Jesus Collective Podcast

Summer Burnout Camp Part 3 with Jon HandBurnout is hitting church leaders hard—nearly half of pastors have thought about walking away. This episode for that board member, elder, or congregant who is curious about navigating burnout with a pastor in their church, In this episode, Paul and leadership coach Jon Hand tackle the reality of burnout head-on, exploring the systemic causes, from overwork and unclear roles to unhealthy church dynamics. Jon shares hard-earned wisdom from coaching leaders, offering practical next steps: how to respond compassionately, why professional assessments matter, and what congregations can do when their pastor needs time away. Rather than despair, they point to the surprising redemptive power of burnout—the growth, wisdom, and deeper leadership it can unlock.If you care about healthy churches and sustainable leadership, this conversation will leave you both challenged and hopeful.[BURNOUT MAP]

Welcome to part two of our summer summer series, Paul Walker hosts an open panel conversation with Jon Hand, Cherish Hamilton, and Keith Miller. Together, they dive deeper into the realities of pastoral burnout—bringing diverse perspectives, hard-won wisdom, and honest questions to the table.This interactive discussion moves beyond personal stories into collective insight. The panel tackles audience questions, explores practical pathways for resilience, and wrestles with how churches can shift from burnout-prone cultures to communities of restoration and sustainable leadership.Part 2 is both real and refreshing—a dialogue full of candor, grace, and hope for leaders who feel weary, and for communities ready to walk with them toward renewal.

Part 1 of Summer Burnout Camp with Jon HandIn this special two-part summer series, we pitch our tent at the intersection of leadership, faith, and exhaustion. Paul Walker sits down with Jon Hand, cofounder of Lead from Transformation, to explore the deep realities of pastoral burnout—what causes it, how to recognize it, and why naming it can be the first step toward healing.Jon shares his own powerful story of a life changing experience with burnout and the surprising grace that met him in his most vulnerable moments. Together, Paul and Jon unpack the psychological, spiritual, and systemic dimensions of burnout—along with practical tools like the Spire Assessment Model and the Burnout Map.This honest, hopeful conversation is for any leader running on empty, and a vital listen for churches ready to build cultures that resist burnout instead of ignoring it.Part 2 continues live on August 13 at 1 PM CST with a panel of ministry leaders.- Access burnout tools and resources: lft-leadership.com- Connect with Jon Hand via Facebook, LinkedIn, or the LFT website.

In this episode, Paul speaks with Pastor and Professor Steve Bezner about his book, \"Your Jesus Is Too American,\" exploring how the Christian faith can become entangled with national identity. They discuss the need for a kingdom-centred imagination in the church, the influence of media and politics on theology, and the importance of love, service, and nuanced thinking in discipleship. From refugee care to sexuality and suffering, Steve shares stories and insights that challenge cultural assumptions and invite listeners to follow a Jesus who transcends borders—one whose kingdom vision is bigger than any nation.

In this episode, Shawna and Paul sit down with Keith Miller, founding pastor of Lifepath Church in Newark, Delaware, to explore the unexpected power of rest. Keith shares honestly about his ministry journey—from the early days of church planting to navigating leadership challenges and rediscovering renewal through a recent sabbatical.Together, they reflect on the personal and communal dynamics of pastoral burnout, what it means to lead with vulnerability, and how sabbatical rhythms can become catalysts for transformation, not just for the leader but for the entire church.If you\'re discerning how to lead your community toward deeper spiritual health while also tending to your own soul, this conversation will resonate deeply.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Paul and Shawna sit down with Mark Glanville—jazz musician, Old Testament scholar, and Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at the University of British Columbia—to explore his journey from Sydney’s jazz scene to missional leadership in post-Christian cultures. Broadcasting from his piano bench in Vancouver, Mark shares how his love for music shapes his preaching, how communal over individualistic frameworks can reframe sermon practice, and why holistic well-being is vital for sustaining pastoral life. He also discusses his recent book, Preaching In A New Key: Crafting Expository Sermons in Post-Christian Communities, which offers a fresh vision for preaching in a skeptical age. Listeners can learn more about Mark’s work at markglanville.org and tune into his podcast Blue Note Theology—“the only podcast in the world hosted from the grand piano!

In this timely episode, Paul sits down with Adam Dyer and Cherish Hamilton to explore how global political tensions—like trade wars, nationalism, and polarization—impact personal relationships and the unity of the Church.Framed by the question “Why can’t we be friends?”, the conversation draws from Holy Week themes to examine false peace, true reconciliation, and Jesus’ call to love beyond ideological lines. From the rise of fear-based politics to the fear-driven narratives shaping our world, the trio wrestles with how followers of Jesus can stay rooted in empathy, hope, and God’s original intent.They share practical spiritual practices, the importance of seeing people, not just systems, and the power of friendship in a divided world. We pray you will be encouraged by this hopeful, challenging conversation for anyone longing to be a person of peace in a time of conflict.

How do we, as a community, discern the voice of the Holy Spirit? In this episode of the Jesus Collective Holy Spirit Series, we dive deep into communal discernment with two incredible guests: David Fitch and Dr. Samuel Sarpiya. Together, we explore what it means to listen for the Spirit’s voice—not just individually, but as a gathered body of believers. This episode is packed with wisdom for church leaders, small group facilitators, and anyone longing to be part of a church that listens well to the Holy Spirit. Whether you're facing major decisions or simply seeking to be more attuned to God's work in your community, this conversation will equip you and encourage you.

The Spirit & Sources of Christian Authority: Where Do We Find Truth Today?Join host Paul Walker and guests Tania Harris (founder of the "God Conversations" ministry) and Meghan Good for a thought-provoking exploration of Christian authority in today's world. This episode dives into the complex interplay between Scripture, tradition, church community, and the Holy Spirit's ongoing guidance.Our guests unpack the historical context of Sola Scriptura, examining how this Reformation principle sought to correct church abuses but may have inadvertently diminished our understanding of how the Spirit continues to speak today. Together, they tackle challenging questions: How do we avoid making Scripture the "fourth member of the Trinity" while still honouring its divine inspiration? What does it mean that biblical authority is mediated through Jesus Christ?Whether wrestling with spiritual discernment, interpreting difficult passages, or seeking to balance tradition with fresh revelation, this episode provides thoughtful perspectives on maintaining Jesus as our foundation while embracing the Spirit's ongoing work in our communities. Don't miss this essential conversation about finding a faithful balance between the ancient text and the living Spirit in an age hungry for authentic spiritual authority.

Despite all our ministries, activities, and efforts, why does the church often seem so little like Jesus? In this episode, we dive deep into the role of the Holy Spirit in discipleship and personal transformation with our guests, Keith Smith & Jonny Morrison. Are we missing something essential?Join us as we explore: