Jesus Collective Podcast

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:

Join co-leaders Adam Dyer and Cherish Hamilton for a dynamic and heartfelt conversation about the state of Jesus Collective as we move into 2025. Despite its rather presidential-sounding title, this State of the Union episode offers an intimate look at where our community has been and where we're headed. Adam and Cherish share their experience stepping into co-leadership together, unpacking the victories and valuable learning moments that have shaped their journey. They dive deep into the expanding network of Hubs, share exciting details about our upcoming Regional Event, and explore how their complementary leadership styles are helping forge a more collaborative and mutual community. Through personal stories, candid insights, and a bold vision for the future, this conversation captures the innovative spirit of Jesus Collective while offering practical ways for leaders to engage more deeply with our Jesus-centered movement.

Join us for an episode of the Jesus Collective podcast as we dive into "Sent by the Spirit" with Executive Director of Jesus Collective, Adam Dyer. In this second installment of our Holy Spirit Series, we explore the profound yet often overlooked relationship between the Holy Spirit and the church's mission in today's world.Drawing from his personal journey, Adam addresses the challenging question: Have we inadvertently reduced our mission to mere strategy and marketing, missing the vital partnership of the Holy Spirit? Whether you're a ministry leader feeling burned out from relying on human effort alone, or someone seeking to discover more input, this episode offers practical insights for cultivating genuine partnership with the Holy Spirit in mission.From seeing mighty moves of the Spirit to everyday guidance, learn how to move beyond exhausting self-reliance into Spirit-led ministry that produces lasting kingdom impact. Don't miss this honest, inspiring conversation about rediscovering the Holy Spirit's essential role in fulfilling the church's mission in our post-Christian world.