVID changed the way churches think about office space
06:51 The realities of meetings, flexibility, and hospital calls
09:22 Using Calendly & Google Calendar for pastoral care
12:29 How to set healthy availability rhythms
15:00 Private meetings: where should they REALLY happen?
17:15 Why having an office can still matter
18:00 Should pastors be expected to keep “office hours”?
21:20 Why some pastors write better sermons in coffee shops
22:04 Practically Pastoring Conference 2026
23:27 Sponsor: Church Merch
24:21 The Reddit Story: Pastor caught having relations in his office
29:06 Is it wrong, weird, or both?
31:13 Is this a fireable offense?
34:11 Boundaries, foolishness, and pastoral wisdom
37:01 How polity and accountability impact this conversation
39:34 Why this affects your witness and your church culture
44:20 Final thoughts & Facebook Group invite
Join the Practically Pastoring Community:🫂 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
Practically Pastoring Conference 2026:📅 February 9–11, 2026 (Tarpon Springs, FL)🎟 Register now: https://www.practicallypastoring.com/conference🤝 Tampa Bay Pastors — DM us for your local code!
Get Merch for Your Church:👕 https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Listen or Watch the Podcast Anywhere:
🎧 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💻 Website – https://PracticallyPastoring.com
In this episode of the Practically Pastoring Podcast, the guys tackle some of the real parts of church leadership — like how to respond when disgruntled members try to recruit others, whether it’s okay to reuse old sermons, and what actually works for men’s and women’s ministry events.
Practically Pastoring Conference 2026 — February 9–11, 2026 in sunny Florida! 🌴
It’s three days of real conversations, practical tools, and honest community for pastors who love the church but are tired of doing ministry alone. Early-bird tickets are only $20 if you use code JEFFHATESAI — but prices go up soon!
👉 Learn more and register now at PracticallyPastoringConference.com
Links from the show:
🌐 Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/
🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
👕 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on
🎧 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
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
It’s Pastor Appreciation Month — but how should churches actually handle it? This week, the guys get honest about recognizing pastors, the misuse of the “pastor” title, developing small group leaders, and what to do when you’re burned out and ready to quit ministry.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 — Cold Open: Pastor Appreciation Month is weird
00:51 — Should churches only honor the lead pastor?
03:35 — How different churches celebrate pastors
05:19 — When Pastor Appreciation Month gets awkward
07:03 — How lead pastors can appreciate their staff
08:17 — Are youth pastors “real pastors”?
10:29 — What the Bible actually says about the role of pastor/elder
11:13 — Rise & Fall, ordination, and rushing people into ministry
13:20 — Why American church culture gets the title “pastor” wrong
14:23 — The discipleship issue behind church leadership titles
15:24 — Youth pastor longevity & maturity in ministry
16:19 — Should you start Pastor Appreciation Month at your church?
17:13 — 💥 Practically Pastoring Conference 2026 (Feb 9–11, Lakeview Church)
21:11 — How to develop and onboard small group leaders
24:25 — The “Coach, Contact, Celebrate” method for retaining volunteers
26:40 — Don’t confuse hosting a small group with leading one
28:44 — Building healthy structures and rotations for small groups
35:16 — When to ask someone to lead (and for how long)
35:37 — When you want to quit ministry but still love the church
36:57 — Burnout, calling, and waiting on God’s timing
39:16 — Staying faithful when ministry gets hard
45:05 — “You’re not a bad pastor for being tired”
46:22 — Finding community and healing when you step back from ministry
48:19 — Prayer for pastors who are hurting
49:19 — Outro + Practically Pastoring Conference reminder
👇 Listen or watch here:
🎧 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
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
👥 Join the Conversation:
🫂 Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17WmKxAa1h/
📸 Instagram – instagram.com/PracticallyPastoring
Facebook - facebook.com/practicallypastoring
Pastors’ mailbag time. We tackle anointing with oil in James 5, where the ethical lines are with MLMs in church life, and smart ways to use continuing-ed budgets without wasting a dollar.Chapters00:00 Cold Open + Intro01:10 Mailbag Setup: today’s questions03:00 Anointing with Oil (James 5): theology and practice19:30 When/How to anoint during services24:45 MLMs in Church: boundaries, policies, and wisdom41:20 Quick scenarios pastors face with MLM pressure45:40 Ad Read: Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026)47:00 Continuing Education on a Budget: plans that work1:04:00 Lightning-round resources and ideas1:08:15 Final thoughts and takeaways1:09:30 OutroPractically Pastoring Conference — Feb 9–11, 2026 at Lakeview Church. Early Bird $29. Use code JEFFHATESAI for $20 tickets. Learn more: practicallypastoringconference.comJoin the community- Facebook Group: Practically Pastoring- Subscribe here on the channel so you never miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoringLinks from the show:Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoringFollow us in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerchHosts:🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/Listen or Watch on🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc💻 PracticallyPastoring.com🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
Mike Gunn (Antioch Initiative) joins us to talk about why mission beats brand, how American churches can learn from the global church, and why Christian Nationalism is a distraction from the gospel. He shares a simple Acts 14 pattern for church planting and a call to recover an Acts 13 sending culture.
