The Pastor's Table: Recent Episodes
Dr. Mark Quanstrom & Rev. Tara Beth Leach
Corporate leadership systems focused on vanity metrics have left today’s church leaders weary and burnt out. The Pastor’s Table Podcast brings you conversations with local pastors working out deep theological convictions in their churches. Listen to the Pastor’s Table today to get a renewed perspective on how to integrate a robust theological vision with your ministry practices. Embrace the gift of serving in God’s Kingdom with Join Dr. Mark Quanstrom & Rev. Tara Beth Leach on The Pastor’s Table. Join the conversation at thepastorstable.com
Pastoral ministry is a difficult, demanding, and overwhelming vocation. Attrition rates for pastors are at an all-time high, and the cultural and interpersonal strain is only increasing. At the same time, the moral failings and hypocrisy of high profile Christian leaders cause many pastors to question their callings.
Can anything be done to alleviate the pressures of pastoral ministry?
This episode contains the 1st two parts of Dr. Mark Quanstrom’s Seminary Now course. It explores what it might look like for pastors in the American church to replace the faulty models of CEOs and celebrities and return to the path of Jesus as the example for pastoral ministry.
Discussion Questions:
There is no doubt that pastoring is a difficult challenge. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a pastor?
Mark highlighted the many challenges pastors face. Which challenges do you find most pronounced?
Character matters when it comes to being a pastor. How does this reality impact you as you serve in ministry?
A common thread found in our series exploring women in ministry is how easy it is to disqualify themselves from ministry opportunities. Many times this is because of cultural pressures. Tara Beth & Mark, explore many cultural pressures that impact women in ministry. Processing the experience of women in ministry is a powerful and important practice to live out our calling to the full. Women possess the image of God and cultural pressures that discourage women from taking up their full call can and must be disentangled. Discussion Question:
Women are often forced to code-switch in leadership situations. Where have you seen women have to code-switch?
Think about cultural pressures you may have been unaware of before listening to this episode. What cultural pressures can you now see in your church?
Mark and Tara Beth shared powerful stories of women being encouraged by other leaders to become a pastor. Tell of a time you’ve seen a woman encouraged in her call into ministry.
The representation of women in ministry is important to have a fully fledge imagination of what God wants to do through his people.
Explore the concept of incarnation ministry, where one's context and location play a vital role in fulfilling their calling. Discover the beauty of collaboration between men and women, reflecting the essence of Christ's vision for the church. Throughout the discussions, gain insights into the importance of slow discernment, active listening, and fostering supportive communities. As you listen, you'll be encouraged to embrace and amplify women's voices within the local church, creating a culture of inclusion and empowerment.
Join us on this transformative journey as we explore the impact of women in ministry and envision a church that celebrates diverse leadership.
Discussion Questions:
How can churches foster a culture that encourages women to explore their callings and gifts within the context of ministry? What steps can be taken to ensure that women are included and empowered in various leadership roles?
Melissa emphasized the importance of creative imagination when it comes to envisioning women in pastoral roles. How might we cultivate this imaginative perspective within our churches and communities? How can diverse representation positively impact our understanding of leadership?
The concept of incarnation ministry was highlighted, emphasizing the significance of engaging in ministry within one's context. How might this idea reshape our approach to calling and leadership, both for men and women? What are the benefits of being rooted in a specific community?
The pastors discussed the value of having both men and women collaborate in leadership roles, creating a "blessed alliance." How can churches actively promote and support this collaboration? What potential impact can this have on fostering a holistic understanding of God's mission?
Melissa Pillman broke new ground as a pastor within a complementarian church that turned egalitarian. In a world where traditional gender roles have often been emphasized, Melissa shares her experience of reshaping perceptions and expanding opportunities.
By embracing their calling and pioneering a path, they're not only demonstrating the richness of women's leadership but also cultivating a more inclusive and diverse church community.
Gain insights into the unique dynamics at play when women take on pastoral roles in complementarian churches. Discover how these pastors are fostering collaboration, fostering dialogue, and fostering positive change within their congregations. Whether you're a church leader, aspiring pastor, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of gender roles in faith communities, this episode offers valuable perspectives on charting a new course for female leadership.
Discussion Question:
Melissa said she had a mother’s heart for the church but all she was allowed to be was a nanny. Share about a time you were not able to do something in ministry you had a heart for.
The speakers in the episode discussed the transformative impact of women's leadership on congregations. Can you think of specific ways in which diverse leadership enriches a church community? Share examples of how you've seen this principle in action or ways you'd like to see it implemented.
