The Pastor's Heart with Dominic Steele

An apology and correction in regards to our episode of Tuesday 10 June 2025.Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid.Sponsor The Pastor's HeartWe look to you to financially partner with us to make The Pastor's Heart possible. Support our tax deductible appeal before 30 June. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsor

How can we create gatherings that are both warm and deep? How can we avoid gatherings that are superficial or dry. How do we embed gospel culture in our church gatherings.How do we emphasize grace, forgiveness and a welcoming atmosphere?And how to encourage authenticity and emotional intelligence in gathering leaders. Plus how do we evaluate.A Pastor's Heart episode to watch with your staff team.   Toby Neal is Senior pastor at Vine Church in Sydney.  And Liv Chapman Leggett leads the gatherings aspect of the ministry at Vine Church.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support

What happens when churches move beyond "pious passivity" to strategic intentionality in reaching the lost? Richard Coekin—founding pastor of Dundonald Church in London and pioneer of REACH UK—joins Dominic Steele to unpack the revolutionary approach transforming churches across Australia and the United Kingdom.Following on from Reach UK and Reach Australia in May, Richard candidly shares his journey from skepticism about "Pentagon language" and structured frameworks to embracing these tools as valuable expressions of pastoral care and evangelistic intentionality. "If you don't aim at anything, nothing will happen," he explains, challenging the notion that strategic thinking somehow diminishes reliance on God's sovereignty.We look at the biblical foundations for strategic ministry, with Richard pointing to Acts 6 as a model where the apostles prioritized preaching and prayer, built ministry teams for delegation, and ensured the church's practical needs were met. Plus we discuss measuring spiritual fruit. Whether you're skeptical of strategic approaches to ministry or already embracing them, this conversation offers fresh insights on leading churches that are both faithful to Scripture and effective in mission. Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support

Live from the sidelines at the Reach Australia Conference on the Central Coast of New South Wales, we sit down with Wade Burnett from McLean Bible Church in Washington DC and Derek Hanna, Reach Australia's church planting and multisite specialist, for a fresh look at the multisite church model.Multisite was a buzz seven years ago. Today, with thousands of campuses launched in the United States—and many hard lessons learned—the mood is more measured. What's changed? What's endured? And what can church leaders here learn today from the American experience?We explore the personnel, strategic, and pastoral complexities of multisite ministry. From varied governance models to launch strategies, leadership fit to congregational model — And how to decide whether we should launch a new campus, reassess a current model, or weigh multisite against church planting.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support

This week on The Pastor's Heart, we're live from the Reach Australia conference at Erina on the Central Coast of New South Wales. It's an inspiring gathering, with 1,300 church leaders from across Australia and beyond, including New Zealand, South Africa, America, and the United Kingdom, coming together for encouragement and equipping to better Reach Australia.Paul Harrington has led the Trinity Network of Churches in Adelaide for 33 years, guiding it from a single congregation of 800 to a thriving network of 13 churches with over 2,600 members. Sue Harrington is a Reach Australia board member, has been deeply involved in supporting pastors' wives, families, and women in ministry and runs a consultancy business.Together, we discuss the lessons learned along the way, the emotional and practical challenges of planting daughter churches, and the role of humility and servant-hearted leadership. We explore the cost and recovery after sending, the evolving nature of church leadership, and the often overlooked but critical support needed for ministry households.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. The Church Cothechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support

It is 1700 years since the council of Nicaea and the publication of the Nicene Creed - but what are we to make of it?It was the twentieth of May in the year 325 that the Council of Nicaea first met. Pope Francis said ‘The Nicene Creed is a powerful sign of unity among Christians.'The 17 hundredth anniversary of the Council of Nicaea - is being used - by the Roman Catholic Church to push the idea that ‘All Christians are Nicene Christians.'However the difficulty is that while we say the same words, Roman Catholics and Protestants mean vastly different things, and any unity is a fake unity at best. Leonardo de Chirico is pastor of the Church Breccia di Roma and director of the Reformanda Initiative.Rachel Ciano lectures in Christianity and History at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. She is a faculty member at the Rome scholars and leaders network, hosted by The Reformanda Initiative.The book ‘The Nicene Creed' is available from Matthias Media.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid.ChurchSuiteCheck out ChurchSuite at Reach Australia or at the Melbourne taster day. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

We explore the findings of the Your Story Research Report — a significant national study that listens to the voices of more than 400 young people as they reflect on their spiritual journeys.We find out who and what has, and is, shaping young people's faith from their childhood, though to adolescence, to right now.There are insights into the eight “faith journeys” —from Embracing to Reconstructing to Disengaging— highlighting the importance of relationships, trust, and belonging in shaping faith over time. Plus advice for churches, families, and schools on how to nurture young people in ways that are both personal and sustainable.Graham Stanton is Director of the Centre for Children's and Youth Ministry. He lectures in Practical Theology at Melbourne's Ridley College.Download the Your Story Research Project: https://www.convergeoceania.com/yourstoryThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Church SuiteGavin and Paul from ChurchSuite are at Reach Australia and at a special Melbourne taster day on 26 May 2025. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

For decades, the trend across Western countries seemed one-way: away from faith in Jesus Christ. But could the tide be turning? Evangelist and author Glen Scrivener outlines signs of a "quiet revival" emerging, particularly among young people in the United Kingdom (and how things are different in Australia).Drawing on new research from the UK Bible Society and reflecting on wider cultural shifts, Glen discusses why the story of secularisation may not be as inevitable as once thought — and why a surprising number of young adults are returning to church. We also reflect on influences like Jordan Peterson, the role of community in a hyper-individualistic culture, and the opportunities — and challenges — now facing churches in both the UK and Australia.Is this the beginning of a new movement towards Christ? Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

The death of Pope Francis marks a pivotal moment for Roman Catholics.What does this transition mean for the future of Catholicism and how should Protestants respond?From Vatican City, Leonardo Di Chirico offers a firsthand perspective on reactions in Rome, while Rachel Ciano provides historical context from Sydney. Many Protestant leaders have referred to Francis as a "brother in Christ," but Francis's final public act—granting indulgences during Easter—epitomizes the theological chasm between Catholic and Protestant understandings of salvation. His distinctive Marian devotion and frequent requests for prayers further highlight fundamental differences in how salvation is understood. The contrast between Benedict XVI's emphasis on Roman doctrine and Francis's focus on Catholic universality reveals a pendulum swing in Roman Catholicism that will likely now swing back. Leonardo di Chirico is pastor of the Church Brecca di Roma and director of the Reformanda Initiative.Rachel Ciano lectures in Christianity and History at sydney missionary and bible college, and is part of the faculty at the Rome scholars and leaders network, hosted by The Reformanda Initiative.Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church CoA website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

New South Wales' Conversion Practices Ban Act has just come into effect — along with guidelines from Anti-Discrimination NSW that many Christian leaders believe overstep the legal boundaries and impact ordinary pastoral ministry.We are joined by legal expert Associate Professor Neil Foster, South Sydney Bishop Michael Stead, and Summer Hill Anglican Assistant Minister Simon Swadling. Together, we unpack the implications of the new law for Christian preaching, prayer, counselling, and discipleship — especially in matters of sexuality, marriage, and gender.We discuss:The difference between the legislation and the government's explanatory materialsThe implications for pastors, parents, and churchesThe tone and posture of faithful gospel ministry in a hostile legal environmentWhy some pastors are calling for civil disobedience — and others for restraintReach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church CoA website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

The new McCrindle report ‘An undercurrent of faith' says: Those turning to Christian faith are not who we might expect - it's especially older people, the recently widowed and recently separated or divorced.The move is most on away from Christian identity in outer suburbia and regional areas.Australians are still turning to Christianity in large numbers, despite a decline in Christian affiliation.While 85,000 15-24 year olds have moved towards Christianity in the last five years, that's dramatically down on a decade agoFounder and Principle of McCrindle research, Mark McCrinde, says his report shows a new search for purpose and meaning and asks is “Australia Post Christian or are we now Post Secular?” Plus we compare the findings of the national McCrindle report with the recent Sydney Anglican report on Church attendance. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church CoA website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

