Field Notes for Pastors is a conversational podcast for pastors and others in ministry exploring our soul-deep work in the fields of the Lord. Whether you’re in a ministry season of fullness and famine, we want to explore themes around Paul’s words: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Field Notes for Pastors
Claim This Podcastby Matthew Erickson
5.0(7 reviews)
10 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
Podcast Overview
Field Notes for Pastors is a conversational podcast for pastors and others in ministry exploring our soul-deep work in the fields of the Lord. Whether you’re in a ministry season of fullness and famine, we want to explore themes around Paul’s words: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/12/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Field Notes for Pastors
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
March 16, 2026
Faithful Pastoring in a Polarized Age with Vincent Bacote
<p>In this episode, we sit down with Vincent Bacote to consider how pastors faithfully lead their congregations amid cultural, racial, and political complexity. We reflect on the pressures ministry leaders face in polarized environments and explore how theological depth and spiritual maturity shape wise pastoral guidance. We discuss how pastors form communities that engage the public square without being consumed by it. Together, we examine how rootedness in Christ sustains courageous, humble leadership in challenging times.</p><p><br></p><p>Vince Bacote’s personal website: <a href="https://www.vincentbacote.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.vincentbacote.com</a>.</p><p>The Center for Applied Christian Ethics: <a href="https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/center-for-applied-christian-ethics/">https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/center-for-applied-christian-ethics/</a>. </p><p>We mentioned the following resources:</p><p>Vincent Bacote, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310516072/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_1RlnDbTCQCA0Y">The Political Disciple</a></p><p><a href="https://pages.christianitytoday.com/black-evangelicals-documentary-lp">Black + Evangelical</a>: a documentary profiling the history, struggles, and contributions of African American evangelicals.</p><p>Pre-order Matt’s book, <a href="https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/">The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry</a>, and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: <a href="http://www.mwerickson.com">www.mwerickson.com</a>. </p>
March 9, 2026
Listening for God: Spiritual Direction and Ministry with Kelly Erickson
<p>In this episode, we welcome spiritual director Kelly Erickson to explore spiritual direction and its vital role in sustaining the pastoral and ministry calling. We discuss how spiritual direction creates a sacred space of listening, silence, and attentiveness to God, especially for those carrying the pressures and expectations of leadership. We reflect on how practices like solitude, silence, Sabbath, and retreat help pastors resist malformation, address the dark side of ministry, and reclaim their belovedness in Christ. Together, we consider how spiritual direction differs from mentoring or friendship and how it invites ministry to flow from a deep, grounded life with God.</p><p><br></p><p>Kelly Erickson’s spiritual direction practice website with many additional resources: <a href="https://www.hillsvalleys.org/">Hills & Valleys</a>.</p><p>Christ-Centered Spiritual Direction Association: <a href="https://www.graftedlife.org/csda/home/">https://www.graftedlife.org/csda/home/</a>. </p><p>The Transforming Center’s spiritual direction resource: <a href="https://directory.transformingcenter.org">https://directory.transformingcenter.org</a>. </p><p>We mentioned the following books:</p><p>Peter Scazzero, <a href="https://faithgateway.com/products/emotionally-healthy-spirituality-its-impossible-to-be-spiritually-mature-while-remaining-emotionally-immature?variant=33623012507784">Emotionally Healthy Spirituality</a></p><p>Henri Nouwen, <a href="https://crossroadpublishing.com/product/life-of-the-beloved/">Life of the Beloved</a></p><p>Teresa of Avila, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Teresa-Herself-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140440739/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2KKN1MPKXYS7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RhZ78bP60jV3gHJqq8INYqoknh_oDNPk6m6zZ6LC22jXq2BFs07gwII8x1iYRDwknhhcspbEwJMg6UaX_JHEsAZOf3hdTjguElgTgM74-dDbpNNQyGOwcoh_NcUFsFIGTLWhoz6YlXm_LCaYfCiKxSgkjMKN-e5bQX4CgsCPhyr2ST4KRNJZhCYAmR3J_Z6Ope6_yzVVq1vDmgqKL9H68McTkS-TscHfmCinSj-ppMkl6EhJsSaDNnQNCH6yHGwp9N48tTFvQ7h1pqYtmhsVBJ2u4uXJO9WQ9dVvNetu3gM.WISQ3UsVpU_ehyePt6fpMlUbX011LmABqWcKuxH7CsM&dib_tag=se&keywords=teresa+of+avila&qid=1763413143&sprefix=teresa+of+avil,aps,144&sr=8-6">The