The Pastor's Heart with Dominic Steele

‘A perilous moment.’  - That’s how the Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel described the situation that the Anglican Church of Australia is in - after an important vote failed to win support of the nation’s bishops at the denomination’s National Synod. After being delayed twice due to COVID, the leaders of the Australian Anglican Church gathered for the first time since the marriage plebiscite.There were two statements and three motions to be debated that would have given the church clarity going forward. But whereas it was clear that there was 60% support for orthodox teaching in the Synod, the critical motion was blocked by the House of Bishops. The synod voted by houses - laity, clergy and bishops. In the laity the numbers were 63 to 47 in favourIn the clergy the numbers were 70 to 39 in favour In the house of bishops it was lost by 10 in support to 12 votes against, with two abstentions. Today on The Pastor’s Heart we are speaking first to the Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel and then to the the Gafcon Australia Bishop RIchard Condie of Tasmania and Rev Jennifer Hercott from Queensland.  The Church Cothechurchco.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

How do we prioritise kids ministry? What to look for in appointing a kids minister?  How do you support your kids minister to prevent burnout and work towards longevity? How to create a kids ministry that fits with the overall ministry philosophy and direction of the church? Advice on dealing with parent complaints and helping parents to value kids ministry and the time put in by kids ministers.Bruce Linton is the Children’s and Youth Director at the Church Missionary Society NSW. The Church Cothechurchco.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

Disappointment is a difficult topic to deal with in ministry. As humans, we tend to make mistakes and sometimes, disappointment can come at nobody's fault at all. So, how do we process the disappointment in ministry then? Personally process as leaders and processing with our people?What about when the church plant fails? Hans Kristensen planted the Resolved Church in Newtown, and six years later closed it down. Naturally, failure comes with any attempt at anything! But how do we know when to call time? And what part does ego play in all of this? Hans Kristensen is now the senior pastor of Marsfield Community Church in Sydney. Before that he was founding pastor of Resolved Newtown in Sydney and is bringing a wise word on dealing with disappointment. The Church Cothechurchco.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

How to navigate change management in church? Change within the church is ongoing and unavoidable. This is to strengthen the church and continually make it a better and more spiritually helpful place for its members to worship God and grow in their faith. However, war stories of ‘church change resistance,’ where well meaning ministers have tried to pursue these changes have sadly led to the disruption of relationships. Speaking on the topic of change and its aftermath is Raj Gupta. He is the senior minister of St Paul’s in Carlingford in Sydney and a director with Moore College’s Center for Ministry Development and has insights for churches based on John Kotter’s Change Management Framework. The Church Cothechurchco.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

Matt Fuller, the Senior Minister of Christ Church Mayfair in the centre of London, speaks on why weakness is good for us. He describes standing up in front of his church, telling them he couldn’t cope with being told to take time off by his elders.Matt describes a conversation with his senior elders when he was in trouble and was confronted by his senior elder about time off and burnt out. Matt puts it down to overwork, a complex season around his mother’s death and the extra difficulties of managing the church and staff team during COVID. At the time he was angry and when he stopped working, the depression sunk in and he just wanted to quit. Matt says his vulnerability has helped the church to be more honest with each other. Jon Kwan who has been our excellent associate for over nine years is heading to be a senior minister. Village Church Annandale is now looking for a new assistant minister to head up maturity and mission. For more information go to: http://www.villagechurch.sydney/assistant Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thepastorsheart)The Church Cothechurchco.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

Mothers Day is a day of both celebration and sorrow for some. In today's episode, we think theologically, historically and pragmatically with Kate Stace and Phillip Jensenon on how to make Mothers Day excellent at church and how to serve the church family well for maximum mission impact! Since Mothers Day is emotionally complex for a number of members inside and out of the church, we also talk on how to care personally for these people who struggle through this day.Kate Stace is part of the team at Vine Church in Surry Hills in Sydney and Phillip Jensen is the former Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral. https://phillipjensen.com/resources/the-mothers-of-mothers-day/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thepastorsheart)The Church Cothechurchco.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

Noticed the influx of memes after the Oscars? You then, no doubt, are probably aware of the fiasco that took place that night.Actor Will Smith has apologised for his actions at the Oscars and former Hillsong Global Pastor Brian Houston has apologised to his church. It makes one think then - what makes a good apology, and how can we apologise well?Bruce Burgess from Peacewise speaks to us today on the seven things that make up a good apology.In this week’s The Pastor’s Heart we analyse the apologies of Australian Cricket Captain Steve Smith, plus the apologies of Will Smith and Brian Houston in order to consider what is the best practices for our own apologies.For more information on Peacewise Training, whether in person or online, see https://peacewise.org.au/The Church Cothechurchco.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

Power and authority are very dangerous. The recent fall of Brian Houston solidifies this statement and brings significant lessons for Christian leaders everywhere! On the matter, The Chair of the Australian Gospel Coalition Gary Millar brings light to the topic. Dr Millar notes that Brian Houston’s actions and the poor response of leaders in his theological space, are telling reminders that power, authority and positions of authority carry with them great risks.Adulation, respect and relentless encouragement are very dangerous things and that leaders need to be accountable to those around us. Dr Millar stressed that we need to keep coming back to the scriptures, returning to the pastoral epistles and reflect carefully on what God asks of those who are in leadership.Co-Director/Founder of the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute at Mary Andrews College, Keith Condie, says there’s a series of steps that pastors need to take to safeguard actions and protect marriages. —Keith and Sarah’s marriage course: http://www.buildingmarriage.com.auThe ‘Press On’ course for our own wellbeing that Keith mentions is here https://www.mentalhealthinstitute.org.au/shop/press-onThe Church Cothechurchco.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

‘Stand for Christ.  Stand for the truth.  And let the chips fall where they may.’Senior Pastor of Atlanta’s Church of the Apostles, Dr Michael Youssef, has a prophetic call to share with evangelical pastors today. It is to not give up trust in the scriptures in the face of contemporary challenges on sexuality.Dr Youssef tells the story of leading his church to depart the US Episcopal Church when the denomination moved against biblical teaching on sexuality, and the way God has blessed them since. In light of all this, Dr Youssef quotes 1 Samuel saying, ‘Those who honour me I will honour.’ Speaking in terms of the Sydney Anglican Church, Dr Youssef says, ‘I know this diocese, I love this diocese, and I know that God will continue to bless this Diocese even more… when you take a stand.’Dr Youseff says, ‘Everyone I know who honoured the Lord and took a stand, God blessed that.’The Church Cothechurchco.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

For 15 years Hugh Isaacs has been at the centre of messy pastoral transitions, as an ‘emergency responder’ to churches going through a transition crisis. Today, he he joins us to give us insight into the process. After initially helping members deal with their grief, there are five key steps Isaacs tells that need to be worked through for the best outcome. However, Isaacs warns of the land mines that come off at any moment though this process.(i) After the grief, the church must come to terms with the church's history. How to review the past as a step to the future? (ii) Examination of the leadership (the lay elected leadership) and the way they and the staff work together.(iii) Defining denominational connections. How does the church understand and relate to its denomination?(iv) Clarifying identity and direction. Defining the church’s place in its community and its mission.(v) Working through commitment to new clergy leadership and the future. Preparing to welcome the new minister.The Church Cothechurchco.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