Shows
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastWhy Pastors Health Matters with Ps Ruth LimkinMinistry is one of the greatest callings - but it can also take a toll on our health if we’re not careful. In this conversation, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with Ruth Limkin, CEO of The Banyans and an ACCWA credentialed pastor, to talk about leadership wellbeing, burnout warning signs and the rhythms that keep us healthy for the long haul. From the importance of sleep and active rest, to reframing hustle culture, Ruth offers both practical wisdom and spiritual insight to help pastors and leaders steward their call without sacrificing their health, families or faith.Wh...
2025-12-1844 minACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastSharpening your Calling: Education, Faith & Leadership with Ps Donna KippsIn this inspiring episode, Ps Nate sits down with Ps. Donna Kipps - ACCWA State Manager and WA Director for Alphacrucis University College - for a conversation about lifelong learning, faith, and leadership. Donna shares her personal journey from leaving school early to earning her master’s in leadership and undertaking governance studies, all while serving in ministry.Together, they unpack why study and professional growth matter for pastors and leaders, how formal education and spiritual formation work hand-in-hand, and why today’s generation is hungry for deeper, thoughtful conversations about faith. From juggling study with family life...
2025-12-0450 minACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastPlanting in the fire with Ps Vika McFarlaneIn this episode of the ACC WA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Pete Hammer talks with Ps Vika McFarlane, who, along with her husband Slade, planted Triumph Church in Blacktown, Western Sydney. From a background in the Navy to pioneering in one of Australia’s most challenging communities, Vika shares her remarkable story of resilience, faith, and obedience.She opens up about planting a church while pregnant, running businesses, and caring for her terminally ill mother - all in the same season. Through it all, she discovered God’s faithfulness in the fire and saw incredible fruit, with 80% of Triu...
2025-11-2030 minACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastObedience Over Strategy with Ps Cody ByrneIn this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Julian Kirtisingham chats with Ps Cody Byrne, Lead Pastor of Tribes Church in Perth. Originally from the U.S., Cody shares his journey of being called to Australia, planting a church from the ground up, and navigating the joys and challenges of pioneering ministry.Cody opens up about trusting God’s timing, the realities of leading a young church community and the importance of resilience, authenticity and dependence on the Holy Spirit. His story is a powerful reminder that God equips those He calls, and that building ch...
2025-11-0652 minACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastPioneering Faith with Ps Shannon RileyIn this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Peter Hammer sits down with Ps Shannon Riley, Senior Pastor of Riviera Church in Victoria. Shannon shares his journey from coming to faith in a church plant as a 24-year-old to leading Riviera Church through transition, crisis, and now into a season of planting and multiplication.Together, they unpack the unique challenges and opportunities of pioneering in regional Australia, the difference between planting new churches and adopting existing ones, and the importance of resilience, sacrifice, and discernment in church planting. Shannon also offers honest insights into leading t...
2025-10-2328 minACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastTrust, Team & Multiplication with Ps Dustan BellIn this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Julian Kirtisingham sits down with Ps Dustan Bell, Senior Pastor of Calvary - a multi-site church with campuses across Queensland, South Africa and Papua New Guinea.Dustan shares his journey from youth pastor to becoming senior pastor at just 33 years old, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. He offers practical insights on leading in multi-site environments, raising up preachers, building trust with your congregation and navigating the tension between centralisation and local expression.This conversation is filled with wisdom for pastors and leaders at...
2025-10-0943 minACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastFinding Hope Beyond Pain with Sally HewittIn this deeply moving episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Sally Hewitt, grief recovery specialist and founder of Aging Gratefully. Out of her own painful loss - the sudden passing of her husband - Sally shares her journey through grief and how God met her in the rawest moments of anger, lament and healing.Together, Nate and Sally unpack what grief really is, why it’s more than bereavement alone and how pastors and leaders can better support people in their congregations who are walking through seasons of loss. From prac...
2025-09-2642 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastThe Heart of Marriage with Ps Sabrina PetersWhat makes marriages thrive - and what causes them to fall apart? In this episode, Ps Christie Blaikie is joined by Ps Sabrina Peters - psychologist, pastor, author, wife, and mum - to explore the heart of marriage.Drawing from years of ministry and clinical experience, Sabrina unpacks Gottman’s Four Horsemen that predict relational breakdown, practical rituals that build intimacy, how to navigate expectations, and the importance of prioritising your spouse in every season. She also shares wisdom on safeguarding marriages against affairs and the unique challenges leaders face in this area.Whether you’re mar...
