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A question many of us face this time of year is how to guide our congregations well through the Advent season. In the midst of pastoring others, some of us have been able to enter into the wonder of the season ourselves, some of us are navigating the busyness of planning and executing events and services, and others of us are walking through a deeply painful season that can come with this time of year. Wherever you find yourself today, our prayer is that this time spent listening to this conversation will strengthen your hands, fill your heart with courage, and draw you deeper into the joys of this Advent season.
Today, AJ Sherrill joins us from St. Peter’s Church in Charleston, South Carolina. AJ has pastored in diverse contexts—from California to New York to Grand Rapids—before settling in Charleston with his family. He’s also an accomplished author, and his latest book, Rediscovering Christmas, is a profound exploration of the Bible’s Christmas story, helping us embrace the ancient wonder of the season.
In this episode, AJ shares about:
His new book, Rediscovering Christmas, and its surprising insights into the Bible’s Christmas story. How to discover and develop your unique pastoral voice as a communicator. The importance of slowing down to truly pastor your congregation where they are.We’re so grateful you’ve joined us for this conversation on The Pastorate. May God bless you as you listen and enter into the wonder of Advent.
Biography
AJ Sherrill has served as a lead pastor for over two decades in churches across the country, from Southern California to New York City, and now calls the Low Country home. He holds two master’s degrees in theology and a doctorate in spiritual formation. AJ teaches courses on preaching and the Enneagram at Fuller Theological Seminary and leads workshops on spiritual formation and personality theory. Above all, he is a disciple of Jesus, husband to Elaina, and father to Eloise. On a lighter note, he is also a dedicated—though often humbled—Michigan fan.
Sponsors
We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and give towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.
Join our Emerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Our next intake begins soon!
Guest Notes
AJ’s Website Instagram Rediscovering Christmas Being With God: The Absurdity, Necessity and Neurology of Contemplative Prayer The Enneagram For Spiritual Formation: How Knowing Ourselves Can Make Us More Like JesusShow Notes
Website Blog and Episode Write Up Youtube Instagram
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Pastoring has always been a vocation of great responsibility, yet the expectations placed on pastors today have grown increasingly complex. From preaching and shepherding to being organizational leaders, cultural commentators, and trauma-informed counselors, the demands can stack up, making the work feel impossible. Add to this the challenge of navigating a rapidly changing cultural and technological landscape, and it’s no wonder so many pastors wrestle with questions of calling, capacity, and resilience. But amidst these challenges the ancient wisdom of the church and the gift of pastoral community offer a way forward.
In this episode of The Pastorate, we sit down with Glenn Packiam, Lead Pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California, to explore the depth and complexity of pastoral ministry in today’s world. Glenn brings his unique perspective as a pastor, offering insights on how to remain grounded in the midst of ministry’s ever-growing demands. Drawing from both his own experiences, Glenn unpacks practical strategies for navigating the weight of expectations placed on pastors, cultivating resilience through ancient spiritual practices, and fostering healthy team dynamics with a focus on self-awareness. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to pastoral ministry, this conversation will encourage and equip you to lead with renewed clarity and grace.
Our conversation with Glenn Packiam covers:
The impossible expectations placed on pastors today and how to navigate them with grace. The timeless wisdom of the church, including the value of ancient practices like the prayer of Examen. The power that self-awareness and healthy team has to sustain longevity in ministry.We’re thankful you’ve joined us on The Pastorate today, bless you as you listen.
Biography
Glenn Packiam serves as the Lead Pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California. Glenn has written several books, including The Resilient Pastor, Blessed Broken Given, and his latest work, The Intentional Year, co-authored with his wife, Holly. Holding a Doctorate in Theology and Ministry from Durham University, Glenn is also a Senior Fellow at Barna Group, a Visiting Fellow at St. John’s College, Durham University, and an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of North America. As a songwriter, Glenn has contributed to over 65 worship songs. Glenn and Holly reside in Orange County, California, with their four children.
