The Pastor's Heart with Dominic Steele

Join Megan Stevens, an associate minister with a focus on team dynamics, Michael Davies, a seasoned second-chair leader, and Pete Blanche, an executive with Reach Australia, as they dive into the intricacies of supporting senior leaders in ministry. They discuss the critical role of trust in team health and how a secure identity in Christ can mitigate competition. Insightful tips on handling complaints, fostering a culture of honest feedback, and the unique dynamics spouses bring to leadership roles are also shared, all aimed at enhancing the overall church ecosystem.

Godly Complementarianism - with Paul GrimmondLiving Godly Lives Together - as men and women, young and old, husbands and wives?All Christians are called to live like Christ. But in Titus 2, the apostle Paul speaks about godliness in strikingly specific ways — addressing older and younger, men and women. Why does he do that? Are age and sex merely cultural categories, or gifts from God that shape the challenges we face in following Jesus?In this ‘best of episode’ of The Pastor’s Heart, over the Australian Summer break, we are joined by Paul Grimmond, Senior Lecturer at Moore Theological College.We dig into Titus 2, the most contested passages of the New Testament, and ask how truth and godliness belong together, how Scripture should be read in its own terms, and what this means for discipleship, marriage, ministry and pastoral care today.Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show

In this discussion, Sam Chan, an evangelist skilled in workplace and church messaging, teams up with Andrew Barry, a senior minister with a focus on diverse ministry, and Adrian Russell, who specializes in pastoral preaching. They explore how to craft engaging Christmas talks for varied audiences. The panel shares insights on balancing joy and gravity, addressing tragedy, and using memorable illustrations. They also discuss tailoring messages for different events, emphasizing authentic connection with the audience and the essence of Christmas as true peace.

Archbishop Kanishka on the terror attack at Bondi - Kanishka Raffel, Martin Morgan and Ben Pakula Sydney’s Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel calls on Sydney to embrace our Jewish neighbours in love, friendship and support and to reject antisemitism, violence and hatred. Archbishop Raffel says this is the way of Jesus.Minister of Bondi Anglican Martin Morgan says they sheltered people in the church last night, who were terrified,  running for their lives. In a The Pastor’s Heart special, Archbishop Raffel is joined by minister of Bondi Anglican Church Martin Morgan and Messianic Jew Ben Pakula (also an Anglican Minister) in praying for those family and friends and the Bondi community, impacted by the gunman opening fire - leaving 16 dead including a 10 year old girl.http://thepastorsheart.net/podcast/love-in-the-face-of-terror-raffel-morgan-pakula Suggested Prayers :- Prayers prepared by St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney for those affected by the shooting at Bondi Beach, 14/12/25For the bereaved and injuredHeavenly Father, God of all comfort, deal graciously with those who grieve in this time of deep sadness. We pray especially for family and friends of those who have been shot. Grant them strength and peace in the days ahead. We pray with a spirit of compassion and grace for the Jewish and broader Bondi community, as they come to terms with their grief and shock. We ask you, Gracious Lord, to heal and restore all those who are still recovering in hospital. Be with them and their families as they travel the road to recovery. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.For the first respondersHeavenly Father, whose blessed Son was acquainted with grief and carried our sorrows: Thank you for those who, courageously following in his steps, willingly entered into the trauma of recent events on our behalf – civilians responders, the police, ambulance officers and other emergency medical personnel. We pray also for the police responsible for investigating the circumstances around these crimes. In your tender mercy, grant diligence and protection in their tasks, and rest to their bodies, healing to their minds, and peace to their hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.For the community around Bondi BeachOur dear Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for the men, women and children, who live and work in or near Bondi Beach and the surrounding areas. We present the needs of residents, shopkeepers, restaurateurs, staff, customers, and visitors to the area. You know them. You know every hair on their heads. We call on you to protect and heal. Allow a healthy process as people respond to these harrowing acts of violence. Thank you, Lord, for the courage and kindness of the people who helped each other on Sunday. May that spirit of kindness continue through your empowering, Lord. As people face anxiety, trauma, and grief, provide comfort, resilience, peace, and safety. Grant wisdom to community leaders and help us know you are a good, gracious God. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.For the wider community of Sydney AnglicansGod most high, we asAnglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show

Tears, Questions and Hope - When a senior pastor takes their own life? Keith Condie & Trinette StanleyIn the last few months two senior evangelical leaders have taken their own lives. The Archbishop’s letter said ‘It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the death of a colleague and friend … who took his own life on Tuesday and our hearts are heavy at this time as we come before God with our tears, questions and  … hope in the promise of resurrection.’We react with a range of questions: Should I have known? Could I have done more? What do I say to the church? What do I say to the world, but most importantly where is God? Keith Condie, from Anglican Deaconess Ministry’s Mental Health and Pastoral Care Institute and Trinette Stanley, Mental Health Educator with Anglicare are our guests. Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show

Guest Stephen Driscoll, a campus ministry worker and author of 'Made in Our Image,' dives into the complexities of AI's role in preaching. He warns that relying on AI may compromise the deep theological thinking essential for pastors. They discuss the importance of maintaining personal pastoral voice and how AI can sometimes produce bland, essay-like sermons. Driscoll also provides insights into ethically using AI as a helpful tool for idea generation and clarity without losing authenticity.

Paul Donison responds to global reaction to Gafcon’s reset of the Anglican Communion and its declaration that Canterbury’s time is over.The Lord is removing his Spirit from the Canterbury–Lambeth lampstand, and the centre of global Anglicanism is shifting from London to Africa.The average Anglican today is not English, not Western, not male — she’s a young African woman in her twenties, probably Nigerian. The Anglican Communion is now catching up with that reality.Since the Gafcon Primates’ announcement on 16 October 2025 — declaring that Canterbury is out and that the Bible will be the foundation document for a reordered Global Anglican Communion — reaction has been electric: claims of schism, conflict in Ireland, tensions in ACNA, questions about women’s orders, realignments in England, silence from some primates, and fresh courage from others.And what does this mean for a blended province like Australia?Gafcon General Secretary Paul Donison joins us with an update on plans for the Global Bishops Gathering in Abuja, Nigeria, 3–6 March 2026.Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show

Brett Middleton, a parish leader at St Luke’s Miranda, Ben Molyneux, minister at St Faith’s Narrabeen, and Dan Au, site pastor at Cornerstone, discuss innovative strategies to boost church conversion rates. They dive into the importance of setting a 5% evangelism target and the theological debates surrounding it. The trio shares insights on aligning staff with purpose, fostering community care, and utilizing storytelling to spark mission enthusiasm. They also explore adaptive outreach approaches to resonate with diverse demographics.

Something is happening. In England the data shows a quiet revival. In France a new evangelical church is opening every ten days. But what about here in Australia?Among young adults we’re hearing stories of renewed interest in Jesus, fresh conversions and surprising openness. Is this a cultural phenomenon or is it something deeper?  And how do we ride the wave?We talk about ground level experiences, the big picture, the influence of politics, and the five percent conversion growth goal for Sydney Anglican churches.We’re joined by three frontline evangelists:• Dave Jensen from Sydney Anglican Evangelism and New Churches• Sam Mahdavi from Wollongong Baptist Church• Pre Shunmugam from MBM Rooty Hill in multicultural Western SydneyAnglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show

What does healthy, joyful, word-shaped congregational singing look like in a culture obsessed with self-expression?We are shaped more than we realise by the culture around us. And today one of the most powerful cultural forces pressing on our churches is expressive individualism — the idea that the authentic self must be expressed and affirmed.But what happens when this cultural air we breathe seeps into our church music? When sincerity becomes more important than truth, when the band is excellent yet the congregation is silent, and when singing shifts from “we proclaim Christ together” to “I express what I feel”?If we do not address this, we risk disengaged congregations, weakened church identity and a missed opportunity for deep spiritual formation that comes as we sing God’s word to one another.Alanna Glover — longtime church music leader, former member of Garage Hymnal, ten years with Emu Music, songwriter, trainer and theologian — has just completed significant research on expressive individualism and congregational singing in evangelical churches.Anglican AidTo find out more about supporting Anglican Aid. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Advertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport the show