Tara Beth Leach Explained

Tara Beth Leach (born 1982) is an American evangelical pastor and author.

Education

Leach was born in 1982.^[1] She has said she first felt called to ministry while in high school but was told she couldn't be a pastor as a woman.^[2] She has a BA in youth ministry from Olivet Nazarene University and an MDiv from Northern Seminary,^{[3] [4]} where she also worked as a teaching assistant for Scot McKnight.^[5]

Career

Leach was appointed Senior Pastor at First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena ("PazNaz") in 2016,^{[3] [6]} the first woman in the role.^{[7] [8]} In 2017, she was the youngest female megachurch pastor in the United States.^[1] Since 2023, Tara Beth has served as the Senior Pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois.^{[9] [10]}

Leach's first book, Emboldened, released in 2017, seeks to encourage women into Christian ministry.^[11] Her 2021 book Radiant suggests church leaders need to look at themselves rather than culture to explain the trend away from church attendance.^[12]

Personal life

Leach married in 2006 and has two sons.^[3]

Publications

• Book: Leach, Tara Beth. 2016. The Apostle Paul and the Christian Life: Ethical and Missional Implications of the New Perspective. Scot McKnight. Joseph B. Modica. Baker Academic. A Symphonic Melody:Wesleyan-Holiness Theology Meets New-Perspective Paul. 153–178. 9781493403516.
• Book: Leach, Tara Beth. 2017. Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry. InterVarsity Press. 9780830887583.
• Book: Leach, Tara Beth. 2017. Kingdom Culture: The Sermon on the Mount: Workbook. Foundry Publishing. 9780834136168.
• Book: For God So Loved: A Lenten Devotional. 2018. Foundry Publishing. Dan . Boone. Samantha . Chambo. Tara Beth . Leach. Jeren . Rowell. 9780834137073.
• Book: Leach, Tara Beth. 2021. Forty Days on Being a Six. InterVarsity Press. 9780830847525.
• Book: Leach, Tara Beth. Radiant Church: Restoring the Credibility of Our Witness. 2021. InterVarsity Press. 9780830847631.

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Youngest Megachurch Pastor? 20 To Watch. Warren. Bird. October 9, 2017. April 24, 2021. Leadership Network.
2. Episode 28: Empowering Women in Ministry, with Tara Beth Leach, author of Emboldened. Spiritual Life and Leadership. Markus Watson. March 18, 2019. April 24, 2021.
3. Web site: Tara Beth Leach. IVPress.
4. Web site: Tara Beth Leach. Missio Alliance.
5. When the Pastoral and Prophetic Intersect:Interview with Tara Beth Leach. Craft and Character. Steve Carter. August 18, 2020. April 24, 2021. CDF Capital.
6. Web site: Pasadena Religious Services Sunday. October 15, 2016. April 24, 2021. Pasadena Now.
7. Web site: The Pay Gap Is Worse for Pastor-Moms. Christianity Today. Kate. Shellnutt. August 3, 2017. April 24, 2021.
8. Web site: I Don't Fit the Senior Pastor Mold. Christianity Today. September 12, 2016. April 24, 2021. Tara Beth. Leach.
9. Web site: Pastor Tara Beth Leach . 2023-04-06 . Good Shepherd Church - Naperville . en-US.
10. Web site: Staff Archive . 2023-04-06 . Good Shepherd Church - Naperville . en-US.
11. Web site: Tara Beth Leach:A Pastor in Love with the Church. Northern Seminary. Julie-Allyson. Ieron. April 12, 2018.
12. Web site: Bringing the 'Nones' Home. Cathy Lynn. Grossman. March 19, 2021. April 24, 2021. Publishers Weekly.