What does salvation mean for those outside a cultural power structure?

The New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church has been a community of salvation and liberation for decades. The Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch discusses the theological convictions that have driven how transformation and liberation happen in the midst of their community. The transformation the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church is experiencing despite generations of atrocities is a beautiful testimony to the faithfulness and goodness of God.  

Learn more about the icon of the “Middle Passage” and other Black Art found at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church - https://www.newmountpilgrim.com/gallery  

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Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch says he refuses to let the world turn him into a “marketer” and rejects the responsibility to get people to come to church.

They dive deeper into a conversation that explores how dangerous it is for pastors to make themselves too central to the church. If you have to believe what people say about you, you’re in trouble. There is a way to experience the waves of ministry that lets God remain in control of what only God can do and renews your strength in ministry. 

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“Take up your cross and follow me.”

- Jesus (Matthew 16:24)

Ministry would be a lot easier if it wasn’t for this invitation by Jesus. If this invitation does anything, it shows that Jesus was only interested in followers who were all in.  

Those who minister in the Western world live in a culture that urges people to believe that our comfort is God’s primary concern. Our churches are often formed more by entertainment and business management than formed by the cross.  

Could it be that God calls those into the ministry through the way of the cross precisely because that is what is salvific?  

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Ministry is more than a job. Ministry is a calling.  

Mark goes through the many Biblical examples of calling throughout the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures. The call often comes with great cost. Reluctancy is a common and understandable response to the many people called in the Bible. Even Jesus had reluctancy to do what He was called by the Father to do.  

In this episode, Mark claims, “The only reason I’m a pastor is because God won’t let me go.”  

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Check out Mark’s full course on Seminary Now: Pastoral Ministry: Calling and Resilience. 

SeminaryNow.com is a streaming video platform with short courses from leading authors and professors. The Pastor’s Table listeners can get 25% off full access to the courses by using the code TPT.

Pastoral ministry is a difficult, demanding, and overwhelming vocation. Attrition rates for pastors are at an all-time high, and the cultural and interpersonal strain is only increasing. At the same time, the moral failings and hypocrisy of high profile Christian leaders cause many pastors to question their callings. 

Can anything be done to alleviate the pressures of pastoral ministry?

This episode contains the 1st two parts of Dr. Mark Quanstrom’s Seminary Now course. It explores what it might look like for pastors in the American church to replace the faulty models of CEOs and celebrities and return to the path of Jesus as the example for pastoral ministry. 

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A common thread found in our series exploring women in ministry is how easy it is to disqualify themselves from ministry opportunities. Many times this is because of cultural pressures.   

Tara Beth & Mark, explore many cultural pressures that impact women in ministry. Processing the experience of women in ministry is a powerful and important practice to live out our calling to the full.  Women possess the image of God and cultural pressures that discourage women from taking up their full call can and must be disentangled.  

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The representation of women in ministry is important to have a fully fledge imagination of what God wants to do through his people.  

Explore the concept of incarnation ministry, where one's context and location play a vital role in fulfilling their calling. Discover the beauty of collaboration between men and women, reflecting the essence of Christ's vision for the church. Throughout the discussions, gain insights into the importance of slow discernment, active listening, and fostering supportive communities. As you listen, you'll be encouraged to embrace and amplify women's voices within the local church, creating a culture of inclusion and empowerment.

Join us on this transformative journey as we explore the impact of women in ministry and envision a church that celebrates diverse leadership.

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Melissa Pillman broke new ground as a pastor within a complementarian church that turned egalitarian. In a world where traditional gender roles have often been emphasized, Melissa shares her experience of reshaping perceptions and expanding opportunities. 

By embracing their calling and pioneering a path, they're not only demonstrating the richness of women's leadership but also cultivating a more inclusive and diverse church community.

Gain insights into the unique dynamics at play when women take on pastoral roles in complementarian churches. Discover how these pastors are fostering collaboration, fostering dialogue, and fostering positive change within their congregations. Whether you're a church leader, aspiring pastor, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of gender roles in faith communities, this episode offers valuable perspectives on charting a new course for female leadership.

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‘How do you handle being a mom and being in ministry?’ 

This is one of the most common questions for women with kids who are serving in ministry.  Maria was called into serving as a pastor while she had little children at home.  Not only is it possible to merge motherhood with ministry.  Motherhood can be an asset for your ministry.  

Leading in any sort of capacity will have praise and criticism. It has been said, “If you live by their praise, you will die by their criticism.” Maria, Tara Beth, and Bethany discuss how making a strong community of peers is essential to being propelled into thriving in ministry.  

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Bethany Hammer and Tara Beth start the first part of a bonus series on women in ministry.  

Many women have not explored what God might call them to do because they’ve never been given a vision. Mariane Elliott says, “If you can see it, you can be it.” Bethany shares her story of navigating having few examples of other women in ministry, yet finding her way to the call God had on her life.  

Expand your imagination of women as pastors and learn more about what it looks like to nurture that imagination in other women. Women have always served in critical roles throughout God’s story. Today is no different and women deserve every opportunity to live fully into the call God has for them.  

Learn more about propel ecclesial at ecclesia.propelwomen.org

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