Tara Beth Leach

About The Episode

In this interview, Tara Beth Leach shares her journey as a senior pastor, her calling to ministry, and the unique challenges she encountered. After an 11-year tenure at other churches, she returned to Good Shepherd, where she implemented a significant cultural shift to address unhealthy staff dynamics. Leach emphasizes the importance of casting a hopeful vision, maintaining accountability, and balancing work with personal restoration through hobbies and family support. 

Welcome to Episode 120 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. 

INSIGHTS FROM TARA BETH 

PASTORS RETURNING TO A HOME CHURCH IN A TRANSITION

What was easy in returning?

• The church has welcomed a female pastor. It’s not been a challenge. Because Tara Beth had a history there, it was a bridge to the past. 
• She was able to walk in with capital and trust.

What was difficult in returning?

• She knew some of the toxic things. She knew “too much” about the church.

The blessing in all of it was that it felt like coming home.

6-MONTH RESTRUCTURE

• This restructure formed a team of 7 executive leaders–the “vision team.”
• Four people were promoted to the exec. team, and three were new hires.

CULTURAL CHANGES

A leader always has to keep their hand on the culture of the team.

What is the process of changing culture?

• Hiring an outside group to assess
• One-on-one meetings with every person on staff and lead pastor
• Therapist sessions with staff; holding them accountable to actions and behavior
• Establishing core values (talking about them continuously)
• Establishing “Thursday morning connect” (modeling celebration and calling up and cheering others on publicly)

Can you change culture without dismissing people?

• Yes, but people have to be willing to repent and change their actions
• Often, people need to be dismissed or they will self-select out 
• People are often high in culture and low on talent, or they are high in talent and low on culture. You can work with the first.
• This is difficult.

Remind yourself what is true and what is not true.

• We often tell ourselves stories that are not true. “I’m a horrible boss if I do this.”
• Instead, dwell on what is true: “As a steward of this staff and the health of ministries, I am responsible for the unhealth.”

PASTORS’ HOBBIES

Every pastor should have a hobby.

• Tara Beth has begun horseback riding as a place to turn off some of the stress and anxiety.
• It’s not solving your problems…it’s pressing pause on your problems. 

CALENDAR MECHANICS

• A colleague manages her calendar. Pastors are terrible at saying “no.” 
• Guarded time: 
  • Wednesdays are sermon-writing days; Tara Beth doesn’t come into the office on Wednesdays
  • Friday or Saturday is typically taken off.

TRANSITION TIMING

• Don’t hold back on vision. People want vision. But people also want to be loved, seen, and heard.