Canadian Church Leaders Podcast

Canadian Church Leaders Podcast

CCLN

Welcome to the Canadian Church Leaders Podcast, hosted by Jason Ballard. We are committed to serving church leaders and their teams by sharing conversations focused on pastoral leadership. Each episode features honest and thoughtful interviews with key voices from Canada and beyond. We want you to be inspired and encouraged as you hear the stories of hundreds of churches alongside the learnings of those who are leading today.

1 hour 11 minutes

Mark Buchanan on Pastoring Others Without Losing Your Soul, Growing Deep Over Fast, and Telling Gospel-Shaped Stories
Mark Buchanan sits down with us again to explore everything from how storytelling forms us to our addiction to control. He articulates how narratives help us navigate the truths of life and our identity, emphasizing the significance of weaving hope-filled, gospel-rooted stories into the fabric of our cultural imagination.

Throughout our conversation, Mark draws from the life of David to think about leaning on character over gifting and the temptation of success. Mark offers a candid look into what spiritual practices have deepened his love for Jesus, and what he has been learning about the importance of deep friendships in this season of his life.

This episode is an invitation to reevaluate our leadership in ministry, challenging us to lead in a manner that not only fosters integrity but cultivates a deeper love for Jesus.

Bio | Mark is an author, Associate Professor of Theology at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta, and former pastor. His books include “God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul” and the ever-popular “The Rest of God.” In 2021 Mark and his wife Cheryl started New Story Community, a ministry that seeks to walk alongside Indigenous Women who need space for healing. The program focuses on academic and biblical study, skill development, and personal goal-setting. The heart is to join God in His work of writing a story of hope, redemption and healing in the lives of His people.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
Get Connected!
8 April 2024, 9:00 am
1 hour 1 minute

Tammy Giffen on Neighbourhood Contextualization, Processing When People Leave, and What Helps Canada Feel Smaller
How do we contextualize our churches to the neighbourhoods God has called us to? And how do you keep your heart healthy when people leave your church?

In today’s episode with Tammy Giffen, lead pastor of Groundswell Church in Truro, Nova Scotia, we explore these questions and more from her journey in ministry. Tammy became a Christian through Alpha as an adult and later moved into vocational ministry, eventually planting Groundswell in 2018. It’s a story of leading in ministry for the long haul, compelled by uncovering the beauty of Jesus for herself, and in the lives of the community she pastors.

Bio | Tammy Giffen is the lead pastor of Groundswell, a multi-site church in Central Nova Scotia. Groundswell is a church plant that launched in September of 2018 with a vision to be a church un-churched people love to attend. She came to know Jesus as an adult when she was invited to attend Alpha. Since then she has been passionate about breaking down barriers to church and helping people meet Jesus. Tammy is married to Peter and has three children; Taylor, Wesley, and Mya.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
- ⁠⁠⁠⁠Groundswell Church
- One Conference
Get Connected!
25 March 2024, 9:00 am
59 minutes 36 seconds

Nicky Gumbel On His Succession at HTB, a Vision to Train 10,000 Pastors, and the Significance of April 17, 2033
In this episode, Jason sits down with the pioneer of the Alpha Course and former Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in London, Nicky Gumbel. Nicky shares about his journey of transitioning leadership at HTB after nearly two decades in the senior role, emphasizing the importance of healthy succession and not taking changes made by new leaders personally. Their church, HTB, is helping to train pastors in England through a new initiative called the Caleb and Peter streams. Their vision is to see tens of thousands of pastors equipped, coming from less educated and affluent backgrounds, or who have retired from previous careers and are in the later seasons of life. Later in the conversation, Nicky shares a profound vision for the future of the Church: that the bible would be translated and the gospel shared to 99.6% of the world by the 17th of April, 2033. Nicky's joy for evangelism and seeing as many people as possible come to know and follow Jesus is a beautiful gift to the global church. We hope this conversation stirs your imagination for what God can do in your own context as you seek to spread the good news of Jesus with others.