Sponsors
We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and give towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.
Join our Emerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Our next intake begins soon!
Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Guest Notes
Glenn’s Website Rockharbor Church The Resilient Pastor The Intentional YearShow Notes
Website Blog and Episode Write Up Youtube Instagram
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This week on The Pastorate we are excited to host Carey Nieuwhof—Bestselling author, Host of the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, and Founding Pastor of Connexus Church in Barrie, Ontario
Today’s episode covers a wide range of topics:
Carey discusses his journey of founding and then stepping back from the Lead role at Connexus Church. He reflects on how stepping aside has required humility and an intentional shift from leading to supporting. Carey takes the time to walk us through some insights on the shift away from consumer Christianity towards a desire for genuine discipleship and connection as well as a need to reorient our ministry models alongside this cultural shift. He opens up about his experience with the potential dangers of pastoring: isolation or confusing church success with personal faith — along with practices like friendship and building a life outside of ministry to help mitigate the danger.We’re thankful you’ve joined us on The Pastorate today, bless you as you listen.
Bio | Carey Nieuwhof is a bestselling leadership author, speaker, podcaster, and former attorney. He hosts one of today’s most influential leadership podcasts. His podcast, blog, and online content are accessed by leaders over 1.5 million times each month. He speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change, and personal growth through the Art of Leadership Academy. His work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider, and on EntreLeadership. Carey and his wife, Toni, live north of Toronto, Canada and have two grown sons.
We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and give towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.
Join our Emerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Our next intake begins soon!
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Guest Notes
The Art of Leadership Academy At Your Best Book Instagram Connexus Church Article on PreachingShow Notes
Website Blog and Episode Write Up Youtube Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story
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This week on The Pastorate, Rachel Hughes—Pastor of Gas Street Church in Birmingham, England—joins us on the podcast for a conversation on pastoral ministry.
Rachel shares about:
The experience of planting Gas Street Church, the ongoing cycle of raising and sending new leaders, and how church planting can disrupt comfort zones, keep churches mission-focused, and foster a kingdom mindset. Managing her roles as a church leader and a mother of five, navigating the complexities of parenting, pastoring, and fostering a local church community while also contributing to the broader church. Her work with The Orchard and her passion for creating spaces for women to explore their leadership potential, advocating for a church culture where men and women lead side-by-side for the sake of the Kingdom.We’re thankful you’ve joined us on The Pastorate today, bless you as you listen.
Bio | Rachel is the co-founder and co-lead pastor of Gas Street Church in Birmingham, where she and her husband, Tim, have served their community since 2015. She also co-founded The Orchard, a ministry devoted to seeing women set free, raised up, and released to answer God’s call on their lives. Rachel is passionate about inspiring young women in leadership and helping them be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to stand firm in the truths of God’s Word, unaffected by cultural values that may seek to divert or deplete them. Tim and Rachel have five beautiful children, joyfully balancing their ministry with family life.
We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and give towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.
Join our Emerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Our next intake begins soon!
Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Guest Notes
Gas Street Church The OrchardShow Notes
Website Blog and Episode Write Up Youtube Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
This week in the inaugural episode of The Pastorate, Adam Browett – Pastor of Calvary Temple in Winnipeg, Manitoba – joins us on the podcast for a conversation on pastoral ministry.
Adam shares about:
What Adam’s been learning recently, as a naturally gifted speaker, about continuing to develop his craft of preaching, Adam’s journey discerning transition–taking on the role of lead pastor for a historic church and how he’s guided his family in the midst of the move, and Leading an inner city church to embrace and celebrate the neighbourhood they find themselves inWe’re praying that today you would be strengthened to live more fully into the work that God has for you in the place and context of your own neighbourhood.
Bio | Adam has been in full-time ministry since 2005, serving churches across Western Canada, including BC, Alberta, and Manitoba. He’s passionate about reaching challenging areas where Christians often hesitate to go and encourages others to do the same. In February 2024, Adam, his wife Shandy, and their four children moved to Winnipeg, following God’s leading. He now serves as the Lead Pastor at Calvary Temple, a historic PAOC church with a diverse community representing different generations, cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and give towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.
