Church in the North

Do church planters always stay in the church they've planted? In this episode, we talk with Matt Naismith about following God's call to plant a church and then following God's lead to transition into a new ministry. We also discuss missional communities, ministry in southern Ontario, and his podcast "The Sowers." Matt is the Church Planting Catalyst and Collegiate Strategist for SEND Network, base...

How are you going to lead as a woman? This question was asked of Michelle Dwyer when she applied to become the lead pastor of her church. We discuss her answer on this episode of CITN. We also talk about spiritual and emotional health in ministry, discerning God's call, and emerging generations. Michelle is the Lead Pastor of Westlife Church in Calgary, AB. For more information about the church or...

What can be done about the Canadian clergy crisis? This week on the podcast, we have an in-studio conversation with Rob, Geoff, and Daniel Markin (Director of Marketing at Briercrest) about a recent article posted in Faith Today by Rick Hiemstra, "Waking Up to the Pastor Shortage." He predicts that Canadian evangelical churches will need to recruit 625 new pastors per year over the next 12 years j...

Quebec has been resistant to the gospel for decades - and for good reason. What might it cost the church to change that? In this episode, we talk with Maxime Cauachon about multiplying church planting movements in Quebec. We also discuss co-vocational ministry and the necessity for innovation when faced with scarcity. Maxime is the Lead Pastor of Le Phere Church in Lavaltrie, QC. For more informat...

South Asians are the largest visible minority group in Canada. So who is reaching them with the gospel? In this episode, we talk with Joel David about his journey to Canada to pastor a church for South Asian Canadians. We also discuss refugee sponsorship, second-generation Canadians, and the unique challenges of reaching people from South Asia. Joel is the Lead Pastor of Asian Christian Church in...

Resiliency is a cultural problem and a church problem. What can we do? In this episode, we talk with Chris McGregor about planting and growing a church in Montreal. We also discuss the challenges of forming resilient disciples. Chris is the Lead Pastor of City Church in Montreal, QC. For more information about Chris or his church visit https://citychurch.ca/ In the pre-show, Rob, Dan, and Geoff ta...

Who needs apologetics? Isn't the Bible enough? In this episode, we talk with Tim Barnett about his journey from a high school teacher to a professional apologist. We also discuss the changing face of apologetics and the need for apologetics in Canadian churches. Tim works with Stand to Reason and manages his own YouTube channel, Red Pen Logic. For more information about Stand to Reason, visit www....

Does theological education belong in the academy or the church? As we consider clergy shortages across the country, will our traditional structures of ministry training be sufficient to fulfill this need? In this episode, we talk with Cody Matchett about how his church is seeking to bring theological education to its members. We also discuss the future of ministry formation, emerging generations,...

Some say church buildings don't matter - until they affect their mission. In this episde, we talk with Brad Moffat about the unique design and location of his church building and how it forced them to think creatively about mission and multiplication. Brad is the Lead Pastor of McKenzie Towne Church in Calgary, AB. To connect with Brad or learn more about the church, visit www.mckenzietownechurch....

Should pastors be talking with their congregations about AI? This week on the podcast we have an in-studio conversation with Rob, Geoff, and Dan about AI and Easter planning. The conversation is philosophical, theological, and also practical. For more information about the podcast, visit www.churchinthenorth.ca. For questions or inquiries, please email us: podcast@churchinthenorth.ca. If you like...

Why should churches care about medical assistance in dying (MAID)? This is the second of a two-part interview with David Guretzki, the President and CEO of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC). We discuss Canadian Evangelicalism, theology, and culture. To learn more about EFC, visit www.evangelicalfellowship.ca.  In the pre-show, Rob, Dan, and Geoff have a conversation about MAID and its imp...

Should we stop using the term evangelical? This is the first of a two-part interview with David Guretzki, the President and CEO of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC). We discuss Canadian Evangelicalism, theology, and culture. To learn more about EFC, visit www.evangelicalfellowship.ca.  In the pre-show, Rob, Dan, and Geoff are back together to talk about attending conferences and skipping...

