Ministry Forum Podcast

Clergy Reflecting on the Sanctuary Mental Health Course

In this final episode of our three-part mental health series, we hear from Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock and Rev. Paul Kang, two ministry leaders who brought the course into their own communities. They share honest reflections on what surprised them, what stretched them, and how the course helped create spaces of safety, belonging, and deeper compassion. Their stories highlight the real work of integrating mental health, faith, and community life — and how learning together can quietly reshape a congregation’s posture toward care.

Sanctuary Mental Health CEO, Daniel Whitehead

What does it look like for the church to become a genuinely safe place for people struggling with their mental health? In our conversation with Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, we explore how burnout, vulnerability, theology, and ordinary life all intersect. Daniel shares openly about his own journey through pastoral exhaustion, the messy realities of leadership, and why the church’s role is more than crisis response — it’s belonging, community, and hope. He offers a grounded, thoughtful vision for how congregations can walk with people in ways that are faithful, practical, and deeply human.

The Importance of Mental Health In The Church with Hope Made Strong Creator Laura Howe

Why do so many leaders feel stretched thin even when they love the work? Laura Howe, founder of Hope Made Strong, helps untangle that question with a blend of honesty and practical insight. She shares her own story of compassion fatigue, the gap she noticed between community care and church culture, and how that tension sparked a global movement toward healthier ministry. Laura offers a grounded vision for sustainable care—one rooted in belonging, clarity, and the simple practices that help people stay well while they serve.

Leisure, Sabbath, and the Work of Being Human:A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden

What if leisure isn’t the opposite of work, but the pathway to becoming fully alive?
In our conversation with Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden, we explore how ancient ideas of leisure, Sabbath, and early Christian practice can reshape the way congregations imagine ministry today. Jeff traces leisure from Greek philosophy to the first-century church, where meals, storytelling, healing, and shared responsibility created communities marked by dignity and joy. He also shares practical examples from his work in London, where rethinking leisure sparked new life in a closing congregation. It’s a hopeful, imaginative invitation to rediscover what truly helps people flourish.

Social Media: A Window into your Church with Florence Sevensma

How can churches use social media as a genuine extension of ministry?
In this webinar episode, Florence Sevensma helps unpack why digital presence matters for congregations of every size. She explores how people now “visit” online long before showing up in person, how small, consistent rhythms build trust, and why storytelling (not perfection) is what creates connection. Florence also shares practical, sustainable steps for capturing content, involving volunteers, and protecting both tone and mission. It’s an encouraging, accessible guide for ministry leaders who want to reach people scrolling for hope, belonging, and a place to land.

Season of Renewal Initiative in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto with Judy Paulsen

How does a whole diocese lean into spiritual renewal without getting lost in programs or pressure? Judy Paulsen walks us through the Diocese of Toronto’s two-year Season of Spiritual Renewal and the surprising things that grew when congregations focused on prayer, Scripture, and simple, steady practices. Judy shares stories of communities rediscovering connection, courage, and a shared sense of purpose. It’s renewal that looks less like a campaign and more like a quiet turning of the soil—slow, honest, and deeply hopeful.

She Believed author, Taylor Scott-Reimer

In our conversation with Taylor Scott-Reimer, Scripture springs to life through the stories of women who faced impossible choices and still chose courage. Taylor reflects on what she’s learned from writing She Believed, why certain interpretations have done harm, and how reclaiming overlooked voices can steady our own faith today. Rahab, Tamar, the daughters of Zelophehad—each becomes a doorway into questions of power, belonging, and hope. It’s a thoughtful exploration of how ancient stories can reshape our own.

Prayer Walking with Randell Neudorf Creative Ways 2025 Recast

What happens when prayer gets messy, playful, and deeply local? In our Creative Ways recast with Randell Neudorf, listeners are invited to imagine prayer that moves—through streets, stories, and surprising moments of neighbourhood grace. Randell shares how graffiti walls, prayer walks, and small creative experiments help people pay attention to God’s presence right where they live. It’s practical, hopeful, and wonderfully down-to-earth, offering ministry leaders a way to explore prayer that grows out of curiosity rather than pressure.

After Jesus Before Christianity Author, Dr. Erin Vearncombe

In our conversation with Dr. Erin Vearncombe, the world of early Jesus movements opens up in fresh and surprising ways. Erin talks about how communities in the first century used writing—not as polished theology, but as creative, communal meaning-making. She also reflects on co-authoring After Jesus, Before Christianity and why the earliest Jesus groups looked far more diverse, experimental, and ordinary than many of us imagine. Along the way, she explores grief, identity, trauma, and how the Gospel of Mark may function as a memorial for a community navigating profound loss. It’s curious, grounded, and full of gentle insight.

Season 5: What’s Coming Up on the Ministry Forum Podcast

Season five is almost here, and the Ministry Forum Podcast is gearing up for a lineup we’re genuinely excited about. If you’ve been with us for a while, welcome back—and if you're new, you’ve picked a pretty great moment to jump in.
We’re kicking things off with a conversation with Dr. Erin Vernicum, co-editor of After Jesus, Before Christianity. It’s one of those interviews that could have gone on for hours—thought-provoking, surprising, and just plain fun to explore.
We’re also bringing back a few Creative Ways Conference sessions you might have missed. Think of these as recasts with a purpose: not everyone can manage a full conference day, so here’s the chance to listen in on the good stuff while you’re on the go.
And then we’re diving into a three-part mini-series on mental health and ministry. You’ll hear from Laura Howe of Hope Made Strong, Daniel Whitehead of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, and a couple of ministry leaders who’ve been using Sanctuary’s resources on the ground in their own congregations. Their honesty and insight make for rich, timely conversations.