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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes300Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Trench Talk

Latest Episodes

Join us September 10-11 for the Advancing the Church Equip Conference!Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

(02:09) Setting up the conversation—1 Th... more

Purchase tickets to Equip 2026 using discount code: MSD50 to get 50% off! (01:45) Coalition Ministries Introduced (Mile One, 20 Schemes, Church in Hard Places, Practical Shepherding)

(04:00) Mile One Mission & Newfoundland Context

(06:30) 20 Schemes:... more

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 SpotifyFind out more about the Advancing the Church Equip Conference taki... more

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGrow in your ministry preparation through the FREE Practically Trained Pastors Cohort.Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources

(03:20) Framin... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Bethel Webb
Leads the Practical Shepherding women's ministry; focuses on Pastors' Wives and Pastors' Kids
Practical Shepherding
Episode: Ep. 332: Caring for pastors wives and pastors kids with Bethel Webb
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
Pastor with 46 years of experience in the same church
Episode: Ep. 277: Pastoral Ministry Convictions with George McDearmon

Hosts

Brian Croft
Host of the show and pastor involved with Practical Shepherding; long-standing leader in the ministry community
Jim Sebastio
Co-host and guest interlocutor on pastoral topics; experienced in church ministry discussions

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 279 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 Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are seen as credible and helpful voices for pastors navigating leadership challenges.
Many describe episodes as encouraging and grounding for daily ministry life.
Praise for consistency in addressing real ministry pain points and discouragement.
Audiences appreciate heartfelt authenticity and actionable takeaways for mentoring and care.
Listeners value the practical, biblically faithful guidance that balances truth with pastoral tenderness.

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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

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trench Talk

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

The show centers on practical pastoral ministry, with senior pastors discussing real-world challenges and solutions for life in the trenches. Conversations cover care for pastors and their families, preaching with sensitivity, leadership transitions, church revitalization, and maintaining pace and vitality in ministry, all rooted in Scripture and pragmatic application. Notable strengths include frank, mentoring-style dialogue, guest experts drawn from Practical Shepherding networks, and a consistent emphasis on pastoral faithfulness, humility, and communal support for pastors and church leaders.

Where can I find podcast stats for Trench Talk?

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How many listeners does Trench Talk get?

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What are the audience demographics for Trench Talk?

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How many subscribers and views does Trench Talk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Trench Talk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Trench Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Trench Talk:

1. Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks
2. Pastor Well with Hershael York
3. Room for Nuance
4. Counseling Talk — A podcast by 9Marks
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.

How do I contact Trench Talk?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Trench Talk?

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What guests have appeared on Trench Talk?

Recent guests on Trench Talk include:

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

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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