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First, an anonymous pastor shares a painfully honest question: a longtime member left a small church for a megachurch, but keeps reaching back for hospital visits and crisis care. The pastor wants to be gracious, but the situation feels like being the “pastoral side piece.” The guys talk through what is fair, what is faithful, and how to set boundaries that are clear without being petty.
Then, the conversation takes a hard left into a headline story involving a large-church pastor, his family crisis, and the difference between “unwise” and “disqualifying.” The crew works through wisdom, reputational stewardship, pastoral qualification over seasons, and how premarital counseling should approach sex with holiness and guardrails, not curiosity.
If you have ever felt pulled to provide care for people who are not actually committed to your church community, or if you have wondered where wisdom ends and disqualification begins, this episode is for you.
Key topics
Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
Links from the show:
🌐 Listen anywhere: https://practicallypastoring.com/🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2776612042461533👕 Follow us in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring/
Hosts:
👨🏼 Jeff Simpson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffcsimpson/👱🏼♂️ Delmar Peet - https://www.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=5a5a6386fb9b496d🍎 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring💻 PracticallyPastoring.com
Pastors don’t start cynical or burned out. But somewhere along the way, the wine runs out and we keep preaching, leading, and carrying burdens we were never meant to carry.
In a Practically Pastoring Conference session, Tim Wildsmith walks through John 2:1–11 and connects it with Matthew 11:28–30, offering a simple but piercing invitation: name the need, surrender the burden, and pursue soul rest in Jesus before ministry emptiness turns into something worse.
Follow Tim Wildsmith:
Timestamps:
00:00 – Tim’s story (Belmont, YouTube, Bible nerd life)
03:44 – Why this talk (ministry grind, running on empty)
05:42 – Reading: John 2:1–11 (Wedding at Cana)
08:02 – When the wine runs out (ministry parallels)
10:29 – Mary’s model: “They have no more wine” (name the need)
12:57 – Burnout realities + overwhelming expectations
15:28 – Matthew 11:28–30: where do you go for rest?
19:23 – The “rock” exercise: why we don’t want to set burdens down
22:12 – What is the soul? (Dallas Willard) + “rest for your souls”
25:12 – Take His yoke: you can’t wear both yokes
27:23 – Back to John 2: obedience makes space for Jesus to work
29:10 – Production vs. obedience (faithfulness, not self-sufficiency)
30:04 – Diagnostic questions: where has the wine run out?
32:07 – Practical step: name the need (even hard conversations)
36:24 – Prayer for peace, surrender, and courage
Links:
🌐 Practically Pastoring: https://practicallypastoring.com/
🫂 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practicallypastoring
👕 Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerch
📧 Join our mailing list: https://bit.ly/3plt5so
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicallypastoring
Listen / Watch 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
In this episode, the guys tackle two real-life ministry situations pastors face all the time:
1) What do you do with the church member who constantly needs your attention—daily messages, constant crises, and an emotional drain that starts affecting your ministry and your family?
2) What do you say to the person preaching their very first sermon who feels unqualified, nervous, and unsure where to start?
We talk boundaries, access, expectations, pastoral care vs. professional counseling, and how to prep your first message with clarity and faithfulness.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro + frozen Chicago river banter
0:50 Today’s two questions
1:07 Q1 — “That one member” who constantly needs your attention
1:55 Diagnose the situation: real need vs. unhealthy access
6:14 Standing meetings + boundaries that actually work
8:03 Tender vs. tough (and what to expect when you set limits)
11:04 Systems that protect you (and why access changes everything)
14:38 Pastoral care limits + when to refer out
15:31 Watch your own heart: codependency and the “needed” trap
19:37 Ad — Practically Pastoring Conference
21:22 Ad — Church Merch
23:00 Q2 — “I’m preaching for the first time… where do I start?”
24:07 Prep basics: start with a text, one big idea, rehearse out loud
30:30 Simple sermon frameworks that help you stay clear
34:05 Encouragement story + God using imperfect messengers
39:05 First-sermon mistakes (and practical tips you’ll thank us for)
41:31 The main goal: you’ve “been with Jesus”
42:53 Closing + conference reminder
43:34 Outro
Resources mentioned:
- Boundaries (Henry Cloud & John Townsend)
Practically Pastoring Conference:
https://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
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
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@practicallypastoring
🔔 Subscribe & Turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode!
Welcome back to Practically Pastoring. In this episode, we pull two real questions from Reddit and get painfully practical.
Question 1: A rural Methodist pastor has seen real growth, but the “old guard” is wearing him down with constant complaints and unreasonable expectations.
