The Pastorate Podcast

What do you do when ministry gets harder, culture grows more complex, and the old playbook no longer works?Kevin Myers, Founding Pastor of 12Stone Church, joins Brent Ingersoll for a raw and honest conversation about leading in the most challenging season of his 38 years in ministry. From writing The Second Happy to confronting cancel culture and spiritual confusion, Kevin shares why now is the time for leaders to return to the basics—and what real revival might look like.This episode is for every pastor wondering how to lead with clarity, courage, and deep trust in a time of decline and uncertainty. If you’re tired, disoriented, or feeling alone in leadership, this one’s for you.Topics Covered:What sustains leaders through long-term crisisWhy revival follows sufferingHow to rebuild foundations when everything shiftsThe spiritual formation leaders need todayLeading with hope rooted in God’s unchanging natureBiographyKevin Myers has been married for nearly forty years and has four children and two grandchildren. Kevin is the senior pastor of 12Stone Church, one of the largest churches in the United States. A gifted communicator, influential leader, and strategic thinker, Kevin planted the church in 1987 and has grown it to eight campuses. Kevin mentors pastors and church planters, speaks at churches and businesses around the country, and serves on the General Board of the Wesleyan Church as well as the Wesleyan Investment Foundation (WIF), a nonprofit corporation that assists churches with capital needs.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Vijay Krishnan, Pastor of The Well Church in Toronto, joins Jason to explore what’s really happening to the church in the aftermath of the pandemic. With a background in corporate marketing and years spent pastoring a church plant through highs and lows, Vijay brings honest insight into vocational discernment, digital disruption, and what pastors are being called to rebuild.Key Takeaways:How vocational tension can clarify callingWhy pastors must rethink what “gathering” really meansHow technology is accelerating long-standing trends in church lifeThe need to rebuild practices that have been lost in sermon-centric modelsThis conversation invites church leaders to think beyond “back to normal” and wrestle with the deeper work of reconstructing what it means to be the people of God.BiographyVijay Krishnan is the Lead Pastor of The Well, one church with 3 congregations in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. Vijay began his career working in the Toronto business community for 10 years doing CPG and Retail marketing. During that time, he helped launch The Well and in 2009 transitioned into the Lead Pastor role. Vijay is passionate about seeing the unchurched, de-churched and post-everything people of the GTA come to know and love Jesus. Vijay, his wife Jenn and their three boys are thrilled to be in ministry in the local church. Vijay’s other passions include playing sports with his kids, listening to loud music, reading crime novels and snowboarding the mountain-less terrain of Ontario.Partners We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

John Mark Comer, former lead pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, joins Jason to reflect on the unique challenges pastors are facing today. From cultural polarization to rising criticism, John Mark offers honest insight into how ministry is changing—and why a renewed vision of pastoral calling is more necessary than ever.With characteristic clarity and conviction, he explores the Church as an alternative society, the spiritual cost of leadership, and the freedom that comes from seeking to please God over people.Key Takeaways:Why criticism is intensifying for today’s pastorsHow spiritual direction and vicarious suffering shape the pastoral callThe Church’s role in culture: influence without controlWhat healing, peace, and long-term faithfulness look like in this seasonThis conversation is for pastors discerning their identity, longing for peace, and committed to the cruciform way of Jesus.Partners We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

