Greatheart's Table

As many of you know, I’ve been riffing on the pastoral themes arising from a study of the life and ministry of the Twentieth Century London pastor John Stott. Continuing that, then, in this episode we consider the matter of change. It was early in my ministry when I realized two related things. First, that just about everything I did as a pastor involved change in people’s lives. And secondly, tha...

Of all the podcasts, in all the streaming services, in all the world, you’ve walked into mine. And I’m grateful! The words “Play it again, Sam” are often quoted from, but are actually never spoken in, the movie Casablanca . But that is what I’ve been doing for several weeks, resetting, re-recording, and re-posting a few early episodes of Greatheart’s Table . But we are back with fresh thoughts mea...

As most know, I’ve been re-recording and re-airing the earliest Greatheart’s Table episodes. This spate of “early summer” reruns is allowing me to catch up on life. I hope these have felt fresh to you. They have to me. This one encourages us to assess what we do not from the concepts of success or size, but from an element of its essential character – its nobility. I hope this encourages you...

Thanks for joining us at Greatheart’s Table . I’m Randy Greenwald, the over-committed host. I say that not to garner sympathy – I do these things to myself – but to explain why I am re-recording and re-airing the early content from the Greatheart’s Table archives. Doing so is giving me a break to help me get my life in order. We’ll be returning to new content soon, and I’ll talk about...

As I’ve explained at the Greatheart’s Table Patreon and Substack pages, both of which are linked below, I am for a few episodes re-recording and reposting the earliest content from the early months of Greatheart’s Table’s existence. When I released this one to the world I was a bit concerned about the use of the word “bastards” in the title. I needn’t have been. This post became one of Greatheart’...

For a short time I am re-recording and re-releasing the earliest content of Greatheart’s Table . For an explanation of ‘why’ you can read the May Third Monday post at the Greatheart’s Table Substack or Patreon page. The links are below. As I reread this episode on the expectation that pastors “run” a church, I wondered if this is why in some cases churches take on an undesirable corporate feel. It...

If you’ve been listening, you will notice a different audio quality in this episode. I’m sorry about that! It was unavoidable, but should be fixed by the next release. As GHT is published on the first, second, and fourth Mondays, there will be no audio produced next week, a third Monday. But I urge listeners to subscribe to Greatheart’s Table at Substack (or to support us at Patreon). That will li...

Those of you who are new to Greatheart’s Table might benefit from listening to February’s post #67, “Mr. Greatheart and This Metaphorical Table,” to orient yourselves to what we’re doing here and why. Also if you’d like to support this work, you can do so on my Patreon page (link below). The most helpful thing you can do is rate the podcast and tell others! It’s been my experience that insight and...

The life of a pastor can be one of constantly giving out. If we are not taking in we soon have nothing left to give. As we continue to work through the themes of Tim Chester’s book Stott on the Christian Life, we have an occasion to consider just what it is with which we need to be filled if we are to be settled and stable for the long, hard work of ministry. I’d love to know what you think. There...

When the daughter of an engineer runs away from home, or the son of a school teacher gets his girlfriend pregnant, no one at the parents’ places of employment gives the situation more than a nod of sympathy. Pastors, though, may live in fear that such things will cost them their jobs. In this episode we discuss the terrible burden this places on pastors and, as well, on pastors’ children. Before w...

Welcome again to Greatheart’s Table. Someone asked me the other day to recommend a good, inspiring biography. I find that hard to do. Biographies are written by or about people I could never hope to be. I find them fascinating, but they can as well leave me feeling small and insignificant. It’s the stories of ordinary people that most encourage me, and about these people biographies are rarely wri...

Hi. Thanks for dropping by Greatheart’s Table. There is a LOT going on with Greatheart’s Table which cannot be crammed into the few seconds I have here. To get the full scoop, head over to the Patreon page and read the recent Third-Monday post. There you will hear about how to get plugged into a live gathering of the Greatheart’s Table community which happens THIS FRIDAY. Also, you will learn ther...

