What the Hell is a Pastor

What the Hell is a Pastor?

Religion EN ↓ 537 episodes

Two current and former young pastors in small town ministry sit down each week to talk about the ups and downs of their jobs as they try to figure out what the hell it is they're supposed to be doing. Come for the behind-the-scenes look at ministry, stay for the theological asides.

Author

What the Hell is a Pastor

Category

Religion

Podcast website

patreon.com

Latest episode

Jun 11, 2026

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Episodes

How We Fit With Each Other 02.11.2020

In which Ethan and Jo talk some more about the sovereign and why Jo's struggling in her context.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dis...

Bonus Episode: Moving On 30.10.2020

In which Pastor Nick and Ethan talk about upcoming changes at Nick's church.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveDisciples/.

Minisode 38: The Burn-It-Down Generation 29.10.2020

In which the duo discuss the benefits and challenges of sticking around for the long haul.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Disr...

Imagination and Spiritual Directors 26.10.2020

In which Ethan and Jo discuss Willie James Jennings' Christian Imagination and try to figure out what the hell a spiritual director is.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on...

Bonus Episode: The Haunting of Bly Manor 23.10.2020

**Massive spoilers for The Haunting of Bly Manor** In which Ethan and Jo discuss the latest installment in the Haunting anthology.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on face...

Minisode 37: Somebody Should Care 22.10.2020

In which Jo and Ethan talk about death. **Spoilers for The Haunting of Bly Manor** Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveDisciple...

A Pastor's Guide to Successful Funerals 19.10.2020

In which, after a brief conversation about what Ethan's reading, the duo chat about funerals and why they're so important to small town ministry.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Dis...

Minisode 36: Fackenheim! 15.10.2020

In which Ethan, Jo, and Ian talk about what Ethan is reading and get into some deep depths.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dis...

Tales from the Seminary 12.10.2020

In which Ian, Ethan, and Jo share their stories of how they decided to go to seminary and how they ended up at Wesley.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https:...

Minisode 35: Getting an Education 09.10.2020

In which Ethan and Jo talk for longer than the length of a usual episode about what Ethan is reading and how he's agitating Calvinists.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciple...

Intimidation Games 09.10.2020

In which the duo mostly talk about what's going on at one of Jo's churches.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveDisciples/.

Fall Festivals and Conference Chatter (Nick and Ethan Take the Pod, part 2) 02.10.2020

In which Ethan and Nick continue their conversation, which takes a hard left turn two-thirds through.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.co...

Tillich Tales (Nick and Ethan Take the Pod, part 1) 01.10.2020

In which Pastor Nick joins Ethan to talk about what Ethan is learning and to hash out how they really feel about Paul Tillich.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook...

Minisode 34: Tone Policing and TradCaths 28.09.2020

In which Pastor Nick joins Ethan to talk about how liberals are our own worst enemy and how The Lord of the Rings might be improved.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples,...

Gewalt 21.09.2020

In  which Ethan and Jo talk about Walter Benjamin and why talking about activism in Jo's church is difficult, especially now.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on face...

Minisode 32: Call Your Dad, You're in a Cult, part 1 17.09.2020

In which Ethan, Jo, and Ian have a great live talk about what makes something a cult and why we should call them new religious movements instead before the sounds cuts out.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and ou...

Minisode 33: Call Your Dad, You're in a Cult, part 2 17.09.2020

In which Ethan, Jo, and Ian continue their live conversation about cults, but with more hell this time!  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.face...

WTHIAP Live! 15.09.2020

In which Ethan, Jo, and Ian are in the same room, talking about world religions, interfaith events, spooky philosophy, and the lie at the heart of most things.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network,...

Minisode 31: The Sweetest Place on Earth 09.09.2020

In which Ethan and Jo complain about things.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveDisciples/.

"What you win them with, you win them to" 07.09.2020

In which Ethan and Jo talk about embarrassing academic moments, finding ways to build resiliency, Georgia Harkness, and more.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook:...

Minisode 30: What the Hell is a Christian? 03.09.2020

In which Jo asks Ethan an important question.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveDisciples/.

The One with All the Marx 31.08.2020

In which Ethan and Jo discuss some of what Ethan's been learning, Jo brings some science and religion into it, and then gives you advice on how to avoid some basic pastoral mistakes.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us a...

Minisode 29: It's just that I hate myself 27.08.2020

In case the title doesn't give it away, we talk through some shit in this episode. Enjoy!  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Disru...

MiniBonuSode: Ethan Tells a Story 26.08.2020

In which Ethan shares a 5-minute story about baby Pastor Barth, who, turns out, was much more relatable than anticipated.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a suggestion for a minisode topic? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com. Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor. And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook...

Case Studies and Colloquialisms 24.08.2020

In which Ethan and Jo talk through a case study in saying the wrong thing.  Have thoughts about what we said or want to send us a reading list? Email us at wtheckisapastor@gmail.com.   Like Twitter? We do too, we guess. Find us under the handle @wthisapastor.   And follow us and our larger network, Disruptive Disciples, on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveDisciples/.

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