What the Hell is a Pastor?
By What the Hell is a Pastor
What the Hell is a Pastor?Aug 08, 2019
Consequentialism, Deontology, and Virtue
In which Beth McKenney joins Ethan and Jo to explain three ethical theories (and a secret fourth option!) that could be applied to our conundrum in the episode, "K*ant" from February.
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The Work Your Soul Must Have
In which Ian joins Jo to discuss their upcoming move to Albany, New York, and the trials and triumphs of re-entering the candidacy process.
You can read Ian's 2019 candidacy resignation letter here: https://um-insight.net/perspectives/something-new/
Transcripts, when available, can be found at patreon.com/wthiap. Just search for the episode title. Don't see a transcript you're looking for? Let us know via email.
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Eclipse Hermeneutics
In which Ethan and Jo discuss what Holy Week means to them and how people have interpreted eclipses in the past. (They also get into an argument about anthropocentrism, for those who are interested!)
You can look up how the April 8 eclipse is going to look in your area here: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/sperryville?iso=20240408
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Reading the Tea Leaves
In which Ian and Caleb join Ethan and Jo to talk about the work ahead of General Conference- Charlotte.
Here's that story about Adam Hamilton: https://um-insight.net/perspectives/an-open-letter-to-adam-hamilton/
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Doubt / The Ally
In which Jo talks about two shows she's seen recently.
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Minisode 165: Kairos Pie
In which the pie is a lie.
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International Women's Day
In which Ethan and Ian discuss ideas from some of their favorite women theologians.
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A Dramatic Example
In which Ethan and Jo discuss a recent church leadership case study.
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My Body Can't Be My Enemy
In which Ethan and Jo reflect on being embodied during this first full week of Colon Cancer Awareness Month.
Hey, how's your colon? If you have no idea how to answer that question, check out this guide that Jo made for work at https://libguides.su.edu/colon-cancer-awareness
Transcripts, when available, can be found at patreon.com/wthiap. Just search for the episode title. Don't see a transcript you're looking for? Let us know via email.
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Tillich Tales, Part 3
In which Ethan and Nick continue their conversation about post-theism and Tillich, this time with more of God's absence!
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Tillich Tales, Part 2
In which Ethan and Nick discuss wrestling for about 18 minutes, then switch to post-theism, Tillich, and more.
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Just a Regular METHodist pastor
In which Ethan and Jo discuss a fascinating case of pastoral malpractice.
You can read the story yourself here: https://people.com/connecticut-pastor-accused-selling-crystal-meth-out-of-church-s-rectory-8576519
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News Round Up, Part 2
In which Spanks and the Dude refuse to talk about the He Gets Us ads.
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News Round Up, Part 1
In which Ethan and Jo discuss a couple of news stories from around their world.
Want to read the GREAT news about Pioneers? That's here: https://indyweek.com/news/pioneers-durham-closing/
Want to read the NOT GREAT news about General Conference prep? That's here: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/concerns-mount-about-general-conference-prep
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Poet of the World
In which Spanks Rebok and the Dude continue their discussion of how to answer a congregant's ethical question.
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K*nt
In which Ethan and Jo talk about how to talk about ethics and the one secret philosopher that ethicist don't want you to know about.
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We Really Are Good (The Good Place Review, Part 2)
In which Spanks and the Dude continue their conversation about a truly fantastic show. Spoilers abound.
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To Be Human (The Good Place Review, Part 1)
In which Ethan and Jo discuss the truly fantastic show, The Good Place. Spoilers abound.
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Twenty-Five
In which Ethan and Jo discuss a report, which you can read here: https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/twenty-five-percent-of-churches-disaffiliated-from-the-united-methodist-church/
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Insecure and Unaware
In which Ethan and Jo discuss leadership, executives, pastoral care, and the standards we're held to.
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Minisode 164: Apophatic
In which Spanks and the Dude discuss what we can't say for sure about God.
The book we're discussing is Specters of God by John D. Caputo.
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Generosity
In which Ethan and Jo discuss a practical ministry concern.
The sermon Jo mentions is here: https://www.ajschonewolf.com/home/thankfulness
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Minisode 163: A Confessional Move
In which Spanks Rebok and the Dude are joined by John Westley, to discuss emergence, chaos, sin, and irresistible grace.
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Speaking of Sin
(Get your COVID and flu shots, friends! Protect yourself and the most vulnerable around you!)
In which Ethan, Ian, and Jo discuss what sin is, and what it means to be human.
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Successful, Powerful, Handsome, and Happy, Again
In which Ethan and Jo talk about Christian perfection.
Want to read A Plain Account of Christian Perfection? It's free online here.
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Not Consumed
In which Ethan and Jo talk about the incarnation and how Jesus isn't a werewolf.
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Could Mary Have Said No?
In which Spanks and the Dude discuss the possibility of divine risk.
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Divine Woundedness
It's some real love your enemies type sh!t.
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The Judicial Council Rides Again, Part 2
In which Ian joins Jo and Ethan to discuss GC 2024, SGC 2026, GC 2028, and what the UMC must do in order to remain united globally.
