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!

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 messiness of real church life, and the very real pushback from church parents. Plus, we get super practical about communication tools—QR codes, NFC tags, Church Center, and why Frank’s emails are now getting 60% open rates 😎

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intros + March Madness Bracket Banter

02:52 – Teen Mom Wants to Bring Her Baby to Youth Group

05:00 – The Gospel Response to Teen Pregnancy

08:50 – Why Adversity Creates Unity in Youth Ministry

10:00 – Have the Baby Shower. Period.

12:00 – Church Parents and the “Sanitized” Youth Group Myth

15:00 – How to Communicate Hard Stuff with Lead Pastors

16:15 – Should We Ditch the Church Bulletin?

20:00 – Communication Tools That Actually Work

31:00 – Why Frank’s Email Strategy is Crushing It

36:00 – QR Codes, NFC Tags, and the Mark of the Beast 😂

38:00 – Wrap-Up + Where to Connect With Us

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

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 shares his struggle after being rejected by three churches—what’s really going on in the church hiring process, and how can pastors navigate it?

🔗 LINKS:

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

👕 Check Out 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

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 church require three quotes before buying anything expensive? Or is that just unnecessary bureaucracy? Plus, hilarious moments, brutal honesty about church culture, and practical advice for ministry leaders.

👉 Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Sponsor Shoutout

3:50 - Should This Youth Pastor Quit?

6:00 - Why Most Youth Pastors Only Last 18 Months

13:00 - Leaving One Church… Just to Face the Same Problems?

19:06 - Should Churches Get Three Quotes Before Big Purchases?2

7:00 - Why Loyalty Can Cost Your Church Money

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!

#YouthPastor #ChurchLeadership #MinistryLife #ChurchDrama #PastoralMinistry

🎙 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 Episode:

✅ Why being awkward as a youth pastor is actually an advantage

✅ The #1 conversation trick that makes students instantly open up

✅ How to avoid burnout as an introvert in ministry

✅ The reality of working in a family-run church staff (and if you should leave)

✅ Why trying to “change the culture” of a church staff rarely works

✅ Practical steps to finding your place in a tight-knit staff

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 

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!

⏳ 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 pastors’ work hours like a 9-to-5 job? 🚩
✅ What to do when your spouse feels like a single parent because of ministry
✅ The real cost of burnout and how to set boundaries
✅ Why missing church won't ruin your kids’ faith

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 

Practically Pastoring Conference 2025: ⁠https://practicallypastoringconference.com/⁠ 

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!

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 This Episode:✔️ Why two part-time jobs rarely equal a full-time one✔️ The trap of part-time ministry roles (and how churches take advantage of pastors)✔️ Best side hustles for pastors (that won’t interfere with ministry!)✔️ How pastors can make extra money officiating weddings & funerals✔️ Should preachers be funny? (And why some jokes don’t land in the pulpit)✔️ Why sarcasm is a double edge sword.💬 Question for You: What’s the best side hustle you’ve seen a pastor do? Drop a comment below! 👇🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more real talk on ministry life!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 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