Reflect on the balance between maintaining a respectful dialogue about differing theological perspectives and advocating for change within a complementarian church setting. How can individuals contribute to healthy conversations that lead to positive shifts in understanding and practice?
‘How do you handle being a mom and being in ministry?’
This is one of the most common questions for women with kids who are serving in ministry. Maria was called into serving as a pastor while she had little children at home. Not only is it possible to merge motherhood with ministry. Motherhood can be an asset for your ministry.
Leading in any sort of capacity will have praise and criticism. It has been said, “If you live by their praise, you will die by their criticism.” Maria, Tara Beth, and Bethany discuss how making a strong community of peers is essential to being propelled into thriving in ministry.
Discussion Questions:
Who is a mother that you know who you deeply respect how they live out following Jesus?
In the podcast, they discussed how the nuclear family is designed to function as a part of God’s larger family. How do you foster this reality in your church?
It can be tempting for women to fight for the only leadership seat available for a woman at their church. What do you think can be done to expand the table to make room for more women?
Bethany Hammer and Tara Beth start the first part of a bonus series on women in ministry.
Many women have not explored what God might call them to do because they’ve never been given a vision. Mariane Elliott says, “If you can see it, you can be it.” Bethany shares her story of navigating having few examples of other women in ministry, yet finding her way to the call God had on her life.
Expand your imagination of women as pastors and learn more about what it looks like to nurture that imagination in other women. Women have always served in critical roles throughout God’s story. Today is no different and women deserve every opportunity to live fully into the call God has for them.
Learn more about propel ecclesial at ecclesia.propelwomen.org
Discussion Questions:
Bethany shared her background understanding of women in ministry. Describe the background narrative of women in ministry that has filled out your imagination.
What is your perception of the biggest challenge women face in living out the call that God has for their lives?
What does the church gain when women are supported to serve at their full capacity?
Pastoring a church is filled with many ups and downs.
There are moments of difficulty and moments of deep meaning and significance. In this episode, Mark and Tara Beth explore the question of why stay in ministry. Pastors face all sorts of challenges from disgruntled staff to people leaving over surprising reasons. Being sustained in ministry can be challenging but there is always hope when we take courage from the deep and rich theology of God’s Kingdom.
Mark mentions several recent conversations he has had with those who have faced challenging ministry situations. What loss have you experienced in ministry?
Tara Beth mentions how intentional pastors must be to not let ministry success be overly influenced by Key Performance Indicators that are antithetical to the gospel. How do you balance this tension?
How do you answer the question of why you stay in ministry?
Word of Life experienced a significant transition while Brian Zahnd grew deeper in his theology was significant. Brian shares what his anchors were through this long period of transition. Tara Beth and Mark also unpack with Brian some of the practices their church is intentional about to foster a salvation community.
By prioritizing community, discipleship, and meaningful engagement, Tara Beth, Mark, and Brian discuss the essential ingredients for creating an environment where individuals can experience the transformative power of God's love and actively participate in the collective journey of faith.
Together, they unveil the significance of theology, practices, and intentional community-building in shaping and sustaining a vibrant and nurturing salvation community, emphasizing the profound role they play in guiding individuals through transitions and fostering spiritual growth within the context of a faith community.
Discussion Questions:
What season of transition in a church you’ve led comes to mind when you hear Brian talking about the transition they walked through? Reflect on that time now.
Brian mentioned having good friends as a key grace that helped provide stability while pastoring through change. Who are the peer friendships you’ve found to help be your support?
It is important to have practices true to one’s theological convictions. What practices are most important to your church and the formation of your church?
Why would the pastor of a large and thriving church risk everything in a quest to find a richer, deeper, fuller Christianity? Tara Beth and Mark chat with Brian Zahnd about his journey of discovering deeper theology and leading Word of Life Church into greater theological integrity. He has been the pastor of World of Life for 41 years. There have been ups and downs on their journey but through their journey, they’ve been able to find a richer, deeper, fuller Christianity.
Discussion Questions:
Brian shares some major transitions through different theological convictions he held. What are times you’ve shifted theological perspectives while leading a church?
Brain faced opposition when he started questioning aspects of Christian nationalism. When is a hard time in ministry that congregation members reacted harshly to what you were preaching about?
Reading is an important practice to continue to consume rich theological ideas. What is the best theological resource you’ve read lately?
Our theme song for The Pastor’s Table is Radiant by eleven eleven worship. LISTEN NOW on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your music. The Pastor’s Table is Produced by Chaz Robins at Hope Story Media
Encouter. Formation. Mission.
These 3 paradigms are how Rock Harbor church intentionally participates in salvation. It’s not a one-time event or transaction. Salvation is a culture that nurtures people into a relationship with God. Encountering God in this kind of relationship moves to formation and then outward to mission.
Glenn also talks with Mark and Tara Beth about programs like Alpha that they’ve utilized to foster evangelism and ways to create environments that nurture questions that lead people to God. The cultural moment churches are serving today requires sensitivity and mindfulness to be a place where people can be gently nudged toward the goodness of God.
Discussion Questions:
How does the paradigm of "Encounter-Formation-Mission" challenge traditional notions of salvation as a one-time event or transaction?
In what ways does this paradigm emphasize the ongoing nature of salvation as a transformative relationship with God? Between encounter, formation, and mission which does your church do best and where would you like more emphasis?
The podcast mentions the use of programs like Alpha to foster evangelism and create environments that nurture questions leading people to God. How can churches strike a balance between creating spaces for genuine inquiry and maintaining theological integrity?
How can churches cultivate a culture of openness and hospitality that encourages individuals to explore their questions and doubts about faith? Share examples of successful strategies or initiatives that have fostered an environment where people feel safe to ask questions and seek God.
Learn more about resilient pastor groups led by Glenn Packiam in partnership with Barna: https://www.barna.com/resilient-pastor-cohort/
Our theme song for The Pastor’s Table is Radiant by eleven eleven worship. LISTEN NOW on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your music. The Pastor’s Table is Produced by Chaz Robins at Hope Story Media
How can pastors become resilient in a rapidly changing world? Is it possible to love well and lead faithfully? In the wake of crises that have exposed and accelerated massive cultural shifts, we see more clearly the seismic shifts of post-Christendom, the surging storms of a new paganism and pluralism, and the scattered debris of the cultural aftermath.
Glenn talks with Mark and Tara Beth about a vision for pastors rooting the source of their resilience in the resurrection of Jesus. Times are hard for pastors and it may get more challenging. There is a transformative grace available to church leaders. Without that grace, it’s impossible to be resilient.
Discussion Questions:
Glenn termed the phrase ‘fractional ecclesiology’ to describe how people often pick different elements or services of various churches. In what ways do you see this working out?
We experience salvation in community. It is a key way that makes a transactional soteriology fall apart. Where do you see a salvation that is formational be experienced in community?
Two hallmarks of pastors who keep their focus on the long game of ministry are having peer relationships and intentional counseling or spiritual direction. How are you doing in these areas?
Resilience is more than grit. It’s about the power of the resurrection made available to us through God’s grace. In what ways do you keep this front and center in your ministry?
Learn more about resilient pastor groups led by Glenn Packiam in partnership with Barna: https://www.barna.com/resilient-pastor-cohort/
The institutional pressures for growth and the emphasis on vanity metrics like attendance and finances can lead pastors to adopt a transactional view of salvation.
Tara Beth, Mark, and Beth explore the need for confession and the importance of incorporating it into worship services as a reminder of our continual need for God's grace. The episode highlights the challenge of cultivating a worship experience that focuses on relational formation rather than transactional salvation.
There is a way to cultivate worship services that reflect a view of salvation centered on relational formation rather than a transactional approach. This episode encourages churches to align their worship practices with their theological beliefs and resist the pressure to conform to a predetermined script. Being clear on what is salvation is essential because it will inevitably impact worship.
Discussion Questions:
How do institutional pressures for growth, such as measuring success through attendance, building, and cash, contribute to the temptation of reducing salvation to a transactional model? In what ways have you seen this play out in your own church or ministry context?
The hosts discuss the importance of confession as a foundational formation practice in Christian worship. However, they note that confession is often overlooked or considered a downer in many evangelical churches today. How does the omission of confession impact our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God? How might incorporating confession into our worship services help cultivate a more holistic view of salvation as relational formation?
The episode raises the question of how churches can resist the pressure to conform to a transactional model of salvation and instead foster worship experiences that align with their theological convictions. How can churches strike a balance between meeting the needs and expectations of their congregation while remaining faithful to a more holistic understanding of salvation? Share examples of practices or liturgies that you believe can help cultivate a worship environment that emphasizes relational formation rather than transactional metrics.