Bio | Nicky Gumbel is the former vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London. Together with his wife Pippa, they pioneered Alpha, an introduction to the Christian faith run by all the major Christian denominations in 169 countries. Nicky has written several best-selling books including Questions of Life, The Jesus Lifestyle, Searching Issues and A Life Worth Living. He is the author of the free Bible reading app Bible in One Year.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
- The Leadership Conference is a unique opportunity for leaders to be equipped in their leadership through conversations, world-class content, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Register for LC24 on the 6th-7th May at the Royal Albert Hall in London here.
- Holy Trinity Brompton
- Alpha
Get Connected!
11 March 2024, 10:00 am
1 hour 12 minutes

Jerry L. Sittser On the Early Church “Third Way”, Re-introducing a Christian Imagination, and Navigating Grief through a Redemptive Lens
In this episode, Jason had a conversation with Jerry L. Sittser, a retired professor of theology from Whitworth University, renowned for his expertise in Christian spirituality and history. In this conversation, Jerry shares the relevance of early Christian practices in today's world and highlights the importance of the church embracing a new catechumen. He unpacks the challenges and opportunities for the church posed by a post-Christendom world, advocating for a deeper, more resilient approach to faith. Jerry also shares personal reflections on grief and loss not as something to avoid, but learning to carry it redemptively. His dedication to bridging academia and the church infuses our dialogue with hope and understanding, inviting us to explore what it means to follow Jesus in our time.

Bio | Jerry has been a professor emeritus of theology and senior fellow at Whitworth University, specializing in the History of Christianity, Christian Spirituality, and Religion in American Public Life. He is now retired and spends much of his time with his 11 grandchildren. He has written nine books, among them are A Grace Disguised, The Will of God as a Way of Life, Water from a Deep Well, and his most recent book, Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian “Third Way” Changed the World.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
Get Connected!
26 February 2024, 5:42 pm
1 hour 2 minutes

Jonathan Smith On Nurturing Change in Churches with Compassion, Embracing the Vitality of Pruning for Church Growth, and Recognizing the Essential Role of Spiritual Mentors
Change and the process of pruning are essential yet challenging aspects of personal growth and church life. Jonathan Smith understands this reality deeply, having navigated 30 years of church ministry and leadership. In this engaging conversation with Jason, Jonathan candidly shares his transformative journey, from the bold endeavor of planting a church at the young age of 23 to the nuanced task of guiding an established congregation toward embracing the next generation. Jonathan's entrepreneurial spirit, seasoned wisdom, and unwavering passion for the thriving of the church in Canada shine through as he reflects on his experiences. Through his insights, we invite you to glean from this conversation on how to navigate change well, foster healthy growth, and the importance of listening to those older and further along in the faith journey.

Bio | Jonathan has over 30 years of leadership and pastoral experience - leading churches in Halifax, Montreal and Toronto. He has been a church planter, Lead Pastor and thought leader in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Jonathan is married to Shelly and has three young children. His ministry has been marked by innovative strategies and an emphasis on team development and change management.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
- ⁠⁠One Church
Get Connected!
12 February 2024, 1:00 pm
53 minutes 3 seconds

Jeff Vanderstelt on The Dealing With Criticism, Navigating Toxic Church Culture, The Crisis of Discipleship, and Dallas Willard’s Last Unanswered Question
Discipleship lies at the heart of the Christian journey, yet it often becomes compartmentalized within separate ministries or aspects of the Christian faith. Jeff Vanderstelt, with years of experience leading others in the way of Jesus and equipping the broader church through his writings, is now dedicated to mentoring pastors and leaders in gospel fluency and missional living. In this insightful discussion, Jason and Jeff delve into the significance of maintaining an open-handed approach to those entrusted to pastors' care, navigating critical voices, and the profound impact of Dallas Willard's last unanswered question. Jeff candidly shares his personal leadership journey within a fractured church, reflecting on how God's intervention brought healing to his own brokenness amid numerous challenges. We hope this conversation encourages you and we invite you to share any thoughts or reflections on how it may have impacted you with us.

