The Pastorate Podcast

In a time when Christian sexual ethics are increasingly seen not just as outdated but as morally offensive, how can pastors lead with both clarity and compassion? In this conversation, author and apologist Rebecca McLaughlin engages with questions around Christian sexual ethics and makes a case for why the Christian story is ultimately good news for everyone. Rebecca reflects on how the cultural conversation surrounding Christian apologetics has shifted over the last two decades, from intellectual skepticism to moral resistance and she explores how the Church can respond to increasing secularism without losing its moral conviction or its tenderness.Rebecca explores key challenges and opportunities facing pastors today including: Articulating historic Christian beliefs on sexuality and gender in ways that draw people toward Jesus with both conviction and compassion,Reframing singleness as a vital, gospel-shaped calling, not a transitional or secondary state,Recovering a vision of Christian marriage and singleness as signposts pointing to Christ and His love for the Church,Recognizing that today’s cultural objections often reveal a deeper hunger for love, identity, and belonging that only the gospel can satisfy.Rebecca is bold and gracious, bringing sharp cultural insight, theological depth, and a pastoral sensitivity to the conversation. You’ll be encouraged to lead with both truth and tenderness, and to see even the hardest conversations as opportunities to point people to Jesus.Show Notes: ⁠Rebecca's Website and Books⁠⁠⁠The Pastorate Podcast Listener Survey⁠⁠⁠Fall 2025 Pastors Retreat at Barnabas Landing⁠⁠The Pastorate CareersPartners: Contact ⁠John Wright at Generis⁠ for help cultivating a culture of generosity in your church.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.

In this episode, Jason sits down with long-time pastor, professor, and marketplace theologian R. Paul Stevens to explore the sacredness of daily work. Paul’s ministry journey spans decades, from student ministry in Halifax to pastoring in Vancouver, teaching at Regent College, and even a mid-career stint as a carpenter. Paul unpacks the heartbeat behind his conviction that every follower of Jesus is in full-time ministry and that whatever your vocation, be it a pastor, a police officer, or a mother, your work matters to God. In this conversation Paul shares about: How Ephesians 4 set helped him come to realize that all Christians are in “full-time ministry,” The danger of dualism among our congregations and the importance of reclaiming whole-life, integrated discipleship,How pastors can empower their congregations for Monday-to-Saturday faithfulness, A story of meeting a young seeker on public transit and the unfolding of their year-long discipleship journey.Paul is thoughtful and intentional, bringing over 50 years of ministry experience and theological rigor to the conversation. In this episode Paul will remind you that pastoral leadership isn’t confined to a platform or pulpit, and you’ll be inspired by stories of a seasoned pastor living out the Gospel in his ordinary, everyday moments. Show Notes: Fall 2025 Pastors Retreat at Barnabas LandingPaul’s WebsiteInstitute for Marketplace TransformationPartners: We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society's "Bible Course."

In this episode, Jason sits down with Dustin Funk, Lead Pastor of Oasis Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dustin shares his journey from encountering God at summer camp as a teenager, to stepping into leadership at a small Italian-speaking church, to guiding that same church through a remarkable season of cultural transition and growth. Dustin reflects on the lessons he’s learned over 27 years in pastoral ministry, how to lead through change, how to apologize well, and how to stay grounded in the faithful work of local church leadership. He talks candidly about what it was like to preach through an interpreter in an ethnic church context, how his church embraced a portable season before building a permanent home, and how he has come to embrace annual rhythms of rest. In this conversation Dustin shares about: How a camp experience shaped Dustin’s call to ministry,Preaching in a language he didn’t speak,The transformation of Oasis Church from an ethnic congregation to a multi-generational community,The highs and lows of 12 years as a portable church,Why he takes a study break every year,How the gospel offers something the world is hungry for.Show NotesOasis Church – Winnipeg, MBLearn more about ⁠Baptize Canada.⁠

In today’s conversation Preston Pouteaux shares what it means to be a tenderhearted pastor in a fast-paced world. Speaking from Chestermere, Alberta, Preston invites us into a vision of pastoring that’s slow, rooted, and profoundly local. From RCMP ride-alongs to keeping bees and loving neighbours, Preston offers a poetic yet practical vision of what it means to love and serve a place and its people. In this conversation Preston shares about: How pastoral imagination is formed,How curiosity and inquiry is a needed pastoral posture, Riding along with RCMP officers at night as a Chaplain,Beekeeping and the theology of pollinators, and Why presence, more than expertise, is a pastor’s most powerful gift.This episode is for any pastor who is seeking to better understand their context and to serve their people well. You’ll be reminded that gentleness is not weakness, and that being embedded in your local community might be the most courageous thing you can do.Show NotesPreston’s Book: The Bees of Rainbow Falls: Finding Faith, Imagination, and Delight in Your Neighbourhood Lake Ridge Community Church PartnersContact John Wright at Generis – for help cultivating a culture of generosity in your church.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠give⁠⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.

