The Pastorate Podcast

• R. Paul Stevens on Why Every Christian is in Full-Time Ministry, Embracing Whole-Life Discipleship, and Empowering the Whole Church for Kingdom Work

  In this episode, Jason sits down with long-time pastor, professor, and marketplace theologian R. Paul Stevens to explore the sacredness of daily work. Paul’s ministry journey spans decades, from student ministry in Halifax to pastoring in Vancouver, teaching at Regent College, and even a mid-career stint as a carpenter. Paul unpacks the heartbeat behind his conviction that every follower of Jesus is in full-time ministry and that whatever your vocation, be it a pastor, a police officer, or a mother, your work matters to God. In this conversation Paul shares about: How Ephesians 4 set helped him come to realize that all Christians are in “full-time ministry,” The danger of dualism among our congregations and the importance of reclaiming whole-life, integrated discipleship,How pastors can empower their congregations for Monday-to-Saturday faithfulness, A story of meeting a young seeker on public transit and the unfolding of their year-long discipleship journey.Paul is thoughtful and intentional, bringing over 50 years of ministry experience and theological rigor to the conversation. In this episode Paul will remind you that pastoral leadership isn’t confined to a platform or pulpit, and you’ll be inspired by stories of a seasoned pastor living out the Gospel in his ordinary, everyday moments. Show Notes: Fall 2025 Pastors Retreat at Barnabas LandingPaul’s WebsiteInstitute for Marketplace TransformationPartners: 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.Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society's "Bible Course."

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• Dustin Funk on the Importance of Camp Ministry, Local Church Renewal, and Annual Rhythms of Rest

  In this episode, Jason sits down with Dustin Funk, Lead Pastor of Oasis Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dustin shares his journey from encountering God at summer camp as a teenager, to stepping into leadership at a small Italian-speaking church, to guiding that same church through a remarkable season of cultural transition and growth. Dustin reflects on the lessons he’s learned over 27 years in pastoral ministry, how to lead through change, how to apologize well, and how to stay grounded in the faithful work of local church leadership. He talks candidly about what it was like to preach through an interpreter in an ethnic church context, how his church embraced a portable season before building a permanent home, and how he has come to embrace annual rhythms of rest. In this conversation Dustin shares about: How a camp experience shaped Dustin’s call to ministry,Preaching in a language he didn’t speak,The transformation of Oasis Church from an ethnic congregation to a multi-generational community,The highs and lows of 12 years as a portable church,Why he takes a study break every year,How the gospel offers something the world is hungry for.Show NotesOasis Church – Winnipeg, MBLearn more about ⁠Baptize Canada.⁠

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• Preston Pouteaux on Pastoring with a Tender Heart, the Sacred Work of Neighbouring, and the Power of Presence in Pastoral Ministry

  In today’s conversation Preston Pouteaux shares what it means to be a tenderhearted pastor in a fast-paced world. Speaking from Chestermere, Alberta, Preston invites us into a vision of pastoring that’s slow, rooted, and profoundly local. From RCMP ride-alongs to keeping bees and loving neighbours, Preston offers a poetic yet practical vision of what it means to love and serve a place and its people. In this conversation Preston shares about: How pastoral imagination is formed,How curiosity and inquiry is a needed pastoral posture, Riding along with RCMP officers at night as a Chaplain,Beekeeping and the theology of pollinators, and Why presence, more than expertise, is a pastor’s most powerful gift.This episode is for any pastor who is seeking to better understand their context and to serve their people well. You’ll be reminded that gentleness is not weakness, and that being embedded in your local community might be the most courageous thing you can do.Show NotesPreston’s Book: The Bees of Rainbow Falls: Finding Faith, Imagination, and Delight in Your Neighbourhood Lake Ridge Community Church PartnersContact John Wright at Generis – for help cultivating a culture of generosity in your church.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.

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• Steve Cuss on His Year as a Chaplain, The Gap Between What We Preach and What We Experience, and Leading Without Carrying the Anxiety of Others

  What does it look like to stay tender and human as a pastor, even while holding the weight of others’ pain? In this rich and deeply practical conversation, Steve Cuss shares wisdom from decades of ministry—including his years as a hospital chaplain, a lead pastor, and now, a trusted voice equipping leaders around the world in managing leadership anxiety.Steve reflects on transitioning out of senior leadership, the gift of simply being a congregant, and how to stay present in rooms thick with grief and unspoken pressure. With vulnerability and humour, he unpacks how pastors can become aware of their own coping mechanisms, grow in emotional health, and shift from reacting to reflecting.Whether you’re navigating your own expectations, dealing with system-wide stress, or walking with people through deep loss, this conversation is packed with soul-forming insight.In today’s episode:Lessons from chaplaincy on presence, restraint, and incarnational ministryHow anxiety circulates in church systems (and how to disrupt it with calm leadership)The “expectation gap” in our relationship with God and how to close itBiographySteve Cuss is a leadership coach, speaker, and former hospital chaplain and pastor who helps leaders grow in emotional and spiritual health. With years of experience in Family Systems Theory, chaplaincy, and church leadership, Steve equips others to manage anxiety, stay grounded under pressure, and lead with greater presence. He’s the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety and The Expectation Gap, and the founder of Capable Life—a practical resource that’s helped thousands of leaders around the world break free from stuck patterns and lead with clarity, peace, and purpose.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.Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Guest NotesSteve’s Website https://www.stevecusswords.com/The Expectation Gap https://www.amazon.ca/Expectation-Gap-between-Beliefs-Experience/dp/0310156378Managing Leadership Anxiety https://www.amazon.ca/Managing-Leadership-Anxiety-Yours-Theirs/dp/1400210887Capable Life ​​https://capablelife.com/Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠Blog and Episode Write Up⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠Instagram

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• Canadian Pastors Joe Jung, Ben Carbone, and Jaz Ghag Share Their Stories

  In this special episode of The Pastorate Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Rather than one long-form conversation, you'll hear stories from three Canadian lead pastors. Representing the suburbs of BC, the heart of Quebec, and a small coastal town on the Pacific Ocean, these pastors—Joe Jung, Ben Carbone, and Jaz Ghag—open up about calling, family, leadership, and the unique challenges of ministry in their contexts. Each story offers encouragement for pastors navigating their own ministry in a Canadian context.This episode serves as a reminder that you’re not alone in this work. God is moving across Canada and here is a glimpse into what he is doing. In this episode:Joe Jung on vocational shift, obedience to God’s call, and pastoring alongside his familyBen Carbone on succession, the danger of comparison, and loving the people before the visionJaz Ghag on coming to faith from a Sikh background and the cost of following JesusGuest NotesJoe Jung (Town & Field, Langley) Ben Carbone (MCI Church, Montreal) Jaz Ghag (Christian Life Assembly, Gibsons)Show NotesLearn more about The PastorateJoin our Giving Community, The SeedContact Jon Wright at Generis – for help cultivating a culture of generosityYoutube⁠⁠Instagram⁠Join the ConversationIf today’s episode encouraged you, send it to a fellow pastor or ministry leader. And don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.Want to share your story or connect with our team? Reach out here.

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