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:

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🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414

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