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Pastoral Ministry
Pastoral Care
Church Community
Practical Shepherding
Mentorship
Expository Preaching
Gospel
Mental Health
Missions Giving
Membership Process
Church Leadership
Grace
Church Planting
Suffering
Pastoral Perfectionism
Pastoral Burnout
Younger Pastors
Preaching
Church Growth
Expectation Management

Practical Shepherding is a Gospel-driven resource center for pastors and church leaders to equip them in the practical matters of pastoral ministry. In this podcast, pastor Brian Croft sits down with other pastors to discuss the gritty details of pastoral ministry. Our goal is to examine the life and work of a pastor and give helpful guidance for our brothers laboring with us. This is a podcast by... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded11 years ago
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ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Trench Talk

Latest Episodes

Contact us. We’d love to serve youRequest a stay at a Shepherd’s House LocationGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyPurchase tickets for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference tak... more

Brian Croft talks with pastor Kyle McClellan about his new book "Pastor, What Are You Wearing?", launching the Thriving Pastors series. They unpack why clergy attire matters, five guiding principles for what pastors wear, historical context, and prac... more

(02:33) Launching the topic: caring for widows and widowers in the church

(03:33) Key biblical texts: Psalm 68:5, James 1:27, 1 Timothy 5, Job

(04:30) Acts 6, the poor–orphan–widow triad, and modern neglect of widows

(07:17) Why widows seem less vuln... more

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Register for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference! (02:09) Theological framework: plurality of elders and... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jim Sebastio
Guest discussing pastoral preaching and tenderness toward conscience
Pastoral colleague/guest
Episode: Ep. 329: Preaching to the tender conscience
Kyle McClellan
Pastor, Pooler, Georgia
Presbyterian Church in Pooler
Episode: Ep. 328: Pastoral Attire with Kyle McClellan
Sean Courser
Longtime staff member at Practical Shepherding; transitioning to Enid, Oklahoma as an associational mission strategist
Practical Shepherding; Enid Association (Oklahoma)
Episode: Ep. 323: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize
Ronnie Martin
Pastor, musician, and co-author of The Unhurried Pastor
Harbor Network
Episode: Ep. 319: The Unhurried Pastor Revisited with Ronnie Martin
Larry Riley
Seasoned pastor with over 40 years of ministry experience
Practical Shepherding
Episode: Ep. 314: Introducing the Seasoned Pastor Collective
Bryce Butler
Husband, father of four daughters, and founder of Access Ventures.
Access Ventures
Episode: Ep. 299: The church and foster care
Alton Hardy
Senior Pastor and Church Planter at Urban Hope Community Church
Urban Hope Community Church
Episode: Ep. 297: Life and Ministry with Alton Hardy
George McDearmon
Former pastor of the Ballston Lake Baptist Church, influential mentor in Jim Zavastio's life.
Ballston Lake Baptist Church
Episode: Ep. 276: Life and Ministry with George McDearmon
Joel Littlefield
Church planter and pastor in Bath, Maine
New City Church
Episode: Ep. 258: The Kingdom-minded Pastor with Joel Littlefield

Hosts

Brian Croft
Host of the show; pastor involved with Practical Shepherding; focused on practical, gospel-centered pastoral ministry.
Jim Sebastio
Co-host of the show; collaborates on discussions about pastoral ministry and practical shepherding.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 277 ratings
  • Wise words for hard times!

    This podcast is a wonderful heart-pouring of men that have been in the trenches for years. The biblical truth is tangible, the advice is solid, valuable and practical. I love how each episode is framed biblically and how heartfelt are the closing prayers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PastorHumberto
    United States2 years ago
  • Love Trench Talk!

    Brian and Jim are solid guys who love God and the local church. It’s a must listen for any man in ministry!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hallmarc87
    United States2 years ago
  • Essential listening for the pastor

    Biblically faithful and pastorally wise advice and encouragement for the pastor. Highly recommended to anyone in pastoral ministry

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Norfolk Pastor
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Real, practical, helpful!

    The stuff you just can’t learn in seminary!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrandonTyler024
    United States2 years ago
  • So beneficial

    This podcast is so helpful and addresses a wide range of pastoral issues in a very practical way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Keithmcilwaine
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently practical, Scripture-centered, and encouraging to ministry teams
Excellent resource for pastors seeking honest, actionable ministry advice
Pastor-focused wisdom with practical, biblical guidance
Candid discussions about burnout and mentorship are highly valued

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 328: Pastoral Attire with Kyle McClellan
Q: What are the five prepositions that drive the book's argument?
The five prepositions are to dress like a man, to dress for the office, to dress for the occasion, to dress to communicate elegance, and to dress to communicate capability and competence, which together guide how pastors should present themselves.
Ep. 328: Pastoral Attire with Kyle McClellan
Q: What made you approach me about writing this book on pastors' attire?
Kyle explains the idea grew from a long-standing interest in how pastors dress and how clothing communicates office, identity, and context, leading to the collaboration and the book launch.
Ep. 323: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize
Q: What did you learn about revitalization during this process?
The hosts and Sean discuss the tensions between new vision and long-standing members, the importance of patient, faithful leadership, and the reality that not every revitalization ends in renewed health, but faithfulness remains essential.
Ep. 323: When a Church Doesn’t Revitalize
Q: What happened that led to the major conflict at the church?
Sean explains that years of entrenched opposition and a public clash during a business meeting culminated in allegations and a leadership crisis, which ultimately led to the decision to resign after five years.
Ep. 313: Pastors Caring for Younger Men
Q: How do modern pastors urge young men to be sober-minded?
Pastors should invest in relationships with young men, emphasizing mentorship and providing clarity and understanding of life through scripture and genuine concern for their struggles.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trench Talk

What is Trench Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show provides practical, gospel-centered guidance for pastors and church leaders, focusing on real-world issues in ministry life. Episodes repeatedly center mentorship, pastoral care, leadership dynamics, burnout prevention, church revitalization, and making disciples in varied church contexts. Across conversations, the hosts draw on long pastoral experience to offer actionable insights, biblical grounding, and thoughtful reflections that aim to sustain ministry over the long haul. A distinctive trait is the emphasis on intergenerational mentorship and practical shepherding—helpful for listeners seeking practical wisdom, candid accountability, and healthier rhythms in ministry.

Noteworthy strengths include a concise, question-driven f... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Trench Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Trench Talk:

1. Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks
2. The Everyday Pastor
3. Room for Nuance
4. Bible Talk — A podcast by 9Marks & Southern Seminary
5. Life and Books and Everything

How many episodes of Trench Talk are there?

Trench Talk launched 11 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Trench Talk?

Recent guests on Trench Talk include:

1. Jim Sebastio
2. Kyle McClellan
3. Sean Courser
4. Ronnie Martin
5. Larry Riley
6. Bryce Butler
7. Alton Hardy
8. George McDearmon

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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