Chapters
00:00 - Intro & Mike’s background (Acts 29, Antioch Initiative)
00:54 - Should every pastor address “the Charlie Kirk assassination” from the pulpit?
02:09 - How the global church views America (prosperity export, worship & prayer)
06:44 - Christian Nationalism: why it’s attractive—and why it’s anti-gospel
10:50 - Tips for planters a year out (mission > brand, contextualization, Acts 14 pattern)
17:35 - “The church doesn’t have a missions program—the church is God’s mission”
20:24 - Evangelism bell curve & mission drift
22:24 - Acts 13 sending: be willing to send your best
27:17 - The Antioch DNA: train and release
27:40 - Mike’s plug: prayer, persecution, connecting with pastors overseas
30:59 - Palestinian Christians, Gaza, and praying wisely
33:20 - PP Facebook Group invite & close
Follow Antioch Initiative
Website: antioch-initiative.com 
Instagram: instagtram.com/theantiochinitiative
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.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on
🎧 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
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
What makes a faithful sermon? Is it verse-by-verse exposition, topical teaching, or something deeper? In this episode of Practically Pastoring, Frank sits down with Michael Moore. A bi-vocational pastor and the creator behind Honest Youth Pastor. We talk about sermon prep, youth ministry curriculum, and the role of AI in preaching.
Michael shares his framework for sermon reviews, how pastors should think about using curriculum, and why tribalism in the church can cloud our judgment of good preaching. Plus, we dive into the realities of critique, feedback, and how pastors can sharpen their sermons with humility and accountability.
If you’ve ever wrestled with sermon prep, preaching philosophy, or the future of pastoring in a digital age—this episode is for you.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Michael Moore (“Honest Youth Pastor”)
01:00 – What makes a faithful sermon? Exegesis vs. exposition
07:20 – Why young preachers copy personalities over doing the hard work
09:50 – Youth pastors & curriculum: when is it helpful, when is it harmful?
17:10 – AI in preaching: ethical use or dangerous shortcut?
23:30 – The “taco illustration” for sermon prep & AI
31:00 – The importance of real feedback vs. AI feedback
33:00 – Michael’s documentaries on pastors & pushback he’s received
38:40 – Pastors people praise vs. pastors people roast (Russell Johnson, Tim Keller, etc.)
47:20 – The problem of tribalism in church circles
50:00 – How to create a sermon feedback system in smaller churches
57:20 – Why thick skin & structured critique are essential
01:01:20 – Final thoughts + Michael’s plugs
🔗 Michael Moore (Honest Youth Pastor)
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honestyouthpastor/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBFVkW3dp7YMDF_YfXAuHtQ
X/Twitter: https://x.com/honestyptweets
Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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 pressure, online “coward” rhetoric, and the danger of reducing faithfulness to soundbites. And we’ll share practical advice on how to care for new people walking into your church for the first time in years.
Timestamps:
0:00 Cold Open
2:00 Should pastors be judged for silence?
10:00 Why “coward” language is harmful
20:00 Are we seeing revival?
30:00 Practical tips to steward new guests
Links from the show:
🌐 Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/
🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
👕 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts: Frank Gil, Jeff Simpson, Delmar Peet, Andrew Larsen, Timothy Miller
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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.
Whether you’re navigating jeans critiques, worship song wars, or factionalism in leadership, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone — and that some criticism really does belong in the trash.