The average 11-year-old spends 4.5 hours daily on non-school screens. By 15, 70% of boys regularly view pornography. This isn't harmless fun—it's rewiring young brains during critical development. The addictive nature of social media, the mental health impact on teens, distorted identity and comparison, the way the attention economy undermines discipleship.Parents (and pastors) so often feel out of their depth.Marshall Ballantine-Jones created the Digihelp school curriculum addressing sexualised media, and the Resist Recovery Program.Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church CoA website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Today we review the 50 year impact of The University of New South Wales' Campus Bible Study on Christian ministries across Australia and around the world - in raising up gospel workers, sending missionaries, planting churches and in Christian publishing. Former Anglican Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen led the ministry for thirty years till 2005.  Since then Paul Grimmond and Carl Matthei have been senior chaplains. Alan Stewart started studying at the University of New South Wales just two years after Phillip Jensen arrived as Anglican Chaplain.  Alan was saved by Jesus in 1979 and went on to assist in the ministry, before becoming CEO of Anglican Youthworks, Bishop of Wollonong, head of Church Planting for Sydney Anglicans and then national director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. Tony Payne and Tracey Gowing started as undergraduate a few years after Alan.  Tony went on to run the influential Christian publishing house Matthias Media, while Tracey led the Christian ministry at  Cumberland College Christian Group before returning to UNSW as a senior staff member at Campus Bible Study. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church CoA website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Proclamation is for every Christian, one's Christian faith is always public and a command is not needed to link faith to speech. 'I believed therefore I spoke' - That's what the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:13. And yet it's a verse hardly referred to in the last few decades in discussions over who is responsible for evangelism. Chris Braga of Grace West Anglican Church Sydney told the Nexus Conference in Sydney that 2 Corinthians 4:13 shows that there's a spiritual reflex that internal faith (in the crucified and resurrected Jesus) will challenge fear and lead to speech. Not because we're commanded, but because we can't help ourselves.Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church CoA website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Proclamation is for every Christian, one's Christian faith is always public and a command is not needed to link faith to speech. 'I believed therefore I spoke' - That's what the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:13. And yet it's a verse hardly referred to in the last few decades in discussions over who is responsible for evangelism. Chris Braga of Grace West Anglican Church Sydney told the Nexus Conference in Sydney that 2 Corinthians 4:13 shows that there's a spiritual reflex that internal faith (in the death and resurrection of Jesus) will challenge fear and lead to speech. Not because we're commanded, but because we can't help ourselves.Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. The Church CoA website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Pastors facing up to our imposter syndrome - navigating the noise that leads us to make bad decisions.As Pastors, we feel the pressure to have the right answers to people's questions.We want to be able to navigate the complexities of life and church and land everyone safely at the other end. People share with us and the hardest parts of their lives, they trust us with their most private issues, and time and their money.And they trust us that we will handle the most complex relationship difficulties with wisdom. We end up feeling like imposters. Who am I to lead the people of God?  And how can I have wisdom here? Archie Poulos from Sydney's Moore Theological College has found the secular book Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment helpful as he has addressed these issues.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

A new study shows that training in systematic self reflection will develop resilience among ministry workers, who are at risk of stress related ill health. Self reflective resilience training is beneficial to those in ministry roles and programs in this area can minimise stress related ill health. BUT, Not all self reflection is equal. Organisational Psychologist with Sydney's Center for Ministry Development Kirsty Bucknell has surveyed and tested a significant number of Australian Protestant Ministry workers to analyse the relationship between self reflection and mental health outcomes.Kirsty's just completed her PhD on this subject and says while there is a high sense of purpose and personal satisfaction in ministry work the stressors and strains of the role have been associated with burnout and stress related ill health.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

We are hearing reports from the university campuses, from young adult ministries, and from youth groups - that there is an increasing openness to the gospel of Jesus - and there's a new openness among young men. There's a shift in the culture. There's something happening that is different among young people -  Especially among young men. There's a greater biblical ignorance in the rising generation.  But significantly more openness. There's less hostility when compared to a decade ago.  Walk up evangelism is easier and people are more open to discussing their views on Jesus. And people are being saved. And young men are being savedAndy Stephenson heads the Youth Ministry support team for Anglican Youthworks. Dave Jensen works with Evangelism and New Churches encouraging and mobilizing churches in Evangelism and is one of the keynote speakers at the Nexus Ministry Conference on 17 March 2025.Katie Stringer is involved in high school ministry across Sydney's secular inner west. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

As pastors we're expressing leadership in our churches on gender and sexuality. We want to help our people think biblically - and yet with the culture moving so fast - it is an area that we feel ill equipped. On today's Pastor's Heart we benefit from the hard work of Sydney Missionary and Bible College Theology and Ethics lecturer Rob Smith who has just published a reworked version of his PhD under the title ‘The body God gives.'As transgender visibility reaches new heights, we explore its historical and philosophical roots, noting the pivotal cultural shifts since the "Transgender Tipping Point" in 2013. We outline the biblical stance on the sex and gender binary while engaging with contemporary philosophical debates. We dissect the relationship between second-wave feminism and the transgender movement.Our discussion ventures into the diverse theories surrounding sex and gender, distinguishing between non-trans, soft trans, hard trans, and queer perspectives. Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

What happens when a leader operates without a clear vision.  And how poetic or concrete should a vision be? How to organise things so the overall vision cascades down through every area of church life? What should our pastoral approach be to innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, laggards and the nos. Biblical vision and Leadership vision: What is the difference? Why do people mangle Proverbs 29:18? Plus infusing the church with vision, in a significant moment and especially via drip feed.Craig Hamilton is senior pastor of Pitt Town Anglican Church and author of ‘Wisdom in Leadership.'Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. Anglican AidAnglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid. Dominic Steele's preaching at Village Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

