The Pastorate Podcast

What does the future of the Church look like—and how should we lead in a culture that’s rapidly changing?This week, Jason is joined by David Kinnaman (Barna) and Mark Sayers (Red Church) for a timely and data-driven conversation about young adults, church trends, and the kind of leadership the next generation needs. Drawing from Barna’s Connected Generation research, they explore how the pandemic accelerated spiritual shifts—and why the Church’s call to deep discipleship is more urgent than ever.David & Mark share about:Key insights from Barna’s research on Canadian Gen Z and MillennialsWhy many who left the Church during the pandemic were already on the edgeThe rise of resilient disciples and what makes them uniqueHow the Church can move from surface engagement to deep formationThe future of leadership: humble, courageous, and Spirit-dependentThis episode is a sober yet hope-filled invitation to lean into what God is doing in the refining of His Church—and to shepherd a generation hungry for depth, purpose, and the presence of Jesus.BiographiesDavid Kinnaman is the author of the bestselling books Faith For Exiles, Good Faith, You Lost Me and unChristian. He is president of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Since 1995, David has directed interviews with more than two million individuals and overseen thousands of U.S. and global research studies. He lives in California with his three children. Mark Sayers 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. 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.Guest NotesConnected Generation ReportShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What’s at stake when we talk about discipling young people? According to Kara Powell, the answer is everything. In this episode, Jason Ballard is joined by Kara—Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and author of 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager—for a deeply insightful conversation on how the Church can respond to the challenges facing today’s youth.Together, they explore:The latest research on Gen Z’s spiritual formation and mental healthWhy youth ministry must be a whole-church priorityHow parents are the most influential disciplers—and how churches can support themPractical steps for senior pastors to invest in holistic youth ministryHow Jesus uniquely answers young people’s deepest questions about identity, belonging, and purposeWhether you’re a youth pastor, senior leader, or parent, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical insights to help you disciple the next generation with clarity and care.Biography Dr. Kara E. Powell is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary. The mission of FYI is to equip diverse leaders and parents so faithful young people can change our world. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch”, Kara completed her PhD in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on Pastoral Role Expectations in 2000, an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA degree with Honors from Stanford University in 1991. In addition to her roles at Fuller Seminary, Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and volunteers in student ministries at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. She is the author or co-author of 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager (releasing August 2021), Faith in an Anxious World, Growing With, 18 Plus, Growing Young, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith Curriculum, Can I Ask That?, Deep Justice Journeys, Essential Leadership, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum.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.Show Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Keith Taylor has spent 43 years in pastoral ministry—including three decades leading Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton. In this episode, Keith joins Jason Ballard to reflect on his remarkable journey of ministry, church revitalization, and passing the baton to the next generation. He shares stories from his early years in Vernon, the missional roots of Beulah, and the intentional succession planning that led to Daniel Im becoming Lead Pastor.Keith opens up about how he kept his heart tender through the ups and downs of leadership, what it means to rediscover a church’s DNA, and his hope for the future of the church in Canada. Whether you're early in your ministry or nearing the finish line, this conversation is full of wisdom, humility, and vision. In This Episode:Leading through church revitalization and growthGoing back to the roots to discover your church’s callingWhy long-term friendships and rhythms matter for longevityInsights on succession and how to finish well in ministryEncouragement for the next generation of pastors in CanadaBiographyKeith Taylor served for 30 years as Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, recently passing on that role in Spring of 2021. Previously, Keith was lead pastor for 11 years at the Alliance Church in Vernon, BC. He is a passionate preacher, leader, and champion of people and enjoys continuing to be a part of Beulah after his retirement. He has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Jacquie, for 45 years. They have three married children and 6 awesome grandkids. Keith has served on the Ambrose University Board, Alpha Canada Board and numerous other denominational boards. He also has a passion for motorcycles and sailing.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

Aaron White has spent decades embedded in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver—one of Canada’s most misunderstood neighbourhoods. In this episode, he joins Jason Ballard to share what he’s learned about presence, prayer, and what it really means to be the Church in your city.Aaron serves with 24-7 Prayer Canada, Westminster Theological Centre, and Jacob’s Well, and his life challenges common assumptions about mission and ministry. He invites pastors and churches to rethink how they approach their neighbourhoods—not as outsiders bringing Jesus in, but as co-labourers discovering Jesus already at work.Key Takeaways:Why Jesus is already present in places we think we’re bringing Him toHow churches can faithfully serve their neighbourhoods without pride or superiorityThe vital connection between prayer, justice, and community transformationWhy the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety—but connectionHow pastors can move from isolation to deep, sustaining relationshipsWhether you serve in an urban, suburban, or rural context, this conversation will inspire you to embrace a deeper call to prayer, presence, and pastoral health.BiographyAaron White is the National Director of 24-7 Prayer Canada. He has been a pastor, missioner, justice worker and prayer instigator in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver for the past 16 years, where he lives with his wife and four children in a community home. He is the co-author of Revolution and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Kingdom of God; co-creator of The Creative Way Down discipleship resource; and author of the upcoming book Recovering: From Brokenness and Addiction to Blessedness and 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

How should the Church respond to racism with both gospel conviction and cultural humility?In this honest and timely conversation, Ho-Ming Tsui, Lead Pastor at Richmond Hill Christian Community Church, joins Jason Ballard to reflect on pastoring in the wake of the Stop Asian Hate movement and the Atlanta shootings. With personal stories and theological depth, Ho-Ming unpacks how he led his congregation through grief—not just with statements, but with space for lament and prayer.He shares his own experiences with racism growing up in rural Saskatchewan, offers wisdom on what true multicultural ministry requires, and explains why gospel transformation is the only way to address racism from the inside out.Key Takeaways:The difference between making a statement and creating space to grieveWhy gospel transformation is key to confronting racismWhat it really takes to reach new cultures as a churchA vision for unity in the Canadian Church built on friendship and humilityThis episode is a rich encouragement for pastors and leaders navigating issues of race, justice, and unity in their churches and communities.BiographyHo-Ming is the Lead Pastor of Richmond Hill Christian Community Church, a multi-generational, multi-lingual church just outside of Toronto. He completed his undergraduate degree at Queen’s University, and went onto graduate studies at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston. Ho-Ming speaks frequently at conferences in Toronto and has traveled to Asia, Europe and Africa to teach as well. He is an avid guitarist and loves all things sci-fi. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Katie, they have three children.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

What anchors a pastor when leadership gets hard—and how do you know you’re truly called?In this honest and insightful episode, Jon Thompson, Lead Pastor of Sanctus Church, joins Jason Ballard to explore the foundations of pastoral calling. Drawing from biblical models and his own journey, Jon outlines four distinct ways God calls leaders and why knowing yours changes everything.He shares how his early assumptions about calling were reshaped by scripture, why love and obedience are central to sustaining ministry, and how clarity of calling brings freedom from comparison.Key Takeaways:– The 4 biblical models of calling and how to identify yours– Why clarity in calling brings spiritual authority and longevity– How love and obedience protect and sustain your ministry– The freedom that comes when you stop comparing callingsThis episode offers pastors and leaders a fresh framework for understanding their calling—and an invitation to walk with confidence in what God has uniquely assigned them to do.Biography Jon Thompson serves as the Senior Pastor at Sanctus Church (formerly C4 Church), just outside of  Toronto, Canada.  He has been on staff for more than 20 years. Sanctus is a regional church with a community of over 3,000 people that gather in multiple locations in the Greater Toronto area. Under Jon’s leadership, Sanctus is characterized by dynamic Biblical teaching, vibrant community groups, compelling media and powerful times in worship.  Jon has a Masters of Theological Studies from Tyndale Seminary, Toronto and a Doctorate of Missiology from Fuller Seminary, California.  Jon is husband to his wife Joanna and Father to three kids - Hannah, Emma and Noah.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

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