How might our church best relate to other organisations (churches, denominations and parachurches) who are also engaged in the grand cause of reaching the world for Christ? What is the difference between a church and parachurch and how might they best interact?  Are para-churches really just crypto-churches? And would we be better off calling them what they really are?   Or do we need to change our patterns of governance and membership to make room for a broader and more diffuse idea of church?  There are a whole lot of complexities and difficulties wrapped up with how we fu ..read more

How do we work together in complementarian ministry as we lead small group bible studies/growth groups/community groups?  Small groups are the heart beats of our churches, where we wrestle together on how God might have us live.   Most groups have a male and female leadership paired together in leadership. But how do those two people work together? Do we see their roles as identical/mirror images of the other.  Or are the roles different?  Kara Hartley is Archdeacon for Women’s ministry in the Sydney Anglican Church.  Tony Payne is chair of Matthias Media, serves on ..read more

Just 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.  - Dominic Steele, Minister ..read more

Just 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.  - Dominic Steele, Minister ..read more

12 Primates of the Global South Provinces have issued a statement saying ‘The Church of England has departed from the historic faith, passed down from the Apostles.’ The Primates - who are all national leaders within the denomination - say that the Church of England has disqualified herself from leading the Anglican Communion. The Church of England media release says the General Synod of the Church of England has cleared the way for the blessings of couples following same sex civil marriages in church. The Global South Primates say the Church of England has chosen to break communion with thos ..read more

The Anglican Communion is in crisis this week, after a decision by the Church of England General Synod.  The Church of England official media release says “The Church of England’s General Synod has welcomed proposals which would enable same-sex couples to come to church after a civil marriage or civil partnership to give thanks, dedicate their relationship to God and receive God’s blessing.” The House of Bishops took a proposal to bless same sex marriages in church to the English general synod last week, in an initiative  led by the Bishop of London, the Bishop of York and the Archb ..read more

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 premiers a new song 'If you have ever made a mess, say yes!' Check Colin's website:  https://colinbuchanan.com.au/ *** As The Pastor’s Heart grows in audience our opportunities and responsibility grow as well.  We want to get better and that takes more resources.  We are asking listeners to partner with us to help fund our production, editorial, distribution and promoti ..read more

Archie Poulos has given us a list of books that he’s read in the last 12 months that have stimulated him to think about different ministry areas.  Archie’s recommendations include:  Explore by the Book. 90 days guided Bible reading. The Coming of the Holy Spirit, Phillip Jensen The Moon is Always Round, Johnny Gibson  Biblical Critical Theory, Chris Watkin The Tower and the Square, Niall Ferguson.  Mere Sexuality, Tod Wilson   The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl Trueman The Congregation in a secular age, Andrew Root  Embracing Complementarianism, Graha ..read more

Most of us evangelical pastors, theological colleges, indeed the whole of evangelicalism - we have a blind spot when it comes to Roman Catholicism in our theology, missiology and practice.  Where do we as Evangelicals make mistakes in our engagement with the Roman Catholic world?  What can we change?  What should we change? How do we best see our Roman Catholic friends come to a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ?  Leonardo De Chirico has been at the forefront of theological education of evangelicals in this space internationally for over a decade.  Leon ..read more

Most of us evangelical pastors, theological colleges, indeed the whole of evangelicalism - we have a blind spot when it comes to Roman Catholicism in our theology, missiology and practice.  Where do we as Evangelicals make mistakes in our engagement with the Roman Catholic world?  What can we change?  What should we change? How do we best see our Roman Catholic friends come to a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ?  Leonardo De Chirico has been at the forefront of theological education of evangelicals in this space internationally for over a decade.  Leonard ..read more