The Pastor's Table
A Theology of Place: Ryan & Danny Quanstrom on Pastoring with Presence (Part 2)
Published: 17 March 2025 at 09:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
What does it mean to pastor with presence in a world that prioritizes efficiency, technology, and disconnection?
In this episode, Rev. Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom continue their conversation with Ryan & Danny Quanstrom, digging into the theological convictions that shape their ministries.
From embodying the gospel in a rural town to creating third spaces for belonging, this episode explores how place matters in pastoring—and why the church must resist the forces that isolate and fragment communities.
🎙️ In This Episode:
- Why ministry isn’t about programs—it’s about presence.
- How theology of place shapes their vision for the church.
- The challenge of pastoring in a world designed to erase human connection.
- Practical ways to build spaces where people experience belonging, dignity, and love.
📌 Highlights:
- [00:05:00] Ryan on how modern culture teaches us to avoid each other—& why the church must resist that.
- [00:12:00] Danny on why churches shouldn’t just reflect their communities—they should reflect the Kingdom.
- [00:19:00] Building third spaces: How Ryan turned Wednesdays into a church-wide community meal.
- [00:26:00] Danny on pastoring in a historically segregated town and making space for diversity.
- [00:36:00] Why courage and love are at the heart of true pastoral leadership.
💡 Takeaway:
Pastoring is about embodied presence in a particular place, among particular people. In a world designed to make us bypass relationships, the church is called to build spaces where people linger, belong, and transform.