Life of St. Teresa of Avila by Herself</a></p><p>Bernard of Clairvaux, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bernard-Clairvaux-Selected-Classics-Spirituality/dp/0809129175/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LA8YAFF9EJSF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._RPGe8DE3ok5SZUtNUgfr6shlzgtcdl5TuT0k4jW1l7On4Vw5_aWX_E6aup-CGiaz0FFXzmzHCB0mTwl_RQG02UFKk0fH4kwWXvdwSq_ImwdmGyjnV7D-iCVEysP1vJZ9-UobZh_RlwMuV6BCDNi9JN-kRAfK6uHimuxDJvYqDteqP-X3XIOmtgh2YzTph8aDisrtHOmLs_GMJVWbfORC89U6NFyjIw-R0KEP9RI7YlHsQwsSKaktIGodl2kv4LBRQfSzYXmVnASBCX7w1dPJLOQLKYPqM5oSa1CmOjkITY.abVO_tFCi62RsYvXTFFUjEFVTZor23WX1rdSAqkoo_k&dib_tag=se&keywords=bernard+of+clairvaux&qid=1763412984&sprefix=bernard+of+clairvaux,aps,131&sr=8-1">Selected Works</a></p><p>Julian of Norwich, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Julian-Norwich-Showings-Edmund-Colledge/dp/B007CWSFZ6/ref=sr_1_8?crid=SEKS17EVZT7Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8jEptLCoG7KM3Ca9vN0cg0GVp-ODB04RrjXOjOjq6fUYzGo9SLHpjZEysCkMbtMMtA_ueHfvpCJgJtXQ16fvZ97rZEoNkpJfpueWXX4cimTSMG38IkQo3uumBbnSK8FpgaTJqSRyAqfzqkm1UX8RxhnN0MwTrOqbqq7TuVyM-eVfHyBrAfjiyjAEeD57NiwzeUT_FVWt7kvK_sB5xkv2toRUMRrlH5jLVN_tgUNveKOatfeX1jTuOc15XMihyvq4wYgnlPYTuMZRMwD3fv8cnj1ZzOQjhgVfqJOtxZU7c2Y.qdup5hySKNUPo_x5F1baJ1XNBE-YfMj7sL2a_ba2E04&dib_tag=se&keywords=julian+of+norwich&qid=1763475495&sprefix=julian+of+norwic,aps,189&sr=8-8">Showings</a></p><p>Thomas Merton, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Storey-Mountain-Thomas-Merton/dp/0156010860/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SVDFMCL0DY5I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EwYRu3ube3sNIoLLSQe0aGQUhJvy-9hgd0u_uxo8Eo1Z_IP4YwbwLKebpxZErALiMlUkEWn9sZu0nrUGt2VhPZs57szcbIcsGJTFjR_0uK6HFmS9DmNBCF7GW3NwXQsrd5HIJ97EoGBrFEyLJZucGbOl6LELHtVZ78KhyyioQHxIWKSALTf1bZrwx61qUo6uDTLFKYOOftAUH62fcxbAqPxYsWoj_V5TRFJ1Dn4HryU.Obyds5u49x_ifxp_JFdFCsUnY5MQFGGEtEHBND4v8Io&dib_tag=se&keywords=seven+storey+mountain&qid=1763413030&sprefix=seven+storey+mountai,aps,126&sr=8-1">The Seven Storey Mountain</a></p><p>Eugene Peterson, <a href="https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802802651/working-the-angles/">Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity</a></p><p>Lyle Dorsett, <a href="https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587431227_seeking-the-secret-place">Seeking the Secret Place: The Spiritual Formation of C. S. Lewis</a></p><p>Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima, <a href="https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9780801068355_overcoming-the-dark-side-of-leadership">Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership</a></p><p><br></p><p>Pre-order Matt’s book, <a href="https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/">The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry</a>, and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: <a href="http://www.mwerickson.com">www.mwerickson.com</a>.</p>
March 2, 2026
To See Is to Stay: Attention as Love in Ministry with Asher Imtiaz
<p>In this episode, we sit down with artist and photographer Asher Imtiaz to explore what it means to truly see others through practices of attention, presence, and connection. Drawing from Asher’s experience as a Christian minority from Pakistan and his long-term work with refugees and asylum seekers, we reflect on seeing as an act of love that requires time, vulnerability, and a willingness to be changed. We discuss how seeing becomes communion rather than performance, pushing back against a culture of urgency and project-driven ministry. Together, we consider how pastors and ministry leaders cultivate sustained, incarnational attention as a way of loving people and making space for God’s work.</p><p><br /></p><p>Asher Imtiaz’s personal website: <a href="http://www.asherimtiaz.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.asherimtiaz.com</a> </p><p>Asher’s Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/asherimtiaz/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/asherimtiaz/</a> </p><p>We mentioned the following resources:</p><p>Henri Nouwen, <a href="https://henrinouwen.org/read/in-the-name-of-jesus/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In the Name of Jesus</a></p><p>David Brooks, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Know a Person</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Pre-order Matt’s book, <a href="https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry</a>, and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: <a href="http://www.mwerickson.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.mwerickson.com</a>. </p>
10 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for Field Notes for Pastors
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Field Notes for Pastors?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.