Partners:
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Visit the Coram Deo Foundation website to learn more about the Joseph Chung Scholarship and to apply. Applications are open from October 21st–October 27th.
Show Notes
Guest
Calvary TempleThe Pastorate
Website Blog and Episode Write Up Youtube Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
Since its inception over four years ago, the Canadian Church Leaders Network (CCLN) has served thousands of pastors through its podcast, monthly newsletter, cohort-based programs, and pastors retreats and gatherings.
This week, Jason Ballard, host of the Canadian Church Leaders Podcast and Executive Director of CCLN sits down with Chris Price to discuss the future of CCLN and the adoption of a new name for both the organization and the podcast: The Pastorate.
Jason reflects on:
The rationale behind the naming of The Pastorate and the organization’s renewed focus on serving pastors, The current state of Canadian church leadership, How The Pastorate is serving to strengthen Canadian pastors through content, cohorts, and gatherings.As CCLN becomes The Pastorate, we invite you to pray, share, and give towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.
Show Notes
Website Blog and Episode Write Up Youtube Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
We've got a special episode for all of you this week. The CCLN Team is working hard on a special project that will be officially announced with the October 7th episode on the podcast, but we didn't want to leave you high and dry this week.
In 2022, we had Keith Taylor speak to a group of Pastors as part of our first cohort based program, The Church Leaders Incubator. Out of the many amazing speakers that the cohort was able to learn from, this was a session that captures our desire for creating opportunities to grow in competency with hearts full of love for Jesus and love for people. Don't let the topic dissuade you, this episode is worth your time.
Jason will also take a moment to share some insight into what is coming up for our team here at CCLN.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Get Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
The work of renewal in a church is slow, costly, and long-term. It requires pastors who consistently say, “I can’t do this alone,” and who return to the feet of Jesus, the One making all things new.
This week, Father James Mallon, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in beautiful Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, joins us on the podcast to share his heart for evangelism and his passion for parish renewal.
Father James reflects on:
His journey back to local church ministry after a season in parachurch and diocesan roles Re-experiencing the cost of renewal in a parish setting Tending to the inevitable wounds of pastoral ministry The Holy Spirit as both the gathering and sending force of the ChurchWe hope you find joy and comfort in knowing that pastoral ministry is a shared journey, as brothers and sisters across Canada collectively pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Bio | Father James Mallon is pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and founder of the Divine Renovation Ministry.
The message of Divine Renovation has resonated in the hearts of tens of thousands of pastors and lay leaders throughout the world. It has inspired and motivated them to act and seek help in transforming their own faith community. To answer their needs, the Divine Renovation Ministry was created. Fr James continues to serve the Divine Renovation Ministry with a portion of his time.
Born in Scotland, Father James and his family moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1982. After studying at Christ the King Seminary in British Columbia and St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto, Father James was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1997.
He currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In addition to his ministry, Father James loves soccer, movies, photography, dogs, everything Apple and good Single Malt Scotch.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Guest:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Divine Renovation Divine Renovation Book Thriving FaithGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
As pastors we want to run the race well and finish more in love with Jesus and with His church than when we started. Pastors that have been both fruitful and faithful set a beautiful example for what longevity in ministry can look like.
This week Dan Cochrane, Pastor of CrossRoads Church in Red Deer, Alberta, joins us on the podcast to share insights from over 45 years of experience as a Pastor. With 27 of those years being spent at CrossRoads Church alone.
Dan shares about:
His story and the path he took to discovering his call to the Pastorate His experience inheriting a legacy of faithfulness Managing church growth and learning to grow alongside the church he is pastoring The gift it is to be able to preach the Living Word of GodToday we're praying that you would hear the invitation to joy and delight in the Holy Spirit as you hear the passion and energy Dan carries for the church in Canada.
