The Pastorate Podcast

In today’s episode, we share some highlights from our time in England with our Church Leaders Incubator. This cohort of 17 young, senior leaders in Canada got to connect with pastors and church teams over a 5 day trip as part of their 2 year journey in the program. Hear some of their reflections from the sessions and how it impacted them at a personal level.  Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada. 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 lead with spiritual authority in a cultural moment obsessed with visibility and self-expression?This week, Jason is joined by Mark Sayers—pastor of Red Church in Melbourne and host of the Rebuilders podcast—for a powerful conversation about identity, calling, and the hidden pathways to kingdom influence. Mark unpacks the allure of self-actualization, the danger of “soft power” in leadership, and how true spiritual authority is formed in obscurity. Drawing from years of cultural analysis and pastoral ministry, Mark offers wisdom for pastors longing to lead with depth and integrity in an age of distraction. In this episode:Why self-actualization can become a form of idolatryThe countercultural nature of spiritual authorityHow hiddenness forms us for leadershipThe priestly pattern of sacrifice and serviceNavigating influence and responsibility as a church leaderBiographyMark Sayers is a cultural commentator, writer, and speaker. He is passionate about spiritual renewal and the future of the church. Mark is the author of a number of books, including Disappearing Church, Facing Leviathan, and Reappearing Church. Mark is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. He is also one of the hosts of the Rebuilders podcast. Mark lives in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife, Trudi, his daughter, Grace, and twin boys, Hudson and Billy.SponsorsThanks 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 NotesMark Sayers: Non Anxious Presence BookRed ChurchIntercessor - Rees HowellsShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Darren Rouanzoin on Consecrated Leadership, Covenant Community & Risky ObedienceDarren Rouanzoin, founding pastor of Garden Church in Long Beach, California, joins our Incubator cohort to share his story and the convictions shaping his leadership today. From a radical encounter with Jesus in college to planting a church in a city marked by deep need, Darren reflects on what it means to build a church around presence, mission, and obedience.In this heartfelt conversation, Darren unpacks why the church needs consecrated leaders—those living holy, humble, healthy lives—and how Garden Church is cultivating a leadership culture rooted in character over charisma. He also explores the call to covenant community, the tension of leading through crisis, and what it means to follow the Spirit in faith that costs something.Whether you’re discerning a fresh step of obedience or navigating leadership fatigue, Darren’s story offers clarity, conviction, and hope for pastors in every context.Key Takeaways:What defines a Spirit-filled church in today’s contextHow personal holiness shapes healthy leadershipBuilding covenantal, mission-minded communitiesDarren’s vision for the next generation of anointed leadersBiographyDarren Rouanzoin lives in Long Beach, California, with his wife Alex and their two boys, Ezra and Amos.  Darren is the founding pastor of Garden Church, a community in the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the US. He is passionate about leading people to know and experience the extravagant generosity of God and the abundant life Jesus brings here and now.SponsorsThanks 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 NotesGarden ChurchDarren’s WebsiteShow Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

How do we lead with vocational clarity in a culture where the Church’s purpose feels increasingly unclear?This week, Jason sits down with Dr. Gordon Smith—President of Ambrose University and author of numerous books on calling and ecclesiology—for a timely conversation about pastoral leadership in a secular age. Gordon shares his personal journey from missions to theological education and reflects on the importance of helping pastors and churches rediscover the meaning of vocation—not just for ministry, but for everyday life.Together, they explore how churches can become communities where electricians, teachers, engineers, and parents are equipped to live out their calling as participants in God’s Kingdom. As cultural tides shift, Gordon offers a compelling case for returning to foundational ecclesiology and leading with theological depth and pastoral courage.In this episode:Why every follower of Jesus has a sacred callingHelping churches see vocation beyond the pulpitThe Church’s role in a secularizing CanadaWhy teaching ecclesiology is more urgent than everEncouragement for pastors in times of cultural shiftThis is a rich, thoughtful episode for anyone discerning how to lead the Church into the next season with clarity, purpose, and hope.BiographyGordon T. Smith (PhD, Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University) is the president of Ambrose University and Seminary in Calgary, Alberta, where he also serves as professor of systematic and spiritual theology. He is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a teaching fellow at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the author of many books, including Institutional Intelligence, Courage and Calling, Called to Be Saints, and Evangelical, Sacramental, and Pentecostal.