The Pastor's Table Dr. Mark Quanstrom & Rev. Tara Beth Leach

How does sin manifest itself in the world? 
The inescapable nature of sin is felt in so many ways including the church. Whether it’s the pervasive brokenness in systems or grave offensives, God’s people are constantly bumping up against sin.  Tara Beth & Mark talk with Beth Felker Jones about the way God intersects with the reality of sin in the world.  
Discussion Questions: 

The steadfast love of God remains constant even when we fail. How can we remind ourselves and others of God's steadfast love, even when we fail?

We’ve all experienced the abundance and pain of sin.  What is the most obvious way you’re experiencing sin right now in your congregation? 

Mark and Tara Beth suggest fostering transformation by modeling vulnerability, nurturing the imagination of the church's culture, and emphasizing confession and the need for Christ's grace. What are some ways we can model vulnerability, nurture the church's culture, and emphasize confession and the need for Christ's grace?

The Church is filled with tension. How does the brokenness of humanity found in the Church co-exist with being Christ’s presence in the world? 
Sin has ravaged the church. The pain and fallout have been significant, especially among church leaders. Yet, the church will always be the place where messy people interact and work out their salvation from sin.  Holiness often looks less spectacular and more ordinary acts of goodness. 
Discussion Questions: 

Beth, Mark & Tara Beth wrestle through some lofty discussions about sin and the holiness of church. How do you wrestle through these discussions that they bring up in this episode? 

Beth brings up that capitalism is often brought up and at times negatively intertwined into the church as a “product.” What ways can this be unhelpful to live in the Kingdom as God described?  

In the context of the Church's inherent tension and brokenness due to the impact of sin, how can the community navigate the challenge of being Christ's presence in the world while acknowledging and addressing the significant pain and fallout among church leaders? 

Life in the church is a complex reality.  
The Church is what it will become, yet it also has a here and not yet reality.
Acknowledging the tensions within, Beth, Mark & Tara Beth explore the coexistence of brokenness and Christ's presence in the Church. The discussion delves into the impact of sin, addressing the significant pain experienced, especially by church leaders. Despite the struggles, the hosts emphasize the transformative power of holiness manifesting in ordinary acts of goodness.
Discussion Questions:

How does the tension between the brokenness of humanity and Christ's presence in the Church challenge our understanding of holiness?

What role do individuals, especially those with influence, play in stewarding the authority bestowed upon them in the Church?

Reflecting on the analogy of the Church as the bride of Christ, how can we navigate the tensions between acknowledging the Church's flaws and recognizing its inherent beauty?

What happens when a vision for God’s Kingdom gets taken seriously?  
Filled with the Holy Spirit Coach Wayne Gordon retells the dynamic way God led a group of people that founded Lawndale Community Church.  
Discover the transformative impact that has shaped the Lawndale community and understand why the Church, as God's change agent, holds a pivotal role in the contemporary world. Unravel the profound connection between the Church's foundation on the great commandment and its continued influence today.  
Wayne Gordon points out that the Church in America was started on sinful grounds! Yet, despite all the presence of sin, God has been faithful to his promises and people to bring peace through God’s Kingdom! 

How can we keep ourselves from becoming cynical about the Church?  
Coach Wayne Gordon continues the conversation with Tara Beth and Mark. They talk honestly about the many ways churches can be painful and fall short of the ideal set by Jesus.  The process of confessing these faults is a powerful opportunity to be transformed to become more like Jesus!  
Embracing humility is a courageous and bold step. Coach Wayne Gordon challenges the church to live and lead with this kind of humility.  God always has worked through imperfect individuals and communities to bring about holy change.  All sorts of sins from individual to institutional can be dealt with through Christ in the church.  

Hard things happen all the time in ministry.  

What Sherry had to endure was more than hard. It was abusive and unacceptable.  Despite all this adversity Sherry shares how she navigated all this pain and still could say that she still loves the church. 

In the face of unimaginable challenges and profound pain, Sherry Mitchell's unwavering faith and commitment to her calling shine through. Her story serves as a beacon of resilience and strength, showcasing the transformative power of forgiveness and love in the midst of darkness. Through her unwavering dedication to the church, Sherry's journey inspires us to reexamine our own paths and find the courage to embrace hope and healing in the face of adversity.