Practically Trained Pastors

by Brian Croft, James Carroll

This 52-week field guide for ministry in the trenches provides a thorough and practical training program for pastors, aspiring pastors, and church ministry leaders. Tackling seven key areas in the life of a shepherd, Practically Trained Pastors takes a step-by-step approach to study. Each week includes a Bible passage to read, an additional reading assignment, a teaching section, a 4-5 minute video to watch, and reflection questions to help you to apply each topic to your ministry context. The field guide draws on experience from decades of pastoral ministry and is designed specifically to bridge the gap between academic study and the hands-on practical training necessary for the work of any pastor. A one-stop resource for in-the-field training, when used alongside other practical shepherding resources, this is the ideal course for a solo pastor to sharpen his pastoral skills, or for a lead pastor to use with his church interns, ministry leaders, or fellow elders.

Genres: Leadership

240 pages, Spiral-bound

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Brian is the founder of Practical Shepherding, a non-profit organization committed to equipping pastors all over the world in the practical matters of pastoral ministry.

Reviews

[Danny Pelichowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique resource that serves as one part of a training guide (for yourself, or for a group of other aspiring pastors) that pairs with not only other Practical Shepherding books, but also short 5 minute videos that supplement each of the 52 topic/chapters in the book.

All I can say is that I heartily recommend Practical Shepherding and all their resources and this unique field guide is such a great summary (well more than a summary, but a kind of high level resource tying it all together if that makes sense) and training book that will edify pastors of all levels of experience. I have only recently been exposed to PS starting in 2020 which coincided with my first vocational pastorate through their 40 week cohort sponsored by NAMB and free to pastors like myself. If you are reading this and are a pastor looking for clear teaching on pastoral ministry and encouragement in your calling drop everything you are doing and apply and register for the next years cohort now!

In my seminary training I took classes in preaching and knew that if I wanted to continue to grow I was going to have to read and listen or watch other resources that went beyond my seminary training if I wanted to continue to develop as an expositor... The same is true with other topics like biblical counseling and pastoral ministry.... I can say after over 2 years of soaking in many of PS resources, that the cohort, and this field guide and videos, and all the PS resources are really all THE coherent place to look for training and development and encouragement in pastoral ministry (now I have benefited from others, and I know there are more great resources on this topic, but from my experience, this is the whole package and transcends other ministries I have seen on this topic due to its multifaceted offerings).

I am indebted to Brian Croft and the Practical Shepherding resources mentioned above, as well as podcasts, YouTube videos, and even in person pastors retreats to play a big role in helping me develop as a pastor, remained focused and encouraged in the work of the ministry, and also maturing in my shepherding ministry in a variety of ways. And all of this is to mention just the personal impact this has had on my life, but I should also add that I have used this resource and other PS resources to train other aspiring elder/pastors in my church as well. This field guide in particular would serve as a great springboard for elder boards as well as a training tool for aspiring pastors/elders as well. Get it, and use it!

So all this to say; I highly recommend this book training guide as well as the other PS resources and cohort (level 1 & 2) as well as their annual retreat which is available to those who have gone through the cohort. If you are skeptical about my extremely positive review, just go to their website and start browsing some of these 52 videos on topics that interest you and see for yourself the wisdom and help that can be gleaned from this ministry. Brian Croft, James Carroll, Jim Savastio, & Kyle McClellin (& there are more of course!) are all pastors associated with PS and serve as pastors to pastors, and if you read and listen to any of their resources you will find wisdom, help, and encouragement from other more mature shepherds that will certainly help you shepherd your flock more faithfully.

[Andrew Krom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a joy to be part of the 2025 pastors cohort with Practical Shepherding. I am so grateful for Brian Croft and the guys there.

[Andrew Fendrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly practical handbook. Not everything would translate to pastoral training in Africa, but if I get the chance to help pastors on that continent, I can definitely see myself using this resource.

[Alastair Gooderham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for those in ministry to take time to think through and ideally discuss in small groups. Would also be helpful for elders to work through.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great teacher's guide for training those in your church. Highly recommended.