Greatheart's Table

Hi! I’m Randy Greenwald, the host and ringleader of this this gang we call Greatheart’s Table . That’s strange talk, I know. But in this episode I think about the associations we seek, the gangs we join, and the way in which those choices form, or deform, us. If you are not a regular member of the Greatheart’s Table Gang, we hope you would join. Follow the podcast or subscribe to the newsletter, o...

Hello, again! Welcome to Greatheart’s Table, a place for pastors and others to hang out, talk, and reflect on ministry and life. I’m Randy Greenwald. My favorite Narnian character is Puddleglum, the marshwiggle. I’m so fond that it’s a surprise that I didn’t name this podcast “Puddleglum’s Pad” or something like that. You can read his story in The Silver Chair . Puddleglum always expected the wors...

Though pastors don’t need more people telling us what to do, my concern in what I write is, more often than not, a desire to shape the pastoral attitude that underlies pastoral practice. In this case, I want us to consider how we respond to the sin in those we care for. Since we always pastor with others looking over our shoulders, the pressure to look decisive in the face of sin can overwhelm a p...

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Greatheart’s Table , “a newsletter and podcast,” as one listener put it, “for pastors (or other leaders) challenging the unreachable expectations for modern pastors and encouraging them to be comfortable in their own skin.” I’m not sure I could have explained this any better. I do encourage pastors and others to be comfortable with who they are, but many there are defin...

I invite, urge, and encourage all of you to subscribe to the print version of Greatheart’s Table . The content is the same as the podcast on the first, second, and fourth Monday. But on the third Monday of each month, when no podcast episode is released, I post on Substack a newsletter that addresses random shorter matters of interest. I want podcast listeners to receive this as well. So, then, wh...

If you are new, I encourage you to dig deep into the archives and listen to episode one or episode 67. Both are an effort to explain who I am and what I’m trying to do. And though this episode is about keeping secrets, if you like what you hear, I hope you don’t keep Greatheart’s Table a secret! Please encourage others to listen. And please follow, rate, and review this podcast. It all helps, as d...

One of the themes we frequently address here around Greatheart’s Table is the reality of pastors leaving ministry. Often unaddressed in this discussion is the question of whether leaving ministry is a good thing, or even valid. Yes, I’ve pastored for nearly forty years. But is that somehow more noble than the guy who after five years realizes his heart would be far happier leading expeditions into...

With this episode, we near the end of our working through the book Stott on the Christian Life . It can at times be a challenge to follow Jesus as lord. But not because Jesus’ yoke is heavy. The challenge sometimes comes from our friends. We encourage you to also subscribe to our newsletter where, on third Mondays and at other times there may be additional content. You can do so here . You can hel...

With this episode, I’d like to introduce you to the music of Mark Nicks and Cool Hand Luke. After nearly 100 episodes with Over the Rhine, whose generosity has been great, it was time for a change. A podcast, like the church, requires the contributions of many gifts to make it work, and I’m appreciative of Mark’s willingness to attach his name to what we are doing here. I hope listeners move on fr...

Warmest greetings to all of you from Florida, where it really never feels much like the Xmases I remember growing up! Nevertheless, this post is scheduled to go live on Christmas morning, and so from me to you, may your Christmas be blessed with all that is good and with all the hope that seeing Jesus come to rescue can bring. And, pastor, my hope is that you rest today. God has become man. That i...

This episode is a sober one. When I addressed the reality of pastors exiting ministry a few episodes ago (episode 87), I sensed that my thoughts were incomplete. I felt that I needed to point churches in a direction that would help their pastors thrive instead of leave. Yes, that requires some adjustments to how pastors view their work. But radical changes are necessary in churches as well. I’d lo...

With this episode we continue our nearly completed walk through the book Stott on the Christian Life , and the topic here is a dicey one: Mercy. Thanks for joining us around Greatheart’s Table. We encourage you to also subscribe to our newsletter where, on third Mondays and at other times there may be additional content. You can do so here . You can help support this podcast by supporting us on Pa...

