Richard Coekin: ‘Pious Passivity’ vs ‘Strategic Intentionality’
What happens when churches move beyond "pious passivity" to strategic intentionality in reaching the lost? Richard Coekin—founding pastor of Dundonald Church in London and pioneer of REACH UK—joins Dominic Steele to unpack the revolutionary approach transforming churches across Australia and the United Kingdom.Following on from Reach UK and Reach Australia in May, Richard candidly shares his journey from skepticism about "Pentagon language" and structured frameworks to embracing these tools as valuable expressions of pastoral care and evangelistic intentionality. "If you don't aim at anything, nothing will happen," he explains, challenging the notion that strategic thinking somehow diminishes reliance on God's sovereignty.We look at the biblical foundations for strategic ministry, with Richard pointing to Acts 6 as a model where the apostles prioritized preaching and prayer, built ministry teams for delegation, and ensured the church's practical needs were met. Plus we discuss measuring spiritual fruit. Whether you're skeptical of strategic approaches to ministry or already embracing them, this conversation offers fresh insights on leading churches that are both faithful to Scripture and effective in mission. Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. 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/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
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Multisite Churches: What works and what doesn't | Wade Burnett - Live from Reach Australia
Live from the sidelines at the Reach Australia Conference on the Central Coast of New South Wales, we sit down with Wade Burnett from McLean Bible Church in Washington DC and Derek Hanna, Reach Australia’s church planting and multisite specialist, for a fresh look at the multisite church model.Multisite was a buzz seven years ago. Today, with thousands of campuses launched in the United States—and many hard lessons learned—the mood is more measured. What’s changed? What’s endured? And what can church leaders here learn today from the American experience?We explore the personnel, strategic, and pastoral complexities of multisite ministry. From varied governance models to launch strategies, leadership fit to congregational model — And how to decide whether we should launch a new campus, reassess a current model, or weigh multisite against church planting.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. 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/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
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Paul and Sue Harrington: Lessons on the way - Live from Reach Australia
This week on The Pastor’s Heart, we’re live from the Reach Australia conference at Erina on the Central Coast of New South Wales. It’s an inspiring gathering, with 1,300 church leaders from across Australia and beyond, including New Zealand, South Africa, America, and the United Kingdom, coming together for encouragement and equipping to better Reach Australia.Paul Harrington has led the Trinity Network of Churches in Adelaide for 33 years, guiding it from a single congregation of 800 to a thriving network of 13 churches with over 2,600 members. Sue Harrington is a Reach Australia board member, has been deeply involved in supporting pastors’ wives, families, and women in ministry and runs a consultancy business.Together, we discuss the lessons learned along the way, the emotional and practical challenges of planting daughter churches, and the role of humility and servant-hearted leadership. We explore the cost and recovery after sending, the evolving nature of church leadership, and the often overlooked but critical support needed for ministry households.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. 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/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
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‘Not so fast my friend’ - 1700 years since Nicaea - with Rachel Ciano and Leonardo Di Chirico
It is 1700 years since the council of Nicaea and the publication of the Nicene Creed - but what are we to make of it?It was the twentieth of May in the year 325 that the Council of Nicaea first met. Pope Francis said ‘The Nicene Creed is a powerful sign of unity among Christians.’The 17 hundredth anniversary of the Council of Nicaea - is being used - by the Roman Catholic Church to push the idea that ‘All Christians are Nicene Christians.’However the difficulty is that while we say the same words, Roman Catholics and Protestants mean vastly different things, and any unity is a fake unity at best. Leonardo de Chirico is pastor of the Church Breccia di Roma and director of the Reformanda Initiative.Rachel Ciano lectures in Christianity and History at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. She is a faculty member at the Rome scholars and leaders network, hosted by The Reformanda Initiative.The book ‘The Nicene Creed’ is available from Matthias Media.Anglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. 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/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
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What’s really going on in the faith lives of young Australians? - with Graham Stanton
We explore the findings of the Your Story Research Report — a significant national study that listens to the voices of more than 400 young people as they reflect on their spiritual journeys.We find out who and what has, and is, shaping young people’s faith from their childhood, though to adolescence, to right now.There are insights into the eight “faith journeys” —from Embracing to Reconstructing to Disengaging— highlighting the importance of relationships, trust, and belonging in shaping faith over time. Plus advice for churches, families, and schools on how to nurture young people in ways that are both personal and sustainable.Graham Stanton is Director of the Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry. He lectures in Practical Theology at Melbourne’s Ridley College.Download the Your Story Research Project: https://www.convergeoceania.com/yourstoryAnglican AidTo find out more about giving tax deductibly to Anglican Aid. 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/sponsorAdvertise on The Pastor's HeartTo advertise on The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/sponsorSupport The Pastor's HeartFor info on how to become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart go to thepastorsheart.net/support
Christian leaders join Dominic Steele for a deep end conversation about our hearts and different aspects of Christian ministry each Tuesday afternoon.We share personally, pastorally and professionally about how we can best fulfill Jesus' mission to save the lost and serve the saints. The discussion is broadcast live on Facebook then on YouTube and on our thepastorsheart.net website and via audio podcast.
Australia