Shows
The One Thing427 Are acronyms anti-gospel? (aka AAAG) (Dominic Steele)Acronyms might save time, but are they costing us people? Dominic Steele wants pastors to rethink their acronym addiction — not just because it’s annoying, but because it is anti-gospel.Why church leaders cling to acronyms that no one understandBiblical principles that challenge coded languageHow acronyms can quietly push people away from churchThe hidden arrogance behind insider shorthandPractical ways to audit your church’s insider languageDominic is the senior pastor of Village Church in Annandale and the host of The Pastor...
2025-11-0323 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleBetrayed by my King - with Rachel Ciano and Stephen TongMarcus Loane said no. The King said yes. For the first time in more than 800 years, an English monarch has prayed publicly with the Pope.King Charles III — the Supreme Governor of the Church of England — joined Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel in a highly choreographed moment of unity. But for many Protestants, this was not a moment to celebrate, but to grieve,The Reformation was born out of deep conviction that Rome had departed from the apostolic gospel — that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Those co...
2025-10-2829 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleAn apology and a correction - Dominic SteeleAn apology and correction in regards to our episode of Tuesday 10 June 2025.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.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
2025-06-1504 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleRichard 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 no...
2025-05-2732 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleChris Braga on 'I believed therefore I spoke''I believed therefore I spoke' - That’s what the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:13. And yet it’s a verse hardly referred to in the last few decades in discussions over who is responsible for evangelism. Chris Braga of Grace West Anglican Church Sydney told the Nexus Conference in Sydney that 2 Corinthians 4:13 shows that there’s a spiritual reflex that internal faith (in the death and resurrection of Jesus) will challenge fear and lead to speech. Not because we’re commanded, but because we can’t help ourselves.Chris Braga says implications are that pro...
2025-03-2524 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleConfronting the big attendance drop - with Toby Neal, Dave Jensen and Geoff BatesWhat should the church pastor / staff team / church council or bishop do about the big drop in attendance? A new report (bit.ly/AttendancePatterns) shows Adult Attendance in churches in Sydney is down 7% or 14% against population (over a decade). Adult attendance declined at approximately two-thirds of Sydney Anglican comparable church centers, and only one-third of church centers recorded an increase in attendance.The big problem is newcomers. We just are not reaching them. Newcomers are down to 5.4%.And with fewer new people joining churches, the churches that are growing are primarily grow...
2024-09-0338 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleActing like men? - with Phillip Jensen, Craig Hamilton, Adrian Russell and Robin KinsteadWhat is it to be #likeaman?There are not many places in the New Testament where men are spoken to specifically.Today we are thinking about being a Christian man.In the ESV and NASB the translation of 1 Corinthians 16:13 has ‘Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong’. (ESV)But what does that mean?Dominic Steele put that question to panelists at the recent Men Meeting the challenge conference:Adrian Russell, senior minister of Northmead Anglican Church.Craig Hamilton, senior minister at P...
2024-06-1831 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteelePlans for Your Good: A Prime Minister’s Testimony of God’s Faithfulness - with Akos BaloghAustralia’s former Prime Minister Scott Morrison releases a new autobiography this week where he speaks explicitly about his Christian faith, and there’s a bible quote on almost every page.Akos Balogh of Blue Fox Media joins Dominic Steele to review Mr Morrison’s new book where the former Prime Minister writes of wrestling with whether to study at Vancouver’s Regent College, being helped by listening to sermons by Tim Keller and Rick Warren, being rebuked and encouraged by Christian pastors and friends, wrestles with forgiveness, and God’s goodness during a long struggle over infertility...
2024-04-3023 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleWe have a problem with Truth - with Lionel WindsorWe are moving into a post - post-modern world But what does that look like and mean for truth - and us as pastors - as we attempt to communicate with our churches?Our church members have unconsciously adopted some of the presuppositions of our society in the way we process texts and information.We are living in a fake news world on social media with a parallel loss of confidence in institutions and authorities. Prince Harry says, ‘Whatever the cause, my memory is my memory, it does what it does, gathers and curates as it...
2024-04-1633 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleThings that hinder and sins that entangle - with Dominic SteeleThe Pastor’s Heart - A word to our heart from Dominic SteeleIn a Pastor’s Heart special, Dominic Steele speaks to our hearts today as we engage in the battle of the Christian life. We get a call today to perseverance and resilience. Dominic addresses, not just pastors, but young and old; healthy and unfit; wealthy and poor; busy and quiet; husbands, singles, divorcees and widowers; fertile and infertile, straight or experiencing same sex attraction; or struggling in addictions. Calling out to God:God what are you doing? Why am I stu...
