Aspire

Interested in Christian ministry but wondering how to navigate your own ambition and the dangers of burnout? In this episode of the Aspire Podcast, SMBC New Testament lecturer Mark Stephens shares what saying no taught him about ambition, burnout, and wise ministry decisions.You’ll hear:​+ The early signs of burnout most leaders ignore until it’s too late.​+ Godly ambition vs platform-chasing ambition. ​+ Why your character has to grow as fast as your gifting if you lead, teach, or preach.​+ How doubt, confusion, and “dark nights of the soul” can actually make you a deeper, wiser leader.​+ The unexpected way God wove together youth ministry, academia, public Christianity, and Bible college lecturing. Listen to this if you:- Feel tired, stretched, or secretly close to burning out.- Are wrestling with 'calling', opportunities, and how much to say “yes” to. - Want a long-haul, Jesus-shaped life and ministry, not just a moment on a platform. 00:00 – Why Mark said NO to a dream speaking opportunity 04:21 – Burnout warning signs you can't ignore 08:30 – When gifts outpace character (danger zone)12:40 – Doubt, perfectionism & dark night of the soul18:00 – Non-linear journey: church → academia → lecturing35:00 – Evangelism in post-Christian culture 42:00 – Godly ambition vs platform hunger50:00 – Decision-making wisdom for emerging leaders

FULL VIDEO version available on your Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aspirepodcast1tim31.

Follow for monthly episodes.

Ever felt that tug toward ministry, but your brain immediately goes, “Nah, not you. Too much mess in your past. Too many stuff-ups. Nowhere near holy enough”?​
In this episode, Jacob Madder (Youth and Music Minister at St Faith’s, Narrabeen) shares his raw story. He grew up in a solid church community with a low hum of “maybe ministry one day” in the background, but internally he was sure he wasn’t the type, and his choices seemed to back that up. He drifted from church, dropped out of uni twice, made some painful mistakes, and carried a deep sense that he was never going to be truly forgiven to ever call others to follow Jesus.​
This episode covers:
The quiet weight of “you’d be great in ministry” when you’re convinced there’s no way you could be.​

How walking away from church and hitting a low point in his mid‑twenties became the turning point, not the end.​

The moment a new staff member, who didn’t know his past, told him he should consider ministry, and why that hit different.​

The real‑life wrestle between a big pay rise on the tools and a minimum‑wage ministry apprenticeship.​

What Jake has learned about insecurity, shame, forgiveness, and letting God use every part of your story.​

If you’d like to watch the full conversation, subscribe to us on our YouTube channel to catch the full video there. Link in our Instagram bio.

What does it look like to prepare for gospel ministry without leaving your local church or community?
In this episode of the Aspire Podcast, Jeremy Kidd shares his journey into ministry through a ministry apprenticeship (MTS) while studying theology from a coastal context on the Central Coast. Jeremy reflects on his conviction for evangelism, the value of hands-on ministry training, and why he believes apprenticeships are essential for anyone considering paid gospel ministry.
We talk about discerning a call to ministry, choosing Bible college, studying part-time while serving in church, and how character, competence, and conviction are formed best in the pressure cooker of real ministry. Jeremy also unpacks why coastal and regional contexts are strategic places for mission—and how God is powerfully at work beyond the city.
Whether you’re exploring Bible college, wondering about a ministry apprenticeship, or asking what your next step might be, this conversation will help you think clearly, prayerfully, and realistically about serving Jesus long-term.
This is a series of episodes on students at bible college. Hear their stories, their longings, and their questions.

Why do you need a rich theological education to pursue Christian ministry? Why should you come back and study further if you are already in ministry or on the mission field? Is a ministry apprenticeship  the only way? What is it like doing bible college as a family?

This is a series of episodes on students at bible college. Hear their stories, their longings, and their questions. 

We are also now live on Youtube!

How can I overcome financial fears about the costs of moving to or studying at bible college? Is it worth the cost?
This is a series of episodes on students at bible college. Hear their stories, their longings, and their questions. 
This is our first video episode!
If this episode was helpful, we would love to invite you to consider giving us a review on Spotify Podcasts. This helps others find out about this podcast. Our goal is to hit 50 reviews by November 30!