John and Helen Burns reflect on 35 years of ministry, marriage, and mentoring the next generation. Joined by Anne Miranda, they share stories from their time at Relate Church, including lessons on leadership transitions, building healthy family rhythms, and staying soft-hearted in the midst of long-term ministry.Their passion for the Church in Canada and for raising up young leaders shines through in every moment of this conversation.Key Takeaways:How to sustain a thriving marriage while leading in ministryThe importance of fighting bitterness and staying relationally openPractical tips for prioritizing family—like using a shared calendarWhy empowering young people requires trust, not controlThis is a tender and wisdom-filled conversation for leaders navigating family, faith, and longevity in ministry.Partners We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Drew Hyun shares his journey of leaving comfort and control to plant a family of churches in New York City. From his early years at New Life Fellowship to launching Hope Church NYC, Drew opens up about the identity struggles, risks, and faith it took to follow God’s call into the unknown.He unpacks the distinct vision behind their network of churches, the values that hold them together, and why unity requires humility and open hands.Key Takeaways:Discerning calling beyond fear and egoHow emotional health shapes long-term leadershipWhat makes a true church “family” across denominationsThe role of humility and releasing control in building unityA powerful episode for leaders navigating transition, community, and God’s call to courageous obedience.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Charles Price reflects on decades of ministry, preaching, and following God’s call with humility and faith. In this conversation with Jason Ballard, Charles shares stories from his early days preaching across England, his journey into pastoral leadership, and the convictions that have shaped his life and ministry.He offers practical wisdom for young preachers, encouragement for discerning God’s call, and insight into how the Church can thrive—even in times of challenge.Key Takeaways:How to discern calling through open doors and inner convictionPreaching in a way that leaves people dependent on GodWhy personal connection matters more than speaking to a crowdEncouragement for young pastors to minister from a full heartThis episode is full of humour, clarity, and grace from a leader who’s spent a lifetime serving the Church well.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Ben and Emma Narayanan share the story of planting Avant Life Church in Canada—rooted in faith, marked by loss, and shaped by community. In this conversation with Jason, they reflect on moving from Australia with a small team, launching a church amid personal grief, and learning to lead with humility and hope.They unpack the values that shape their church culture and what it means to steward both people and buildings with intentional care.Key Takeaways:Trusting God through uncertainty and immigration challengesLeading a church while navigating personal griefHow to shape culture through shared values (Helpful, Humble, Hopeful, His)Stewarding buildings and people as a young, multiplying churchThis episode is a powerful reminder that God meets us in the tension of joy and sorrow—and builds His Church through it all.Pastors Ben and Emma Narayanan are the Lead Pastors of Avant Life Church. As leaders, both Ps Ben and Ps Emma are passionate about sharing the message of Christ through boldness, innovation and creativity. After hearing the clear call from God, they moved to North Vancouver Canada with their three amazing children Levi, Alice and Eden from Canberra, Australia to pioneer Avant Life Church. Their hearts for people, leadership development and community engagement has helped establish Avant Life Church as a thriving, relevant and transformational Christ-centred community.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Brooke Ligertwood and Darrell Johnson explore the heart of worship, the nature of calling, and what must remain central in a changing Church. Recorded during a Worship Central Canada webinar, this conversation moves through theology, personal experience, and cultural shifts in how we gather and worship.They reflect on worship as participation in the unseen, the pressure worship leaders face, and the importance of holding on to what’s essential—while letting go of what no longer serves.Key Takeaways:Worship as joining the ongoing, unseen worship of heavenHow calling is deeper than style or platformWhat churches and leaders must not lose in modern worshipHonest reflections on the beauty and challenge of changeA thoughtful and inspiring episode for worship leaders, pastors, and anyone discerning what faithful worship looks like today.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Sam Picken shares the story of planting C3 Church Toronto and building a church shaped by invitation, innovation, and intentional discipleship. Originally from Australia, Sam talks with Jason about discerning the call to Toronto, starting with one conversation in a coffee shop that sparked a church community.He also unpacks how their team responded to the challenges of COVID-19 with creative solutions—like developing an online food bank platform—and how small, service-based gatherings opened new doors for mission and leadership development.Key Takeaways:How a culture of invitation can shape an entire churchDiscerning calling through open conversations and prayerInnovating during crisis with a heart for the cityEmpowering leaders through relational, small-scale gatheringsThis episode is full of hope and practical wisdom for leaders reaching their cities with faith and creativity.BiographySam and his wife Jess are the Lead Pastors of C3 Church Toronto, Canada. They relocated from Australia in 2008 to follow God's call to ministry in Canada, and in 2012 planted C3 Toronto. C3 Toronto's main purpose as a church is to connect people to God. The church is known for its strong community and outward focus on mission through 'Love Toronto'. Sam and Jess reside in the west end of Toronto with their three kids. They lead their church with a strong emphasis on discipleship and developing leaders, and nothing is a higher priority to Sam than seeing souls won for Christ.PartnersThis episode was sponsored by Compassion Canada. Learn more about the work of Compassion at ccln.ca/compassion.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Father Justin Huang joins guest host Matt Menzel for a heartfelt conversation about calling, confession, and abiding with Jesus in ministry. As a Catholic priest serving in Vancouver, Father Justin shares his journey into the priesthood, his encounter with God’s mercy through confession, and the years of wrestling that led to full surrender.Despite theological differences, Matt and Father Justin explore what unity in Christ can look like through friendship, shared practices, and a mutual desire to lead people deeper into God’s love.Key Takeaways:The power of confession as a path to experiencing graceWrestling with calling and choosing obedience over comfortThe value of spiritual disciplines, retreats, and sabbaticalsHow friendship across traditions reflects the heart of the KingdomA moving conversation that invites leaders into deeper intimacy with Jesus and a greater love for His Church.BiographiesMatt Menzel is the Lead Pastor of Westside Church in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. He and his wife Melissa are passionate about calling and equipping Jesus' people to 'Make Him Known' through the ordinary, Spirit-empowered rhythms of following Jesus in everyday life. They're thrilled and beyond blessed to be part of what Jesus' Spirit is doing in the city.Partners We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