Bio | Dan Cochrane has been the Senior Pastor of CrossRoads Church since July 1, 1997. Prior to CrossRoads, he pastored in North Vancouver for 18 years. He has been married to his wife, Ginny since June 1977 and they have three adult children: Rick (Jenn), Christina, and Ryan (Janine). Their lives have also been blessed with six grandchildren. The vision of CrossRoads Church is: "To give everyone in Central Alberta an opportunity to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and by following Him together impact the world with compassion and hope." Dan is passionate about theology and studying scriptures. His focus is to teach the Bible and to lead the church forward in accomplishing the vision God has given. He also delights in developing young leaders and watching them grow.
We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and give towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.
Partners:
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Show Notes
Guest
CrossRoads ChurchThe Pastorate
Website Blog and Episode Write Up Youtube Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
What does community look like when it’s rooted in love and grounded in the realities of life? How do we grab hold of a vision for biblical unity within our congregations and learn to live in the tensions that come with knowing and loving others well?
This week, Rich Villodas, author of The Deeply Formed Life and Pastor of New Life Fellowship, joins us on the podcast for a second time to share insights from his wealth of experience and out of his heart to care well for other pastors.
Rich shares about:
The realities of biblical unity, what it looks and feels like in a dynamic congregation Dealing with expectations that are placed on Pastors, by others and by themselves His new book, The Narrow Path, and how the Sermon on the Mount offers a reframing of what it means to follow Jesus in our timeWe hope by listening to this conversation you experience a fresh invitation to the counter-cultural way of Jesus and that His love and grace cover you and keep you today.
Bio | Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. Rich holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related matters, and the art of preaching. He's been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two beautiful children, Karis and Nathan. Rich is the author of three books: The Deeply Formed Life, Good and Beautiful and Kind, and The Narrow Path.
Every dollar given in the month of August will be matched up to $25000. Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Thanks to The Way College for supporting this episode. If you are interested in exploring whether The Way College might be a good fit for you, visit thewaycollege.ca
Applications are still open for the Fall. Apply by August 24th, to have your enrolment fee waived.
Show Notes:
Website New Life Fellowship The Narrow PathGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
The church growth movement of the 20th-century has left a lasting impact on our perception of the Church today. What can we learn from its successes and shortcomings, and how can we move forward in the context of our post-everything society?
This week, Daniel Im from Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton joins us on the podcast for a second time
Daniel shares about:
His experience pastoring in the midst of deep loss Reflections on the transition into the Lead Pastor role of Beulah Alliance Church, a church with a 103 year history The value of surrounding yourself with people who can sharpen you and challenge you while you are in leadership His new book, The Discipleship Opportunity: Leading a Great-Commission Church in a Post-Everything WorldWe hope this conversation encourages and equips you as you serve those in your church and in your community.
Bio | Daniel Im is a pastor, Bible teacher, writer, and podcast host with a passion for the local church. He is the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta. His latest book is The Discipleship Opportunity: Leading a Great-Commission Church in a Post-Everything World (NavPress 2024). He has also written No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that will Transform Your Ministry (B&H Books 2017), Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply (2nd Ed) (B&H Academic, 2016), and You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love (B&H Books 2020).
He has an M.A. in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, and has served and pastored in church plants and multisite churches ranging from 100 people to 50,000 people in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Korea, Edmonton, and Nashville.
His podcasts have been downloaded over 3 million times, and he currently co-hosts the IMbetween Podcast with his wife, Christina, where they help you discover the tools to build a marriage and family you love. Together, they serve as speakers for FamilyLife Canada’s Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference. Daniel also serves as a Bible teacher for 100 Huntley Street, Canada’s longest running daily television show.
He has been married to his wife, Christina, since 2006 and they have three children. For more information, visit danielim.com and follow him on social media @danielsangi.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Show Notes:
The Discipleship Opportunity Daniel Im's Website Beulah Alliance ChurchGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story
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Every leader faces moments when vision dims and passion wavers. How do we sustain a vision for long term leadership and be able to lead with joy in our hearts and conviction in our steps?