There are claims - and you hear them every so often - that archeology has disproved this story or that in the bible, and claims from this or that scholar of particularly late dating of different bible books.How do we as evangelical pastors react/respond/answer those claims?Hans Kristensen is senior pastor of Marsfield Community Church in Sydney and is studying ancient archaeology.He suggests that there are 10 major archaelogical finds that help us to increase our confidence in the Old Testament:There's evidence of a big population jump in Caanan at exactly the time that the bible said that Yahweh was giving Israel the land, called the ‘Hill Country Explosion.'The Egyptian Pharaoh Merneptah boasts of raiding the land of Caanan, saying it was occupied by Israel.In the city of Hazor, archaeologists have found religious idols destroyed and other items intact, just as expected from Joshua 11-12The recently discovered altar at Mount Ebal is likely Joshua's altar (Joshua 8)In the Tel Dan inscription we now have archeological evidence for King David's existence.There's consistent architectural town planning in the cities built around the time of David and Solomon - pointing towards planning and control under one ruler (eg a King).There are similarities between what we know of the temple of Solomon and a similar temple built at Ain Dara, about 30 kilometres from Beirut, showing Solomon's temple fits into the religious and architectural landscape of the time.The discovery of six massive chambered gates at Hazor, Meggido and Gezer and other architectural discoveries at those sites corresponds with 1Kings 9:15.A ninth century battle account from King Moab of Mersha mirrors the one in 2 Kings 3.The Biblical chronology of the listed kings matches almost exactly with archeological evidence.Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How does godliness play out differently if I am a man, a woman, a young man, a young woman, a husband or a wife?All Christians are called to live like Christ.  Why does the Apostle Paul choose to write about what godliness looks like for the older and younger and for us as men and women, rather than more generally for us as people? Does our age and sex have implications for the challenges we face in living for Jesus? Are these things just human constructs or elements of divine gift? And what implications does this have for how we think about discipleship and our lived experience of complementarian ministry? Paul Grimmond is a senior lecturer at Sydney's Moore Theological College.  Paul gave the keynote address at the Priscilla and Aquila conference.Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Godliness vs Effectiveness - the Both/And Ministry dilemma Godliness vs EffectivenessTheology vs Pragmatics People centered vs Organisationally mindedLeading from the front vs Serving others Courage to take a stand vs Quick to submitOthers know I am one of them vs I am set apart to leadI lead patiently vs I lead with a sense of urgency Most Christians at some point do start to wonder if they are the real deal.  What God asks of us is so far reaching, so all encompassing, that when we come up short, we start to ask ourselves  “Am I an imposter?” “Should I really be a leader?” and perhaps/Am even a Christian at all?'Gary Millar is the Principal of Queensland's Theological College and author of a new book ‘Both/And Ministry.'Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

What is the work of the Lord? What is in vain if the resurrection is not true? What truly lasts and what does gospel work looks like in our daily lives? The debate over eschatology and one's view of the new heavens and new earth.   Will there be a Sydney Harbour Bridge in the new creation? And in the meantime, what should be our priorities?William Taylor is the rector of St Helens Church in London, where he is engaged in ministry to city workers. He has written the book ‘Revolutionary Work' to address these issues.Reach Australia National ConferenceReach Australia's National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year's theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Indigenous Australians and the Christian Gospel - with Michael Duckett As we approach ‘Aboriginal Sunday' (19 January) we focus on the progress of the gospel among the indigenous in Australia.What are the cultural changes and what openness to Jesus Christ among Indigenous Australians? Where are we seeing growth? What are the roadblocks and opportunities for the growth of the gospel among the indigenous communities? How much has to do with the soil.  How much has to do with things that we can change? Michael Duckett leads the Anglican Indigenous Ministry at Macarthur/Campbelltown in the far south west of Sydney and Chairs the Sydney Anglican Indigenous Ministry Committee.Aboriginal SundayIn 1938 the aboriginal leader William Cooper called on the churches of Australia to mark what he called ‘Aborigines Sunday' on the Sunday before Australia Day. He ‘requested sermons be preached on this day dealing with the Aboriginal people and their need of the gospel and response to it and we ask that special prayer be invoked for all missionary and other effort for the uplift of the dark people.'The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

