The Pastor's Table

What does it look like to follow God’s call when the journey feels unclear or even obstructed?  In this compelling episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom welcome church planter, pastor, and theologian Laura Tarro to share her inspiring story of waiting, persistence, and faithfulness.  Laura opens up about her unconventional call to ministry, the barriers she faced, and how God led he...

How does God redeem a church's past while preparing it for a flourishing future?  In the final part of this compelling conversation, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom sit down with Pastor Greg Wenhold to discuss the unique dynamics of pastoral succession, the power of trust in leadership, and the ongoing work of transformation at Good Shepherd Church. 🎙️ In This Episode: How a “redeemed...

The journey of ministry often includes twists, turns, and unexpected moments of grace.  In this second part of their conversation with Pastor Greg Wenhold, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom explore the challenges and growth that come with navigating transitions, including stepping away from—and returning to—a beloved church community. 🎙️ In This Episode: Lessons from an unconventional ca...

What happens when the path God calls you to takes unexpected turns? In this episode, Tara Beth Leach and Mark Quanstrom sit down with Pastor Greg Wenhold to explore his unconventional and inspiring pastoral story. From being "gently led" into ministry to navigating unexpected transitions, Greg’s journey is filled with honesty, resilience, and grace. 🎙️ In This Episode: How Greg’s unique call to mi...

How do pastors navigate the complexities of ministry without losing themselves—or their families? In this heartfelt continuation, Tara Beth and Mark share honest reflections on their daily rhythms, the grace required for pastoral work, and the joy found in staying grounded amidst the demands. 🎙️ In This Episode: Living within the boundaries of God’s grace for the calling. The quiet work of sermon...

What does a week in the life of a pastor really look like? In this candid and lighthearted episode, Tara Beth and Mark pull back the curtain on their daily routines, juggling ministry, family, and their own spiritual practices. 🎙️ In This Episode: The unique rhythms of pastoral life: from Sunday sermons to late-night small groups. Hilarious and humbling moments, including DoorDash mishaps and the...

What if embracing our limitations could actually make us better leaders?  In this heartfelt conversation, Reverend Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom sit down with Mandy Smith to uncover the transformative power of vulnerability in ministry. Instead of feeling pressured to have every answer or maintain a polished facade, discover how owning our weaknesses allows God’s strength to shine through...

Often as pastors we feel like we need to project strength and competency in order to minister effectively. That's why we go to conferences and emulate the latest superstars. But we know we can never live up to those images. Deep down, we know our own limitations, our weaknesses, our faults.  We fear that if people knew who we really are, we'd be disqualified from ministry. Not so. Mandy Smith unpa...

Vicki journeyed into full-time ministry later in her life.   In this episode, Pastor Vicki Kopp discusses her journey into ministry later in life, her challenges following her husband's death from pancreatic cancer, and the unwavering strength provided by her faith and congregation.  Personal suffering informs and often deepens pastoral care for others. Timestamp:  00:47 Vicki's Call to Ministry 0...

Vicki had been called to ministry when she was a teenager.  It wasn’t till years later that she took the role of a vocational minister.  They explore the dynamics of church leadership, gender challenges, and her personal experiences, including the profound loss of her husband and the ongoing mission to serve her congregation. Timestamps:  00:35 Meet Reverend Vicki Kopp 02:36 Vicki's Journey to Min...

If your church closed its doors would your community notice?  Join Reverend Tara Beth Leach, Dr. Mark Quanstrom, and guest David Bunce from Bad Ishel, Austria, as they explore the theological and existential challenges of justifying a church's existence in modern society. Dive into deep conversations about community, cultural pressures, and the essence of the church's mission while understanding d...

What does it mean to be faithful to God as a church? David Bunce shares his experience leading a church community in Bad Ischl, Austria.   Tara Beth and Mark delve into the unique challenges and experiences of David. Discover the complexities of pastoring in a culturally Catholic and secularizing Europe, and explore the evolving mission of the church in this context.  Timestamps: 00:34 Meet Pastor...

Kyle didn’t plan to serve in vocational ministry.  Yet after a season of serving in academia, he found himself in a community that would prove to be tremendously supportive. On December 9th, 2022 Kyle’s daughter Jaya experienced a traumatic brain injury. Kyle shares about his experience of ministering through weakness and the way his church carried his burdens.   Despite all the pain of this momen...

In this episode of 'The Pastor's Table,' Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom conclude the series on the intricate relationship between church leadership, political engagement, and theology.  Over the past six weeks, their conversations with local pastors have illuminated the pressing need for consistent Christian values in the political arena beyond election seasons. The dialogue emphasize...

Pastors face unavoidable challenges and responsibilities in a politically divided world.  The discussion addresses how Christians can navigate political ideologies, empowering local congregations to enact meaningful change and avoid isolating themselves. Caitlin emphasizes understanding scripture holistically to inform both private spiritual and public political life, advocating for regular integr...

Scripture has been used and abused in so many political ways.   How do Bible passages written thousands of years ago apply to politics today? What can we learn from America's history of using the Bible in politics? How can we converse with people whose views differ from our own? Kaitlyn Schiess explores these questions and more in The Ballot and the Bible. She unpacks examples of how Americans hav...

Dr. Michael Bird returns to The Pastor’s Table and tries to persuade Mark & Tara Beth to be Anglican.   “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” This beloved phrase from the Declaration of Independence isn’t “self-evident” for everyone in the world.  Dr. Bird gives a helpful perspective to understand the pervasive impact of the Christian Gospel on society.   Dr. Bird discusses the strengths...

How does the rest of the world see American politics?  Dr. Michael Bird offers a fresh and candid perspective on the current American political landscape, drawing compelling comparisons between the U.S. and Australia. Michael, Tara, and Mark explore the challenges pastors face as they strive to maintain theological integrity in a politically polarized environment. From the influence of social medi...

Politicians use extreme language to try to get elected.   This pervasive apocalyptic language is forming the people in our rows.   Scot McKnight delves into the intricate topic of how current political climates and social media influence church congregations. The discussion explores the challenge of counteracting this pervasive influence without being overtly political from the pulpit. McKnight em...

The intersection of politics and pastoral responsibilities is a complicated space.  Should pastors ignore the political issues of the day? Does timing matter when it comes to talking about cultural and political issues?  Dr. Scot McKnight discusses these questions and more with Mark & Tara Beth. They delve into the challenges pastors face when addressing political topics from the pulpit and ex...

Political elections bring unique challenges to pastors.  Tara Beth & Mark discuss their personal experience of pastoring through previous election seasons. They share personal anecdotes and strategies for addressing divisive political climates within congregations, emphasizing the importance of humility, gentleness, and theological integrity.  Nurturing a congregation to be more like Jesus is...

When women support other women in their leadership they can embolden each other in unique ways.   In this episode of The Pastor's Table Podcast, the focus is on Tara Beth's course highlights the empowerment of women in ministry through mentorship. Tara Beth shares her personal experiences, including her transformative encounters with female leaders. She offers practical advice on fostering support...

Gender models have often held women back from leading in the church.   Tara shares personal stories and biblical references to discuss the challenges women face in ministry, including stereotypes and opposition. She emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique, God-given traits—whether nurturing or assertive—and offers practical advice on dealing with opposition while staying true to one's...

Throughout Scripture and church history, women have been central to the mission of God. But all too often women have lacked opportunities to minister fully. Many churches lack visible examples of women in ministry and leadership. In this Seminary Now course, Pastor Tara Beth Leach issues a stirring call for a new generation of women in ministry: to teach, to preach, to shepherd, and to lead. God n...