The Pastorate Podcast

What does it look like to pastor faithfully in a post-Christian world? This week, Jason sits down with Joshua Butler—pastor of Redemption Tempe in Arizona and author of  The Skeletons in God’s Closet —for a conversation about ministry, mission, and what happens when your calling is shaped by suffering. Josh shares stories from his years in Portland, where he learned to love a city through creative...

What does it mean to stay amazed by Jesus after decades in ministry? This week, Jason sits down with Simon Ponsonby—Pastor of Theology at St. Aldates Church in Oxford—for a conversation that weaves together history, personal calling, and deep theological reflection. From walking through Oxford’s sacred sites to recounting his journey from butcher to preacher, Simon brings a pastoral warmth and pro...

In today’s episode, we share some highlights from our time in England with our Church Leaders Incubator. This cohort of 17 young, senior leaders in Canada got to connect with pastors and church teams over a 5 day trip as part of their 2 year journey in the program. Hear some of their reflections from the sessions and how it impacted them at a personal level.  Give today to CCLN and help seed...

What does it look like to lead with spiritual authority in a cultural moment obsessed with visibility and self-expression? This week, Jason is joined by Mark Sayers—pastor of Red Church in Melbourne and host of the  Rebuilders  podcast—for a powerful conversation about identity, calling, and the hidden pathways to kingdom influence. Mark unpacks the allure of self-actualization, the danger of “sof...

Darren Rouanzoin on Consecrated Leadership, Covenant Community & Risky Obedience Darren Rouanzoin, founding pastor of Garden Church in Long Beach, California, joins our Incubator cohort to share his story and the convictions shaping his leadership today. From a radical encounter with Jesus in college to planting a church in a city marked by deep need, Darren reflects on what it means to build...

How do we lead with vocational clarity in a culture where the Church’s purpose feels increasingly unclear? This week, Jason sits down with Dr. Gordon Smith—President of Ambrose University and author of numerous books on calling and ecclesiology—for a timely conversation about pastoral leadership in a secular age. Gordon shares his personal journey from missions to theological education and reflect...

Glenn Packiam—pastor, author, and president of Denver Seminary—joins Jason to reflect on his journey through moral failure in leadership, traumatic loss, and the emotional toll of ministry. They unpack the story behind his latest book,  The Resilient Pastor , and explore what it means to lead with integrity in a rapidly shifting culture. Together, they discuss how to process pain as pastors, reima...

What does it mean to be a pastor in today’s world? In this episode, Jason sits down with Winn Collier—pastor, writer, and author of  A Burning in My Bones , the authorized biography of Eugene Peterson—for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about vocation, presence, and what it means to live a life before God with people on your heart. Winn shares stories from his friendship with Eugene,...

Phil Kniesel, Lead Pastor of Hope City Church in Edmonton, joins Jason Ballard to share the story behind his transition from young adult ministry into senior leadership. Over six years, Phil stepped into the lead role, navigating fears, building trust, and casting new vision for the future. In this conversation, Phil reflects on what helped make the transition healthy, how his church is reaching t...

What does mission look like when rooted in tradition, presence, and prayer? In this episode, Father Matthew Francis, Parish Priest at Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission in Chilliwack, BC, joins Jason for a rich conversation about planting the first Orthodox mission in his hometown. He shares about his 20-year journey through seminary, discernment, and ministry across Canada before returning to Chilliw...

Every leader knows what it’s like to hit their limits. So how do we lead from a place of health, longevity, and deep transformation? This week, Pete Scazzero joins Jason to share from his decades of experience in pastoring and equipping leaders through Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. Pete shares about: His early struggles with burnout, marriage tension, and ministry overload The integration of e...

Milissa Ewing is the Lead Pastor of Redwood Park Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In this episode, she joins Jason to share her journey from the classroom to the pulpit and how God called her into pastoral leadership. Growing up Catholic and later coming to faith through a campus ministry, Milissa eventually became an elementary school teacher with a heart for Indigenous communities. Over time, she...