2024-04-0237 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleBEST OF: What if Colin Buchanan was Archbishop? - with Colin BuchananWe catch up with Australian Christian musician for one of our funniest ever episodes, but with a serious message.Colin talks with Dominic Steele about managing life as a public Christian, living with integrity in family, church and while engaging in the secular media.Colin draws on his experience with Play School to share top tips for kids' ministry and shares his insights on planning public Christian events.We delve into Colin’s approach to songwriting and how he balances truth and clarity within simple songs, designed for kids.Plus Colin launches a...
2024-01-0237 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleNow, where and how for Sydney Anglicans - with Raj Gupta and Zac VeronNow, where and how for Sydney Anglicans - with Raj Gupta and Zac VeronThe future of the Anglican Church in Sydney. We engage in a ‘Stockdale Paradox’ discussion, confronting the brutal facts about attendance, finances and National Church Life Survey data about mission, newcomers and maturity. Plus we review the recent Sydney Anglican Synod debate where leader after leader poured out their heart. The gap is widening between the diocese’s declining attendance and Sydney’s growing population.While there are COVID factors, the National Church Life Survey trends are clearly observable...
2023-09-2634 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteelePastoral lessons from North Korea and Somalia - with Dan Oli Shani. A heart for the persecuted pastor - with Dan Oli Shani.One in seven Christians are persecuted globally. That’s 360 million Christians who are denied access to jobs and education, are arrested, attacked, and even killed for following Jesus.Worst effected according to the Open Doors World Watch List are Christians in North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Iran. All that sounds so distant from the comfort of an armchair in Sydney. Open Doors International is deeply engaged with ministry to persecuted Christians. O...
2023-07-1130 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleAFRICA: Highlights, insights, reflections and things I learned - Dominic SteeleIn almost every personal conversation I’ve had since returning from Africa I’ve been asked about my personal reflections on the almost four weeks that Catherine and I spent there. How was Gafcon? What was significant? What stood out? How has Africa impacted you?This episode features conversations with Archbishop Tito Zavala (Chile), Archbishop James Wong (Indian Ocean), Rico Tice (Christianity Explored), Richard Coekin (London), Vaughan Roberts (Oxford), Michael Charles (Anglican Aid http://www.anglicanaid.org.au), Melina Galiboma (Link Officer, Mara Diocese), Bishop Mwita Akiri (Teremi, Tanzania) Gafcon Kigali was a landma...
2023-05-3033 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleWhat now after Canterbury's leadership implosion? - with Archbishop Kanishka RaffelSydney’s Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has responded to Gafcon’s Kigali Commitment which says the Archbishop of Canterbur Justin Welby’s continued leadership of the Anglican Communion is entirely indefensible.Leaders representing 85% of the Anglican Communion say they have no confidence in the Archbishop of Canterbury or the other instruments of the Anglican Communion.In his first interview, since the release of Gafcon’s Kigali Communique, Archbishop Raffel sits down with Dominic Steele while on a tour of Anglican Aid projects in rural Tanzania (see http://www.anglicanaid.org.au). Archbishop Raffel was named new...
2023-04-2923 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleThe Pastor, Church Discipline and the Supreme Court - with Robert Forsyth and Neil FosterJust over a decade ago Bishop Robert Forsyth and I were engaged in a church discipline process that eventually ended up before the NSW Supreme Court. Today we address lessons learned during that difficult season. Robert and I will relive a difficult part of our lives. Associate Professor of Law Neil Foster will bring expert commentary. Can I urge you to be circumspect in discussing this episode. We have been careful in our words. We want to warn against maverick comments on social media. Nothing in this episode should be taken as legal advice. ...
2023-02-2842 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleWhat if Colin Buchanan was Archbishop?Christian kids musician and entertainer Colin Buchanan joins Dominic Steele on The Pastor's Heart, to answer questions submitted over the last few weeks plus a few questions that Colin wrote himself.Plus Colin premieres a new song 'If you have ever made a mess, say yes!'Check Colin's website: https://colinbuchanan.com.au/The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.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/sponsor...
2023-02-0638 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleBEST OF - Reassessing the Christian Faith of one of New South Wales’ first governors - with Peter AdamToday we profile the Christian faith of one of the most significant figures of the early colony of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, and his evangelical wife Elizabeth (yes the one used to sit in Mrs Macquaries Chair just aros from where the Sydney Opera House is). In this ‘Best Of’ episode we discuss John Harris’ book ‘Judging the Macquaries’ - with Peter AdamHarri’s book scrutinises and reassesses the lives of early governor of NSW Lachlan Macquarie and Elizabeth. John Harris paints a more spiritually positive picture of Governor Lachlan Macquarie than had previously...
