The Pastorate Podcast

What does it really mean to be a pastor?In this special live episode, Jason Ballard sits down with longtime pastor and teacher Darrell Johnson to unpack the identity of a pastor and what it means to faithfully shepherd God’s people in a changing world. With over 50 years of ministry experience, Darrell shares timeless reflections on the heart of a pastor, how to navigate hurt in leadership, and the unchanging truths that still ground ministry today.Key Takeaways:A biblical picture of the pastor as shepherdHow to process ministry hurt and avoid bitternessRhythms for prioritizing family while leading a churchBuilding biblical literacy in a post-Christian worldEncouragement for the next generation of pastorsBiographyDarrell W. Johnson has been preaching Jesus Christ and His Gospel for over 50 years. He has served a number of Presbyterian congregations in California, Union Church of Manila in the Philippines, and the historic First Baptist Church in the heart of Vancouver, Canada. He has taught preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College in Vancouver, and Regent College in Vancouver. He has authored eight books, including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through Revelation. He is currently serving as a pastor at The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network. He and his wife Sharon have been married over 50 years. Together they have raised four children adopted from four different countries of the world, and now enjoy loving 11 active grandchildren!SponsorsWe 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 Compassion Canada for sponsoring today’s episode. You can learn more about partnering with them as a church here.Guest NotesShepherds After My Own Heart: Pastoral Traditions and Leadership in The Bible by Timothy S. LaniakTexts on Shepherding: Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23Darrell’s Website The Darrell Johnson Podcast Follow Darrell on Instagram Darrell’s YouTube ChannelShow Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

Mike Voll is a pastor, bodybuilder, and leader whose story is marked by deep faithfulness and profound loss. In this episode, Mike sits down with Jason to talk about his nearly 20 years of ministry at North Pointe Community Church in Edmonton. Together they unpack the church’s 100+ year legacy, what it means to lead through change, and why Mike has a passion for seeing rural churches across Alberta revitalized.Mike also vulnerably shares about the tragic death of his first wife and how walking through grief has transformed the way he pastors, preaches, and walks with people in pain. This conversation is raw, hope-filled, and deeply encouraging for leaders navigating both personal and ministry challenges.Key Takeaways:Why the local church—urban or rural—still matters deeply in CanadaHow to lead a historic congregation through change without losing its identityThe power of long-haul leadership rooted in community, history, and missionHow grief and suffering can deepen a pastor’s empathy and shape their preachingWhat it looks like for a larger church to support and revitalize smaller churchesWhether you're in a small-town church or leading in a city, this episode is filled with hard-won wisdom and fresh vision for the future of the Church in Canada.BiographyMike lives with his wife Melissa, and children Aubri and Zane in Edmonton, Alberta. He is the Lead Pastor at North Pointe Community Church and an Adjunct Faculty member at Vanguard College in Edmonton, where he teaches the Intermediate Pastoral Practicum class. Michael’s passion in life is to communicate for change in everyday living through sharing his story and creative teaching of Bible principles. He is a speaker, teacher and writer on issues of faith, leadership and family. In his downtime Michael likes to be the tickle monster to his kids, read spy novels, lift weights and grill up a mean rib eye steak.SponsorsWe 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 here.Guest NotesNorth Pointe Community ChurchSideswiped: Three Keys to a Fresh Start after Suffering a Broken HeartShow Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

While most teens were planning their next adventure, Katia Adams was dreaming about planting churches. Raised in a family instrumental in launching the Iranian Church, Katia’s life and ministry have spanned continents—from Iran to England, and now Boston, where she co-leads The Table Boston.In this episode, Katia and Jason unpack her story and how it’s shaped her theology, her passion for equipping the Church, and her heart for the supernatural. This is a conversation about legacy, leadership, and trusting God with every season.Key Takeaways:What it means to build on the spiritual legacy of your familyHow Katia’s experience in Iran and England shaped her approach to the ChurchWhy the Church needs both rooted theology and openness to the supernaturalHow to faithfully pastor in a highly secular, post-Christian cultureEncouragement for young leaders who feel called to ministry early in lifeThis episode is a beautiful reminder that the call to lead is rarely linear, but always worth it.BiographyKatia is Senior Pastor of The Table Boston Church and Director of Frequentsee. Katia teaches on theological courses, church conferences and leadership events internationally. In addition to being a preacher, pastor, she is also a medical doctor, wife to Julian, mother to two busy children and the author of Equal.SponsorsWe 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. To get in touch with them, email our friend Jon at jon.wright@generis.comGuest NotesThe Table BostonFrequentseeShow Notes⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Faithfulness isn’t flashy—but it’s powerful. In a time when pastoral burnout and public failures seem to dominate the headlines, what does it look like to finish well?This week on the podcast, Jason Ballard sits down with Darrell & Sharon Johnson, Helen Burns, Murray Coughlan, and Jeremiah Niengor for part two of our special mini-series on pastoral faithfulness.Together, they share about:What has sustained them through decades of ministryThe quiet strength found in loving the Church over the long haulHow to keep your heart soft toward Jesus in every seasonWhether you’re early in ministry or decades in, we hope this episode encourages you to keep going—anchored in love, steadied by grace, and faithful to the end.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

What does it take to stay faithful in ministry for the long haul?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Darrell & Sharon Johnson, Helen Burns, Murray Coughlan, and Jeremiah Niengor to begin a special mini-series on pastoral faithfulness. These leaders—each with decades of experience—share honest reflections on the joys and challenges of ministry, and what has sustained them through it all.They talk about:Cultivating a deep love for Jesus and His ChurchNavigating seasons of disappointment, transition, and growthThe quiet power of longevity in leadershipThis conversation is a hopeful invitation to hold fast, lead with integrity, and trust that faithfulness still matters.PartnersThanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course here.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

Here's a quick update on an upcoming episode we're excited to release, and a bit about what this fall will look like on the podcast. Take a listen. 

What does it look like to lead with humility, pray with persistence, and stay faithful in a time of shaking?In this episode, Pete Greig—founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement—joins Jason Ballard for an honest and hope-filled conversation about leadership, transition, and the surprising beginnings of a global prayer movement. Pete reflects on what it means to release control, remain rooted in the local church, and respond to the Spirit’s work in this cultural moment.They talk about:The bewildering origins of 24-7 PrayerWhy global movements must stay anchored in the local churchNavigating leadership transition with grace and maturityThe Spirit’s invitation to personal holiness and renewalThis is a deeply pastoral conversation for leaders longing to lead with both conviction and tenderness in the days ahead.BiographyPete is a best-selling author, pastor and bewildered instigator of the 24-7 Prayer movement which has reached more than half the nations on earth. He is also the Senior Pastor of Emmaus Rd, Guildford, England, an Ambassador for the NGO Tearfund, and teaches at St Mellitus Theological College in London. For 7 years Pete served with the senior leadership team at HTB and Alpha International. Pete’s publications include ‘Red Moon Rising‘, ‘God on Mute‘, ‘The Prayer Course’, and ‘Dirty Glory’.  He loves art galleries, live music and knocking down walls.PartnersThanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course here.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.Guest Notes24/7 Prayer Prayer CourseUnanswered Prayer Course The Vision Red Moon Rising God On Mute Show Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

We want to see Sunder Krishnan's story repeated over and over in Canada. Sunder represents a faithful demographic of church leaders who have finished well in ministry, now taking up the mantle of mentoring the next generation of pastors in our nation with visible delight and joy. With over 35 years of pastoral ministry in his rearview, Sunder has a lot to say. Through this conversation, we know you will be drawn to consider your postures as you lead, the life you’re living before your church and what it might mean for you to be found faithful. We hope you enjoy this episode with Sunder Krishnan. Bio | Sunder was born in India and grew up in the capital city of New Delhi. He is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology and received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked with Atomic Energy of Canada. He became a pastor in 1980, retiring in 2016. Sunder and his wife, Shyamala, have been married since 1971. They have two grown children, Vijay and Sheila, and six grandchildren. Thanks to Compassion Canada for sponsoring today’s episode. You can learn more about partnering with them as a church here. Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada. Show Notes: Darrell Johnson's Preaching Course Youth For Christ Power to Change Sunder's Books Get Connected! Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List!  Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram  Share a Canadian Church Story

What does it look like to pastor faithfully in a post-Christian world?This week, Jason sits down with Joshua Butler—pastor of Redemption Tempe in Arizona and author of The Skeletons in God’s Closet—for a conversation about ministry, mission, and what happens when your calling is shaped by suffering. Josh shares stories from his years in Portland, where he learned to love a city through creative outreach, journey with young adults asking big questions, and lead with conviction in the midst of cultural change.They also talk about Josh’s health crisis in 2020, when doctors feared he would go blind. In the midst of uncertainty, God was doing something deeper—refining his sense of calling and deepening his love for the church.In this episode:What it means to be missional in a post-Christian cityHow to walk with people through doubt and deconstructionWriting through hard questions about hell, judgement, and graceHow crisis can clarify our calling as pastorsBiographyJoshua currently serves as lead pastor of Redemption Tempe, a thriving church near Arizona State University, one of the largest colleges in the country. Prior to 2018, he served as an outreach pastor for fifteen years in Portland (OR) at Imago Dei Community.PartnersThanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their Bible Course here.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.Guest NotesJosh Butler Website & BooksRedemption TempeShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What does it mean to stay amazed by Jesus after decades in ministry?This week, Jason sits down with Simon Ponsonby—Pastor of Theology at St. Aldates Church in Oxford—for a conversation that weaves together history, personal calling, and deep theological reflection. From walking through Oxford’s sacred sites to recounting his journey from butcher to preacher, Simon brings a pastoral warmth and prophetic edge that invites leaders to long for more of God.They talk about what it means to finish well, how holiness and the fear of the Lord are needed in the church today, and why revival often begins when the church is on its back foot. Whether you’re early in your ministry or decades in, this episode will renew your hope and stir your affections for Jesus.In this episode:Learning to love the Lord through holiness—not performanceThe fear of the Lord vs. fear of man in pastoral leadershipWhy we lose our awe for Jesus—and how to get it backWhat church history teaches us about revival todayHow one prophetic moment changed Simon’s life foreverBiographyA fourth generation preacher, Simon Ponsonby came to personal faith in his late teens. He worked as a butcher, then became an evangelist and church planter, before preparing for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol, where he gained his BA & MLitt in Theology. He is an international author, speaker and theologian, now based at St Aldates, Oxford, UK where he is Pastor of Theology. He has written several books on practical theology and doctrine. Simon is married to Tiffany, and they have two grown sons.PartnersThanks to Compassion Canada for sponsoring today’s episode. You can learn more about partnering with them as a church here.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.Guest NotesSt. Aldates ChurchAmazed By Jesus BookShow Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