About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of cultivating vulnerability among church elders and the dynamics of their relationships.

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 Register for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference! (02:09) Theological framework: plurality of elders and pastors as sheep (04:50) Acts 20:28 – “Pay careful attention to yourselves” and the danger of wolves (07:20) Assumptions about fellow elders and transactional leadership meetings (09:45) Friendship as the foundation for healthy elder relationships (11:50) Unique vulnerability challenges for pastors vs. church members (14:30) Lead pastors, authority dynamics, and inviting care from fellow elders (17:10) Structuring elder meetings for personal check-ins and soul care (20:20) Pushing past guardedness: sharing real struggles wisely (23:30) Public vulnerability in preaching without oversharing (26:40) Unsafe eldership cultures and when elders themselves aren’t safe (29:10) Final exhortations: cultivating grace-filled accountability and closing prayer

People in this episode

Host: Practical Shepherding

Topics covered

• vulnerability among elders
• leadership dynamics
• elder relationships
• pastoral care
• accountability
• church culture

Keywords

• vulnerability
• elders
• pastors
• leadership
• accountability
• church
• relationships

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Practical Shepherding

Books & works: Acts 20:28

More episodes of Trench Talk

• Ep. 325: Pastors Staying too Long · June 2, 2026 · 35 min
• Ep. 324: Remembering our Ministry Mentors · May 19, 2026 · 39 min
• Ep. 323: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize · May 12, 2026 · 46 min

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