The Pastorate Podcast

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

Brandon Richardson, Lead Pastor of Slate Church in Waterloo, joins Jason to share his journey from leading a university ministry to planting and pastoring a vibrant, intergenerational church.He reflects on how a passion for students and the city of Waterloo gave birth to Slate Church, and what he’s learned along the way about holding leadership with both responsibility and humility. Brandon also shares about the value of deep, ongoing friendship among pastors and why he believes in the Church’s mission in smaller towns across Canada.In this episode:From campus ministry to church plantingNavigating structure in a young, growing churchHolding leadership with both a closed fist and open handThe power of pastoral cohorts and friendshipA vision for vibrant churches in small towns across CanadaWe hope this conversation encourages you in your own ministry journey.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.Guest NotesSlate Church WebsiteShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Every pastor wants to lead with spiritual depth—but how do we cultivate intimacy with God in the midst of busy leadership?Tyler Staton, Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland and National Director of 24/7 Prayer USA, joins Jason Ballard for a deeply personal conversation on prayer, consecration, and spiritual formation. Tyler shares how his teenage experiences with prayer shaped his calling, what it meant to plant Oaks Church in Brooklyn, and how he’s now leading Bridgetown into a deeper rhythm of presence and intercession.Tyler reflects on:Starting a prayer movement in middle schoolPlanting and pastoring in New York CityBuilding a culture of prayer through stretch and recovery rhythmsThe call to consecration and holiness in leadershipWhy abiding must come before output in ministryWe hope this episode renews your vision for leading from the secret place.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 NotesPraying with the Church - Scot McKnightSearching For Enough - Tyler StatonTyler Staton's WebsiteShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

As we finish off 2021, we wanted to take a moment to look back on some of the conversations we have had this past year that encouraged us in ministry, shifted our thinking, and brought us back to a deeper abiding in Christ. For links to all the episodes featured, you can find them here.  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 if your leadership frustrations aren’t a sign of failure—but of misaligned gifting?This week, Jason is joined by Alan Hirsch—author, missiologist, and global voice on church renewal—for a conversation on leadership identity, the five-fold gifts of Ephesians 4, and how to move beyond Sunday-centric models of church. Drawing from decades of movemental leadership, Alan unpacks the APEST framework (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher) and why reclaiming your spiritual wiring is essential for healthy, sustainable ministry.Alan shares about:The dangers of forcing all pastors into shepherd-teacher rolesHow the pandemic exposed over-reliance on Sunday servicesWhy mission, justice, and discipleship need to be recenteredHis vision for a Church led by everyday disciple-makersWhether you’re tired, reimagining your calling, or leading change in your church, this conversation is both clarifying and deeply challenging.BiographyAlan Hirsch is the founder of 100 Movements, Forge Mission Training Network, and Future Travelers, and 5QCollective. All these organizations focus on pioneering leadership development and training and consulting on the church as a missional movement. Known for his innovative approach to mission, Alan is widely considered to be a thought-leader in his field and has worked with churches and organization across the world, but mainly in North America, Europe, and Australia. Hirsch is the author of numerous award winning books including The Forgotten Ways, The Shaping of Things to Come, ReJesus and The Faith of Leap, Untamed, Right Here, Right Now, On the Verge, and The Permanent Revolution. His experience includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized, developing training systems for innovative missional leadership, and heading up the mission and revitalization work of his denomination. Alan is co-founder of the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, Asbury Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for IVP's Forge line, Baker Books' Shapevine series.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 Notes5Q Book360 APEST AssessmentStarfish and the Spirit book Reframation bookShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What does it take to faithfully disciple the next generation?This week, Jason is joined by Sid Koop—Executive Director of Youth Worker Community—for a conversation on youth ministry, volunteer leadership, and contending for the future of the Church. With over 20 years of experience as a youth pastor, camp speaker, and professor, Sid shares what churches need to know about reaching young people today.Sid shares about:His calling to youth ministry and why he’s stayed in it for over two decadesWhy developing great volunteers is the key to effective youth discipleshipWhat churches are doing well—and what needs to change—in youth engagementHow personal loss shaped his passion and urgency for ministryWhether you lead youth, pastor a church, or care deeply about the next generation, this conversation will encourage and equip you for the road ahead.BiographyFrom camp speaker to local youth pastor to youth ministry professor, Sid Koop draws from a deep well of experience over a couple decades. He is the Executive Director of Youth Worker Community where he and his team are dedicated to filling in the gaps for youth workers by equipping, empowering, and supporting youth workers to help the next generation know Jesus.Sid has a Masters in Youth and Family Ministries and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry in Emerging Generations at Gordon-Conwell Seminary.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 NotesTruth MattersArrow LeadershipYouth Worker CommunityShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