2023-01-0327 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleBEST OF - Alpha is theologically confused and emotionally powerful - HOLIDAY REPLAYThe Alpha Course is 'emotionally powerful but theologically confused'.“Personally, I wouldn’t be game to use something that I know is inadequate” - Christian Author Tony Payne has watched through the latest Alpha materials.Tony joins Dominic Steele in this BEST OF episode to work through the strengths and weaknesses of the Alpha Course.This conversation is a high level discussion of Alpha, beginning with the heart of the Christian leader and our obligation to build upon strong gospel foundations. Tony acknowledges Alpha's high production values, and powerful emotional content, but says Alp...
2022-12-2730 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteelePart B - 'The day I almost resigned' - Dominic SteeleIt’s a reverse Pastor’s Heart today as Craig Hamilton asks Dominic Steele a series of questions at the Hustle Leadership Conference. How was Dominic, his heart and ministry changed by those ten things that went wrong and mistakes he made in 2010?What does it look like for him to ‘fill up in his flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions’?How did The Pastor’s Heart come about? What is his advice to ‘public Christian leaders’?What has he changed recently that's made a big difference to his ministry? ...
2022-11-2029 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteelePart A - ‘The day I almost resigned’ - Dominic SteeleTen things that went wrong, the mistakes Dominic Steele made, and the day he almost resigned.Dominic Steele has just notched up twenty years as senior pastor of Village Church in Annandale, Sydney. But it hasn’t been consistent plain sailing. In this address at Craig Hamilton’s HUSTLE leadership conference on 2 Timothy 2, Dominic shares about a season when it all went pear shaped, the things that went wrong and the mistakes he made. Next week: Craig Hamilton asks Dominic a series of questions about how that season changed...
2022-11-1347 min
THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCASTClemson’s Makenzie Steele Talks About Running In The NCAA, GoodFoodGoodRun, And Much More!On this week’s episode of the podcast, I have the great privilege of speaking with Makenzie Steele. Makenzie is an accomplished NCAA DI runner who competes for the University of Clemson. Makenzie got a late start in the sport of running, but once she discovered it she never looked back. Makenzie also created the highly successful “goodfoodgoodrun” account. There she has amassed thousands of followers and millions of views. She uses this platform to advocate for sports nutrition and “making eating healthy and fun so you don’t have to”.
In this episode, Makenzie and...
2022-08-2049 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteelePastoral care for the Christian with gender incongruence or attraction to the same sex - with Sam AllberryHow do you best assist a church member who discloses that they are experiencing gender incongruence? How do we show compassion and care with people where you disagree with the choices they might be making? How do we lead others in the church to do the same? What advice do you have about seeking to provide an environment that does not exacerbate a person’s distress. How do we rid our churches of any bullying, ridicule, mistreatment, and abuse of gender non-conforming people. How do...
2022-08-0243 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleThe trans culture wars vs lovingly pastoring gender incongruent church members - with Rob SmithSydney Missionary and Bible College Doctrine Lecturer Rob Smith submits his PhD this week on ‘Identity and Embodiment’ asking ‘How significant is our embodiment to our identity? How significant are our bodies to our gender identity? There’s a new Matt Walsh Daily Wire documentary ‘What is a woman?’ that is causing a stir across the world. We ask Rob ‘What is a woman?’ and for his review of the new Matt Walsh documentary. Plus how do we best care pastorally for the gender incongruent church member. Dominic Steele chairs the Sydney An...
2022-07-0633 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleMINISTRY TIP: The Pastor and Social Media with Dominic SteeleOur regular episode is running 24 hours late as Dominic Steele is in COVID isolation. In place Dominic has a series of hints on how we as pastors can best conduct ourselves on social media. 1. You are not a private Christian you are a leader. Set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, in love, in faith and in purity 1 Timothy 4:122. Shine like stars in a crooked and depraved medium Philippans 2:153. Be aware that unbelievers and believers are lurking/watching your posts and comments. Be wise in the way you act tow...
2022-07-0512 min
Off the LeashInterview #02 Luke Steele | Wild Moors"...not only does [the way the land is managed] not deliver for wildlife, or the environment, or local communities, but it also doesn't even deliver for the grouse shoots themselves." Luke Steele, August 2021Charlie Moores talks with Luke Steele about grouse moors, upland rewilding, and the role peatlands can play in carbon storage. Luke is Executive Director of Wild Moors, the recently renamed organisation that has sprung up from Ban Bloodsports on Yorkshire’s Moors, a group founded in 2014 with the stated aim of ending grouse shooting on Yorkshire’s moors “to free the way for these spaces...
2021-08-0423 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleResponding to Domestic Violence in the Church - with Sandy Grant and Kara HartleySandy Grant and Kara Hartley, who lead the Sydney Anglican Church’s response to domestic violence, are expressing lament and grief at the findings of new national report into intimate partner violence within church communities.The new report into Domestic Violence in the Australian Anglican Church indicates the number of people who are at least occasional Anglican church attenders and are victims of intimate partner violence is the same as or higher than in the wider Australian community. Other key findings include:Evidence that Perpetrators misuse Christian teachings and positional powe...
