The Pastor's Heart with Dominic Steele

“Victorian State Government pushes to ban Christian practices with threat of 10 years in prison” - a headline that should have every Christian leader pause. This week on the Pastor’s Heart, we’re discussing upcoming legislation that is being pushed in Victoria. The Change of Suppression (Conversion)  Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 has consequences of 10 years imprisonment for anyone engaging in “change of suppression practices.” Expert reading of the bill suggest this threatens religious freedom and implicates Bible Studies, Church services and even one-to-one prayer. This week - we talk with key Christian leaders from Victoria: Murray Campbell and Chris Duke along with Law Professor Neil Foster about the ramifications of this bill. We’ll discuss the details of the bill, the implications for Christians in Victoria and wider implications for Churches across Australia and the Western world. We’ll also discuss how Christian leaders can respond and opportunities to clarify and limit the scope of the bill. 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

This week on The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic interviews evangelist Sam Chan about his latest book: How To Talk About Jesus (Without Being That Guy). Written for the everyday Christian, How To Talk About Jesus provides practical ways anyone can share Jesus in a way which is relevant to today. Dominic and Sam will explore the narratives people believe and how Jesus speaks into them, where our society is at in their understanding of Christianity and what it looks like to have a lifestyle of evangelism. Dominic will put to Sam some of the criticisms of his book, including a challenge that the truth of the cross and propitiation is lacking and if he is discounting that some might be specifically called to be evangelists. They will also discuss how culture has changed and what that means for how Churches and individuals should look to speak the gospel.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

Teens of today are less likely to grow up in a religious family or attend Church, and yet we are still seeing vibrant protestant youth ministries across many cities. This week, Youthworks College Dean of Women Ruth Lukabyo joins us to discuss a pioneering model of youth ministry including peer groups, ministry collaboration and cultivating ministry leadership for young people.Ruth’s new book ‘From a ministry for youth to a ministry of youth’ looks at pivotal developments in youth ministry in the 1930’s which have impacted all ministry to young people since then.She takes us through the potential and importance in youth ministry, the significant achievements of young people in the past and how Churches can creatively develop new methods of ministry today. We'll discuss the difference between viewing Youth as 'trainee Christians' or 'Christians', how important it is not to under estimate young people. We also discuss the way ministry strategy changes to suit the relevant context. Ruth Lukabyo is a lecturer at Youthworks College and author of From a Ministry for Youth to a Ministry of Youth. Purchase Ruth’s book, 'From a ministry for you to a ministry of youth.'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

We talk winning our workmates & neighbours to Jesus. Plus leading our homes and and the battle against porn.At last weekend’s Men Meeting the Challenge Conference, Dominic Steele led a panel discussion of leaders in the Australian men’s ministry space, canvassing how we can win our workmates and neighbours to Jesus. David Robertson is an Evangelist & Pastor from Scotland and now with Third Space and City Bible Forum; Grant Borg is an Evangelist and Church Planter in south western Sydney; Martyn Iles leads the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) and Tony Payne is a Christian author and publisher with Matthias Media and now back in Student Ministry at UNSW.http://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/saving-the-souls-of-menFor details and to register for for next March’s Men Meeting the Challenge Conference 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

The report has just been released into abuse at The Crowded House, an evangelical church in Sheffield in the UK.  It’s a 98 page report exploring the spiritual abuse allegations that were levelled at the senior pastor Steve Timmis, author of the influential church leadership manual Total Church, and who was at the time the CEO of the global church planting movement Acts 29The key question the authors attempted to address was to give a ‘comprehensive picture of Steve Timmis’ activities in relationship to the alleged harm caused to individuals, while serving as an elder at The Crowded House?’A key report finding is that, ‘There is sufficient evidence for the reviewers to conclude that whether intentionally or unintentionally the culture at The Crowded House was one in which some instances of emotional and/or psychological abuse took place as a result of persistent coercive and controlling behaviour in the name of Christian vision and ministry.’Steve McAlpine was a trainee with The Crowded House in 2007, has written extensively on these matters.  He’s a senior pastor, a blogger and evangelist with the City Bible Forum’s Third Space. Read the response to the report from the The Crowded House elders here.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

Did you watch the Social Dilemma and consider throwing your phone (and the apps installed!) out the window. This week's we are thinking through the pastoral opportunities and dangers of social media. Marshall Ballantine Jones joins Dominic Steele to discuss the impact of social media use on pastor's, particularly with regards to encouraging self promotion and narcissistic tendencies. In the light of the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, Marshall outlines how we can use social media in a God-glorifying way and model this to our congregations too.Dominic and Marshall also discuss the impact of social media on young people, self-esteem and conscience, outlining relevant dangers and opportunities for growth.We reflect on key questions regarding our intent, objectives and priorities when it comes to interacting online. Including: How do we get our hearts right? What are we seeking to do? How we can use social media well? What pitfalls are there to avoid?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

Today we explore the journey Tertullian to Thomas Jefferson or how the issues of Religious Liberty and Freedom of Conscience don’t actually spring out of the Enlightenment but from the pages of the New Testament.Dr Sarah Irving Stonebraker has caused quite a splash this week with her Richard Johnston Lecture on Thursday night.Sarah is a Senior Lecturer in Modern European History, and teaches in History and Political Thought at the University of Western Sydney.***Link to Sarah's Richard Johnson lecture: the forgotten story of religious libertyWatch the address by Greg Peisley's son Blake Peisley referred to in this episode. 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

We are discussing the logistics of Christmas in COVID, with Pete Steadman and Stuart Crawshaw. With limitations around singing, gathering and social distancing in place, today we are discussing the most effective way to connect with our communities and share the gospel. Carols, Gingerbread, Wreath Making and even Christmas services typically rely on large groups of people coming together and feeling comfortable within the Church space. We’ll discuss Christmas and Christmas Eve services, outreach opportunities and even what carolling can look like amidst the current circumstances. Stu Crawshaw pastors Soul Revival in Sydney’s South. Pete Stedman pastors Norwest Anglican in the north west of Sydney.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

On today’s special episode of the Pastor’s Heart, we’re discussing issues surrounding religious freedom and church gatherings on the way out of COVID.There’s been an important court ruling on this in Washington DC, where Capitol Hill Baptist Church have won their legal challenge against imposed limits on congregational gatherings.Here in Australia, the New South Wales Government continue to limit church gatherings to just 100, while commercial activities can have as many as 300 in attendance.Today we’re hearing from Neil James Foster, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Newcastle and Ray Galea, Senior Pastor of MBM Rooty Hill.See Neil Foster's blog: https://lawandreligionaustralia.blog/.../capitol-hill.../Contact the NSW Premier's office: https://www.nsw.gov.au/premier-of-nsw/contact-premierThe 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

As general secretary of GAFCON, Nigeria’s Archbishop of Jos Ben Kwashi is one of the world’s most influential Anglican leaders. With GAFCON representing two thirds of the world’s Anglicans, Archbishop Kwashi has been described as the most influential person in the Anglican Communion. Nine days ago rumours started to circulate on social media that he’d been diagnosed with Colon Cancer. Archbishop Kwashi joins us to give an update on his health, the 74 orphans who live with him and his wife Gloria, plus news on navigating COVID in Africa and the future of the GAFCON.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