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.Guest NotesGordon Smith websiteAmbrose University Gordon Smith’s books Parker Palmer - The Courage to TeachAlec Hill - Just BusinessShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Glenn Packiam—pastor, author, and president of Denver Seminary—joins Jason to reflect on his journey through moral failure in leadership, traumatic loss, and the emotional toll of ministry. They unpack the story behind his latest book, The Resilient Pastor, and explore what it means to lead with integrity in a rapidly shifting culture.Together, they discuss how to process pain as pastors, reimagine credibility in leadership, and stay rooted in calling amidst uncertainty. Glenn also shares insights from Barna’s research and how church leaders can navigate the emotional and cultural challenges of our moment with courage and hope.Key Takeaways:Why credibility is never the goal—but a byproduct of Christlike leadershipProcessing collective grief, betrayal, and trauma in ministryReclaiming vocation and spiritual formation in pastoral lifeThe generational wrestle with rootedness and resilienceA hopeful vision for a collaborative, global, historic ChurchWe hope this conversation strengthens your resolve and reminds you that you’re not alone in the calling.BiographyGlenn Packiam (Doctor of Theology and Ministry, Durham University) is associate senior pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, and lead pastor of one of its eight congregations, New Life Downtown. A Senior Fellow at Barna Group, a visiting fellow at St. John’s College at Durham University, and an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary, Glenn is the author of several books, including The Resilient Pastor, Blessed Broken Given, and Worship and the World to Come.He is also an ordained priest with the Anglican Church of North America, speaks regularly at conferences, and has appeared on numerous podcasts and radio shows. Glenn and his wife, Holly, live in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with their four children.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.Guest NotesThe Resilient Pastor - Glenn Packiam's book New Life ChurchGlenn’s WebsiteSoul Sanctuary Church StoryShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

What does it mean to be a pastor in today’s world?In this episode, Jason sits down with Winn Collier—pastor, writer, and author of A Burning in My Bones, the authorized biography of Eugene Peterson—for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about vocation, presence, and what it means to live a life before God with people on your heart.Winn shares stories from his friendship with Eugene, the impact of Eugene’s journals and letters, and the process of capturing the holy, human life of a man who quietly shaped pastors around the world. They reflect on how pastoral identity is being challenged today and why returning to a slower, more rooted vision of ministry may be our best path forward.They also talk about the pressures of performance, the sacredness of discipleship through presence—not programs—and how Eugene’s way of living with God can reawaken our calling.In this episode:The making of A Burning in My Bones and what Winn learned from Eugene’s journalsEugene’s vision of the pastor: holy, human, rooted in presenceThe temptation of crowds, polish, and platform—and how to resist itDiscipleship as worship: why the table and the font still matterWhy presence, not performance, is the gift pastors can offerA call to hold both holiness and humanity in our leadershipBiographyIn addition to A Burning in My Bones, Winn Collier has authored four books (Restless Faith, Let God: The Transforming Wisdom of François Fénelon, Holy Curiosity, and Love Big, Be Well) and contributed to numerous other volumes. He has written for multiple periodicals including Christianity Today, Christian Century, Relevant, and the Washington Post.A pastor for twenty-five years, Winn was the founding pastor of All Souls Charlottesville in Virginia. He now directs the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Michigan. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia, where he focused on the intersection of religion and literary fiction. Winn and his wife, Miska, a spiritual director, live in Holland, Michigan, with their two sons.