This week, Shaila Visser from Alpha joins us on the podcast for a second time to share insights from her extensive leadership experience.
Shaila shares about:
Sustaining vision for longevity in ministry The importance of asking the Holy Spirit to spark passion for personal evangelism New research Alpha has done in partnership with flourishing congregations on the perception and practices of evangelism in Canada todayWe hope this conversation fills you with hope and encouragement that you are part of a work that God is doing across our nation in our time.
Bio | Shaila Visser is the National Director of Alpha Canada and the Global Senior Vice-President for Alpha International. She is the Executive Producer of both The Alpha Youth Film Series (2013) and The Alpha Film Series (2016), and currently holds a position on the Board of the Damascus Road Foundation.
Shaila has a heart for people coming to know Jesus and is passionate about helping the local church flourish. She is a gifted communicator who is known for her strategic leadership as well as her ability to bring people together.
Shaila loves hiking, beaches, next generation leaders, her big anglo-Indian family, and achieving new goals- whether that be fitness, books, or learning. Shaila lives in Vancouver BC with her husband, Ryan Visser, a Vancouver Police Officer, and their four-legged family members, Talon and Benny.
View the Reigniting Hope Report.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Show Notes:
Alpha Canada Study from Angus Reid Institute and Cardus Youth AlphaGet Connected!
Gatherings Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
What is unique about your church that you bring to the broader body of Christ? And, what from the broader body of Christ can you draw from and be strengthened by?
Chrishan Jeyaratnam joined us this week from Hillsong East Coast where he and his wife Danielle serve as Lead Pastors. Chrishan shared with us about his family’s move from Perth to New York during the pandemic, and what it has been like to serve the church alongside his kids.
Arriving in New York during a time of great cultural tension & loss, there’s a lot of wisdom to be found in the stories Chrishan shares about leading people through grief, reckoning with distrust, and seeking transformation as a community.
It’s a conversation that leads us to reflect on the unique charism of our churches in our cities, and how we are mutually strengthened as we grow in friendship with other church traditions.
Bio | Chrishan and his wife Danielle have served at Hillsong Church for many years, most recently as the Lead Pastors at Hillsong East Coast USA where they have been pastoring for the past 3 years. Before moving to New York with their four daughters, Chrishan and Danielle previously pastored at Hillsong Church Perth in Australia. As a family, they are committed to loving God and people, and to and living the adventure that it is to build His Church.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Guest:
Hillsong East CoastCCLN:
Darrell Johnson’s Genesis Course Darrell Johnson's Genesis Preaching NotesGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
How can the people of God inhabit our cities - in workplaces, commutes & classrooms in a way that’s coloured by the hope of God’s kingdom breaking in?
This week Tyler Staton and Pete Hughes join us on the podcast in a conversation that was originally a part of one of our Emerging Leaders Lab cohort sessions.
Tyler and Pete share about:
Finding Rhythms of Personal & Corporate Prayer Creating a Culture of Contending Through Storytelling Seeing God’s Redemptive Vision for Your CityWe were inspired by their ability to see redemption in their local communities and hope you will share their passion for your own city.
Bio | Pete Hughes is the Senior Pastor of KXC, an Anglican church in the heart of London. Pete and his wife Bee planted the church in 2010, establishing a community with the simple vision to recklessly give themselves away to God, each other, and the people of King's Cross and beyond.
Tyler Staton is the Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, and the National Director of 24-7 Prayer USA. He is passionate about pursuing prayer—communion and conversation with God—while living deeply, poetically, wildly, and freely in the honest and gritty realities of day-to-day life. Tyler believes that justice is kinship, stories are a gift, and prayer is an invitation.
Tyler is also the author of Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools and Searching for Enough: The High-Wire Walk Between Doubt and Faith, and the host of the Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools Podcast. He lives in Portland with his wife Kirsten, and their sons Hank, Simon, and Amos.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Show Notes:
24/7 Prayer KXC Bridgetown Praying Like Monks, Living Like FoolsGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story
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38 years into ministry, Helen Burns speaks of the Church with love in her voice and delight in the work God is doing among His people today.
Joining us on the podcast for a second time, Helen is a voice of encouragement as she reflects on what she has learned along the way. From planting Relate Church with her husband John in 1986, to the process of succession as their daughter Angela and her husband Rod stepped into the lead pastor role in 2018 - the significance of mentorship and intergenerational relationships underpin our conversation.
Helen reflects back on past ministry with humility, letting us into moments where she felt the heart was right but the emphasis was off. Helen humbly models what it looks like to stay soft to the way God is pruning and growing His people, leading us into deeper purity as we walk with Him.
As we consider the need for spaces of belonging, we hope you’ll find inspiration for how you can set the table for pastors to gather in your community, making room for God to break through the isolation many experience in ministry.
Helen Burns is a passionate lover of Jesus and committed to building His Church. She and her husband John pioneered Relate Church, a thriving family church in the Vancouver area, in 1986 where they served as lead pastors for 35 years. Today, they continue to teach and serve there while travelling and speaking internationally. Helen shares with depth and insight on marriage, family and relationships, and is the author of several books.John and Helen have been married for over 50 years and they have three awesome daughters and she is the blessed Oma of eight grandchildren.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Show Notes:
Relate Church The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson CCLN Emerging Leaders Lab CCLN Pastors Retreat Barna Statistics See, Hear, Love Youtube/PodcastGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
Letting Jesus shepherd us into renewed courage and contentment when our vision for success has been broken is a wrestle many of us are familiar with.
It's a path that our guest this week, Evan Allnutt, has walked at different moments in his vocational journey. Through changing careers from teaching to ministry, taking on a Lead Pastor role at a new church, and navigating the changing cultural dynamics in the last 4 years, surrender and re-surrender to Christ’s leading has been a red thread through it all. In moments where he felt like a failure, Evan shared how God stirred fresh hope in him as he situated himself within the rich legacy of the 87-year-old church he pastors, and the global Church as he heard stories of revival in his denomination, and witnessed the Church full of vibrancy and life in London, U.K.
For the pastor who feels discouraged or alone, this episode is drenched in Kingdom imagination & vulnerability. We hope that it emboldens you to press into where God has called you, as you look left and right and see who is running the race alongside you.
Bio | Evan and his wife Kendal, along with their three children Izzy, Hardy, and Nola, have been proud residents of the Comox Valley since 2015. After dedicating five years as Youth Pastor and one year as Associate Pastor at Coastline Church in Victoria, Evan sensed a divine calling to assume the Lead Pastor role at Northgate. For the past 7 years, Evan has joyfully served this community, overseeing its growth from a single service in one city to three services across two cities.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.Partners:
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Show Notes:
Northgate ChurchGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story -
John Mark Comer joins us again for a conversation on why people in our congregations are gravitating towards spiritual formation right now, and how we can pastor people beyond conversion into deeper healing and sanctification in their walk with Christ.
Jason and John Mark talk through what it’s like to pastor today, and how the cultural hostility pastors navigate can purify our motivations and remind us that Christ is our reward. Thinking about practices for pastoral longevity, John Mark shares the need for balanced rest and activation and how to cultivate deep, brutally honest friendships.
This episode encourages us to think deeply about the role of confession in the Pastorate, how we can shepherd people in different stages of discipleship, and the desire people in the Church have for deeper communion with God.
Bio | John Mark Comer, once the founding pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, dedicated two decades to integrating discipleship to Jesus into the post-Christian West. In 2021, he pivoted to developing spiritual formation resources for global church communities through Practicing the Way. Now residing in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, he crafts new practices, courses, and podcasts while serving as a teacher at Vintage Church LA. A New York Times bestselling author, Comer's notable works include "Practicing the Way" and "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry."