We speak to Alistair Begg about pastors, suffering, humility and surviving long term in ministry.Alistair Begg is in Australia speaking at the Church Missionary Society conference in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Alistair has served the people of Cleveland Ohio for 42 years at Parkside Church and has a global impact through the influential Truth for Life Ministry. We go backstage with Alistair to discuss:His teaching on 1 Peter, focusing on suffering, perseverance, trials, humility and standing firm in God's grace.Reflections on 40+ years of pastoral ministry and lessons learned along the way.Insights into global mission and the long-term commitment of missionaries.His upcoming transition after more than four decades of leadership.The impact of Australia on his ministry in the US, including his close friendship with former Moore College Principal John Woodhouse.Insights into preparing for life after pastoral leadership as he approaches his final months as senior pastor.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How should we guide our congregations in thinking ethically about engagement in Bitcoin? What is Bitcoin? How do we as Christian leaders assess the morality of bitcoin? Proponents say that it's design fosters transparency and fairness and promotes economic justice.Critics highlight its speculative risks and potential for illegal use. Jeffri Chiam is on the team at St Mary's Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur.  In 2024 he completed a final year research project into Bitcoin. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Ideas that changed the world Help your small group know the thinkers and the ideas that stand behind the reformation. We feature Calvin, Luther, Tyndale and Cranmer and the breakthough thinking around Grace, Faith, Bible and Christ. Download videos to show in your bible study group and purchase a workbook from Matthias Media. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Most of us evangelical pastors, theological colleges, indeed the whole of evangelicalism - we have a blind spot when it comes to Roman Catholicism in our theology, missiology and practice.  Where do we as Evangelicals make mistakes in our engagement with the Roman Catholic world? What can we change?  What should we change?How do we best see our Roman Catholic friends come to a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Leonardo De Chirico has been at the forefront of theological education of evangelicals in this space internationally for over a decade. Leonardo is a church planter, pastor in Rome, and Director of the Reformanda Initiative. Rachel Ciano is the Dean of Academic Development at Mary Andrew's College, Sydney. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Ideas that changed the world Help your small group know the thinkers and the ideas that stand behind the reformation. We feature Calvin, Luther, Tyndale and Cranmer and the breakthough thinking around Grace, Faith, Bible and Christ. Download videos to show in your bible study group and purchase a workbook from Matthias Media. Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

It is difficult times in the Church of England.Having previously publicly betrayed his ordination and consecration vows - the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby - has now resigned over his handling of a safeguarding matter, following the release of the Makin report.The Church of England is tearing itself apart over sexuality.There are more apostate bishops than faithful bishops in the English House of Bishops.And there is now a massive group within the Church of England called The Alliance,  representing 42% of the denomination's attendance,  basically pleading to the house of bishops to repent.William Taylor has served since 1998 as the senior pastor of St Helen's London. Taylor is paralleling the difficult times faced by Evangelicals today to those faced by the Apostle Paul at the time of writing the pastorals. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Ideas that changed the world Help your small group know the thinkers and the ideas that stand behind the reformation. We feature Calvin, Luther, Tyndale and Cranmer and the breakthough thinking around Grace, Faith, Bible and Christ. Download videos to show in your bible study group and purchase a workbook from Matthias Media. Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Church Leaders have welcomed the report of the trial of cashless gambling which recommends that ‘account based gambling' be introduced in New South Wales by 2028. There are bigger problems with gambling in Sydney and New South Wales than pretty much anywhere in the world (outside Las Vegas). But the Clubs and Hotels industry is running a narrative attempting to discredit the trial, calling it a three million dollar waste of money. Senior Minister of Sydney's Wesley Mission Stu Cameron was the church representative on the inquiry panel and says while the outcome is welcome, it's now up to the government, ‘the devil will be in the details' and we need to keep the pressure on.Gamble Aware Helpline (within Australia) 1800 858 858The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Assistant Minister role at Village Church Annandale, SydneyVillage Church is looking for an assistant minister. Perhaps it's you or you know someone? Could you lead our mission outreach and the ministry aspect. Plus help set vision and in preaching and pastoral care. For more info or to have a coffee email dominic@villagechurch.sydney Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Is the church losing its global mission focus?The number of overseas missionaries being sent out is down on ten years ago. Church and mission leaders have encouraged Christians to respond to the need for mission locally, especially as church decline accelerates.Yet there's a growing concern that global mission involvement is being neglected in many local churches.Sydney Missionary and Bible College Lecturer Tim Silberman has just completed a study on practices and perspectives on mission among evangelical churches in Australia.Tim says for mission to prosper, churches need to have strong relationships with overseas mission partners, and this will help the gospel globally and our local mission work. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Assistant Minister role at Village Church Annandale, SydneyVillage Church is looking for an assistant minister. Perhaps it's you or you know someone? Could you lead our mission outreach and the ministry aspect. Plus help set vision and in preaching and pastoral care. For more info or to have a coffee email dominic@villagechurch.sydney Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How do we encourage our staff teams and members to be more intentional in Jesus' mission of making disciples?Disciple making is entering into relationships to help people trust and follow Jesus - the whole journey from conversion through maturing and multiplication. There's a formal teaching component. But there's so much more.Peter Mayrick, from Partners in Ministry, says he wants us to be more intentional.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Assistant Minister role at Village Church Annandale, SydneyVillage Church is looking for an assistant minister. Perhaps it's you or you know someone? Could you lead our mission outreach and the ministry aspect. Plus help set vision and in preaching and pastoral care. For more info or to have a coffee email dominic@villagechurch.sydney Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Planning Christmas Preaching.What we are nervous about? What we want to get right? What has worked best? What hasn't? And how do we leverage the cultural moment? Nigel Fortescue is senior pastor of Christ Church St Ives on Sydney's North Shore. Pete Stedman leads the ministry at Norwest Anglican Church in the North West of Sydney. Assistant Minister role at Village Church Annandale, SydneyVillage Church is looking for an assistant minister. Perhaps it's you or you know someone? Could you lead our mission outreach and the ministry aspect. Plus help set vision and in preaching and pastoral care. For more info or to have a coffee email dominic@villagechurch.sydney The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How do we proactively serve Jesus in retirement? How might we motivate our older church members to prioritise the work of the gospel? Mike Raiter said on The Pastor's Heart a little while back that retirement needs rethinking to avoid the sin of the sluggard. Mike Raiter said downing tools at 65 and spending 20 or 30 years resting is a 19th century concept and is not Christian. But what is the alternative? Ying Yee is lead English Pastor of Chinese Christian Church Milsons Point in Sydney. Carmel Vincent serves as training and events coordinator at the Ministry Training Strategy. And Ian Carmichael was CEO of Sydney's Matthias Media. Assistant Minister role at Village Church Annandale, SydneyVillage Church is looking for an assistant minister. Perhaps it's you or you know someone? Could you lead our mission outreach and the ministry aspect. Plus help set vision and in preaching and pastoral care. For more info or to have a coffee email dominic@villagechurch.sydney The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

