The Pastor's Table - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Why We’re Still Here: Redemption, Resilience, and the Heart Behind the Podcast (Part 1) | PT 117 Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Why do pastors keep showing up when ministry gets hard?

In this honest and vulnerable host recap, Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom revisit the origins of The Pastor’s Table and unpack the convictions that continue to drive the show. From painful memories to surprising grace, this episode explores why the Church is still worth loving—and leading.

🎙️ In This Episode:

How the podcast began in a conversation over coffee
Redeeming painful ministry memories through time and forgiveness
The importance of talking theology in real-life spaces
Why the Church remains central—even when it wounds us

⏱️ Timestamps:

03:00 — How this podcast started (and why)

06:00 — Working out theology with real people

11:00 — When your memory gets redeemed

18:00 — Forgiveness as the path to healing

23:00 — Finding hope after being hurt by the Church

29:00 — The surprising grace in the painful places

💡 Takeaway:

Ministry will wound you—but it will also surprise you.

Through story, theology, and the slow work of grace, The Pastor’s Table is a place to remember why we’re still here, and why the Church is still worth it.

The Church Is Not a Metaphor: Jason Micheli on Suffering, Sacraments, and Preaching That Promises (Part 2) | PT 116 Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Is the Church more than a symbol?

In Part 2, Jason Micheli returns to explore what it means to preach the gospel when life itself feels fragile. He shares how cancer reshaped his theology, why the Church must reclaim its sacramental identity, and how sermons should declare—not just instruct.

🎙️ In This Episode:

The theology of the cross vs. theology of glory
Why every sermon should offer a promise, not just a takeaway
Learning to trust the Church when healing doesn’t come
The sacred weirdness of taking Christian tradition seriously

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:07 — Influences: Barth, Hauerwas & Jensen

07:00 — Preaching as promise, not performance

12:00 — Why suffering belongs in the gospel

15:00 — The Church as the literal body of Christ

17:30 — Preaching that leads to the Table

22:00 — Intimacy with God in suffering

27:00 — Books: Sermon on the Mount, I Like Big Buts, 104 Skins

29:00 — How to pray for Jason

🔗 Resources & Guest Info:

Jason Micheli writes at The Tamed Cynic

Books: I Like Big Buts, The Sermon on the Mount (forthcoming)

When a Pastor Gets Cancer: Jason Micheli on Suffering, Storytelling, and Trusting the Church (Part 1) | PT 115 Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

What happens when the preacher becomes the patient?

In this vulnerable and deeply pastoral episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom welcome Jason Micheli, United Methodist pastor, author, and writer of The Tamed Cynic. Jason shares his unexpected call to ministry, his battle with mantle cell lymphoma, and how cancer has shaped both his preaching and his relationship with his congregation.

🎙️ In This Episode:

Jason’s unconventional call to ministry and how “permission” became a form of calling
What it’s like to pastor while actively undergoing chemotherapy
Why being honest about suffering builds trust in a congregation
The challenge of preaching Psalm 23 when you're living it

📌 Highlights:

[00:03:00] Jason hears Jesus say, “Do what you want to do.”
[00:07:00] Learning how to pastor through a “clergy-killing church”
[00:12:00] What mantle cell lymphoma has taught Jason about receiving love
[00:17:00] Preaching through Psalm 23 while becoming “the elephant in the room”
[00:21:00] Suffering as a place of deeper intimacy with God
[00:25:00] Why writing and storytelling are acts of pastoral care

💡 Takeaway:

Pastors are often expected to carry everyone else’s burdens—but what happens when they’re the ones who need care? Jason’s story reminds us that vulnerability is not weakness—it’s leadership, and that God is often most present in the dark and hidden places we’d rather avoid.

Read more on Jason's Blog Tamed Cynic: https://jasonmicheli.substack.com

📖 Next Week:

In Part 2, Jason opens up about the theological convictions that shape his ministry—expect a deep dive into the theology of the cross, suffering, and the beauty of telling the truth.

A Theology of Place: Ryan & Danny Quanstrom on Pastoring with Presence (Part 2) | PT 114 Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

What does it mean to pastor with presence in a world that prioritizes efficiency, technology, and disconnection?

In this episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom continue their conversation with Ryan & Danny Quanstrom, digging into the theological convictions that shape their ministries.

From embodying the gospel in a rural town to creating third spaces for belonging, this episode explores how place matters in pastoring—and why the church must resist the forces that isolate and fragment communities.

🎙️ In This Episode:

Why ministry isn’t about programs—it’s about presence.
How theology of place shapes their vision for the church.
The challenge of pastoring in a world designed to erase human connection.
Practical ways to build spaces where people experience belonging, dignity, and love.