Welcome to Greatheart’s Table. My name is Randy Greenwald, and I’m a fool. Or at least I hope I am. And if that seems to be a weird aspiration, I hope you listen to this episode, with it’s nod to one William Shakespeare. I hope you find wisdom in the consideration of the fool. I also hope you will become a patron. Next week is a third monday, and though there will be no new episode posted here, th...

Sometimes I suppose I come across as if I’m intending to lay down the final word on some subject. That’s not meant to be the case. Well, I guess sometimes that’ what I’m thinking. But really, in general, my comments are meant to provoke thought. I welcome pushback or feedback. Of course you can do that by shouting “Amen” or “That’s ridiculous” at your speakers. Or, you can email, or post comments...

If you’re new with us and are curious who I am and what this is all about, dial back a few episodes and you’ll find one that will answer some of those questions for you. We’re glad to have you! I’m beginning with this episode a discussion of the themes of a book about the ministry of British pastor John Stott. Stott was one deeply concerned that our ministries be thoughtful and reasonable. His mod...

This will be the final (probably) time I draw attention to the “Third-Monday” print edition. I hope you seek it out. There are two ways to receive the Third-Monday post regularly. The first is to become a subscriber through Substack here . When you do this you will receive the print version of each episode along with the Third-Monday post, and a few other perks. The second path is to b...

It astounds me that there are so many of you who care about what I write, which in itself is an insight into this episode – the pastor’s insecurities. I’d be interested to know to what degree this resonates with you. I want to remind you to subscribe to the newsletter as well so that you are not left off of the “Third Monday” posts that happen only there. You can follow the links below or yo...

Welcome to Greatheart’s Table. I’m Randy Greenwald, your host. But wait, who is Randy Greenwald? And what right does he have to be broadcasting his thoughts across the internet? And what is he trying to accomplish anyway? Those are all valid questions. Those who’ve been around since the beginning have an idea as to how these are answered. The rest of you, not so much. So with this episode my inten...

As kids we were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Fire fighter may over time morph into teacher or engineer, or quarterback or president for the more ambitious. Few probably say “pastor,” but look at you now! Here you are, and for the pastor I think there is yet a further question worth asking. “Who (not “what”) do you want to be when you grow up?” As you progress in ministry, who...

Welcome to Greatheart’s Table Third Monday Edition. To check out the inaugural Third Monday post, you can go here . You will find links to subscribe at that site. You can help support this podcast by dropping a few coins in our tip jar. Thanks! Podcast music provided by Over the Rhine , and used with permission. Intro: “All My Favorite People” / Lyrics Outro: “Called Home” / Lyrics To find our mor...

In these short episodes I sometimes touch upon things that are worthy of much longer and deeper discussions. My self-imposed seven minute time limit doesn’t allow for consideration of a subject’s deeper implications or nuanced application. That is especially true in this post, which is meant to be suggestive of some topics on which we will not all agree. If you have thoughts you’d like to share, t...

When I was a young seminary student with no money and two children, I developed a pain the source of which eluded a couple of doctors until one asked me a question, “Have you been under any stress recently?” I nearly laughed in his face with the absurdity of the question given the reality of my situation. Situations change, of course, but it seems in pastoral ministry, the stress remains. Sometime...

Perhaps I’m an old, Scroogish, curmudgeon, but though I enjoy Christmas, I’m always rather happy when it’s in the rear view mirror. It’s not just the extra work of extra services or the added stress of gifts and gatherings that gets to me. I think it’s the chaotic disruption of my routine. I’m kind of a fan of the ordinary rhythms of the everyday. So, yes, I guess I’m that guy. But at the same tim...

It’s since been fixed, but somehow the November 14 episode went live without the music. To my ear the whole episode lost life. It felt limp and empty. Releasing it in that way was a mistake, but it did remind me of how dependent I am upon Over the Rhine’s music, and ultimately how we all are dependent upon the gifts of others. Everything that I say in these episodes has been shaped in me in some w...

I hope you aren’t “burned out” on these episodes having to do with burnout. Clearly the phrase is applicable to lots of situations – and that’s why I wonder if it might be better to think of this using the biblical phrase “losing heart.” That descriptor focuses our attention on the place where perseverance is born – and where it is lost. I’m glad you’ve joined us around Greatheart’s Ta...