2025-09-1141 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastFaith, Risk & Leadership Lessons from Ps Mark VarugheseIn this episode Ps Julian Kirtisingham sits down with Ps Mark Varughese, Founder of Kingdomcity, whose journey took him from a legal career in Perth to planting a church in Malaysia in 2006 that has since grown into a vibrant global movement.Together they unpack Kingdomcity’s origin story, the pivotal moments of acceleration, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. Ps Mark shares practical insights on recruiting and retaining volunteers, balancing structure with the Spirit, accountability for leaders, starting and discipling campuses, learning from mistakes, and keeping a local heart while carrying a global vision.A...
2025-08-2842 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastThe Heart Behind Church Planting with Ps Charlie BurkeIn this inspiring episode, Ps Peter Hammer sits down with Ps Charlie Burke - Executive Ministry Director of Exponential Australia and local church planter in Blacktown, Western Sydney. Charlie shares his powerful story of coming to faith, resisting the initial call to plant, and eventually pioneering a church in one of Sydney’s toughest suburbs just before the pandemic hit.We explore the heart and cost of church planting, what it takes to move from a growing church to a multiplying one, and why building healthy leaders and churches is non-negotiable. Charlie also shares insights from his nati...
2025-08-1442 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastTeaching that Transforms with Ps Ken LeeIn this inspiring episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Pastor Ken Lee of Nations Church joins Ps Gareth Forsdike for an honest and practical conversation about preaching, communication and leading with vision. Pastor Ken shares insights from his journey of planting and growing a multi-site, international church - from crafting sermons that bring Scripture to life, to staying spiritually fresh in ministry, and balancing creativity with clarity when casting vision. Whether you lead a congregation of 10 or 1,000, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you communicate effectively, care deeply for your people and stay grounded in your calling.
2025-07-3137 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastMultiplying Churches & Leaders with Ps Bron BonnellIn this inspiring episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with powerhouse leader Ps Bronwyn Bonnell - church planter, leader of The Chapel Collective, and mentor to pastors across regional NSW. With eight churches and counting, Bron shares her courageous journey of planting churches in small towns, what it's like starting from scratch in your 40s, and why obedience always trumps outcome.Together they unpack what healthy leadership looks like, the power of raising leaders across generations, and how to lead with conviction - especially as a woman in ministry. Whether you're a church...
2025-07-1648 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastChurch & Home with Ps Sharon ChelliahIn this episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Ps Phil Ayres sits down with Ps. Sharon Chelliah to explore one of the biggest questions for any pastor: How do you lead well both in church and at home? Together, they unpack the vital role of prioritising your family as your “first flock”, cultivating intentional rhythms of presence and fostering deep connections in the home. From setting boundaries and shaping a Godly culture, to navigating the pressures of life in the fishbowl, this conversation is packed with honest insights and practical wisdom for any pastor or church leader striving to lead well...
2025-07-0238 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastPastoral Sustainability with Pastor John FinkeldeIn this powerful and deeply practical episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps John Finkelde - former senior pastor and seasoned church consultant - to talk about what it really takes to last the distance in ministry. From avoiding burnout and establishing sustainable rhythms, to protecting your emotional health and navigating the complexities of pastoral relationships, this is a must-listen for any pastor or ministry leader. John shares wisdom from decades in church leadership and consulting, offering vulnerable insights into his own journey through exhaustion and depression, and the critical role of rest, relationships, and self-awareness. Whether you're...
2025-06-1953 minACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastPastoral Sustainability with Pastor John FinkeldeIn this powerful and deeply practical episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps John Finkelde - former senior pastor and seasoned church consultant - to talk about what it really takes to last the distance in ministry. From avoiding burnout and establishing sustainable rhythms, to protecting your emotional health and navigating the complexities of pastoral relationships, this is a must-listen for any pastor or ministry leader.John shares wisdom from decades in church leadership and consulting, offering vulnerable insights into his own journey through exhaustion and depression, and the critical role of rest, relationships, and self-awareness...
2025-06-1953 min
ACCWA Pastors and Leaders PodcastStewardship, Governance & Trust with Alicia LeisIn this episode, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with Alicia Leis, governance expert and partner at WLF Accounting & Advisory, for a practical and powerful conversation on church finances. From navigating the "blur factor" and understanding the distinct roles of pastors and boards, to building trust with donors and balancing faith with financial discipline - this episode is packed with wisdom for every church leader. Learn how stewarding isn't just a budget item, but a spiritual responsibility.
2025-06-0546 min