I want to be a big hearted encourager like Barnabas. I want to be a reliable assistant like Timothy. I want to be passionate preacher like Apollos.When you think about the qualifications for Christian ministry in 1Timothy 3, the significance of personality is pretty much ignored.What is the relationship between character and personality?  Some one is all about structure and someone elose is much more ‘loosy-goosy/flexible.'When there's conflict in church or in a ministry teams - it's often put down to personality difference or sometimes even disorder.What does the bible say about all this?Tim Omrod serves with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES) at Griffith University on the Gold Coast and has just finished a study of the co-workers of Paul.Church Suite Taster Days in Sydney and BrisbaneCheck out the new church management software ChurchSuite. Gavin and Luke are hosting five taster days in Sydney and Brisbane in November. Assistant Minister role at Village Church Annandale, SydneyVillage Church is looking for an assistant minister. Perhaps it's you or you know someone? Could you lead our mission outreach and the ministry aspect. Plus help set vision and in preaching and pastoral care. For more info or to have a coffee email dominic@villagechurch.sydney Financially Support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible fundPlease financially support The Pastor's Heart via our new tax deductible giving page.Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

In a significant interview on the Rest is Politics Podcast England's Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, has denied the teaching of the bible, and the teaching of his church. It is Archbishop Welby's most public betrayal of his ordination and consecration vow to ‘banish error and to uphold and defend the truth taught in Scripture.'Archbishop Welby's comments came on the eve of an important House of Bishops meeting in the UK, which considered a request from a group called The Alliance, consisting of 2360 clergy whose churches represent 42% of the Church of England's Sunday attendance, and who hold to the Bible's teaching on sexuality.They are asking for a separate orthodox province to be created within the Church of England. Vaughan Roberts is the senior minister of St. Ebbe's in Oxford, and is one of the signatories of the request from The Alliance. Church Suite Taster Days in Sydney and BrisbaneCheck out the new church management software ChurchSuite. Gavin and Luke are hosting five taster days in Sydney and Brisbane in November. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How to best structure ministry teams in your church? And how to equip your team leaders for joyful service?Team leaders do the bulk of their ministry in between events not at events.How can someone become a more fruitful team leader?Why all conversations with your team fit into four categories - and how most team leaders get this wrong.David Moore is the executive pastor of Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, New South Wales.He has written a new book, The Team Leader's Handbook, which will be widely read by churches and ministry teams all around.Church Suite Taster Days in Sydney and BrisbaneCheck out the new church management software ChurchSuite. Gavin and Luke are hosting five taster days in Sydney and Brisbane in November. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