Bio | As the Executive Director of Saturate and founding leader of the Soma Family of Churches, Jeff Vanderstelt gets to spend his days doing what he loves – mentoring leaders and equipping the Church in the gospel and missional living. Additionally, Jeff is on the leadership team of Saturate the Sound, a local church collective focused on gospel saturation in the Puget Sound. Jeff has authored Saturate, Gospel Fluency, and Making Space.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
- ⁠One Eighty: A Return to Disciple Making⁠
- ⁠Saturate⁠
- ⁠Soma Churches⁠
- Youth Pastors Summit | East:⁠⁠ DISCOUNT CODE: Register today with CYPS20OFF for a total of $50 off the regular registration rate.
Get Connected!
29 January 2024, 8:23 pm
1 hour 3 minutes

Durwin and Angel Gray on Being Called to a Place and Community, Navigating Imposter Syndrome, and Parenting as the Primary Avenue of Discipleship
In this episode, Jason had the privilege of sitting down and having a conversation with his very first pastors—Angel and Durwin Gray, who played a crucial role in shaping his pastoral imagination during his formative years. Angel and Durwin have been serving as pastors at Hillside Church for 25 years, and they generously shared with us the joys, challenges, and insights they have gained throughout their journey. They delve into the profound meaning of being called to a specific place and community, navigating feelings of doubt and imposter syndrome, and embracing parenting as the primary avenue of discipleship amid the demands of ministry. Angel and Durwin emanate joy, care, sincerity, and reflect the hope of Christ for the world. Enjoy this insightful conversation, and if it sparks any thoughts about the individuals or experiences that shaped your pastoral imagination, feel free to share them in the comments or send us a message at [email protected].

Bio | Durwin and Angel were university sweethearts and have been married now for 31 years. They have two young adult sons, Caleb and Noah, and they help make the Gray household a little on the loud side. The Gray’s are a pretty tight-knit family who tend to love films, road trips, and the band Coldplay. Thirty plus years ago, Angel and Durwin got involved in church planting, and helped plant the church Durwin now pastors, called Hillside Community Church in Coquitlam. Angel runs her own accounting business and has a passion for mentoring, teaching, and prayer.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Show Notes:
- ⁠Hillside Church
- Youth Pastors Summit | East:⁠ DISCOUNT CODE: Register today with CYPS20OFF for a total of $50 off the regular registration rate.
Get Connected!
16 January 2024, 1:00 pm
33 minutes 37 seconds

Special Episode: Elita Friesen on Abiding in Jesus, The Fruitfulness of Rocky Soil, and Recognizing the Work of the Vinedresser
This past year we gathered for a one day conference with pastors and leaders from across North America, collaborating with our friends at Practicing The Way. Together, we engaged in meaningful discussions on spiritual formation within the context of the local church. This full day gathering consisted of teaching and dialogue from John Mark Comer, Ken Shigematsu, Tyler Staton, and Elita Friesen. Elita closed the conference with a beautiful message on abiding in Christ, sharing that as we lead people to a deepening relationship with God we ourselves would abide deeply in Jesus. We hope this message gives you hope and a renewed vision to abide in Jesus as we move into 2024.

Bio | Elita Friesen is a writer and Bible teacher and has served in various ministry capacities for the last 10 years. She currently serves on the teaching and pastoral team at The Way Church, a church with locations in both Vancouver and North Vancouver. Elita feels uniquely called to encourage this generation not only toward biblical literacy, but also toward a deep love of Jesus through the study of Scripture. She is the author of several books including The Whole Church. Elita and her husband, Ryan, live in the lower mainland of BC with their four children.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Show Notes:
- ⁠Emerging Leaders Lab
- ⁠Pastors Retreat
- Youth Pastors Summit | East: DISCOUNT CODE: Register today with CYPS20OFF for a total of $50 off the regular registration rate.
- The Resilient Pastor, Glenn Packiam
Get Connected!
8 January 2024, 1:00 pm
1 hour 6 minutes

Darren Herbold on Embracing Holy Inconvenience, Why Ministry Friendships Are Key & Choosing Faithfulness in All Seasons
In this episode, Jason and Darren Herbold, President of The Alliance Canada, mine Darren’s eclectic ministry background which includes time in pastoral ministry, the business world and in the missionary field. Darren lets us into his own journey of wanting to be an active, not reluctant, follower of Jesus and all the places that posture took him. Throughout the conversation, Darren emphasizes his most formative learnings, sharing themes like listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the speed of love, what a cultivated curiosity toward others can impact & more. The conversation concludes with Darren’s reflection on the importance of faithfulness in each ministry season: whether unfair, uneventful or full of God’s leading. We hope you enjoy this insightful conversation.