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.Guest NotesWorking the Angles - Eugene PetersenEugene Peterson Center for Christian ImaginationA Burning In My Bones - Eugene Peterson Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Phil Kniesel, Lead Pastor of Hope City Church in Edmonton, joins Jason Ballard to share the story behind his transition from young adult ministry into senior leadership. Over six years, Phil stepped into the lead role, navigating fears, building trust, and casting new vision for the future.In this conversation, Phil reflects on what helped make the transition healthy, how his church is reaching their city through multi-site ministry, and why raising up young leaders is a central part of his calling today.Key Takeaways:What makes a healthy leadership succession processHow to build trust and vision as a new lead pastorCreating a church culture where young leaders thriveThe impact of multi-site and evangelism on city engagementWe hope this conversation strengthens and encourages you in your pastoral journey.BiographyPhil is the Lead Pastor of Hope City Church in Edmonton, a multi campus church with campuses throughout the city.  He is their primary communicator and brings vision to their staff and direction. SponsorsWe 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 NotesHope City Church WebsiteHope City Church InstagramPhil's Instagram Mark Sayers Audio DownloadShow Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

What does mission look like when rooted in tradition, presence, and prayer?In this episode, Father Matthew Francis, Parish Priest at Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission in Chilliwack, BC, joins Jason for a rich conversation about planting the first Orthodox mission in his hometown. He shares about his 20-year journey through seminary, discernment, and ministry across Canada before returning to Chilliwack in 2015 to begin a new work.Father Matthew shares about:Embracing a long path of discernment toward Orthodox leadershipThe sacred rhythms and community practices of Orthodox traditionWhy mission must begin with presence and the Spirit’s leadingHis work with the Canadian Bible Society and the call to re-engage with ScriptureWhether you're curious about ancient church traditions or navigating your own ministry calling, this episode invites you into a deeper imagination for what it means to be a pastor today.SponsorsWe 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 NotesHoly Apostles ChillawackInstagram - @fathermatthewfrancisCanadian Bible SocietyShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Every leader knows what it’s like to hit their limits. So how do we lead from a place of health, longevity, and deep transformation?This week, Pete Scazzero joins Jason to share from his decades of experience in pastoring and equipping leaders through Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.Pete shares about:His early struggles with burnout, marriage tension, and ministry overloadThe integration of emotional and spiritual health in discipleshipHow pastors can embrace their limits and lead from a place of beingThe call to follow Jesus deeply, not just work for HimWe hope this conversation encourages you to slow down, pay attention to your soul, and lead from a place of wholeness in Christ.SponsorsWe 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 NotesEmotionally Healthy Discipleship BookEmotionally Healthy WebsiteShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Milissa Ewing is the Lead Pastor of Redwood Park Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In this episode, she joins Jason to share her journey from the classroom to the pulpit and how God called her into pastoral leadership.Growing up Catholic and later coming to faith through a campus ministry, Milissa eventually became an elementary school teacher with a heart for Indigenous communities. Over time, she sensed a deeper calling to ministry—a journey that included discovering her gifting for preaching, navigating identity, and discerning a cross-country move with her family.🎧 In This Episode:Milissa’s story of coming to faith and discovering her pastoral callingWrestling with identity and vocation as an Indigenous woman in ministryThe journey of leading Redwood Park Church and serving her communityHow the church is pursuing reconciliation from the inside outListen in as Milissa reflects on trusting God’s call, leading with conviction, and embracing the work of reconciliation in Thunder Bay and beyond.Biography Milissa is a graduate of The University of British Columbia, Arrow Leadership, and finishing her studies at Tyndale Seminary. She loves spending time with her husband, Jay, and two daughters. In her free time, you will find Milissa painting, reading, trail running, skiing, swimming in lakes, or cycling.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.Guest NotesRedwood Park ChurchBook: Winn Collier  - A Burning in My BonesTwitter: @milissa_ewingShow Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