The Pastorate Podcast

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 mi...

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 impo...

Seasons of transition and uncertainty can test a leader’s resilience and calling. How do we guide a church through grief, rebuild trust, and embrace transformation with integrity? In this episode, Chrishan Jeyaratnam, Lead Pastor of Hillsong East Coast, joins Jason Ballard to share his journey of pastoring through deep change. He reflects on leading a church in the aftermath of crisis, navigating...

How can followers of Jesus inhabit their cities—through workplaces, commutes, and classrooms—in a way that reflects the hope of God’s kingdom breaking in? In this episode, Tyler Staton (Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church & National Director of 24-7 Prayer USA) and Pete Hughes (Lead Pastor of KXC Church in London) join us for a powerful conversation on prayer, renewal, and mission. Originally sha...

38 years into ministry, Helen Burns speaks of the Church We’re excited to share this conversation with Helen Burns, a beloved voice of encouragement and wisdom in the Canadian Church. With 38 years of ministry experience, Helen and her husband John planted Relate Church in 1986, serving as lead pastors for 35 years before transitioning leadership to their daughter Angela and her husband Rod in 201...

Every leader faces seasons of struggle and discouragement. How do we stay faithful to God’s call while navigating personal challenges and leading with perseverance? In this episode, Evan Allnutt, Lead Pastor of Northgate Church, joins us to share his journey through career transitions, church leadership, and the importance of surrendering to God's vision. Evan reflects on overcoming moments of dis...

Pastoring today comes with unique challenges: cultural hostility, personal struggles, and the tension between work and rest. How do we remain faithful to God's call and lead with humility when the road ahead feels uncertain? In this episode, John Mark Comer, founder of Practicing the Way, joins us to discuss the evolving role of pastors in today's culture. John Mark reflects on the growing interes...

Every pastor and leader will face moments when their soul drifts, and the passion that once fueled their ministry starts to wane. How do we stay rooted in Christ and keep our ministry healthy over the long haul? This week, Mark Buchanan joins us to share insights from his decades of ministry experience. Mark opens up about how he’s navigated the challenges of soul drift, the importance of growing...

This week, Tammy Giffen, Lead Pastor of Groundswell Church in Truro, Nova Scotia, joins us to share insights from her unique journey in ministry. Tammy’s story is one of faithfulness, passion, and resilience as she planted Groundswell in 2018 and continues to lead through times of growth and change. Tammy shares about: Contextualizing ministry to serve your neighborhood Navigating the emotional ch...

How do we lead well through transition and keep evangelism at the heart of our ministry? This week, Nicky Gumbel joins us to share wisdom from his journey as the pioneer of the Alpha Course and former Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London. After nearly two decades in senior leadership, Nicky opens up about transitioning leadership, empowering new leaders, and staying passionate about shar...

How the Early Church Can Shape Our Faith Today Every pastor and church leader is navigating the challenge of making disciples in an increasingly post-Christian world. How can we learn from the early church’s resilience and faithfulness? In this episode, Jerry Sittser, professor emeritus at Whitworth University and author of Resilient Faith , joins Jason Ballard to explore the lessons of early Chri...

Leading Through Change: Navigating Transitions in Church Leadership Change is inevitable in both personal growth and church leadership—but how can leaders navigate transition seasons while fostering healthy growth and embracing the next generation? In this episode, Jonathan Smith, a seasoned church leader with 30 years of experience, joins Jason Ballard to share his leadership journey—from plantin...

How can church leaders cultivate discipleship as a way of life rather than just another program? What does it take to lead with humility, wisdom, and a deep trust in God’s work in people’s lives? In this episode, Jeff Vanderstelt, Executive Director of Saturate and founding leader of the Soma Family of Churches, joins Jason Ballard to explore the heart of discipleship and gospel fluency. Jeff shar...

Staying rooted in one place for 25 years of ministry is no small thing. For Angel and Durwin Gray, it’s been a journey of joy, faithfulness, and learning to trust God in every season. But how do pastors remain grounded through doubt, imposter syndrome, and the delicate balance of ministry and family? Angel and Durwin serve as co-lead pastors at Hillside Church and have been faithfully shepherding...

Spiritual formation is more than a concept—it’s a lived invitation for pastors and leaders to abide deeply in Jesus and lead others into life with God. What does that look like in the context of the local church? In this episode, we share a special message from Elita Friesen, recorded at our one-day conference in collaboration with Practicing The Way. Joined by voices like John Mark Comer, Ken Shi...

What does it look like to follow Jesus with a wholehearted yes—through every twist, turn, and transition of life and leadership? In this episode, Jason sits down with Darren Herbold, President of The Alliance Canada, to unpack the journey of a leader shaped by diverse experiences in pastoral ministry, the business world, and the mission field. Darren shares honestly about what it means to respond...

What does it mean to hold conviction and compassion together in a world that often demands one or the other? In this episode, Jason sits down with Evan Wickham, church planter and worship leader at Park Hill Church in San Diego, to explore what he calls “Compassionate and Courageous Orthodoxy.” Evan shares his personal journey of deconstructing and reconstructing his faith, the role of community i...

In a world of rapid change and growing challenges for pastors, how do we stay faithful, hopeful, and rooted in Christ? In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Darrell Johnson — beloved pastor, preacher, and author — for a heartfelt conversation about preaching today, navigating seasons of transition, and finding life in God's Word. Darrell shares wisdom from decades of ministry, what he’...

For this 30-minute episode, we're stepping away from our usual podcast format to dive deep into a topic that we know many pastors feel stuck or uncomfortable in – the art of communicating about giving and generosity to a church. Our friends at Generis are passionate about helping pastors nurture a culture of biblical generosity and stewardship in your churches. Join Jon Wright from Generis, an...

What does it take to disciple young people with lasting, Jesus-centered joy? In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Ebonie Davis for a vibrant conversation about thoughtful next-generation discipleship. They explore how the whole church can invest in young people, why contextual spiritual formation matters, and how joy can be a powerful marker of faith. Ebonie also shares her own moving sto...

How can the Church hold both deep conviction and deep compassion in loving the LGBT+ community? In this episode, Jason Ballard hosts a conversation with Chris Price and Pieter Valk on how pastors can navigate the tensions of sexuality, theology, and pastoral care. Pieter shares his personal story of enduring same-sex attraction, why he embraced a historic Christian sexual ethic, and what he wishes...

What sustains a pastor through seasons of weariness, pressure, and temptation to give up? In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Jason Matta, Senior Pastor of Hope Church Toronto West, for an honest conversation about ministry longevity, the power of prayer, and protecting what matters most. Jason shares his personal story of pastoring through challenges, why prayer remains the engine of hi...

What sustains a leader through seasons of challenge, criticism, and change? In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Archbishop Michael Miller for a rich conversation on leadership, spiritual formation, and prayer. Archbishop Miller shares his journey to Vancouver, lessons from overseeing seventy diverse parishes, and how practices like prayer, silence, and solitude have anchored his life and...

What makes preaching effective in a rapidly changing, often skeptical culture? In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Chris Price—pastor, preacher, and author—for a highly requested conversation on the art of preaching. After sharing his own journey to faith, Chris unpacks five key insights he's learned from years of preaching in one of Canada’s most secular cities. Whether you preach e...

What does it take to lead a historic church with fresh vision and deep spiritual resilience? In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Bishop Jenny Andison, leader of St. Paul’s Bloor Street in Toronto, for a conversation about global ministry, evangelism, and church revitalization. Jenny shares insights from her journey across cities like Tokyo, London, and Karachi, and reflects on how cultiv...