Timestamps
Join Our Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
🎧 Listen or Watch:
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 visitors, to guns in church, to protecting kids’ ministry, Jim helps pastors think through how to create a culture of safety that still feels like the gospel.
📧 Contact Jim: jim@trinitysecurityallies.com
🌐 Learn more: https://trinitysecurityallies.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & guest introduction
02:00 – Jim’s story: from tragedy to church safety ministry
08:30 – Why church safety is a ministry, not just security
10:00 – Responding when visitors seem suspicious
13:40 – How to balance hospitality and safety
17:00 – Prevention, liability, and what pastors need to know
22:00 – Guns in church: policies, pitfalls, and wisdom
26:00 – Building safety culture without scaring people
32:00 – First steps for churches with little or no budget
35:00 – Training volunteers when you don’t have experts
40:00 – Active shooter training and real-life scenarios
42:00 – Why Jim does this: 1 Peter 5 and the call to shepherd the flock
Links from the show:
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
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 successful fall ministry season. We’ll cover church event ideas, community outreach strategies, Christmas service planning, and ways to keep your church momentum strong all the way to the end of the year.
If you’re a pastor, church planter, or ministry leader looking for fall ministry ideas, church event planning tips, or volunteer engagement strategies, this episode will give you tools you can use right now.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Cold open: School, football, pumpkin spice, and ChatGPT fact-checking sermons
00:25 – Why fall is a natural ministry reset for churches
01:57 – Attendance trends and on-ramp opportunities for new people
06:06 – Big & small fall church event ideas that work
13:24 – Using vision-focused gatherings to drive engagement
15:10 – Three simple community outreach ideas for churches this fall
22:04 – Navigating church budget season with vision and clarity
27:37 – How to start planning your Christmas services in the fall
32:01 – Volunteer reengagement & giving teams rest before the holiday sprint
37:08 – Four steps to crush fall: Ruthless prioritization, 3D thinking, calendar blocking, and overcommunication
44:50 – Why overcommunication matters and how to do it well
48:05 – Closing encouragement & CTAs
Links from the show:
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
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 & thrift store shirts
4:00 - Sermon prep playlists (Lo-fi, silence, & alien grunge!)
8:45 - Developing leaders without burnout
13:00 - Churchy phrases we’d outlaw
14:00 - Leadership lessons learned the hard way
17:00 - What we’d do differently our first year
22:00 - Sermon prep rhythms & staying fresh
31:00 - When to let staff or volunteers go
36:30 - The theological views we’ve changed
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.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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 dysfunction prompts leaving
04:15 – Avoiding a victim mindset when leaving
05:00 – Trusting God to care for those you leave
06:00 – How to communicate your exit without causing drama
07:30 – Focusing on where you're going, not what you're leaving
08:45 – Dispelling rumors and over communicating
10:00 – Teaching kids about healthy transitions
12:00 – Leaving well vs. spiritual codependency
14:00 – When staying too long causes harm
16:00 – Personal stories and lessons from past transitions
18:00 – Final thoughts on leaving with integrity
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.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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
03:20 - Why People Don’t Sign Up
05:00 - Generational Differences in Sign-Ups
06:45 - Burnout and Fear of Overcommitting
08:00 - Letting Events Flop (On Purpose!)
10:00 - Casting Vision for Sign-Ups
13:30 - Tools: Planning Center, Google Forms, Meal Train
16:00 - Announcements Strategy That Actually Works
21:30 - Event Fatigue and Killing Sacred Cows
27:00 - Making Sign-Ups Frictionless
30:00 - Relational Recruiting Over Mass Messaging
35:00 - Final Thoughts: It’s Gonna Be Okay
⸻
Links from the show:
🌐 Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/
🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
👕 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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 - Intro & Church Merch Shoutout
02:20 - Listener Question: The Problematic Nursery Volunteer
04:45 - Stories of Inheriting Difficult Volunteers
06:00 - Using Policy to Address Outdated Practices
08:40 - Why It's So Hard to Have These Conversations
10:30 - The Role of Elders and Church Leadership
12:30 - Avoiding Emotional Fallout
14:10 - Honoring Legacy While Making Changes
16:00 - Practical Tips for Onboarding and Training Volunteers
20:00 - Who Should Be in the Room for the Hard Talk?