2021-06-2236 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleThe religious freedom flashpoint - with Freedom for Faith’s Patrick ParkinsonReligious Freedom is being increasingly marginalised in Australia and across the western world.There’s freedom for worship, freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of conscience.Australia’s Morrison government was moving to protect religious freedoms. But all this was put on hold by last year’s pandemic. Freedom for Faith’s Chair Professor Patrick Parkinson talks with Dominic Steele about his hopes for bipartisan legislation.Plus there’s a call for all Christians to be involved in this weekend’s Religious Freedom Weekend.http://ww...
2021-06-0836 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleJudging the Macquaries - Peter AdamIn reconciliation week we turn our attention to Colonial Australia and a new book out from John Harris, ‘Judging the Macquaries’ - with Peter AdamThe Black Lives Matter movement is bringing the characters of powerful people in colonial times into sharp focus, particularly their attitudes and actions towards slavery and indigenous peoples. Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie are among those being scrutinised and reassessed.John Harris paints a more spiritually positive picture of Governor Lachlan Macquarie than had previously been understood. His wife Elizabeth Macquarie was a clear evangelical. Lachlan Macquarie’s Christian faith cau...
2021-06-0128 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleThe heart of Deuteronomy - with David JonesDavid Jones says there are key pastoral reasons for teaching Deuteronomy For more than 50 years David Jones has served in pastoral ministry in Wales, London and the Australian states of Tasmania and Queensland. David has recently retired as the Senior Pastor at Ann Street Presbyterian Church in Brisbane. Before moving to Brisbane in 2014, David was involved in the Vision 100 network in Hobart, Tasmania that has resulted in the establishment of new congregations in the Presbyterian and Christian Reformed denominations. David joins Dominic Steele to share his pastor’s heart, and lessons learne...
2021-04-1327 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHelp or Harm? The Impact of the New Gospel Coalition CampaignWill the new Gospel Coalition help or harm the cause of Christ in Australia? Bill Salier and Akos Balogh from The Gospel Coalition Australia are promoting it. Dominic Steele thinks it will do more harm than good and urged The Gospel Coalition to go back to the drawing board. Here's a summary of reservations from Dominic and a Christian social media marketer: 1 StrategyThis campaign focuses on the question of the historicity of Jesus. While this is a typical apologetic question, it is not one that comes up o...
2021-03-0930 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleDominic Steele on the Ravi Zacharias sexual misconduct, devouring vulnerable women and harsher judgementAs the report into the sexual misconduct of Ravi Zacharias was released I (Dominic) was deep in preparation for teaching on Mark 12:38-40 where Jesus addresses the hypocritical faith leaders who love the external praise, devour vulnerable women and in the end will receive harsher judgement. It is now clear that the world famous Christian Apologist Ravi Zacharias •Engaged in sexual abuse on many occasions, in different places over many years - involving many women•He used those who worked in massage parlours, importing them from overseas and pursued more than massages. •It was predat...
2021-02-1626 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHow to talk about Jesus - with Sam ChanThis 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...
2020-11-2429 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHow to win men to Christ - with David Robertson, Martyn Iles, Tony Payne and Grant BorgWe 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...
2020-11-1032 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleSenior Pastors, Self Promotion, Narcissism and Social Media - with Marshall Ballantine-JonesDid 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...
2020-10-2725 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHow to see members report growth in faith - with Tom Harricks and Roger CunninghamIt sounds so simple. And yet it’s clear from the statistics (National Church Life) that people in some congregations are reporting much growth in faith, while people in others are reporting not much at all.And isn’t it what we all want: For the sheep that God has given us the task of being under shepherds for - to report that they have grown significantly in faith this year?Tom Harricks and Roger Cunningham are two of the ministers featured in a new report for the Anglican Church in Sydney w...
2020-09-2230 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHow overseas mission helps local evangelism with Tim SilbermanIt's a spiritual temperature check as we take the pulse on the relationship between church involvement in local missions and support for overseas missions. Many Churches are under renewed pressure this year, but Sydney Missionary & Bible College lecturer Tim Silberman says his PhD resesarch indicates turning our eyes outwards to global mission actually helps grow local evanglism as well. We discuss the factors that contribute to the evangelistic heartbeat of a local Church, how Church size and denomination impacts their mission involvement and what this means for how we lead our Ch...
2020-09-1433 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHeart, Head or Health? Why aren’t they coming? And how to pastor & challenge! - with Antony BarracloughSome of the recent discussions about the post COVID church attendance drop has focused on the issues of health. But there are also anxiety issues, spiritual heart problems and an element of spiritual war where the devil whispers ‘it’s not safe to go to the place where the word of God is!’We take an informal poll of ministers to find out what’s happening with their ‘return to church,’ plus discussion on whether it’s heart, head or health, and how to have conversations when it’s a problem of the heart. Senior Minister...
