Episode 37

Zack Eswine

A Stamina for Being Overlooked

Zack Eswine is the author of the book, The Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus. It's on my must-read list for pastors.
Zack Eswine is the author of the book, The Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus. It's on my must-read list for pastors.
00:00 49:16

Show Notes:37. Zack Eswine — A Stamina for Being Overlooked

I’ve read a lot of books on the vocation of pastor. Zack Eswine’s book, The Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus, is one of my favorites.

As a pastor, there are the books we read to keep up with trends, the books we read to refine our understanding of theology and scripture, and the books we read to try and develop new skills. But occasionally, there are the books we discover that offer something far rarer, a deep and warm conversation with a good friend, a friend who isn’t ahead of us but walking with us. Zack’s writing has provided me with that kind of friendship.

His work is humble, transparent, and deeply contemplative. You won’t find strategies or novelty. What you’ll find is a holistic expression of the pastoral ministry: local, content, and awake to the subtleties of grace.

In our conversation, we talk about platform and a great phrase I picked up from Zack’s book, “a stamina for being overlooked.” I think this is one of the most important conversations I’ve had this year on the podcast.

 

  • We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
  • Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
  • Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
  • Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
  • Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
  • Cold nights mean blankets.
  • Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
  • Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
  • This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Cold nights mean blankets.
Cold nights mean blankets.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings. Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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