📌 Highlights:

[00:05:00] Ryan on how modern culture teaches us to avoid each other—& why the church must resist that.
[00:12:00] Danny on why churches shouldn’t just reflect their communities—they should reflect the Kingdom.
[00:19:00] Building third spaces: How Ryan turned Wednesdays into a church-wide community meal.
[00:26:00] Danny on pastoring in a historically segregated town and making space for diversity.
[00:36:00] Why courage and love are at the heart of true pastoral leadership.

💡 Takeaway:

Pastoring is about embodied presence in a particular place, among particular people. In a world designed to make us bypass relationships, the church is called to build spaces where people linger, belong, and transform.

Faith, Family, and Calling: Ryan & Danny Quanstrom on Pastoral Ministry (Part 1) | PT 113 Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

What’s it like growing up in a pastor’s home—and then becoming a pastor yourself?

In this special family edition of The Pastor’s Table, Rev. Tara Beth Leach takes the lead, sitting down with Ryan & Danny Quanstrom, both senior pastors in Michigan and the sons of co-host Dr. Mark Quanstrom.

This conversation explores how faith is formed in the home, the unexpected twists in their calls to ministry, and what shaped their theological vision for pastoring today. It’s an inside look at the joys, struggles, and surprises of answering the call—especially when you grew up in the church.

🎙️ In This Episode:

What it was like growing up in a pastor’s home—the good, the bad, and the unexpected.
How Ryan & Danny’s call to ministry unfolded (and why it wasn’t always a straight path).
The tension of pastoral identity, academic ambition, and finding where you truly belong.
A glimpse into their ministry contexts—from suburban Grand Rapids to a rural county seat.

📌 Highlights:

[00:05:00] A 5-year-old Ryan leads his friend to Jesus—right before jumping off a garage.
[00:12:00] Danny planned to be a history teacher—but God had other ideas.
[00:21:00] Wrestling with pastoral calling vs. academic ambition—and how they reconciled both.
[00:28:00] The unique challenges of pastoring in Grand Rapids vs. small-town Michigan.

💡 Takeaway:

Ministry isn’t always a straight path, and pastors don’t all come from the same mold—even in the same family. Whether you grew up in the church or came to ministry later in life, God’s call often weaves through unexpected places.

📖 Next Week:

What theological convictions shape Ryan & Danny’s pastoral leadership today? Join us for Part 2, where we dig into the theological frameworks that guide their ministry.

Shaping Culture in Churches with Randy Frazee (Part 2) | PT 112 Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

What makes a church healthy—not just successful?

In this episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom continue their conversation with Randy Frazee, exploring how culture—not just strategy—determines a church’s future.

Randy shares how his leadership philosophy has shifted over the years—from top-down leadership models to team-based collaboration, from focusing on numbers to prioritizing engagement. His wisdom is a must-hear for pastors wrestling with staff culture, leadership expectations, and burnout.

🎙️ In This Episode:

Why culture eats strategy for breakfast—and how to shape it well.
How collaborative leadership (instead of top-down models) creates healthier churches.
Why self-awareness and humility matter more than being a "visionary leader."
How pastors can embrace their strengths instead of trying to do it all.

📌 Highlights:

[00:06:00] The danger of fear-based leadership and how Randy’s approach has changed.
[00:12:00] “We stopped counting attendance and started measuring engagement.”
[00:19:00] Why hiring well means knowing what you’re bad at.
[00:24:00] Moving from ownership to stewardship—how to stop making church about you.

💡 Takeaway:

Pastors don’t have to be everything to everyone. True leadership comes from embracing your strengths, surrounding yourself with the right people, and fostering a culture where others thrive.

Wisdom in Transition: Randy Frazee on Succession, Identity, and Leaving Well (Part 1) | PT 111 Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

What does it take to leave well as a pastor?

In this episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom sit down with Randy Frazee, Pastor Emeritus of Westside Family Church, to talk about his intentional journey of succession, the emotional weight of stepping away, and what it means to let go with grace.

With over 36 years in ministry, Randy reflects on the wisdom, courage, and planning that made his transition smooth—and why every pastor should be thinking about succession, legacy, and identity beyond the pulpit.

🎙️ In This Episode:

Why Randy started planning his succession three years ago.
How pastors can separate their identity from their role in ministry.
The biggest mistakes churches make in leadership transitions.
The freedom of releasing control and trusting God with the next chapter.

📌 Highlights:

[00:05:00] What does it mean to be “Pastor Emeritus” and how does it actually work?
[00:12:00] From an unchurched childhood to pastoring for 36 years—Randy’s unexpected call.
[00:22:00] Life planning and how coaching helped clarify Randy’s next steps.
[00:27:00] How to leave a church without bitterness, regret, or burnout.

💡 Takeaway:

Pastors, you are free to leave. Whether it’s five years or fifty years into ministry, succession done well is an act of faithfulness, not failure. Randy’s story challenges us to think about the long game of pastoral leadership—one that prioritizes healthy transitions, church culture, and a legacy that outlasts us.

📖 Next Week:

How does a pastor shape culture—on staff, in leadership, and throughout the church? Join us as we dive into this topic with Randy in Part 2!

Ritual, Renewal, and the Spirit: The Transforming Power of the Sacraments with Derek Vreeland (Part 2) | PT 110 Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

What happens when the sacramental, the charismatic, and the evangelical converge?

In this episode, Tara and Mark continue their conversation with Derek Vreeland, diving into how these seemingly distinct streams of faith are coming together in a new movement of worship and discipleship.

Derek shares why weekly communion, historic prayers, and Spirit-led worship are forming his church in deep and lasting ways. Plus, they explore how the sacraments can tether us to faith in seasons of doubt, and why pastors need to embrace both mystery and tradition in leading their people.

🎙️ In This Episode:

The rise of sacramental-charismatic worship—and why it matters.
How weekly communion can shape both individuals and entire congregations.
The power of liturgical prayers to sustain faith in dark seasons.
How pastors can lead through doubt, weariness, and the dark night of the soul.

📌 Highlights:

[00:07:00] The convergence of sacrament, scripture, and Spirit in today’s church.
[00:12:00] Why taking communion weekly never becomes “rote” or routine.
[00:18:00] How the Eucharist and liturgy sustain believers in crisis.
[00:25:00] When you can’t pray—let the church pray for you.
[00:27:00] Why memorized prayers (like the Jesus Prayer) are lifelines in spiritual deserts.

💡 Takeaway:

Derek reminds us that faith is communal, not just personal. Whether through communion, liturgy, or intercessory prayer, the body of Christ carries us in seasons of doubt and darkness—so we don’t have to walk alone.

📖 Next Week:

How do pastors lead when they are the ones going through the dark night of the soul? We’ll explore that and more in our next episode.

Embracing Mystery and Sacramental Transformation with Derek Vreeland (Part 1) | PT 109 Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

What if following Jesus meant rethinking everything you were taught—without ever walking away?

In this episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom sit down with Derek Vreeland, discipleship pastor at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Derek shares his journey from a Southern Baptist upbringing to the charismatic movement and, eventually, a sacramental, ecumenical faith—all while remaining deeply rooted in the Church.

🎙️ In This Episode:

The pivotal moment as a teenager when Derek first encountered Jesus.
How studying scripture led him away from rigid formulas and into the mystery of faith.
Why he never felt the need to "deconstruct"—but still experienced profound transformation.
How pastors can lead faithfully through personal seasons of doubt and transition.

📌 Highlights:

[00:03:00] A Friday night youth group event that changed everything.
[00:07:00] From Baptist to charismatic—how scripture challenged his assumptions.
[00:13:00] "Don’t do what I did—but it worked!" The unexpected ways God speaks.
[00:19:00] Does every Christian need a “deconstruction” story? Or is there another way?
[00:26:00] Navigating the dark night of the soul without losing your faith.

💡 Takeaway:

Not every faith journey requires tearing everything down. Derek’s story reminds us that spiritual growth can be a slow, steady process of transformation, where God leads us deeper into trust, mystery, and love for the Church.

📖 Next Week:

How do pastors lead through the dark night of the soul—for themselves and their congregations? Join us next week as we dive into this question with Derek.

From Donuts to Discipleship: Laura Tarro on Church Planting and Trusting God (Part 2) | PT 108 Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

What if success in ministry isn’t about speed, numbers, or strategy—but about trusting God’s timing?

In this episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom continue their conversation with pastor and church planter Laura Tarro, exploring how patience, trust, and a few unconventional worship spaces (yes, a donut shop and a brewery) have shaped her ministry.

🎙️ In This Episode:

The unexpected church visit that finally affirmed Laura’s pastoral call.
Why embracing the title of “pastor” was harder than expected.
How planting a church in a donut shop (and later, a brewery) became a story of God’s provision.
The tension of wanting measurable success but trusting God to grow the church in His way.

📌 Highlights:

[00:05:00] “We’re going to call you pastor”—the moment that changed everything.
[00:12:00] Church planting without striving: “God builds His church, not us.”
[00:16:00] From donuts to drafts: How a donut shop and a brewery became places of worship.
[00:23:00] Wrestling with the need for progress while trusting God’s pace.

💡 Takeaway:

Laura’s story reminds us that faithfulness matters more than metrics. When we surrender our expectations and trust in God’s provision, we find freedom from the pressure to perform and space to let the Spirit lead.

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