Field Notes for Pastors

Faithful Pastoring in a Polarized Age with Vincent Bacote

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. Vince Bacote’s personal website: https://www.vincentbacote.com [https://www.vincentbacote.com]. The Center for Applied Christian Ethics: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/center-for-applied-christian-ethics/ [https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/center-for-applied-christian-ethics/].  We mentioned the following resources: Vincent Bacote, The Political Disciple [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310516072/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_1RlnDbTCQCA0Y] Black + Evangelical [https://pages.christianitytoday.com/black-evangelicals-documentary-lp]: a documentary profiling the history, struggles, and contributions of African American evangelicals. Pre-order Matt’s book, The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/], and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: www.mwerickson.com [http://www.mwerickson.com].

Listening for God: Spiritual Direction and Ministry with Kelly Erickson

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. Kelly Erickson’s spiritual direction practice website with many additional resources: Hills & Valleys [https://www.hillsvalleys.org/]. Christ-Centered Spiritual Direction Association: https://www.graftedlife.org/csda/home/ [https://www.graftedlife.org/csda/home/].  The Transforming Center’s spiritual direction resource: https://directory.transformingcenter.org [https://directory.transformingcenter.org].  We mentioned the following books: Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality [https://faithgateway.com/products/emotionally-healthy-spirituality-its-impossible-to-be-spiritually-mature-while-remaining-emotionally-immature?variant=33623012507784] Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved [https://crossroadpublishing.com/product/life-of-the-beloved/] Teresa of Avila, The Life of St. Teresa of Avila by Herself [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] Bernard of Clairvaux, Selected Works [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] Julian of Norwich, Showings [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] Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain [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] Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802802651/working-the-angles/] Lyle Dorsett, Seeking the Secret Place: The Spiritual Formation of C. S. Lewis [https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587431227_seeking-the-secret-place] Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership [https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9780801068355_overcoming-the-dark-side-of-leadership] Pre-order Matt’s book, The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/], and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: www.mwerickson.com [http://www.mwerickson.com].

To See Is to Stay: Attention as Love in Ministry with Asher Imtiaz

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. Asher Imtiaz’s personal website:  www.asherimtiaz.com [http://www.asherimtiaz.com]  Asher’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asherimtiaz/ [https://www.instagram.com/asherimtiaz/]  We mentioned the following resources: Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus [https://henrinouwen.org/read/in-the-name-of-jesus/] David Brooks, How to Know a Person [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks/] Pre-order Matt’s book, The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/], and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: www.mwerickson.com [http://www.mwerickson.com].

Rooted: The Power of Place in Ministry with Daniel Grothe

In this episode, we talk with pastor and author Daniel Grothe about the importance of place, presence, and agrarian imagery in shaping a faithful approach to ministry. Together, we explore how practices like gardening, shepherding, and rootedness help us resist abstraction and rediscover the incarnational nature of Christian leadership. Daniel shares stories from his own life and church that reveal how suffering, patience, and attention to people and place can lead to deep renewal. We reflect on how God works through seasons of death and growth to bring about a harvest of joy. Daniel Grothe’s personal website:  https://danielgrothe.com [https://danielgrothe.com]  We mentioned the following resources: Daniel Grothe, The Power of Place: Choosing Stability in a Rootless Age [https://www.thomasnelson.com/9781400212583/the-power-of-place/] Daniel Grothe’s Instagram: instagram.com/mrdanielgrothe  Daniel Grothe’s Substack: https://substack.com/@danielgrothe [https://substack.com/@danielgrothe]  Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow: A Novel [https://www.counterpointpress.com/books/jayber-crow/] Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays [https://www.counterpointpress.com/books/the-art-of-the-commonplace/] Wendell Berry, This Day: Collected & New Sabbath Poems [https://www.counterpointpress.com/books/this-day/]  Look and See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry [https://lookandseefilm.com/what-we-do] Pre-order Matt’s book, The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/], and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: www.mwerickson.com [http://www.mwerickson.com].

Tending the Soul: Rhythms of Rest and Renewal with Shanthini Baskaran

In this episode, we talk with Shanthini Baskaran about spiritual formation, soul care, and the inner life of those called to ministry. Together, we explore how busyness, identity, and constant demands can quietly erode our attentiveness to God, even when we are doing God’s work. Shanthini invites us into a vision of prayer, rest, and community that is rooted in deep intimacy with Jesus and sustained by daily rhythms. We reflect on how tending our own souls is essential for long-term faithfulness and joy in ministry. Soul Care Institute: www.soulcareinstitute.com [http://www.soulcareinstitute.com].  Shanthini’s email: shanthinib@gmail.com [shanthinib@gmail.com].  Pre-order Matt’s book, The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry [https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/], and then visit his blog to sign-up for pre-order incentives: www.mwerickson.com [http://www.mwerickson.com].