When culture blurs the line between men and women, should churches do the same? In this episode, we talk with Jody Cross about his transition from being a worship pastor for more than thirty years, to becoming a lead pastor. We discover how his church's emphasis on discipling men has benefited everyone. Jody is the Lead Pastor of Southshore Bible Church in Barrie, ON. To learn more about Southshor...

Mega-churches have gotten a lot of bad press lately, but is it fair to judge every large church for the mistakes of a few? In this episode, we talk with Dustin Funk about his church's growth over multiple decades and how God has used it to reach lost people. We also learn about his calling and the church's unique origin story as an ethnic Italian community. Dustin is the Lead Pastor of Oasis Churc...

Why are we planting churches when so many pulpits are vacant and so many churches are closing? In this episode, we talk with Daryl Molyneaux and Johnny Thiessen about planting churches in Canada. We also talk about calling and the uniqueness of the Canadian context. Daryl and Johnny are with SEND Calgary, helping to catalyze church plants.  For more information or to reach out to them, visit https...

What's the difference between loving a city and wanting to love a city? In this episode, we talk with Daycee Richardson about mobilizing the church for justice and compassion. We discuss her unique pastoral role of "Community Advocate" and how her church has been welcoming New Canadians, partnering with community agencies, feeding the hungry, and being a gospel witness. Daycee is on the pastoral t...

Sometimes life has a way of blowing up our plans - especially in ministry. In this episode, we talk with Jon Stairs and hear about a devastating disruption his church faced - just thirteen days after he became the lead pastor. We learn a lot about dependency on God, leadership, and doing the right thing, even when it's hard. Jon is the Lead Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Cambridge, ON. To lear...

Hearing God's voice is hard - it's even harder when you have the wrong mindset. In this episode, we talk with Kyle Harnett about his transition process from leading a small, nimble multiplying church plant to leading a very large church. We also discuss spiritual renewal and mobilizing the church for mission. Kyle is the Lead Pastor of Foothills Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta. To learn more a...

Rural churches are everywhere, but who should lead one? In this episode, we talk with Phil Houston about the learning (and unlearning) that took place when he began pastoring a rural church. We also talk about the challenges of finding rural pastors and ministry strategies in an agrarian environment. Phil is the Lead Pastor of Park Avenue Bible Church in Melfort, Saskatchewan. To learn more about...

When your church and your community both need healing, where do you begin? In this episode, we talk with Milissa Ewing about leadership challenges in a church wrestling with past abuse in a city marked with a bad reputation. We also discuss women in ministry, Indigenous leadership, and gospel contextualization. Milissa is the Lead Pastor of Redwood Park Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario. To learn mor...

Why are we losing our evangelistic pulse in local churches? In this episode, we talk with Bill Hogg about the disappearance of evangelists and the pressing need to fan into flame gospel potency and evangelistic giftings in local churches. Bill is the National Director of Message Canada and Lead for Advance Canada. To connect with Bill or to learn more about his work, visit www.messagecanada.org. I...

Is Advent something worth celebrating or is it a dead tradition? In this episode, Rob talks with Rev. Dr. Dean Pinter about Advent, liturgy, Evangelicalism, and church tradition. Father Dean is the Rector of St. Aidan Anglican Church in Moose Jaw, SK. In the podcast, he references two authors: Malcolm Guite and Stephen Cherry (Barefoot Ways). For more information about St. Aidan, or to connect wit...

Is Eastern Canada hard soil for church planting? In this episode, we talk with Chad MacDonald about his first year planting a church in Halifax, Nova Scotia and how he received a little help from south of the border. We also discuss strategic church planting and his church plant's unique team structure. Chad MacDonald is a pastor from Port City Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For more information...

Are we seeing a shift in how we train future ministry leaders? In this episode, we talk with Mark Burch and discover how his church is investing a significant portion of its budget toward leadership development and church multiplication. We discuss church planting, gospel contextualization, and the future of theological training for pastors. Mark is the Lead Pastor of Northview Community Church in...

Are we seeing the end of youth ministries in Canada, or is God up to something? In this episode, we talk to Sid Koop about the current state of youth ministry after Covid. We discuss the importance of youth worker training, the uptick in youth conferences, and the challenges of helping youth form Christ-centred identities. Sid is the Executive Director of Youth Worker Community. Find out more on h...