Lissa Wray Beal on Why Pastors Need the Old Testament, Faithfully Preaching Trauma Texts, and the Role of Seminary in a Changing Church
In this conversation, Old Testament scholar and Anglican priest Dr. Lissa Wray Beal offers a thoughtful and deeply encouraging guide for engaging the harder parts of Scripture. Drawing from her current writing on the book of Jeremiah and her years of pastoral ministry and academic scholarship, Lissa makes the case that these ancient texts are essential for helping congregations find language in time of suffering and struggle.
Matthew Price on Learning to Love the Suburbs, Leading Post-Burnout, and Church Revitalization
In this episode we welcome Matthew Price, Lead Pastor of North Langley Community Church, for a deeply personal conversation about pastoral ministry. Matthew opens up about his unexpected journey into preaching, the powerful influence of mentors like Darrell Johnson, and how a vision from God reshaped his love for suburban ministry.
Pradeepan Jeeva on Planting in a Post-Christian City, Pastoring Through Suffering, and Measuring Christian Discipleship
Jason sits down with Pradeepan Jeeva, pastor of Kalos Church in Bellevue, Washington, for an honest conversation about calling, suffering, and building a church where everyone belongs. Pradeepan shares the story of planting a multicultural church in one of the most unchurched cities in America. He opens up about his family’s journey from Sri Lankan refugees to pastors and the personal challenges they’ve faced, including mental health struggles and parenting children with autism. Through it all, Pradeepan reflects on how the church has become a vital support for his own family.
Rebecca McLaughlin on the Timeless Wisdom of Christian Sexual Ethics, a Gospel-Shaped Vision of Singleness, and the Offence of the Gospel in a Post-Christian World
In a time when Christian sexual ethics are increasingly seen not just as outdated but as morally offensive, how can pastors lead with both clarity and compassion? In this conversation, author and apologist Rebecca McLaughlin engages with questions around Christian sexual ethics and makes a case for why the Christian story is ultimately good news.
R. Paul Stevens on Why Every Christian is in Full-Time Ministry, Embracing Whole-Life Discipleship, and Empowering the Whole Church for Kingdom Work
In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with long-time pastor, professor, and marketplace theologian Paul Stevens to explore the sacredness of daily work. Paul’s ministry journey spans decades, from student ministry in Halifax to pastoring in Vancouver, teaching at Regent College, and even a mid-career stint as a carpenter. Paul unpacks the heartbeat behind his conviction that every follower of Jesus is in full-time ministry and that whatever your vocation, be it a pastor, a police officer, or a mother, your work matters to God.
Dustin Funk on the Importance of Camp Ministry, Local Church Renewal, and Annual Rhythms of Rest
In this episode, Jason sits down with Dustin Funk, Lead Pastor of Oasis Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dustin shares his journey from encountering God at summer camp as a teenager, to stepping into leadership at a small Italian-speaking church, to guiding that same church through a remarkable season of cultural transition and growth.
Preston Pouteaux on Pastoring with a Tender Heart, the Sacred Work of Neighbouring, and the Power of Presence in Pastoral Ministry
In today’s conversation Preston Pouteaux shares what it means to be a tenderhearted pastor in a fast-paced world. Speaking from Chestermere, Alberta, Preston invites us into a vision of pastoring that’s slow, rooted, and profoundly local. From RCMP ride-alongs to keeping bees and loving neighbours, Preston offers a poetic yet practical vision of what it means to love and serve a place and its people.
Steve Cuss on His Year as a Chaplain, The Gap Between What We Preach and What We Experience, and Leading Without Carrying the Anxiety of Others
What does it look like to stay tender and human as a pastor, even while holding the weight of others’ pain? In this rich and deeply practical conversation, Steve Cuss shares wisdom from decades of ministry—including his years as a hospital chaplain, a lead pastor, and now, a trusted voice equipping leaders around the world in managing leadership anxiety.
Canadian Pastors Joe Jung, Ben Carbone, and Jaz Ghag Share Their Stories
In this special episode of The Pastorate Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Rather than one long-form conversation, you'll hear stories from three Canadian lead pastors.
Reward Sibanda on How Culture Shapes Ministry, The Role of the Megachurch Today, and Fasting as a Means to Soul Rest
In this episode, Jason sits down with Reward Sibanda, a pastor, speaker, and writer, a leading voice on fasting and a Pastor at Saddleback Church. Reward is known for his contagious joy, his deep love for the church, and his ability to bridge cultural gaps in ministry.
