Leading from Weakness in Ministry with Mandy Smith

What if embracing our limitations could actually make us better leaders?  In this heartfelt conversation, Reverend Tara Beth Leach and Dr. Mark Quanstrom sit down with Mandy Smith to uncover the transformative power of vulnerability in ministry. Instead of feeling pressured to have every answer or maintain a polished facade, discover how owning our weaknesses allows God’s strength to shine through. Mandy shares her personal journey—moments of crisis, the temptation of the “perfect leader” lie, and the profound relief in letting go. Together, they explore how gender dynamics influence leadership, the importance of truthful self-reflection, and why authentic shepherding resonates more deeply than scripted competence.  If you’ve ever felt the weight of needing to appear flawless in pastoral work, this episode offers encouragement to lead boldly from a place of honesty and trust. Timestamps: 00:46 Continuing the Conversation on Vulnerability 02:37 Mandy’s Crisis and Revelation 04:24 The Lie of the Perfect Leader 07:46 The Role of Gender in Ministry 09:16 The Burden of Leadership 10:46 God’s Strength in Our Weakness 14:12 The Call to Authentic Leadership 28:31 The Journey of Redemption 31:51 Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendations