The Pastorate Podcast

Jason speaks with Jon Thompson—pastor and author of Convergence—about a vision for Christian life and leadership that brings together theology, spiritual gifts, and spiritual disciplines. Drawing from his personal journey and church experience, Jon shares how Jesus models the “normal” Christian life and what it means for the Church today.They explore how reformed theology, expository teaching, and charismatic spirituality can thrive together in one community.Key Takeaways:Jon Thompson on the thesis of Convergence and the model of JesusEmbracing both spiritual gifts and spiritual disciplinesCultivating a Spirit-empowered, theologically grounded churchPractical ways to equip the church for formation and missionA passionate, thoughtful episode for leaders seeking theological depth and Spirit-led renewal.BiographyJon Thompson serves as the Preaching and Vision Pastor at Sanctus Church in Toronto, Ontario. He has been on staff for more than 20 years. Sanctus is a regional church with a community of over 2,500 people that gather in multiple locations across Durham region. 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.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

Brent Ingersoll speaks with veteran pastor and author Larry Osborne about building strong leadership teams and raising up the next generation of church leaders. With practical wisdom and deep humility, Larry unpacks how to identify, empower, and platform young talent—while keeping the whole team focused on shared success.They also dive into the difference between potential and calling, the balance of ministry and family, and what it looks like to lead well through seasons of disruption.Key Takeaways:Larry Osborne on championing young leaders and creating space for growthBuilding team cultures rooted in humility and trustLeading a large church while loving your family wellLessons for leaders navigating post-pandemic realitiesA practical, encouraging episode for leaders investing in people and playing the long game.BiographyLarry Osborne is a pastor at North Coast Church in Vista CA.  Under his leadership the church has grown from 128 to over 13,000 on a weekend. North Coast Church has been acclaimed as one of the most influential and innovative churches in America. Known for pioneering the concepts of sermon-based small groups, pastoral teaching teams, and video venues, its fingerprints are found on churches throughout the world. Larry has a passion for leadership, spiritual formation and discipleship. Larry holds both a Master of Divinity and Doctorate degree from Talbot Theological Seminary.  He and his wife, Nancy, live in Oceanside, CA.  They have three married children and an increasing number of grandchildren.Partners The mission of Compassion is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. And they’re doing exactly that in 25 different countries. Now, here is what is unique about Compassion—100% of their work is done in partnership with local churches. In fact, for many of the communities Compassion serves, they don’t know a large international NGO—they simply know the people of the local church who serve the most vulnerable in their community. Compassion’s heart for the local church extends here, to Canada, too. They are experts at equipping the Canadian church for mission in ways that are tailored to each church’s unique context. We want to encourage you to begin a transformative missions partnership with 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

Jason interviews Glenn Packiam—pastor, author, and theologian—about the formative power of worship and the resilient hope rooted in the resurrection. Drawing from his doctoral work, Glenn unpacks how true Christian worship holds space for both lament and joy, grounding our gatherings in the eschatological promise of renewal.They also dive into leadership failure, ministry disappointment, and what it means to rebuild with integrity and hope.Key Takeaways:Glenn Packiam on anchoring worship in the resurrection of JesusThe role of lament and why hope doesn’t silence sufferingEvaluating modern worship paradigms with theological depthLessons in resilience from leadership crisis and recoveryA rich, timely episode for pastors and leaders committed to worship that forms and sustains.BiographyGlenn is the Associate Senior Pastor of New Life Church, and Lead Pastor of New Life Downtown, which is one of seven New Life congregations in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has earned a Doctorate of Theology and Ministry from Durham University (UK) and is a visiting Fellow at St. John's College at Durham. He is the author of 6 books, including "Blessed Broken Given" and "Worship and the World to Come" as well as the worship songwriter of 65+ songs including "Your Name" (co-written with Paul Baloche).Partners In the midst of the global pandemic, Alpha has shifted their highly effective evangelistic tool online. Nicky Gumbel, the pioneer of Alpha says that this is “ … the greatest evangelical opportunity of our lifetime.” And it’s true. This crisis has brought about a certain degree of openness to conversations about spirituality, faith & God that wasn’t as present before. Churches all around Canada have used Alpha Online to seize this moment to reach the de-churched and unchurched like never before. If your church is still considering what outreach to your community & neighbours could look like in the coming months, consider running Alpha Online. 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

Tim Hughes sits down with Darrell Johnson to unpack the beauty and mystery of the book of Revelation. Often misunderstood and feared, Revelation is revealed in this conversation as a book of deep hope, intimacy with Jesus, and a call to renewed worship.Darrell shares how exile can become the soil for spiritual creativity, how Revelation unveils Jesus in every chapter, and why the book is ultimately a love story and an invitation to return to our first love.Key Takeaways:Darrell Johnson on reading Revelation as a revelation of JesusHow isolation can deepen intimacy and creativity with GodJudgment and love woven together in a call to faithfulnessThe power of prayer and the hope of new creationA powerful, Christ-centered episode for anyone longing to see Jesus more clearly—especially in the hardest parts of Scripture.Partners Briercrest College & Seminary will be returning to campus this fall, in person! If you know someone who’d rather be on-campus then on-line this fall, Briercrest is a great option. With courses that are highly transferable to Canadian universities, and a community focused on discipleship, it could be a life-changing year for you or someone you know. Check out their Return To Campus eBook and webinar dates on their website today!Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason speaks with Ho-Ming Tsui, Lead Pastor of Richmond Hill Christian Community Church, about leading a multi-ethnic church in a rapidly changing culture. They explore the dynamics of high-context vs. low-context leadership, the challenges of generational transition, and the call to be a church for the city—not just in it.Ho-Ming offers practical wisdom on dealing with criticism, building healthy communication, and prioritizing emotional health as a leader.Key Takeaways:Ho-Ming Tsui on immigrant churches and multi-ethnic leadershipShifting from upward/inward drift to downward/outward missionHow to handle criticism without losing clarity or courageLeading with emotional health in uncertain timesA timely and practical episode for pastors navigating cultural complexity and leading into the future.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.Partners On September 1st @10AM (PST), Jason Ballard will be hosting an Explore Alpha Webinar for those of you who are considering or interested in running Alpha Online at your church for the first time or are wanting to reboot your Alpha. This webinar is meant to help you envision how Alpha can fit within your church’s mission and calendar as you move into the fall. Jason will spend time talking about how Alpha has worked in creating a space that people are excited to bring their non-christian friends to and how it works in the online context. There will also be time for Q&A. You can register here today! 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

Jason talks with Brad Lomenick—author, speaker, and leadership coach—about what it takes to lead with vision and humility in today’s Church. They discuss the challenges young pastors face, including insecurity, burnout, and the tension between ambition and rest.Brad also unpacks the power of creativity, mentorship, and unity across theological lines—offering a hopeful vision for what leadership can look like when rooted in the Spirit’s movement.Key Takeaways:Brad Lomenick on leading with humility, courage, and creativityNavigating ambition and rest in the life of a young leaderThe value of mentorship and intergenerational wisdomEmbracing change and resisting cynicism in leadershipA practical and hope-filled episode for pastors and leaders building toward lasting Kingdom impact.Biography Brad is the former President of Catalyst and leadership consultant. Brad is a speaker, the founder of BLINC, and the author of The Catalyst Leader and H3 Leadership. He writes about leadership, the next generation, creativity, innovation, social media, teamwork, and personal growth.Partners The mission of Compassion is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. And they’re doing exactly that in 25 different countries. Now, here is what is unique about Compassion—100% of their work is done in partnership with local churches. In fact, for many of the communities Compassion serves, they don’t know a large international NGO—they simply know the people of the local church who serve the most vulnerable in their community. Compassion’s heart for the local church extends here, to Canada, too. They are experts at equipping the Canadian church for mission in ways that are tailored to each church’s unique context. We want to encourage you to begin a transformative missions partnership with 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

Jason sits down with Alex Seeley to talk about revival, church planting, and the character required to sustain ministry. From leading a movement in Australia to launching The Belonging Co. in Nashville, Alex shares what it’s like to build a church in a city filled with churches—and filled with challenges.Together, they explore the importance of character over charisma, how to steward talent without falling into comparison, and how to build teams marked by unity and humility.Key Takeaways:Alex Seeley on planting The Belonging Co. in NashvilleNavigating a platform-driven culture with a kingdom mindsetThe difference between gifting and character in ministryBuilding healthy teams that reflect Jesus, not just talentAn honest and hope-filled episode for leaders building churches that go deep, not just wide.BiographyAlex Seeley was born and raised in Australia, and served as an Executive Pastor at a church in Melbourne for nearly 20 years. Having relocated with her family to Nashville in 2012, Alex and her husband Henry, began to open their home on Tuesday nights. By February 2014, their basement was filled to capacity and as a result The Belonging Co church was born. As Senior Pastors of the Belonging Co, Alex and Henry call Nashville home where they live with their two children, Holly and Taylor.Partners The mission of Compassion is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. And they’re doing exactly that in 25 different countries. Now, here is what is unique about Compassion—100% of their work is done in partnership with local churches. In fact, for many of the communities Compassion serves, they don’t know a large international NGO—they simply know the people of the local church who serve the most vulnerable in their community. Compassion’s heart for the local church extends here, to Canada, too. They are experts at equipping the Canadian church for mission in ways that are tailored to each church’s unique context. We want to encourage you to begin a transformative missions partnership with 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

Shaila Visser (Alpha Canada) interviews Mark Clark, founding pastor of Village Church, about reaching the dechurched, leading through growth, and staying spiritually grounded. Mark shares how his leadership has shifted, the spiritual disciplines that sustain him, and why he no longer tries to speak to every cultural issue.They also explore apologetics in preaching, mentoring young leaders, and navigating church life in an online, post-COVID world.Key Takeaways:Mark Clark on reaching non-Christians and the dechurched in CanadaLeadership growth and setting boundaries in a digital ageWhy apologetics still belongs in Sunday preachingSpiritual rhythms that sustain emotional and spiritual healthA candid, encouraging episode for pastors learning to lead wisely in today’s complex culture.BiographyMark grew up in Toronto and moved to Vancouver in 2004 to attend Regent College, where he received a Master of New Testament Studies. Following over ten years of ministry, Mark, along with his wife Erin and an amazing team of people, planted Village Church in January 2010, which has now grown to a vibrant multi-site church in the Greater Vancouver Area and Calgary. He is passionate about contextualizing the gospel, teaching the Bible, seeing people transformed by Jesus, planting churches, and seeing the gospel advance across Canada. Mark resides in South Surrey with his wife and their three daughters. Partners Briercrest College & Seminary will be returning to campus this fall, in person! If you know someone who’d rather be on-campus then on-line this fall, Briercrest is a great option. With courses that are highly transferable to Canadian universities, and a community focused on discipleship, it could be a life-changing year for you or someone you know. Check out their Return To Campus eBook and webinar dates on their website today!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

Jason sits down with Tim Hughes—worship leader, pastor, and church planter—for a conversation about multiplying churches, raising up leaders, and leading with Spirit-filled conviction. Known for songs like Here I Am to Worship, Tim shares his passion for giving away leadership and building communities centered on God’s presence.They talk about navigating leadership fatigue, responding to cultural pressures, and creating space for genuine encounter with the Holy Spirit.Key Takeaways:Tim Hughes on church planting and the cost of sending leadersEncouragement for pastors facing exhaustion and pressureLeading with conviction in the midst of cultural noiseCreating space for the Spirit in worship and church lifeAn inspiring and hope-filled episode for leaders passionate about Kingdom growth and Spirit-led gatherings.BiographyTim is the lead pastor of St Luke’s Gas Street Birmingham, which he leads alongside his wife, Rachel.  He is a worship leader and song writer known for songs such as “Here I Am to Worship”, “Happy Day”, “The Way”, and “Hope and Glory”.  He also pioneered Worship Central, a movement of worship leaders and musicians with a desire to see people encounter God, be equipped as worship leaders so that the local church can be empowered.  He is Dad to Phoebe, Simeon, Lois and Judah.Partners The mission of Compassion is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. And they’re doing exactly that in 25 different countries. Now, here is what is unique about Compassion—100% of their work is done in partnership with local churches. In fact, for many of the communities Compassion serves, they don’t know a large international NGO—they simply know the people of the local church who serve the most vulnerable in their community. Compassion’s heart for the local church extends here, to Canada, too. They are experts at equipping the Canadian church for mission in ways that are tailored to each church’s unique context. We want to encourage you to begin a transformative missions partnership with 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 Notes ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason speaks with Daniel Im—pastor, author, and leadership coach—about pastoral succession, church planting, and equipping believers for everyday evangelism. With experience in Canada, Korea, and the U.S., Daniel brings a global perspective and practical insight to the conversation.They explore how to lead well after a founding pastor, how to build kingdom partnerships in your city, and why spiritual conversations are more accessible than we think—especially post-COVID.Key Takeaways:Daniel Im on navigating pastoral succession with humility and clarityAdvice for church planters on surrender, strategy, and kingdom impactMinistry shifts in a post-COVID world and empowering scattered churchEveryday evangelism through genuine faith and good neighbouringA practical, hope-filled episode for leaders stepping into new roles and dreaming of faithful ministry in today’s world.BiographyDaniel Im is the Senior Associate Pastor at Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta. He has served and pastored in church plants and multisite churches in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Korea, Edmonton, and Nashville. He co-hosts the New Churches Q&A Podcast and a podcast with his wife on marriage and parenting called the IMbetween Podcast. His latest book is called You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love. Partners The mission of Compassion is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. And they’re doing exactly that in 25 different countries. Now, here is what is unique about Compassion—100% of their work is done in partnership with local churches. In fact, for many of the communities Compassion serves, they don’t know a large international NGO—they simply know the people of the local church who serve the most vulnerable in their community. Compassion’s heart for the local church extends here, to Canada, too. They are experts at equipping the Canadian church for mission in ways that are tailored to each church’s unique context. We want to encourage you to begin a transformative missions partnership with 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