In America, Thanksgiving was a few days ago. I hope it was a good day for you. I’m glad for at least one day in the year when my grumbly spirit is forced to be put on the shelf so I can practice some acts of gratitude. It would good if it happened more frequently. To that end, I offer this post. If you find Greatheart’s Table something for which you are thankful, I’d be grateful if you’d rate and...

Hi! I’m Randy Greenwald. Welcome to Greatheart’s Table . If you’re new around here, I recommend that you dive back into the archives and listen to episode #67. That’ll give you an idea about who I am and what we are all about here. Part of what we are about is to reframe pastoral expectations and goals. I know – that’s a huge target. But I think much of the weight pastors carry, a weight whi...

The line, “A priest and a pastor get pulled over for speeding . . .” sounds like it might be the start of a really bad joke. In truth, it happened to me and my friend Father David, once, and I still chuckle at the memory. In this episode, I want to continue thinking about pastoral friendships, but this time thinking specifically about those which can form outside our particular traditions. Thanks...

Welcome to Greatheart’s table. Pull up a chair as we continue to navigate our way through a study of the life and ministry of John Stott, not that we might BE John Stott, but that we might grow in our love for the church and ministry through him. I have realized recently that I need to make a more concerted effort to turn listeners into patrons . It’s gratifying to hear that for many of you the co...

I’ve been blessed. Throughout my life I’ve had friends. If you will forgive the Lord of the Rings reference, Frodo would never have succeeded in his quest without Sam and I certainly would not have succeeded in mine without the friends I’ve had along the way. There is a great deal written these days about friendship and loneliness, and I don’t hesitate to add my voice to that chorus, especially fo...

In listening to this, you are one of a countless multitude. Or countless trickle. All I know is that you are countless. I have no way of knowing who or how many you are. Nevertheless, it would be a great help and an encouragement if you would leave a rating or review of this with your podcast provider, be it Apple or Spotify or whatever. And if you are able to stop by the Greatheart’s Table Patreo...

I’m Randy Greenwald, the host of Greatheart’s Table ! Pull up a seat and join us! We’re glad you are here. There is lots of room here. We don’t ask that we all agree on all things. In fact, we probably don’t. Around the edges we might disagree mightily. But that’s okay. I hope that the spirit reflected here is one of an inclusive charity, one which draws others in, one which, in fact, reflects the...

Hello! I’m Randy Greenwald. Thanks for joining us here around Greatheart’s Table . If you find what we do here helpful, would you take a moment and review and/or rate the podcast? And pass the word on to others. Word of mouth is really the only means by which those who might benefit from what we do here will find out about it. Thanks for your help! One of the themes of Greatheart’s Table is that m...

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Greatheart’s Table. I have recently received some encouraging words from some of you, which is very meaningful as I trudge along over here. Some of you have had to walk through the flames and others through the valley, and to know that my words have been helpful and even hopeful is awesome. I’m grateful. “Trudge” is an interesting word. Sometimes preachers step into the...

Hi, there. It’s kind of you to stop by Greatheart’s Table . If you are new, know that Greatheart’s Table is published on the first, second, and fourth Mondays of each month, both in print and audio. On the third Monday a more newsy edition is published in print only. Greatheart’s Table is about more than this podcast. We are sponsoring, among other things, a retreat for parents whose adult childre...

Hi! Welcome! I’m Randy Greenwald, the host of Greatheart’s Table. Thanks for dropping by! We have been occasionally considering the various issues addressed in Tim Chester’s book Stott on the Christian Life . Stott is one of my ministry heroes, and Chester’s book digs in to some of what set his ministry apart. In this case, Chester looks at how Stott confronted what was known as the “Charismatic M...

Hello, again! Thanks for joining us around Greatheart’s Table . If you’re new – and many of you are – I welcome you. If you find something of worth here, please invite others to join in. Rate this on your podcast platform and leave a review. It’s all helpful. As well, I depend on the patronage of listeners to keep this afloat. So, if you are able to be a patron, head over to the Greath...

The tone of this episode is a bit darker than ordinary, and the length a tad longer. A line from the Bee Gees’ song “Words” keeps bouncing around in my head. “This world has lost its glory, let’s start a brand new story.” The reputation of pastors has lost its glory, and perhaps the start of a new story begins with a proper anger. I’d love to hear what you think. Thanks for joining us around Great...