2020-09-0729 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleWhere your money is? - with Arya Darmaputra & Kevin HinesThe average Christian gives only 2.5% But the first step in getting our churches finances right is getting our own hearts and finances right. In a raw and real conversation Arya Darmaputra and Kevin Hines from Thesauros Consulting talk to Dominic Steele about the heart of the pastor as it relates to money.How have we been swept along by the currents of the world? How we can take significant steps to getting our own hearts and finances right and then start to lead our churches really well in this area - es...
2020-09-0133 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleSPECIAL: Stem Cells, COVID-19 and the Archbishops - with Chase Kuhn & Megan BestIn a special edition today, we address a key issue :- Should you personally choose to use a COVID-19 vaccine candidate that makes use of a cell line cultured from an electively aborted human fetus?To put it super bluntly: If I get vaccinated for covid-19 am I complicit in an abortion?Our guests - Megan Best is a bioethicist who has promoted a Christian view of medical ethics for over 20 years. Megan is the author of two books on ethics at the beginning of life: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and A L...
2020-08-2631 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleBest practice dual audience church - in person and online - with Karl Faase, Jodie McNeil and Simon HunterHow do we create a dual audience church? How do we do church live and well simultaneously for both those physically in the room audience and at the same time for those linking in via online stream. Dominic Steele has argued we shouldn’t be leading for recovery from COVID, but rather for at least medium term endurance. Today Karl Faase, Simon Hunter and Jodie McNeil join Dominic to discuss what’s technically required to produce church for both mediums at the same time. Jodie McNeil pastors Jamberoo Anglican Church south of Sydn...
2020-08-2538 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleNext Generation leaders on 'The Minister Drought' with Mike Leite and Mark EarngeyAcross the Western world theological college enrolments are down. Today it’s the third part of a conversation about this problem. Specifically we are focusing on the issues of Sydney. We’re exploring the joint issues of not enough people putting themselves forward for ministry and the shortage of senior ministers for Sydney’s Anglican Churches. Moore Theological College Lecturer Mark Earngey and St George North Assistant Minister Mike Leite have been researching for several years the underlying issues that have contributed to the Sydney minister drought. Mike’s responsible for editing the recently rel...
2020-08-1734 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleCalm present leadership as the crisis becomes a marathon - with Robert CreechHow to exercise calm present leadership when there’s disappointment, constant change and pressure from every side?Understanding what’s going on psychologically now with your church, team and you? How to best care for your team? And how to lead now when anxiety levels keep oscillating as the risk from the virus waxes and wanes (and are likely to for the next two years). Plus navigating how to lead when there are so many different views inside and outside the team about which direction you and your church should take.Robert Creech is Di...
2020-08-1133 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleLeading NOT for recovery BUT enduranceAustralian church leaders need to make a philosophical shift in every aspect of our ministry, away from leading for recovery and towards planning to lead for endurance. We need to start using the catchcry, ‘Not Recovery, But endurance, ’ in order to set our people’s expectations right.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.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
2020-08-0518 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic Steele‘Come let us sing’ - 30 years of church music thinking - with Rob SmithRob Smith has been a global leader in evangelical music for three decades. He has a new book out ‘Come, Let us Sing!’ just as singing has been restricted in many churches due to COVID-19.Rob joins us to talk about some of the principles he’s discovered in a lifetime’s work in Evangelical Music, plus how the current pandemic has caused course corrections.We’re asking how do we engage with God and engage with each other best in normal circumstances and in the current pandemic. What part does music play in praising, praying and...
2020-08-0434 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleSolutions for reducing the pornography problem - with Marshall Ballentine JonesAfter three years of researching the pornography problem and what to do about it, Marshall Ballentine Jones has a message of hope. The same stats keep recurring – 70% of males and 20% of females struggle with pornography use. This is true in Christian schools, our churches, and ministry staff. Pornography negatively impacts individuals, their relationships, and society. Males are more likely to initiate sexualised behaviour over social media (called ‘sexting’), while females are more likely to be targets of sexting. If this is news to you - please check out the resistporn.org site, which has the research...
2020-07-2834 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleSPECIAL: John MacArthur and 'Giving to Caesar' - with Lionel Windsor and Adrian RussellThousands of people attended Grace Community Church in Los Angeles today, the evangelical megachurch led by Pastor John MacArthur junior. And the church elders have put out a statement defending their decision, ‘Christ, not Caesar is the head of the church.’Moore Theological College’s New Testament lecturer Dr Lionel Windsor and Northmead Anglican Church’s Senior Pastor Adrian Russell join us to discuss the decision. More online at http://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/caesarThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website...
