The Clay Pot Conspiracy: God's Plan to Use Weakness in Leaders

“It has been one of the most difficult lessons I have ever had to learn, that God delights to use weak people. God does not use weak people by first making them strong, but by keeping them weak. Why? Because their weakness provides the greatest opportunity for God to display his power. This is the clay pot conspiracy that Dave Harvey unveils in this powerful, necessary book. I highly recommend you read it.”
Tim Challies, Author of Seasons of Sorrow

“Dave Harvey helps us all with the timely reminder that when we acknowledge our dependence upon God, we find that weakness is an advantage!”
Alistair Begg, Senior Pastor, Parkside Church; Bible teacher, Truth For Life

“There’s an important difference between ministering from your wounds and ministering because of your wounds. The former brings healing to people through empathy, gentleness, and wisdom. The latter uses people and brings them burden, exploitation, and judgment. I’m grateful for Dave Harvey’s The Clay Pot Conspiracy because of how he points leaders to the true gospel where, like Jesus, we minister out of suffering. I pray you’ll read this book and join the conspiracy of Christlike leadership it lovingly outlines.”
Jared C. Wilson, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry, Midwestern Seminary; pastor for preaching, Liberty Baptist Church; author of Lest We Drift

“Dave has suffered family and ministerial heartbreak—trials that can wreck a person's faith. Yet, all Dave can talk about is Jesus. With the loveliness of Jesus set before us, Dave counsels us with wisdom, grace, clear talk, honest weakness, and the kind of humor that mends a soul. Dear leader, Jesus has met Dave in the broken places. Dave testifies that Jesus can meet us there too.”
Zack Eswine, Lead Pastor, Riverside Church; author of The Imperfect Pastor

“God’s power shines through weakness—that simple, often-neglected gospel truth is the heart of The Clay Pot Conspiracy. With biblical insight and raw personal stories, Dave Harvey reminds us that the steep road of sorrow isn’t an aberration but a promised part of the journey toward glory. Drawing especially from the apostle Paul, he shows how our frailties are not barriers to ministry but the very means by which God displays his goodness and love. A powerful book forged through sorrow and joy.”
Trevin Wax, Vice President of Resources and Marketing, North American Mission Board; visiting professor, Cedarville University; author of The Thrill of Orthodoxy, Rethink Your Self,and Gospel-Centered Teaching

“Dave Harvey speaks from decades of experience to encourage church leaders to embrace God’s purposes in their weakness. He transparently shares how great trials have exposed his own weakness but God used them to better display Christ in his life. Dave also reminds us that great joy comes along with the suffering as we care for the Lord’s sheep. I counsel many discouraged pastors, and I am excited to be able to give them this resource, which will encourage them to continue to be vulnerable for Christ’s sake and to endure.”
Jim Newheiser, Professor of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte; executive director, The Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (IBCD)

“This book is balm and strength for leaders who love Christ’s church and are feeling swamped by the suffering which their vocation as pastors entails. Dave Harvey opens his heart, sharing his long experience, and shows how leaders united to Christ will embody the gospel of Jesus’s own dying and being made alive. A courageous book to bring strength in weakness.”
Clive Bowsher, Provost, Union School of Theology, United Kingdom

“This book is for leaders, but if I’m being honest, it’s a must-read for every believer today. Dave conducts a masterclass in his latest work, showing us that weakness is one of the most counterintuitive but essential aspects of our faith. With sincere honesty and humble vulnerability, Dave shows us that weakness is the way—the way to true flourishing in Christ.”
Jonathan D. Holmes, Executive Director, Fieldstone Counseling; board member, the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF)

“There are specific books that both arrest my attention and delight my heart. The Clay Pot Conspiracy is one of them. With deep biblical insight and personal vulnerability, Dave Harvey presents an essential resource for leaders. In a day when many pastors and leaders are resigning, the call for biblical resilience is paramount. This book provides the often-overlooked secret to ministry resilience—discovering God's power through our weakness. I enthusiastically recommend this book, and I pray its core message will be received with joy and applied with faith.”
Robbie Symons, Lead Pastor of Preaching and Vision, Hope Bible Church Oakville, Ontario

“The Lord providentially brought Dave into our lives at just the right time to share the many profound truths captured in this book. His wisdom, forged through suffering, makes this an essential read for every pastor and ministry leader. Don’t hesitate—pick it up! You won’t regret it. You’ll be as blessed as if you were sitting with him, hearing him open his heart and urge you to stand firm no matter what you’re facing.”
Felix Cabrera, Founder, Endos Network

“The Clay Pot Conspiracy is undoubtedly Dave's magnum opus. The quality of writing, depth of emotion, and tender vulnerability bleed out on every page. This is a book filled with heartbreak and hope, chronicling the life of a man who has not only walked with the Lord during seasons of brokenness and heartache, but has been carried by him through the darkest valleys. Dave reminds us through story and Scripture that our weakness is the means by which God produces wholeness in us. A phenomenal piece of work that will help and encourage many.”
Ronnie Martin, Director of Leader Care and Renewal, Harbor Network; pastor-in-residence, Redeemer Church