Join us September 10-11 for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference!

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(02:30) Setting up the topic and biblical foundation

(04:45) Biblical Ideal of Loving Everyone

(05:40) Sheep vs. Wolves – Setting Parameters

(08:45) Levels of Difficulty – From Mild Criticism to Dislike

(09:35) “Mud in the Face” – Handling Criticism

(11:45) Examples of Painful Feedback & Common Temptations

(14:50) Trust, Tenure, and Misreading People

(19:20) Deep Wounds & The Call to Keep Loving

(21:50) Fighting Bitterness with Scripture

(24:40) Lament as a Godward Outlet

(27:30) Identity in Christ vs. Identity in Ministry

(29:20) Bodily Stress & Practical Self‑Care

(31:05) Leaning In Instead of Pulling Away

(33:10) Story: Visiting a Harsh Critic in Grief:

(35:45) Final word & Prayer

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Find out more about the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taking place September 10-11, 2026 in New Albany, IN.

(03:40) Setting up the topic "life-giving activities" for pastors and broaden definition to people, places, things.
(07:00) Biblical Grounding: References to Elijah, Psalm 23, Jesus' retreats (Matthew 14, Mark 6) and Sabbath/rest.
(12:00) People — Family & Friends: Jim and Brian discuss family time, grateful companions, and friends who aren’t seeking pastoral care.
(20:00) Places — Restful Settings: Conversation about coffee shops, bookstores, mountains, historical cities, and travel as refreshment.
(25:30) Things — Hobbies & Ministry Fruit: Examples include gardening, cooking, sporting events, and the joy of being helpful in ministry.
(32:00) Why pastors need life giving rhythms—prevention of burnout, sustained joy, and ministerial effectiveness.
(34:30) Final Prayer: Prayer for pastors to discover refreshing activities and sustain long-term ministry.

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(02:20) Ronnie’s Transition: leaving his lead-pastor role, and new full-time role with Harbor Network and pastor-in-residence duties.
(05:00) Recent Creative Work: Ronnie’s devotional release, music projects
(08:00) New Podcast & Harbor Network: Launch of Rambles with Ronnie and overview of Harbor Network’s pastor-care focus.
(11:00) Purpose of the Book: Why they wrote The Unhurried Pastor and its aim to revive conversation about pastoral pacing.
(16:00) Impact of The Unhurried Pastor & Events: How the book has opened conversations, influenced trainings, and led to speaking engagements.
(20:00) Biblical Example & Sermon Application: Using Matthew 14 and Jesus’ rhythm as a model for unhurried ministry.
(24:00) Personal Rhythms: Ronnie on learning to wait; Brian on listening to the body as an indicator of pace and health.
(28:00) Practical Advice for Pastors: Emphasize curiosity about recurring anxieties, seek trusted confidents, and separate ministry success from soul health.
(31:30) Closing Prayer & Charge: Prayer for pastors’ renewal and encouragement toward an unhurried, sustainable ministry.

(2:40) Biblical Foundations for Discipleship

(5:15) How Discipleship Actually Happens in the Local Church

(9:00) “Caught, Not Taught” – Organic, Life-on-Life Discipleship

(12:00) The Rise of Small Groups / Community Groups

(16:00) Balancing Capacity, Culture, and Methods

(20:00) The Case for a Midweek Prayer Meeting

(24:55) Comparing Prayer Meetings and Community Groups

(29:00) Hospitality as a Discipleship Engine

(33:10) Final Word and Prayer

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(01:57) Biblical Framework for Handling Differences

(03:52) The Tension: Bold Preaching with Great Patience

(04:21) Scenario 1 – Entering an Established Church with Different Views

(06:45) Text-Driven, Book-by-Book Approach

(11:27) Strategy for Early Years in a Church

(14:21) Avoiding Buzzwords & Building Collateral

(16:50) The Role of Personal Pastoral Care

(17:34) Aim Is Not Total Theological Uniformity

(18:49) What If You Haven’t Yet Gained Trust?

(22:42) Scenario 2 – When a Pastor Changes His Own Position

(23:58) Role of Confessions and Statements of Faith

(27:05) Case Study: Statement of Faith and the Sabbath

(29:40) Interviewing and Fit: Don’t Assume You’ll “Change It Later”

(31:12) Preaching with a Clean Conscience

(32:50) A Real-World Example of Pastoral Patience in Change

(34:09) Final Word and Prayer

(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

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

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(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

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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

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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

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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