Question 2: A bi-vocational pastor/CTO is overloaded and torn between an IT master’s (paid for by work) and a doctorate in Bible exposition, while trying to protect his health and family time. 
Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 — Intro + why Reddit questions hit so hard
00:29 — Question 1: “The old guard is making me miserable” (rural Methodist church)
01:14 — The complaint list (and why some of it is wild)
02:42 — Committees, bureaucracy, and the shadow side of church systems
05:16 — “They want a chaplain” and resetting expectations for pastoral care
07:10 — Perception is reality: communication, tone, and leadership clarity
09:32 — The 80/20 rule: it feels like “everyone,” but it’s usually not
10:49 — Leverage you don’t realize you have (and who to call)
12:30 — Ad: Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026)
14:50 — Ad: Church Merch (quality merch people actually want)
15:53 — Question 2: Bi-vocational pastor/CTO overwhelmed and choosing degrees
18:25 — Stewardship, margin, health, and family: what can you actually carry?
19:38 — Prioritizing earning potential and ministry margin
21:27 — Andrew’s offer: email if you want to talk doctorates at Liberty
23:26 — Frank’s take: bi-vocational life has limits, and that’s okay
26:09 — Free learning options (seminary resources, YouTube, Greek tools)
28:25 — Closing + subscribe + conference reminder
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
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!
Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026 | Tarpon Springs, FL): https://practicallypastoring.com/conference
Use code notintheoffice40 for a discount, and Tampa Bay local pastors can reach out for local discounts too.
In this episode, the guys flip the script and interview Frank and Tim.Part 1: Frank gives a real-time update on the Cross & Crown Church plant (what’s working, what’s hard, what’s next, and the hunt for a launch location).Part 2: Tim walks through what it’s actually like for a sending church to release a pastor and dozens of people, while also preparing for a major vision campaign and building expansion at Lakeview.If you’re planting, sending, or leading through transition, this one’s for you. Timestamps / Chapters00:00 — Episode setup: two interviews, one episode01:02 — Frank update: Good Gift Pop-Up, prayer & fasting, startup party, launch team gathering03:12 — The biggest challenge right now: finding a location (schools, backups, and wild options)11:09 — Ad: Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026)13:34 — Ad: Church Merch (get great merch for your church)14:13 — Launch team growth: where they’re at, the goal of 100, and why it matters18:05 — How to invite people without sounding salesy (startup parties + clear next steps)20:08 — Reaching the community: word-of-mouth + VisitorReach + community events23:42 — Switching to Tim: sending a pastor, sending people, and the real impact on the church26:19 — Where Lakeview will feel it most: worship team + kids ministry + staffing transition28:13 — Hiring Frank’s replacement + what 2026 will require from the church31:24 — Vision series: planting + future plans + rallying the church to serve and give32:56 — Building/vision campaign: how it started, what surprised Tim, what’s next37:39 — 60 meetings in 60 days + leading by example in giving39:54 — Wrap-up + ways to share and stay connectedLinks 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/practicallypastoringChurch 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!Want to be in the room with other pastors?Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11, 2026, Tarpon Springs, FL): https://practicallypastoring.com/conference
In this episode, Frank, Andrew, Jeff, and Delmar talk about the real pressure points we are feeling heading into 2026, what ministry plays are losing traction, and what we’re personally changing so we can last for the long haul (without burning out our people or ourselves).Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome back + New Year banter (and the great “koozie vs cozy” debate)01:49 — Q1: Biggest pressure point in 2026 (delegation, space, contentment vs complacency, church-plant overwhelm)16:25 — Ad: Practically Pastoring Conference (what it is, who it’s for)19:56 — Q2: One ministry play that used to work but won’t in 2026 (come-and-consume, texting vs email, “authentic” as a strategy, pastor your context)39:23 — Ad: Church Merch (stop making cringe shirts)41:00 — Q3: If you could only focus on one thing this year… (depth over breadth, do what only you can do, discipleship that multiplies)46:35 — Q4: What are you changing in 2026 so you can last? (rest, health, reading, margin, marriage, boundaries)57:18 — Wrap-up + next steps (FB group + conference)Join the Practically Pastoring Facebook Group (we pull questions and topics from there).Register for the Practically Pastoring Conference (Feb 9–11) + use code JEFFHATESAI for a discount.Practically Pastoring Conference: https://practicallypastoring.com/conferenceUpgrade your church merch (t-shirts/hoodies/guest gifts/volunteer shirts) without the 2007 youth-camp clip art.Church Merch: https://www.promotionsguy.com/churchmerchLinks 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/practicallypastoringHosts:🧔🏽♂️ 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
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
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