2020-07-2731 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleRaising up senior ministers - with Phil Colgan and Simon FlindersAcross the Western World there’s a drop in people stepping up for ordination.There’s a critical problem here in Sydney, with more than ten percent of churches without a senior minister.How have we come from ‘oversupply’ just a few years ago to ‘crucial shortage’?And what can we change?A fortnight ago we spoke to former Sydney Dean Phillip Jensen and he rolled a 'hand grenade down the aisle.' Today we talk to two of Sydney’s leading senior ministers Phil Colgan and Simon Flinders about possible...
2020-07-2132 min
Christians Engaging Culture PodcastRob Smith and Dominic Steele - TransgenderismRob Smith joined Dominic Steele The Pastor’s Heart podcast to talk about the recent controversy around Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and her essay about transgenderism. Rob Smith is completing a Ph. D. on transgenderism and provided some really helpful comments from a Christian worldview that will help you engage in conversations with people in your life. We are grateful to Dominic and The Pastor's Heart team for allowing us to republish this episode here. You can find the original episode and subscribe to The Pastor's Heart here.
Sunday 19 July - New CEC Series - 'G...
2020-07-0137 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleAlpha is emotionally powerful but theologically confused - with Tony PayneThe Alpha Course is 'emotionally powerful but theologically confused'.“Personally, I wouldn’t be game to use something that I know is inadequate” - Christian Author Tony Payne has watched through the latest Alpha materials, and joins Dominic Steele to work through the strengths and weaknesses of the course.This conversation is a high level discussion of the Alpha course, beginning with the heart of the Christian leader and our obligation to build upon strong gospel foundations. Tony acknowledges Alpha's high production values, and powerful emotional content, but says Alpha still reflect...
2020-06-2331 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleBest practice Easter preaching during COVID19 with Sam Chan & Mike RaiterThe zeitgeist has changed profoundly in the last month. Our 2020 vision calendar has been ripped up. We can’t predict what will happen next week, or even tomorrow. As we prepare online presentations for Good Friday and Easter Sunday in this tumultuous context, two of Australia’s leading Chistian communicators Mike Raiter and Sam Chan join Dominic Steele to talk about how COVID-19 has changed our task. Mike Raiter is from Melbourne’s Center for Biblical Preaching and Sam Chan is an evangelist with City Bible Forum, Sydney. We discuss the following questions...
2020-04-0529 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHearts open during COVID-19 - with Sydney Archbishop Glenn Davies"Our buildings are shut down, but we can’t shut down our identity of being salt and light and love for the world"Buildings closed. Hearts open with Sydney Archbishop Glenn DaviesSydney Anglicans Archbishop Glenn Davies joins Dominic Steele in a live broadcast to answer questions on how we can lead our churches through the COVID-19 crisis.From midday Monday (23 March) religious gatherings and places of worship have been shut down in Australia, with only a small exception for small weddings and funerals.The restrictions turn church life on its he...
2020-03-2433 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleLeading your church in the COVID-19 crisis - with the pastor, doctor & bishopLeading your church in the corona era with Pastor Eugene Hor, Bishop Gary Koo and Dr Irmgard Pascoe How to give spiritual leadership in a highly anxious season?How to lead from the word of God?What does calm leadership look like?How can we lead when other church leaders around us are making different calls?Why do different contexts lead to different decisions?How to see this season as a blessing from God - that might lead to missional benefits?How to act not in selfishness, but in love and care for our neighbours?Navigating t...
2020-03-1732 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleCourses vs 1:1 Evangelism - Sam Hilton & Tony Wright on what's best for your church?Do you put on attractional events, just to keep evangelism on the agenda? Do you preach the importance of sharing the gospel and not see any action? Is our issue with evangelism fueled by a reliance on introductory courses? Or are courses the only approaches bringing any measurable fruit?This week we speak with leaders in the evangelistic space in Australia: Sam Hilton, Mission Pastor at Hunter Bible Church Newcastle and Tony Wright, the Australian Manager for The Word 1-2-1 at City Bible Forum, whose written a provocative series of articles for the Gospel Coalition...
2020-02-2535 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleAbuse, the Acts29 crisis & Steve Timmis with Mez McConnell and Matthew Spandler Davidson‘Church in Hard places’ co-founders Mez McConnell and Matthew Spandler Davidson are in Sydney to present a key elective on Friday on 'Abuse in the Church' at the Acts29 conference for Australia, New Zealand and Japan.Ahead of the conference they are leading ‘Church in Hardplaces’ bootcamps. Mez and Matthew talk to Dominic Steele about the transitioning of Steve Timmis out of Acts 29 this week, under a cloud of claims of Spiritual Abuse. To purchase Mez's new book, Creaking on the stairs, Finding Faith in God through C...
