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.

Mandy shares her personal journey—moments of crisis, the temptation of the “perfect leader” lie, and the profound relief in letting go. Together, they explore how gender dynamics influence leadership, the importance of truthful self-reflection, and why authentic shepherding resonates more deeply than scripted competence. 

If you’ve ever felt the weight of needing to appear flawless in pastoral work, this episode offers encouragement to lead boldly from a place of honesty and trust.

Timestamps:

00:46 Continuing the Conversation on Vulnerability

02:37 Mandy’s Crisis and Revelation

04:24 The Lie of the Perfect Leader

07:46 The Role of Gender in Ministry

09:16 The Burden of Leadership

10:46 God’s Strength in Our Weakness

14:12 The Call to Authentic Leadership

28:31 The Journey of Redemption

31:51 Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendations

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 unpacks the biblical paradox that God's strength is revealed through our human weakness. 

Transparently describing her pastoral journey, Smith shows how vulnerability shapes ministry, through our spiritual practices and relationships, influencing our preaching, teaching and even the nuts and bolts of the daily schedule. Understanding our human constraints makes our ministry more sustainable and guards us against disillusionment and burnout.

Timestamp:

00:36 Celebrating Milestones and Special Guests

01:40 Mandy Smith's Journey to Pastorship

03:44 Challenges and Triumphs in Ministry

21:21 Leading with Vulnerability and Faith

32:24 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

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

01:34 Challenges and Triumphs in Ministry

02:42 Dan's Illness and Community Support

05:40 Life After Dan's Passing

12:17 The Healing Power of Ministry

18:14 Empathy Through Shared Suffering

26:15 Closing Thoughts and Future Conversations

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 Ministry

05:43 Challenges and Triumphs in Ministry

09:40 Becoming a Pastor in Cameron, Missouri

12:51 Navigating Pastoral Roles and Responsibilities

18:15 Personal and Professional Struggles

25:41 Conclusion and Reflections

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 diverse perspectives from both the U.S. and Austria.

Timestamps

01:25 The Mission and Justification of the Church

02:21 Theological Reflections on Church Identity

03:32 Challenges of Small Church Communities

04:10 The Role of the Church in the Community

07:39 Understanding Church Through the Lens of Dementia

11:05 Practical Church Leadership and Community

12:40 Cultural and Contextual Dynamics in Church Life

19:53 Church Weekend Retreat Insights

22:09 Global Church Challenges and Solutions

28:15 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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 David Bunce from Austria

01:57 David's Spiritual Journey

03:34 Understanding European Baptist Theology

04:47 Life and Ministry in Austria

09:16 Challenges and Cultural Context

15:26 Mission and Community Engagement

25:32 Reflections and Future Conversations

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 moment, Kyle found strength in weakness. 

Read more about Kyle processing his daughter’s accident on Jaya Fever’s Caring Bridge - https://www.caringbridge.org/site/public/1e79b5f2-c4c3-3e3b-9ff3-e0107e40a7fc 

You Can reach Kyle on email at [email protected] 

Timestamps

01:17 Kyle Feaver's Background and Ministry

04:21 Transition to Pastoral Ministry

11:31 Challenges and Reflections in Ministry

16:06 Embracing Vulnerability and Community Support

17:23 A Life-Altering Accident

19:22 The Struggles of Recovery

22:56 Seeking Help and Taking a Leave

26:09 Returning to the Community

27:54 The Power of Showing Up

32:38 Conclusion and Looking Ahead

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 emphasizes addressing privilege, especially white privilege, in political contexts and voting behaviors. The hosts discuss the balance required between secular and divine responsibilities, stressing authenticity and vulnerability in leadership. They invite listeners to reflect on personal and theological values, examine the compromises in voting, and engage with strategies to empower congregations to address community needs. 

Through shared pastoral experiences, the episode aims to offer refreshing insights and encourages unpretentious, authentic leadership.

Timestamps:

00:34 Reflecting on Past Conversations

02:44 Navigating Political Seasons in the Church

03:52 Creating a Political Podcast Series

07:30 Balancing Theological Convictions and Political Engagement

09:04 Addressing Privilege and Political Responsibility

15:45 The Apocalyptic Nature of Elections

17:26 Is the Constitution Enough?

18:16 Political Creatures and Their Convictions

19:16 The Dilemma of Voting

20:26 Two Kingdom Theology

21:21 The Flaws of Each Candidate

23:41 Local Politics and Shepherding

24:47 Pastoring in Challenging Times

26:01 Leading with Vulnerability

28:10 Upcoming Topics and Guests

31:32 Gratitude and Farewell

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 integration of faith and political discourse beyond just election seasons. 

The conversation highlights the importance of prayer, community engagement, and long-term spiritual formation over quick fixes. The episode encourages pastors to be non-partisan, responsive to their specific context, and to guide their congregations with wisdom and compassion.

Timestamps 

00:34 Reflecting on Kaitlyn Schiess' Insights

02:07 Empowering Local Churches

04:15 The Intersection of Faith and Politics

05:51 Scripture and Political Relevance

07:59 Balancing Political Engagement and Faith

14:14 Challenges of Discussing Politics in Church

17:44 Practical Advice for Pastors

25:47 Concluding Thoughts and Blessings