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Show Notes:
Practicing The Way Books by John MarkGet Connected!
Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List! Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram Share a Canadian Church Story
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Mark Buchanan sits down with us again to explore everything from how storytelling forms us to our addiction to control. He articulates how narratives help us navigate the truths of life and our identity, emphasizing the significance of weaving hope-filled, gospel-rooted stories into the fabric of our cultural imagination.
Throughout our conversation, Mark draws from the life of David to think about leaning on character over gifting and the temptation of success. Mark offers a candid look into what spiritual practices have deepened his love for Jesus, and what he has been learning about the importance of deep friendships in this season of his life.
This episode is an invitation to reevaluate our leadership in ministry, challenging us to lead in a manner that not only fosters integrity but cultivates a deeper love for Jesus.
Bio | Mark is an author, Associate Professor of Theology at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta, and former pastor. His books include “God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul” and the ever-popular “The Rest of God.” In 2021 Mark and his wife Cheryl started New Story Community, a ministry that seeks to walk alongside Indigenous Women who need space for healing. The program focuses on academic and biblical study, skill development, and personal goal-setting. The heart is to join God in His work of writing a story of hope, redemption and healing in the lives of His people.
Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.
Partners:
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Show Notes:
New Story Community Mark Buchanan Website Ambrose University The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan God Walk by Mark Buchanan Spiritual Rhythm by Mark BuchananGet Connected!
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How do we contextualize our churches to the neighbourhoods God has called us to? And how do you keep your heart healthy when people leave your church?
In today’s episode with Tammy Giffen, lead pastor of Groundswell Church in Truro, Nova Scotia, we explore these questions and more from her journey in ministry. Tammy became a Christian through Alpha as an adult and later moved into vocational ministry, eventually planting Groundswell in 2018. It’s a story of leading in ministry for the long haul, compelled by uncovering the beauty of Jesus for herself, and in the lives of the community she pastors.
Bio | Tammy Giffen is the lead pastor of Groundswell, a multi-site church in Central Nova Scotia. Groundswell is a church plant that launched in September of 2018 with a vision to be a church un-churched people love to attend. She came to know Jesus as an adult when she was invited to attend Alpha. Since then she has been passionate about breaking down barriers to church and helping people meet Jesus. Tammy is married to Peter and has three children; Taylor, Wesley, and Mya.
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Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course.
Show Notes:
Groundswell ChurchOne Conference
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In this episode, Jason sits down with the pioneer of the Alpha Course and former Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in London, Nicky Gumbel. Nicky shares about his journey of transitioning leadership at HTB after nearly two decades in the senior role, emphasizing the importance of healthy succession and not taking changes made by new leaders personally. Their church, HTB, is helping to train pastors in England through a new initiative called the Caleb and Peter streams. Their vision is to see tens of thousands of pastors equipped, coming from less educated and affluent backgrounds, or who have retired from previous careers and are in the later seasons of life. Later in the conversation, Nicky shares a profound vision for the future of the Church: that the bible would be translated and the gospel shared to 99.6% of the world by the 17th of April, 2033. Nicky's joy for evangelism and seeing as many people as possible come to know and follow Jesus is a beautiful gift to the global church. We hope this conversation stirs your imagination for what God can do in your own context as you seek to spread the good news of Jesus with others.
Bio | Nicky Gumbel is the former vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London. Together with his wife Pippa, they pioneered Alpha, an introduction to the Christian faith run by all the major Christian denominations in 169 countries. Nicky has written several best-selling books including Questions of Life, The Jesus Lifestyle, Searching Issues and A Life Worth Living. He is the author of the free Bible reading app Bible in One Year.
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Partners:
Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here.
Show Notes:
The Leadership Conference is a unique opportunity for leaders to be equipped in their leadership through conversations, world-class content, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Register for LC24 on the 6th-7th May at the Royal Albert Hall in London here. Holy Trinity Brompton AlphaGet Connected!
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