Brandon Richardson, Lead Pastor of Slate Church in Waterloo, joins Jason to share his journey from leading a university ministry to planting and pastoring a vibrant, intergenerational church. He reflects on how a passion for students and the city of Waterloo gave birth to Slate Church, and what he’s learned along the way about holding leadership with both responsibility and humility. Brandon also...

Every pastor wants to lead with spiritual depth—but how do we cultivate intimacy with God in the midst of busy leadership? Tyler Staton, Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland and National Director of 24/7 Prayer USA, joins Jason Ballard for a deeply personal conversation on prayer, consecration, and spiritual formation. Tyler shares how his teenage experiences with prayer shaped his calling...

As we finish off 2021, we wanted to take a moment to look back on some of the conversations we have had this past year that encouraged us in ministry, shifted our thinking, and brought us back to a deeper abiding in Christ. For links to all the episodes featured, you can find them here .  Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada. Get Connected! Blog & Epi...

What if your leadership frustrations aren’t a sign of failure—but of misaligned gifting? This week, Jason is joined by Alan Hirsch—author, missiologist, and global voice on church renewal—for a conversation on leadership identity, the five-fold gifts of Ephesians 4, and how to move beyond Sunday-centric models of church. Drawing from decades of movemental leadership, Alan unpacks the APEST framewo...

What does it take to faithfully disciple the next generation? This week, Jason is joined by Sid Koop—Executive Director of Youth Worker Community—for a conversation on youth ministry, volunteer leadership, and contending for the future of the Church. With over 20 years of experience as a youth pastor, camp speaker, and professor, Sid shares what churches need to know about reaching young people to...

What does it take to lead with emotional and spiritual integrity? This week, Jason is joined by Rich Villodas—Lead Pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, NY—for a conversation on emotional health, interior transformation, and the pressures of leadership in the public eye. Drawing from his own journey and the legacy of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, Rich offers wisdom for pastors navigating bo...

What does it mean to return to the Lord’s Table with awe, unity, and reverence? This week, Jason is joined by Francis Chan—pastor, author, and church planter—for a powerful conversation on the sacredness of Communion, the pursuit of spiritual unity, and what it means to centre the Church around the presence of Jesus. Drawing from decades of ministry and a personal call to reimagine church gatherin...

Every leader faces moments when vision dims and passion wavers. How do we sustain a long-term vision for ministry while leading with joy and conviction? This week, Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada, joins Jason Ballard to share insights from her leadership journey and what it looks like to empower others while staying grounded in God’s call. Together, they reflect on leading Alpha t...

What does it look like to lead with humility and courage in a culture that’s skeptical of the Church? This week, Jason is joined by Danielle Strickland—pastor, author, and justice advocate—for a timely and honest conversation about repentance, gospel action, and empowering the next generation. Danielle invites pastors to move beyond defensiveness, embrace lament, and reflect deeply on how the Chur...

What does the future of the Church look like—and how should we lead in a culture that’s rapidly changing? This week, Jason is joined by David Kinnaman (Barna) and Mark Sayers (Red Church) for a timely and data-driven conversation about young adults, church trends, and the kind of leadership the next generation needs. Drawing from Barna’s  Connected Generation  research, they explore how the pandem...

What’s at stake when we talk about discipling young people? According to Kara Powell, the answer is everything. In this episode, Jason Ballard is joined by Kara—Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and author of  3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager —for a deeply insightful conversation on how the Church can respond to the challenges facing today’s youth. Together, they explore:...

Keith Taylor has spent 43 years in pastoral ministry—including three decades leading Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton. In this episode, Keith joins Jason Ballard to reflect on his remarkable journey of ministry, church revitalization, and passing the baton to the next generation. He shares stories from his early years in Vernon, the missional roots of Beulah, and the intentional succession plann...

Aaron White has spent decades embedded in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver—one of Canada’s most misunderstood neighbourhoods. In this episode, he joins Jason Ballard to share what he’s learned about presence, prayer, and what it really means to be the Church in your city. Aaron serves with 24-7 Prayer Canada, Westminster Theological Centre, and Jacob’s Well, and his life challenges common assump...