23:00 - Preparing for Emotional Blowback
25:00 - Advice for Younger Pastors
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.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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. We talk about how young pastors can handle resistance in established churches, how to keep showing up when your ministry expectations don’t match reality, and how to kill the idols of platform and popularity in favor of faithful ministry.
You'll hear real stories, raw encouragement, and practical wisdom for discerning when it’s time to press on—and when it might be time to move on. Whether you're battling pastoral burnout, navigating church vision challenges, or just trying to love a congregation that doesn’t seem to want to change, we hope this episode meets you right where you are.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Cold Open & Sponsor Shoutout (Church Merch!)02:00 – The Reddit Question: “I’m Just a Chaplain Now”04:15 – Why 2.5 Years Isn’t Enough to Lead Major Change06:30 – Pastoring vs. Idealism: Facing Reality with Grace10:00 – The “Reach the City” Idol & Unrealistic Expectations13:00 – Can You Serve a Church You Wouldn’t Attend?17:00 – Building Trust Before Leading Change20:00 – Finding Low-Hanging Fruit to Start Vision24:00 – When Older Members Say They Want Young People…26:00 – Discernment: Faithfulness or Futility?29:00 – Killing Bitterness, Finding Calling31:00 – How a Ministry Brotherhood Can Save Your Soul33:00 – Final Encouragement: Feed the Sheep, Not Flip a Franchise
Whether you're a senior leader or still early in your ministry journey, this episode offers a lifeline of clarity and compassion in the tension between church health, personal calling, and quiet faithfulness. If you're feeling stuck or discouraged—you are not alone."
📎 Links from the show:
🌐 Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring👕 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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 are walking into our churches carrying heavy cynicism.
If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or someone who's been feeling the tension around church culture lately — this conversation is for you.
🕒 Timestamps:00:00 - Intro and Church Distrust Today00:48 - Meet the Team + Church Merch Ad03:18 - How Meme Accounts Like Pastors with Props Are Fueling Cynicism05:03 - The Craziest Church Props We’ve Seen07:56 - Are Props in Preaching a Problem or a Tool?10:36 - What's Legitimate Criticism of the Modern Church?12:01 - Lavish Lifestyles, Abuse Scandals, and Trust Broken14:30 - Personality-Driven Churches and Authority Misuse15:44 - Inauthenticity in Churches and Why It Matters18:19 - How Cynicism Is Showing Up in Our Churches22:20 - Is Cynicism Different Between Generations?24:00 - Are Smaller Churches More Immune to Distrust?26:19 - What’s the Way Forward: How Pastors Should Rspond29:30 - Admitting When We’re Wrong (Serious Moment)30:34 - Ending on a Lighter Note: Our Favorite Sermon Props33:00 - Final Thoughts and How to Engage With Us
🌟 Links from the show:
🌐 Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring👕 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
🎧 Listen or Watch on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410eApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414YouTube: https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGcPracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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 reflections
What happens after Easter: follow-up, fatigue, and finding your rhythm again
👉 We also talk hydrangeas, visitor strategy, and why resurrection doesn’t end on Sunday.
⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & Easter morning vibes04:10 – Wins, whiffs & weird moments from our services17:30 – Are small churches trying too hard to act big?29:00 – Post-Easter follow-up plans (or lack thereof)38:45 – Why Easter can feel both sacred and stressful47:15 – Encouragement for the week after Easter
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.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
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 – Intro & Church Merch
02:00 – Should this youth pastor step down?
17:00 – Small churches + big boundary issues
27:00 – Can Republicans and Democrats serve on the same staff?
36:00 – When politics hijack your witness
48:00 – Why policy ≠ control—it’s wisdom
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.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
👕 Church Merch - https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Hosts:
🧔🏽♂️ Frank Gil - https://www.instagram.com/pastorfrankgil/
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/
👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://instagram.com/delmarpeet/
👨🏼💼 Andrew Larsen - https://www.instagram.com/andrewjlarsen/
🏋🏼 Timothy Miller - https://www.instagram.com/timothyamiller/
Listen or Watch on:
🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0xJqPmXn1MqaznnV8MHFKx?si=4a942df64e48410e
🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
📺 YouTube - https://youtu.be/uwjN2WvbSGc
💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!