2020-02-1935 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleGetting evangelicals to work together with new The Gospel Coalition President Julius KimIs it possible for our different churches to be unified, without watering down the Gospel? What is the role of the church in an increasingly individualistic society?Introducing Julius Kim - the new President of The Gospel Coalition. With over 30 million users on their website in 2019, TGC clearly has a key role in speaking into evangelical spheres and representing Christianity to a wider public.Julius is just 10 days into his role - but Dominic doesn't hold back! In this interview, Dominic will bring key questions around the role of TGC and the change...
2020-02-1025 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleWhen someone commits suicide - Dr Karen MasonHow should a leader respond, when a member of a church community takes their own life? And what can leaders do to prevent such tragedies? Dr Karen Mason teaches counselling and psychology at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston. Karen will discuss suicide in the church from the perspective of senior pastors on The Pastor's Heart.Dominic and Karen discuss the right and wrong reactions that pastors and churches make when faced with this situation.They explore the vital role of the pastor in these situations both as a leader and as someone t...
2020-01-2832 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleEvangelicals standing up to the culture over the treatment of our indigenous peoples - with Stuart PigginEvangelicals standing up to the culture over the treatment of our indigenous peoples.As Australia Day gets closer, we evaluate the history of Australian Christianity’s interaction with Indigenous people.From Mary Bennett in the 1930s to William Cooper and more recently Kevin Rudd's apology in 2008, we will discuss the impact of the gospel on interactions between indigenous Australians and Christian mission.Historians Stuart Piggin and Robert Linder have just released a major new book Attending to the National Soul, Evangelical Christians in Australian history 1914-2014.Stuart Piggin joins us...
2020-01-2133 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleAbuse in the marriages of ministry leaders - Jenni WoodhouseTrigger Warning - this post discusses abusive relationshipsThis week on the Pastor’s Heart, we address the complex issue of domestic abuse within the relationships of ministry leaders. While all abuse is wrong, there are added complexities in ministry relationships. Often a ministry job is entwined with a ministry families house, income stream, city and community for a ministry family. With that much at stake, wives can feel a pressure not to raise concerns.The dynamics of these relationships then get worse, leaving friends, family and congregation completely unaware and the victim even...
2020-01-1437 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleThe beauty of 1 Timothy 2 with Simon ManchesterSimon Manchester explains to Dominic Steele how he prepares to teach at a major conference and how to show your congregation the beauty of 1 Timothy 2. Simon’s been lead pastor of one of Sydney’s larger churches, St Thomas’ North Sydney, for thirty years, before standing down last December. He shares stories about when the St Thomas’ congregation didn’t want him, being summonsed to the Archbishop’s office, and making major changes Simon is opening the bible this week for two thousand Christian leaders at the Church Missionary Society Summer School in Katoomba in Syd...
2020-01-0627 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleBEST OF: Teams give better gospel outcomes - Rhett HarrisEV Church's 'Rhett Harris was super provocative at a ministry conference a while back. As Rhett was promoting ministry teams, he was arguing that rostering is contrary to the gospel.' Dominic Steele says "I can't let him get away with these statement and maintain credibility," so I pushed back, and we had a big debate in front of the whole seminar group.'The thesis that Rhett put forward led me to implement a complete restructuring of the ministry practice at our church. I hope that you find it as rev...
2019-12-3029 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleStudy shows big impact of Christian uni ministry on student lives - with Rowan Kemp and Geoff FollandA new study of student wellbeing at Sydney University carried out by McCrindle Research highlights the positive impacts that faith groups are having in the lives of students on campus. Dominic Steele speaks with Rowan Kemp from the Sydney University Evangelical Union and Geoffrey Folland from Power to Change USYD about the impact of the gospel on campus life. McCrindle research has recently found that students who belong to faith groups will rate their experiences in those groups much more highly than their experiences at university generally. Rowan and Geoff share both the fin...
2019-12-0324 minChristians Engaging Culture PodcastPhillip Jensen and Dominic Steele - The Decline of Nominal Christianity in AustraliaPhillip Jensen traces how Australia went from a majority nominally-Christian nation in the 1950s to the non-religious nation it is today. He covers ground from Billy Graham, the advent of TV and the moon landing all the way to the modern world. And he looks at how the liberals, the Pentecostals and the evangelicals responded. If you want to learn from Australian history and understand the culture we’re in, this is an excellent episode for you. Special thanks to Dominic Steele at The Pastors Heart for giving us permission to republish this episode. Make sure you subscribe to th...
2019-11-1739 min
Steele Wars : Star Wars PodcastEp 218 : Dominic Pace - The Mandalorian's Other Bounty HunterCOMPLETELY MANDALORIAN SPOILER FREEDiscover how a chance make up test lead to LA actor and life long Star Wars fan Dominic Pace playing the bounty hunter Gekko on The Mandalorian!Dominic talks about being on set with Carl Weathers, coming face to face with IG-11 & sharing his first day on set with George Lucas.Plus Dom’s late 90’s appearance as a hyped on Star Wars fan on Entertainment Tonight that I actually taped off the television back in Australia! Check out Steele Wars...