Tyler Staton on the Redemption of Pain, Contextualizing Our Suffering Within the Story of Scripture, and Cultivating a Daily Desire to Experience the Power of the Holy Spirit
In this episode, Jason sits down with Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church and author of The Familiar Stranger, to explore how God works in seasons of suffering and renewal. Tyler shares candidly on how deep pain has shaped his understanding of faith, ministry, and the presence of God in everyday life.
Claude Lainey on Ministry in Rural Canada, The Church’s Call to Raise Up the Next Generation of Church Leaders, and How Listening Prayer Inspires Courageous Leadership
Pastoring in rural Canada comes with unique challenges and opportunities—navigating leadership transitions, bilingual ministry, and the call to raise up the next generation of leaders. In this episode we’re joined by Claude Lainey, lead pastor of Gospel Mission Church in Winkler, Manitoba, to hear his story of moving from Northern Ontario to Manitoba and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Mark Sayers on Leadership and Suffering: A Theology of Resilience, Cultivating Spiritual Authority Over Charisma, and The Call of the Church in a Changing World
Our world is changing at a rapid pace and it can be hard to make sense of. The weight of pastoral leadership can feel heavier when we’re navigating through uncharted waters. That’s why we’re grateful for voices like Mark Sayers—leaders who cut through the noise with a prophetic edge, distill complex cultural trends, and speak to the Church with a non-anxious presence.
Megan Fate Marshman on Preaching with Integrity, Practical Prayer Rhythms, and Cultivating Hope in Longing
Preaching with authenticity is no easy task, but for Megan, authenticity is the only gear she knows. The question remains—how do we craft honest sermons and let the message impact our lives first?
Megan is a pastor, speaker, and author joining us from Lakewood, California. She serves as the teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois and leads a women’s Bible study at Arbor Road Church in Long Beach, California. Whether preaching, leading, or writing her latest book, Megan brings a refreshing honesty that resonates deeply and inspires many.
Andy Moore on God as the Faithful Redeemer, Pastoring a Century-Old Church, and Building Environments Where Emerging Leaders Can Thrive
It’s a New Year, and we’re thrilled to welcome you back to The Pastorate. As we step into 2025, we’re continuing our mission of creating meaningful conversations to equip and encourage pastors, starting with an episode we pray will strengthen both your hands and your heart for the work ahead.
Our guest today is Andy Moore, Pastor of Coastline Church in the heart of Victoria, British Columbia. With years of ministry experience and a heartfelt dedication to developing leaders, Andy offers a perspective both profound and practical. This in-person conversation, recorded in Andy’s home, is one we’re excited to share with you.
Darrell Johnson on His Morning Rhythms, Praying the Psalms, and Reflections on His Personal Health
We’re excited to bring you a special episode to end the year. Last year, we began a tradition of hosting a conversation with Darrell Johnson near the end of each year, and it’s quickly become a meaningful rhythm for this podcast—a chance to sit down and reflect on life and ministry.
In this episode, Darrell shares about his morning rhythms and the practices that he’s found that work in his life to create space for a life with God. He explores disciple-making in our modern context, including the value of one-on-one conversations and how he would anchor discipleship in teaching people how to read the Bible and pray. Finally he offers some reflections on his health journey over the past few months, candidly sharing about both challenges and God’s faithfulness through it all.
AJ Sherrill on Cultivating a Distinct Pastoral Voice, Slowing Down to Shepherd Well, and Rediscovering Christmas
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 how to discover and develop your unique pastoral voice as a communicator, his new book, Rediscovering Christmas, and its surprising insights into the Bible’s Christmas story, and the importance of slowing down to truly pastor your congregation where they are.
Glenn Packiam on Navigating Expectations in Ministry, Drawing Strength from Ancient Wisdom, and Building Teams Rooted in Self-Awareness
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.
Carey Nieuwhof on Navigating the Pitfalls of Pastoring, How Ministry Models Need to Shift Alongside Culture, and Learning to Find Joy in Passing the Baton
This week on The Pastorate, Carey Nieuwhof joins us for a conversation on how ministry models need to shift alongside culture and how to find joy in passing the baton in ministry.
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. He then 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. Finally, Carey 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.
Rachel Hughes on Developing a Kingdom Mindset Through Church Planting, The Call to the Local Church and the Broader Church, and Women and Men Leading in Partnership for the Sake of the Kingdom
This week on The Pastorate, Rachel Hughes—Pastor of Gas Street Church in Birmingham, England—joins us 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. She further explores 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.