5,000 believers gathered from more than 200 nations last month in South Korea. It is 50 years since Billy Graham and John Stott first launched the Lausanne movement in Switzerland. Anglican Bishop of North Sydney Chris Edwards has described the congress as like an all you can eat buffet - where some parts tasted amazing / fantastic and  I kept wanting more and yet other parts even a mouthful made me feel nauseous. Principal of Sydney's Moore Theological College Mark Thompson says there were some great highlights including a presentation by Vaughan Roberts on sexuality but also areas of concern.Church Suite Taster Days in Sydney and BrisbaneCheck out the new church management software ChurchSuite. Gavin and Luke are hosting five taster days in Sydney and Brisbane in November. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Historical literacy is a critical tool for Christians, deepening faith and enhancing evangelism and discipleship.Sarah Irving Stonebreaker says we've forgotten how to engage well with the past, we don't know why the past might be relevant to us today, and we have missed out on being part of a larger story.We need to uncover overlooked histories, bringing historical injustices to light, move beyond  culture wars, bring historical injustices to light and recognise the sins of the past (including our own).Sarah is Associate Professor of History in Western Civilization at the Australian Catholic University.She says the church can offer a rich narrative that can reconnect those feeling adrift.Sarah Irving Stonebreaker has a new book "Priests of History: Stewarding the Past in an ahistoric Age." https://bit.ly/4eSfpfJChurch Suite Taster Days in Sydney and BrisbaneCheck out the new church management software ChurchSuite. Gavin and Luke are hosting five taster days in Sydney and Brisbane in November. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

What is Christian parenting?  How do we do family Bible time well?  How can we prioritize church, even when it's hard?  Navigating social media with teens? And how to parent teens who are doubting, drifting or deserting? Parenting is joyous, magical, tiresome, boring, stressful and complicated.Harriet Connor is editor of ‘Parenting in God's family: Biblical wisdom for everyday issues.' (https://bit.ly/4eJgars). Kat Ashton Israel is a contributing author. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How to preach to build confidence so members want to invite Islamic friends and workmates to church and better educate our Christians for conversations with Muslim friends.What topics might we address?  How to best engage with the authority and authorship of the Bible vs the Qur'an, plus Jesus and Muhammed, the Trinity, Incarnation, Sin and human nature, Judgement and Salvation.Sam Green works for the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students and is the author of ‘Where to start with Islam.' https://bit.ly/3N0wx6QPlus Sam Green shares his pastor's heart ahead of a big debate with Muslim Apologist Abdulla Kunde at the University of Sydney hosted by the Islamic Students Society.Further resources: Sam Green debating at Sydney University, 2023 https://bit.ly/3BbmKIySam Green reference page on ‘Sermon Illustrations and Islam' https://bit.ly/3zsaqDqThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How do you work in a team excellently with those above you in ministry? How do you as a team member take responsibility for the success of your church? What can ministry team members do well to help the whole team function better?What mistakes do team members make? And what about confidentiality on team?Michael Davies is associate pastor of Lighthouse Church in Gorokan, NSW.Megan Stevens serves at Vine Church in Surry Hills in Sydney. Peter Blanch is a ministry consultant with Reach AustraliaThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Send us a textHow do we help children in Christian families escape and recover from the devastating effects of domestic abuse? Pastoral consultant Jenni Woodhouse says there is a hidden epidemic of coercive control where a parent with narcissism or borderline personality disorder makes life impossible for their both their spouse and children. We also explore the impact of domestic abuse on children of all ages, from teenagers to toddlers.What responsibility does the church have? What should a church leader do?  How can we as church leaders detect and address these issues in the congregation?Jenni Woodhouse is a pastoral care consultant with the Church Missionary Society.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Send us a textWhat should the church pastor / staff team / church council or bishop do about the big drop in attendance? A new report (bit.ly/AttendancePatterns) shows Adult Attendance in churches in Sydney is down 7% or 14% against population (over a decade). Adult attendance declined at approximately two-thirds of Sydney Anglican comparable church centers, and only one-third of church centers recorded an increase in attendance.The big problem is newcomers.  We just are not reaching them.  Newcomers are down to 5.4%.And with fewer new people joining churches, the churches that are growing are primarily growing at the expense of churches that are declining.A noticeable decline in attendance was recorded in 2018-2019, especially in the most rapidly secularising areas of our region. The issues are not just external. We have internal issues. There are denominational and congregational factors at play. There are key church health characteristics that show internal health factors are lower in those regions - factors relating to congregational character and leadership. Geoff Bates pastors Life church in Sydney's North West and chairs the committee that produced the Attendance Patterns Review report. Toby Neal pastors Vine Church in inner Sydney, which has seen remarkable growth.Dave Jensen works at assisting churches to grow in their evangelistic temperature through Evangelism and New Churches. Host Dominic Steele also served on the committee that produced the report.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Plus how the Tanzanian Church has been built through the labors and prayers  of Australian Christians, and why prosperity gospel preachers are as wicked as witch doctors!We are joined by Bishop Mwita Akiri from Tarime in rural Tanzania, Judith Calf who served as a missionary in theological education in Tanzania for 20 years, and Tim Swan who leads the Anglican Aid Ministry here in Australia.To support Anglican Aid projects in Tanzania: https://anglicanaid.org.au/locations/tanzania/The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

