I mentioned in an earlier episode that I’m no great theologian. In fact, even though my only published book is a book of theology, I would reserve the title ‘theologian’ for others with greater credentials and stature. However, in this post I’d like to posit an attribute of God that no one ever talks about. […]

A man once told me that the parish to which he was being called was a good place for someone who wanted to be lazy. I have a hard time processing that. I suppose I don’t know enough lazy pastors. Most of those I know work very hard and besides the damage to their bodies […]

Hi! Welcome to May around Greatheart’s Table. I suppose the question I want to raise in this episode and the next is something like this: “If Christ is risen, why do I feel so dead?” Perhaps you have not framed it quite that way, but if you are like most pastors I know, you’ve felt […]

Welcome to Greatheart’s Table, a podcast for pastors and those who love them. As you know I have a particular affinity for the smaller church, not because a small church is necessarily better, but because it and its pastors are often unnecessarily maligned. That said, we should all take to heart the inherent dangers of […]

Some of you may be new listeners wondering why the name “Greatheart’s Table.” Our namesake is Mr. Greatheart, a guide for pilgrims in part two of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. He is Bunyan’s image of a pastor. Greatheart’s Table is thus to be a place for like-minded pastors to gather for conversation and encouragement. It’s best […]

I have had several conversations over the past couple of days regarding pastoral loneliness, the isolation of a pastor’s heart, and the matters that pastors find it hard to confess. Pastors are isolated, and are pressured to be perfect. We are to have no cracks, no weakness, no vulnerability, and we buy this narrative. But, […]

Greatheart’s Table has been in the world for a year now! You who’ve read the newsletter or listened to the podcast have been my companions as I’ve explored various ways of thinking about ministry and the church. I originally committed to doing this for only one year. And yet I feel the urge to continue […]

I’m glad you’ve decided to join us here at Greatheart’s Table. Obviously, I speak that as a metaphor. There is no table and we are not gathered around it. But the metaphor is to encourage what it represents. Pastors need time to actually sit with others, with friends, to talk about life and ministry. We […]

At the same time there may be a gnawing uncertainty about that new strategy or technology. It’s that inner discomfort that we too often suppress that I want to address. We are called to be forward looking, but we also are called to be wise. As always, if you like what you hear here, subscribe, […]

Welcome to Greatheart’s Table, a podcast for pastors and those who care for them. My judgment is that most pastors are introverts. We are introverts who can’t be shy, but we are introverts nonetheless. This leads to introspection which can be good for our pastoral honesty and vulnerability. But can also lead to self-condemnation. If […]