Exploring the joys and challenges of serving as a congregational pastor, this podcast is aimed at those serving their first calls as well as divinity school students and seminarians considering their calls to serve as congregational ministers.
Mary Kate Buchanan: The Honor of Seeing God at Work in the World
The Pastoral Residency program at Plymouth is now 18 years old. During that time, we have had 15 residents serve with us and then move on to calls and ministries across the country - some are solo pastors, some are senior pastors, and others are associate pastors at larger churches.
My hope is that these conversations with our former residents might be useful for those of you who may be discerning your own calls to ministry as well as those of you who are serving in your first calls and trying to figure out how to best serve your congregation while also taking care of yourself.
My guest today is Mary Kate Buchanan who is the Minister of Pastoral Care at First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. Mary Kate served as a Transition into Ministry resident at Plymouth Church from 2019 until 2021.
Mary Kate thoughtfully shares with me the ways in which congregational ministry has been harder than she ever imagined but also more beautiful than she ever imagined. She talks about how she learned to trust her calling and her gifts as well as how to take care of herself well so that she can continue to offer pastoral care now and in the years ahead.
At the heart of her work is the honor and privilege she feels in seeing all of the ways God is working in the world among her congregation and beyond.
Mary Kate is also a good advocate for our pastoral residency program. If you're curious to learn more, you can go here:
https://www.plymouthchurch.com/transition-into-ministry/
25 Oct 2023
Stephanie Haskins: Trust Your Own Journey
Stephanie Haskins served as a Transition into Ministry resident at Plymouth Church from 2009 until 2011. Between Plymouth and her current role as Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at Connecticut College, she has served as a solo pastor at a small church in Iowa and a Senior Pastor in Connecticut.
Stephanie is a true contemplative and my conversation with her was both reassuring and challenging.
She insists the work of ministering allows for endless opportunities to grow into the fullness of oneself. She also sees a world hungry for spirituality, a world that needs both great pastors and great churches.
For more information about Plymouth's pastoral residency program go to:
https://www.plymouthchurch.com/transition-into-ministry/
15 Oct 2023
Anthony Weisman (Part II - Bonus): What a Good Call Looks Like
This is a bonus episode and epilogue to Episode One. Listen to Anthony Weisman's insights about finding the right fit between a pastor and a congregation.
Plymouth's Transition into Ministry Program (https://www.plymouthchurch.com/transition-into-ministry/)
15 Oct 2023
Anthony Weisman (Part I): the Allure of Ministry
Not many people think of ministry when thinking about exciting careers, but our first guest, Anthony Weisman, sees great beauty and power in the day to day and week to week work of leading a congregation and in allowing God to change people. This is a hopeful and hope-filled conversation that focuses more on the joys of ministry than the challenges.
Plymouth's Transition into Ministry Program (https://www.plymouthchurch.com/transition-into-ministry/)
30 Mar 2023
Coming Soon: First Call
We need courageous and dedicated leaders in the church more than ever, but answering the call to congregational ministry will entail a career dedicated to complex problems and challenges and you will often feel alone and under supported.
This podcast will engage experienced and less-experienced clergy and other church leaders in order to explore how to build and sustain commitment and dedication to congregational ministry.
Season One will begin fall of 2023.
Plymouth Church's Transition into Ministry Program (https://www.plymouthchurch.com/transition-into-ministry/)
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