What impact does growing up in a pastoral family have on ministry kids? Valerie Ling from the Sydney Centre for Effective Living joins us to unpack the ‘Ministry Kids Wellbeing Survey,' revealing what Australian ministry children, say about their upbringing. They tell of heightened responsibilities and an acute awareness of adult realities plus concerns about  feeling different from their peers.We explore the broader impacts of pastoral life on children, and explore displacement, constant mobility, difficulties in forming lasting friendships and achieving a sense of belonging.Comparisons are made with the experiences of diplomats and defence ministry kids, emphasizing the common struggles and the critical role parents play in providing stability.Plus we talk the importance of empathy and creating safe spaces for doubts.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

One of the world's leading New Testament Scholars Thomas Schriener is in Sydney for the Moore College Lectures on ‘The Battle for the truth of the gospel.'At the center of his attention is NT Wright and the New Perspective on Paul, a debate that questions whether ancient Judaism was legalistic.Schreiner tells of his roots in Roman Catholicism, a transformative evangelical faith, and the enduring importance of the Reformation perspective of justification by faith alone.Schreiner, who chairs the Christian Standard Bible translation committee, takes us behind the scenes of the Christian Standard Bible's translation process, revealing the rigorous debates and decisions that shape how we read that translation. He outlines how denominational diversity influences translation accuracy. Plus we unpack the profound need to teach biblical gender roles in contemporary culture.Thomas Schreiner is professor of New Testament at Southern Baptist Theological College in Louisville, Kentucky. Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Religious Freedom leaders are calling on Australia's Government to quickly bring a Religious Discrimination Act to the parliament.Mark Sneddon says the Religious Discrimination Act is not about granting unlimited freedoms, but about preventing adverse treatment of religious individuals and organizations.He says there needs to be a fair compromise that the rights of all involved, which should be supported by both sides of politics. Mark Sneddon from the Institute for Civil Society, Mark Spencer from Christian Schools Australia, and Mike Southon from Freedom for Faith bring this update on where the Australian Religious Freedom debate is up to, following this week's Freedom For Faith conference. Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

What does Expressive Individualism mean for churches?  And what specifically does it mean for church music?Here is the expressive individualism worldview: ‘Truth comes from inside me.  It's important that I look inside to discover who I truly am' and ‘I need to express my individuality and personal truth to the world around me to receive validation.'That truth comes from within - is the unspoken assumptions of guests who come to our churches.And it's a worldview that has impacts inside the church, including inside our music teams and inside the heads of the songwriters who write the songs that we sing.Philip Percival and Alanna Glover lead the work of Emu Music, focusing on writing congregational songs and the training of church musicians and leaders.Alanna is doing a masters research project in Expressive Individualism & music, and Philip's PhD is in the biblical theology of worship.Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Disillusionment is one of the great threats to the Christian life and to Christian ministry  A wise man said the worst thing in ministry was not a pastor who quits, but a pastor who doesn't quit, but who keeps going when they've given up.Sydney Missionary and Bible College Karl Deenick shares his own experience of hitting a major wall after seven years of pastoral work. We unpack how ministry challenges can lead to a sense of disillusionment, especially among millennials, plus a way back. Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

What would Dave Keun and Jon Kwan like to tell their younger selves if they could travel back in time before they took on the position of senior minister?How has their sense of ownership changed?What has been most difficult about the transition to the role? What mistakes have they made?Dave Keun has been senior minister of Kellyville Anglican Church in Sydney's North West since March  2022.Jon Kwan has been lead pastor of St David's Forestville (on Sydney's Northern Beaches) since May 2022.Support the Show.--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.