A compendium of links to help you understand what has transpired:
- "Court Rules on General Conference Questions" from UM News: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/court-rules-on-general-conference-questions
- "Church court reverses call for extra General Conference" from UM News: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-court-revisits-general-conference-ruling
- "UMC bishops meet, request for 2025 General Conference among other decisions" from the Council of Bishops: https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/umc-bishops-meet-request-for-2026-general-conference-among-other-decisions-17416737
- "Bishops call for General Conference in 2026" from UM News: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishops-call-for-general-conference-in-2026#
- Judicial Council Decision Number 1472 from Resource UMC: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/judicial-council-decision-1472
- Judicial Council Memorandum Number 1485 from Resource UMC: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/memorandum-1485
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The Judicial Council Rides Again, Part 1
In which Ian joins Ethan and Jo to talk about future general conferences.
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Be Great at Something (The Bear, Season 2 Review)
In which Ethan and Jo talk about The Bear, what it means to be from somewhere, the ahistorical fabrication of whiteness, and acting.
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Asbury's Table
In which Rev. Bonnie McCubbin joins Ethan and Jo to talk archives, history, camping ministries, self-promotion as a pastor, and grounding yourself in what you do.
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Chuck E. Cheese/No Shame
In which Pamela Dayton joins Jo to discuss free hugs, tear gas, her calling, refugee camps, her journey to seminary, antiracism, and how much she loves Jesus.
Pamela mentions Leroy Barber in this episode, as well as the book Exclusion and Embrace.
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Try for Better (Chuck E. Cheese/No Shame, Part 2)
In which Anananaphalaxis joins the Dude to discuss what to do when you f[udge] up.
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Flu, Thankfulness, and The Bear
In which Ethan and Jo discuss recent events in their lives, Jo's Thanksgiving sermon, and the utterly fantastic TV show, The Bear (along with some pretty interesting ideas about identity, if we may say so ourselves).
Transcripts, when available, can be found at patreon.com/wthiap. Just search for the episode title. Don't see a transcript you're looking for? Let us know via email.
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Nevermore (The Fall of the House of Usher Review)
In which Ethan and Jo discuss the new Flanangan show, which Ethan really liked!
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Horror Spectacular 2!
In which AhnnaLise, CJ, and Drew join Jo to discuss Borderlands and Evil.
Want to watch us instead of just listening? Head to patreon.com/wthiap!
Transcripts, when available, can be found at patreon.com/wthiap. Just search for the episode title. Don't see a transcript you're looking for? Let us know via email.
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Responsibility (Theological Requirements for Ministry, Reconsidered)
In which Ethan and Jo talk about ordination, preaching, and what pastors have to believe.
Transcripts, when available, can be found at patreon.com/wthiap. Just search for the episode title. Don't see a transcript you're looking for? Let us know via email.
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The Beauty of F--- (Dangerous Liberal Lady Preachers Cross-Post!)
In which we share an episode from the Dangerous Liberal Lady Preachers podcast, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty with Jo Schonewolf." Here's how they describe it:
"Content warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse and cancer, as well as a few more F-bombs than we normally drop.
Natalie chats with Jo Schonewolf, host of the podcast "What the Hell Is a Pastor?" Natalie and Jo talk about being a Christian in the '90s, the damage of purity culture, beating cancer, the new frontier of Christian podcasting, moving on after a toxic experience, and the complicated relationship pastors have with saying 4 letter words."
God's Love Split
In which Paloma Holub and Mekhna George join Ethan and Jo to discuss their documentary, God's Love Split, disaffiliations in the UMC, and why these stories are important to tell.
Learn more about God's Love Split and how to schedule a screening at instagram.com/godslovesplit.
Transcripts, when available, can be found at patreon.com/wthiap. Just search for the episode title. Don't see a transcript you're looking for? Let us know via email.
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Minisode 162: Be People Together
In which Spanks and the Dude discuss how to think about communities.
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Free is Not Your Right to Choose
In which Ethan and Jo discuss recent interviews and when it's good to disobey the Discipline.
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The Only Choice, Part 2
In which Paige and Elizabeth join Jo to discuss what came after one particular wedding. Part 2 of 2.
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The Only Choice, Part 1
In which Paige and Elizabeth join Jo to talk about their ministry stories and one particular wedding. Part 1 of 2.
Learn more about Paige's current work here: https://www.faithinwomen.org/
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Minisode 161: The Blueprint Dives
In which Ethan talks about next steps in his PhD journey, what he's reading, and some really cool thoughts from a dead Scotsman.
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Failing to Live Well With Each Other
In which Ian joins Ethan and Jo to discuss the complaint process in the United Methodist Church.
Want to hear our reflections on The Missing Stair? Click here.
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Minisode 160: Let People Tell the Truth
In which Spanks and the Dude envision what a ministry focused on story might look like.
You can get the book Ethan mentioned, The Sovereignty of Good by Iris Murdoch, at this link: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-sovereignty-of-good-iris-murdoch/8162328?ean=9780415253994. (If you do, we get some money, which is nice.)
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The Harvest and the Widow
In which Ethan and Jo discuss the most effective way to heal the harm the church has done.
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Minisode 159: So Many Ways to Lose
In which Spanks and the Dude discuss the IRD, First Things, The Babylon Bee, what stops necessary conversations, and what we can do about it.
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More Than Appreciative
In which Drew Ensz returns to the podcast to talk about the end of the complaint against him, what healing looks like in this moment, and what's required of us as leaders.
Listen to our previous conversation with Drew here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what-the-hell-is-a-pastor/episodes/The-Prototypical-Pastor-e1l3rhk
Books in this episode: Let This Radicalize You by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba. (That's an affiliate link- if you use it, we'll get some money.)
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