What does it look like to stay tender and human as a pastor, even while holding the weight of others’ pain? In this rich and deeply practical conversation, Steve Cuss shares wisdom from decades of ministry—including his years as a hospital chaplain, a lead pastor, and now, a trusted voice equipping leaders around the world in managing leadership anxiety.Steve reflects on transitioning out of senior leadership, the gift of simply being a congregant, and how to stay present in rooms thick with grief and unspoken pressure. With vulnerability and humour, he unpacks how pastors can become aware of their own coping mechanisms, grow in emotional health, and shift from reacting to reflecting.Whether you’re navigating your own expectations, dealing with system-wide stress, or walking with people through deep loss, this conversation is packed with soul-forming insight.In today’s episode:Lessons from chaplaincy on presence, restraint, and incarnational ministryHow anxiety circulates in church systems (and how to disrupt it with calm leadership)The “expectation gap” in our relationship with God and how to close itBiographySteve Cuss is a leadership coach, speaker, and former hospital chaplain and pastor who helps leaders grow in emotional and spiritual health. With years of experience in Family Systems Theory, chaplaincy, and church leadership, Steve equips others to manage anxiety, stay grounded under pressure, and lead with greater presence. He’s the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety and The Expectation Gap, and the founder of Capable Life—a practical resource that’s helped thousands of leaders around the world break free from stuck patterns and lead with clarity, peace, and purpose.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Guest NotesSteve’s Website https://www.stevecusswords.com/The Expectation Gap https://www.amazon.ca/Expectation-Gap-between-Beliefs-Experience/dp/0310156378Managing Leadership Anxiety https://www.amazon.ca/Managing-Leadership-Anxiety-Yours-Theirs/dp/1400210887Capable Life ​​https://capablelife.com/Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠Blog and Episode Write Up⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠Instagram

In this special episode of The Pastorate Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Rather than one long-form conversation, you'll hear stories from three Canadian lead pastors. Representing the suburbs of BC, the heart of Quebec, and a small coastal town on the Pacific Ocean, these pastors—Joe Jung, Ben Carbone, and Jaz Ghag—open up about calling, family, leadership, and the unique challenges of ministry in their contexts. Each story offers encouragement for pastors navigating their own ministry in a Canadian context.This episode serves as a reminder that you’re not alone in this work. God is moving across Canada and here is a glimpse into what he is doing. In this episode:Joe Jung on vocational shift, obedience to God’s call, and pastoring alongside his familyBen Carbone on succession, the danger of comparison, and loving the people before the visionJaz Ghag on coming to faith from a Sikh background and the cost of following JesusGuest NotesJoe Jung (Town & Field, Langley) Ben Carbone (MCI Church, Montreal) Jaz Ghag (Christian Life Assembly, Gibsons)Show NotesLearn more about The PastorateJoin our Giving Community, The SeedContact Jon Wright at Generis – for help cultivating a culture of generosityYoutube⁠⁠Instagram⁠Join the ConversationIf today’s episode encouraged you, send it to a fellow pastor or ministry leader. And don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.Want to share your story or connect with our team? Reach out here.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Reward Sibanda, a pastor, speaker, and writer, a leading voice on fasting and a Pastor at Saddleback Church. Reward is known for his contagious joy, his deep love for the church, and his ability to bridge cultural gaps in ministry.In this conversation, Jason and Reward explore:How different cultural perspectives shape our understanding of church, community, and discipleship.The tension around megachurches and why large-scale ministry can still be redeemed for kingdom expansion.The recent Return Gathering at Saddleback and signs of revival across the global church.The spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits of fasting—and why this ancient discipline is crucial for leaders today.No matter your context, our hope is you would be strengthened and encouraged by this conversation today.BiographyReward Sibanda is a dynamic speaker, writer, pastor at Saddleback Church, and the Senior Director of National Church Engagement at World Vision, the world's largest Christian humanitarian organization. Renowned for his unique perspective and transformative insights that challenge conventional thinking, Reward thrives on empowering and challenging people from all walks of life to transcend limitations and pursue God's best for them. His ministry inspires many, and his book, How to Fast, offers a powerful guide to rejuvenation. Reward resides in California with his wife Pam and son Silo.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Join our Emerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Applications close on April 1st!Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Guest NotesReward's WebsiteSaddleback ChurchHow To Fast—Reward’s New BookReward's InstagramShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠Blog and Episode Write Up⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠Instagram⁠

In this episode of The Pastorate, Jason sits down with Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church and author of The Familiar Stranger, to explore how God works in seasons of suffering and renewal. Tyler shares candidly on how deep pain has shaped his understanding of faith, ministry, and the presence of God in everyday life.Tyler is known for his deep love of prayer, his thoughtful teaching, and his passion for seeing people encounter the living God. In this conversation Tyler and Jason cover these themes, Tyler’s experiences of walking through suffering—both in his family and his own health—and how those experiences have shaped his faith and ministry. Inviting others into the story of God in preaching in order to provide them a context for their pain.Cultivating a deeper desire to encounter the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit every day.Tyler’s new book, The Familiar Stranger.No matter where you are or what season you’re walking through, our prayer is that this conversation would strengthen your heart and your hands, and that you’d experience a renewed sense of the Father’s desire and ability to redeem your pain.BiographyTyler Staton is the Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife Kirsten, and their sons Hank, Simon, and Amos. He is passionate about living prayerfully and relationally. Tyler is the author of three books: Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, Searching for Enough, and The Familiar Stranger.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Thanks to Generis for supporting this episode. Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Guest NotesTyler’s Website https://www.tylerstaton.com/The Familiar Stranger https://www.amazon.ca/Familiar-Stranger-Introducing-Experiential-Spirituality/dp/1400247705Bridgetown Church https://bridgetown.church/24-7 Prayer USA https://www.24-7prayerusa.com/Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠Blog and Episode Write Up⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Pastoring in rural Canada comes with unique challenges and opportunities—navigating leadership transitions, bilingual ministry, and the call to raise up the next generation of leaders. That’s why we need pastors who commit to remaining faithful over decades, seeking God’s guidance through seasons of change.In this episode we’re joined by Claude Lainey, lead pastor of Gospel Mission Church in Winkler, Manitoba, to hear his story of moving from Northern Ontario to Manitoba and the lessons he’s learned along the way.In this conversation, Claude shares: How his journey into bilingual ministry shaped his leadership and heart for the Church. The challenges and rewards of pastoring in rural Canada. The role of humility and perseverance in navigating church transitions. Why mentorship and discipleship are more critical than ever for the next generation of pastors.For those leading in small towns or large cities alike, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder to stay faithful to God’s calling—no matter where He leads.BiographyClaude Lainey has been the lead pastor of Gospel Mission Church in Winkler, Manitoba, since 2005. Originally from Northern Ontario, he grew up in French Canadian communities before moving to the Pembina Valley, where he quickly grew to love the people and the region. With a passion for discipleship and spiritual renewal, Claude is dedicated to helping others experience God in a real and personal way. His wife, Micheline, serves alongside him as the Pastor of Grow Kids Ministry, and together they are committed to equipping the church and investing in the next generation.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Join our Emerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Our next intake is happening now!Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guest NotesGospel Mission ChurchShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠Blog and Episode Write Up⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Our world is changing at a rapid pace, and for many, it’s hard to make sense of it all—let alone carry the weight of shifting expectations and uncertainty. That’s why we’re grateful for voices like Mark’s—leaders who cut through the noise with a prophetic edge, distill complex cultural trends, and speak to the Church with a non-anxious presence.Today, we’re joined by Mark Sayers—pastor, author, and cultural commentator—known for his sharp insights into secularism, leadership, and the Church’s evolving role in a rapidly changing world.In this conversation, Mark shares:The personal and pastoral challenges he has faced, including his wife Trudy’s battle with cancer and how it has reshaped his leadership and faith.What it means to remain faithful over decades of ministry and how suffering forms resilience.Why secularism is weakening and the new spiritual openness emerging globally.The Church’s role in navigating political, economic, and social shifts in the years ahead.Platforms to Pillars, Mark’s upcoming book that explores the dangers of platform-driven leadership versus the biblical vision of being a ‘pillar’ in the temple of God.For those leading in uncertain times, this episode offers wisdom, perspective, and encouragement to help you stay faithful and navigate what’s ahead.BiographyMark is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about spiritual renewal and the future of the church. Mark is the author of a number of books including Strange Days and Reappearing Church.  Mark lives in Melbourne with his wife, Trudi, his daughter, Grace, and twin boys, Hudson and Billy.Show NotesWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Join ourEmerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Our next intake begins soon!Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Guest NotesRed ChurchRebuilders PodcastMark’s WebsiteShow NotesWebsite⁠Blog and Episode Write Up⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠Instagram⁠