(02:36) Biblical Framework for Unity and Disagreement

(05:00) Different Kinds of Elders & Influence vs. Authority

(08:12) Helping Quieter / Younger Elders Speak Up

(10:14 Categories of Decisions: Must Agree vs. May Differ

(11:39) Decisions that Require Unanimous Agreement

(13:38) Membership and Church Documents

(14:49) Pulpit Access and Preaching Priority

(17:41) When Majority Rule Is Appropriate

(19:35) Practical Areas of Disagreement (Money, Mission, Benevolence)

(21:50) Conscience, Yielding, and the “Dr. No” Elder

(23:39) The Centrality of Trust and Relationship

(25:05) Being Heard vs. Being Agreed With

(27:05) The Joy of Healthy Plurality

(28:30) Final word & Prayer

Contact us. We’d love to serve you

Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources

Grow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.

Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive

(01:59) Big Picture of Titus 2

(05:48) Why Two Men Talking About Women in Titus 2?

(06:56) Positive Vision for Women’s Ministry

(11:04) Equal Value, Different Roles in the Church

(12:25) Character Before Counsel: Qualities of Older Women

(14:40) Loving Husbands and Children: Enjoyment, Not Just Duty

(16:41) What About Single Women and Women Who Work?

(21:57) Titus 2 Is Not Exhaustive or Anti-Work

(23:13) Distinctives and the Brevity of Instructions to Young Men

(25:39) Encouraging Older Women: You Are Needed

(26:28) How Pastors Can Support Titus 2 Ministry (Public)

(28:59) How Pastors Can Support Titus 2 Ministry (Private & Relational)

(30:29) Asking and Activating Older Members

(31:59) Everyone Has a Role: The Whole-Church Vision of Titus 2

(33:11) Final Exhortation & Pastoral Prayer

Contact us. We’d love to serve you

Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive

Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Find out more about the Seasoned Pastor Collective

(01:33) Biblical Foundation for Older Men Investing in Younger Men

(04:54) Larry Riley’s Story and Early Mentoring Burden

(06:38) Key Mentors in Larry’s Life

(07:41) Jim Savastio’s Conversion and Formative Mentors

(10:18) Brian Croft’s Experience and the Need for Spiritual Fathers

(12:33) Why This Matters: The Rarity of Real Mentorship Today

(15:28) What’s Going Wrong? The Mentoring Gap

(17:24) On-the-Ground Reality for Young Pastors

(19:15) Why Aren’t Older Pastors Mentoring? Jim’s Diagnosis

(23:55) Official Launch: The Seasoned Pastor Collective

(24:41) How the Seasoned Pastor Collective Works (Older Pastors Side)

(27:08) How to Join as a Seasoned Pastor

(28:20) Training & Vetting: Why Experience Alone Isn’t Enough

(30:51) The Joy of Investing in Younger Pastors

(32:04) What Makes Mentoring So Rewarding?

(33:31) Closing Prayer for the Collective

Contact us. We’d love to serve you

Request a stay at a Shepherd’s House Location

Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive

Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources

Find more information about the Practically Trained Pastors Cohort

(01:56) Biblical Framework for Caring for Younger Men

(04:30) The Crisis of Masculinity and Young Men Today

(06:32) Why This Crisis Is Worse Now than in Previous Generations

(08:08) Online Influence, AI, and Weak Youth Ministry

(09:33) Titus 2 as a Blueprint for the Local Church

(10:56) The One Command to Young Men: Sober-Mindedness

(13:14) Defining Sober-Mindedness / Self-Control

(18:00) Why Sober-Mindedness Matters So Much for Young Men

(18:40) How Pastors Can Urge Young Men to Be Sober-Minded

(22:08) Young Men in Unreal Worlds: Media, AI, and the Need for Embodied Mentors

(24:36) This Is a 2,000-Year-Old Issue with Fresh Applications

(26:51) Sober-Mindedness About Self: Gifts, Limits, and Immaturity

(28:17) Loving, Listening, and Validating Young Men

(30:07) Spiritual Fatherhood and a Culture of Older-to-Younger Mentoring

(31:38) Concrete Ideas for Churches and Pastors

(33:05) Closing Prayer for a Generation of Godly Young Men

Contact us. We’d love to serve you

Request a stay at a Shepherd’s House Location

Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive

Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources
2:14 – Setting the topic: How should pastors care for older men? Reference to Titus 2 and issues of generational/masculinity crisis
4:21 – Examining Titus 2: Practical framework for church life and leadership distinctions
5:13 – Reading and discussing Titus 2:1–8: Exhortations for older men
6:41 – Diversity in Church: Bond-servant/master relationships as socio-economic analogy
7:32 – Practical directions for ministry to older men and their mentoring impact
11:04 – Discussion: Why mentoring roles differ for older men and women in the church
12:19 – Importance of intentional intergenerational relationships and mentoring
14:24 – Private ministry: Building rapport and learning about older men for deeper care
17:49 – Tension for young pastors: Shepherding those more experienced and older than themselves
19:36 – Public ministry: Avoiding generational hostility and fostering mutual respect
21:11 – Calling older men to spiritual vibrancy regardless of age or physical limitations
22:56 – Addressing spiritual immaturity in older men: Drawing out life wisdom, incremental growth
26:49 – Encouragement: Realistic expectations, creative engagement, and not giving up on older men
29:16 – Incremental growth and encouragement for young pastors; closing reflections
29:50 – Final word and Prayer

Contact us. We’d love to serve you

Request a stay at a Shepherd’s House Location

Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive

Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources

(00:43) Introducing the Topic: Christian friendship, especially among pastors

(2:00) Biblical foundations: Proverbs 17:17, Ecclesiastes 4, Jonathan & David

(04:54) Challenges for men in forming close friendships

(07:00) Defining friendship—surface vs. deep bonds

(10:00) Men’s reluctance to invest in friendships

(12:37) Pastors’ relationships: transactional vs. genuine

(14:02) Qualities of true friendship: presence, safety, loyalty, emotional connection

(22:00) Cultivating friendship: prayer, planning, risk-taking, listening, being present

(30:00) Sanctifying influence—“iron sharpens iron”

(31:31) Final word and prayer

(01:16) The challenge of mending broken relationships within church communities.

(02:47) Scriptural and theological foundation for unity, drawing from both Old and New Testaments.

(06:38) Real-life examples and historical anecdotes on church conflicts.

(10:00) Causes of relational breakdown: disappointment, neglect, unresolved conflict, political/personal differences.

(15:00) Practical ways pastors can foster church unity; preaching, prayer, sacraments.

(21:38) The role of “stealthy peacemakers” and intervening in private disputes.

(27:27) Congregational responsibility for reconciliation and unity.

(31:10) Limits of reconciliation and pastoral wisdom; closing prayer.

(01:00) Pressures Pastors Face in January: Discussion on new year challenges, unique pressures, and planning.

(02:12) Biblical Foundations: Proverbs 16 and James 4 applied to planning and reliance on God's guidance.

(05:00) Melancholy and Societal Pressure: Addressing the emotional and practical challenges pastors face at the year's start.

(10:00) Preaching Pressure: Balancing expectations, routines, and physical/spiritual health.

(15:00) Vision Sermons: The purpose and scope of beginning-of-year vision messages.

(21:21) Practical Planning: Realistic planning for preaching, events, and finances.

(28:13) Financial & Event Planning: Budget, spending, and gradual ramp-up of church activities.

(32:40) Final word and prayer

Contact us. We’d love to serve you

Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources

Grow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.

Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive

(02:25) Personal Experiences — Both hosts share stories about being young pastors among older leaders and the unique challenges faced.

(03:00) Framing the Issue — Discussion on balancing authority and respect as a young pastor.

(03:51) Biblical Perspective — Reflection on 1 Timothy 4:12 and examples from Job regarding age, wisdom, and leadership.

(09:36) Practical Advice — Emphasis on patience, humility, asking questions, and building relationships with older church members.

(12:51) Earning Trust and Respect — Strategies for younger pastors on servant leadership and earning credibility over time.

(19:13) Building Relationships — The importance of acknowledging the contributions of older leaders and fostering mutual respect.

(33:55) Final words & Prayer

Contact us. We’d love to serve you

Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive

Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources

Grow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.

(02:00) Pastoral Failings & Faithfulness – Discussion on the burden of pastors’ moral failings and burnout.

(03:20) Biblical Foundations – Exploring Proverbs 4:23, 1 Timothy 4:16, and pastoral qualifications.

(05:10) Historical vs. Modern Challenges – Impact of technology, social media, and the classic “three G’s” for pastors.

(11:00) Theology & Safeguards – The importance and limits of good theology and ecclesiology.

(23:00) Practicing Faithfulness – Abiding in Christ, authentic community, marriage, and desire for usefulness.

(34:47) Final word & Prayer – Reminders for faithfulness, God’s audience of one, and closing prayer.