2019-11-1258 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleHow to break through the 200 barrier - with Raj GuptaSo many churches are stuck just under the 200 barrier. It seems it's the hardest transition in congregational dynamics to navigate.Senior Minister of Toongabbie Anglican Church, Raj Gupta joins Dominic Steele, to talk through the challenges, mistakes and strategies in managing this transition.Raj says a key issue is 'the locus of relational connectedness' or what structures people look for relationships.He says as leaders, we need to reverse engineer the characteristics of the next level into your church size.To download Raj's thesis, click here. The C...
2019-11-1232 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleEvangelising the post secular who are turning to paganism with Peter JonesHow to evangelise the post secularist, impacted by the growing rise of paganism?Dr Peter Jones, Executive Director of truthXchange, is our guest this week. Since 1989, Jones has addressed “the New Age” and New Spirituality. He’s the author of “Gospel Truth, pagan Lies: Can You Tell the Difference”, “Cracking DaVinci’s Code” and “The God of Sex: How Worldview Determines Sexuality.” After 18 years serving in France, Peter Jones returned to an America which was “charged with new aged spirituality”. He spent the next several years understanding what the culture was saying about faith and...
2019-10-2231 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleLessons from New Zealand's response to theological revisionism - with bishop elect Jay BehanWith Jay Behan set to become the first bishop of the new Anglican Diocese in New Zealand, he sits down with Dominic Steele to spell out how the principles and difficulties behind responding to theological revisionism. Plus the lessons learned in New Zealand and how they might apply in other contexts. Jay Behan will be consecrated and installed as the first bishop the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa/New Zealand this Saturday. Jay says:The principle is clear but how we respond is cloudy.Recalibration/realignment means maintaining relationships is crucial (and th...
2019-10-1429 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleFrom Jakarta. Aussie senior pastors check out Compassion - with Liberty Astuti and Krisna PrasetyoIn a special edition of The Pastor's Heart, from the Indonesian capital Jakarta, Dominic Steele speaks to graduates of the Compassion Australia child sponsorship program Krisna Bagus Prasetyo and Liberty M.D. Astuti.We speak about growing up in extreme poverty, finding a safe community with Compassion and meeting Jesus. These children are from families who are not able to provide three meals each day. Through Compassion, they have been able to attend university. It was particularly exciting speaking with these young adults while meeting hundreds of children who are currently part of Compassion.
2019-10-0831 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleAn Aussie diocese chooses apostasy. How to react? - with Kanishka RaffelThe synod of the Australian diocese of Wangaratta, Victoria has decided to walk a path that stands in opposition to the teaching of the bible, defies the theology of the national church and rejects the agreement of the national bishops council.Kanishka Raffel is Anglican Dean of Sydney and a member of the council of Gafcon Australia. Dean Raffel has told Dominic Steele on The Pastor’s Heart that the decisions by Bishop Parkes' Wangaratta diocese parallel those made by revisionists in the New Westminster diocese in Canada, which precipitated the formation of parallel Anglican exp...
2019-09-0926 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleGary Millar on transformation in the Christian lifeThe Principal of Queensland’s Theological College Gary Millar joins Dominic Steele to talk about transformation in the Christian life, the subject of Sydney’s Moore College’s annual lectures. What is change? Where do we misunderstand it? How do people claim for too much change, and on the other hand, how do we expect too little? Do people change in the Old Testament? New Testament? What are the many ways in which change happens? The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is a website and app platform built specifically for churches. Advertise on Th...
2019-08-2729 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleGlobal lessons in theological education with Mark ThompsonSydney’s Moore Theological College Principal Mark Thompson has just arrived back from a tour of the world’s leading theological colleges, observing best practice and latest trends. Dr Thompson briefed his faculty on his findings yesterday. Today he joins Dominic Steele to talk trends and changes in raising up and training a generation of harvest workers. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.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/sponsor...
2019-07-1631 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleSystems and the nuts & bolts of church organisation with Dave MooreIt's not just the word and prayer (the poetry). it's also the systems and organisation that support them that matter (the plumbing). In one of our most requested topics, David Moore is operations pastor with Hunter Bible Church and Unichurch, Newcastle and joins Dominic Steele this week to talk ministry strategy, systems and hacks: reporting, protocols, communications, finances/investments, tools.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.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...
2019-07-0234 min
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic SteeleLessons from a church planting entrepreneur .. David JonesLessons from seven churches, five of which were plants, with David JonesPresbyterian Church planting enterpreneur David Jones has planted five churches and revitalised two. David, a former moderator of the Australian Presbyterian Church, has just retired as senior pastor of Anne Street Presbyterian in Brisbane. David joins Dominic Steele to share lessons learned over forty years.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.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 the...
2019-06-1829 min