Bio | Darren has served The Alliance Canada for over 15 years. Darren served as pastoral staff for seven years at Beulah Alliance. In 2014, Darren, and his wife, Naomi, were sent as international workers to Thailand where they served for over eight years. In 2015, Darren and Naomi were appointed as Team Leaders, and then in 2019, as Regional Developers, providing leadership and oversight to the region. Darren Herbold also served on the Board of Directors for the past four years. Darren also has significant experience in the area of entrepreneurial business, founding and directing an international charitable organization, For Freedom International, focused on anti-trafficking, community development, and Gospel multiplication efforts in southeast Asia. In July 2022, The Alliance Canada appointed Rev. Darren Herbold to serve as President of The Alliance Canada.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
- The Alliance Canada
- For Freedom International
Get Connected!
14 December 2023, 1:00 pm
1 hour 10 minutes

Evan Wickham on Fostering Compassionate Curiosity, Embracing Courageous Orthodoxy, and Creating Healthy Spaces for Questions & Disagreement
Today, church planter and worship leader Evan Whickman joins us from Park Hill Church in sunny San Diego. In this conversation, Jason and Evan explore various themes, starting with Evan's personal journey of deconstructing and reconstructing his faith in Jesus, and the environments that helped him along the way. Together, they also unpack the concept of "Compassionate and Courageous Orthodoxy," and in it, the delicate balance of standing firm on core Christian truths while creating environments for open and honest conversations. Evan shares profound insights on engaging in meaningful dialogue with those who hold different perspectives, while both tackling challenging questions and maintaining a genuine curiosity toward those in the conversation. Throughout the interview, Evan exudes faith and courage while staying grounded in the complexities of pastoring in this moment. We hope you enjoy our conversation with him.

Bio | Evan Wickham is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker, and lead pastor of Park Hill Church in San Diego, CA, which he co-founded in 2017 with Sandy, his wife of 23 years (and their five kids). In addition to teaching and curating worship experiences in various communities, he has released four albums of worship songs in order to resource the broader body of Christ. He holds an MDiv from Western Seminary in Portland, OR and helped launch Searock Sessions, a cohort and growing community for hundreds of leaders seeking renewal in the Western church.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠.

Show Notes:
- Park Hill Church
Get Connected!
28 November 2023, 1:00 pm
49 minutes 19 seconds

Darrell Johnson on Carving out a New Understanding of Pastoring, Trusting the Power of God’s Word, & How the Ten Commandments Speak to Our Cultural Moment
Darrell Johnson, our record holder for “most interviews on the podcast” joins us to speak into the evolving landscape of pastoral ministry. Join Jason and Darrell as they explore themes like the art of preaching, going the distance in ministry and marriage, and to close, Darrell’s thoughts on the ancient ten commandments’ continued relevance in a modern world. Throughout the entire conversation, there is one thread that continually emerges as vital: the pastor's job is to guide people toward abiding in Jesus. We hope this conversation serves you to that important end.

Bio | Darrell Johnson has been preaching Jesus Christ and His Gospel for over 50 years. He has served a number of Presbyterian congregations in California, Union Church of Manila in the Philippines, and the historic First Baptist Church in the heart of Vancouver, Canada. He has taught preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College in Vancouver, and Regent College in Vancouver. He has authored eight books, including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through Revelation. He is currently serving as Scholar-in-Residence for The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network. He and his wife Sharon have been married 46 years. Together they have raised four children adopted from four different countries of the world, and now enjoy loving nine active grandchildren!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada.

Partners:

Prepare your church to respond to global crises by ⁠⁠⁠connecting with Chris⁠⁠⁠ from World Vision.

Show Notes:
- ⁠“That You May Live: How the 10 Commandments Lead to Human Freedom”
Get Connected!
27 November 2023, 8:41 pm
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