In this deeply honest and courageous conversation, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps Paul Barber shares his personal journey through burnout in ministry - and the road to healing on the other side.

After decades of faithfully serving others, Paul opens up about the hidden toll of carrying people’s pain, the warning signs he didn’t recognise and the moment everything came to a halt. With humility and clarity, he reflects on the importance of boundaries, the danger of “just pushing through” and the critical need for external support.

This episode is both a sobering and hope-filled reminder: you can love God, serve faithfully and still need help. Whether you’re in ministry, leadership or simply navigating the weight of life, this conversation will encourage you to prioritise your health, process your pain and rediscover sustainable ways to care for others - without losing yourself in the process.

On this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Emily Elliott sits down with Ps Andy Kirk, ACC National Kids Director, to unpack one of the most urgent discipleship conversations facing the Church today: how we intentionally disciple children and empower families to build lasting faith.

Drawing from more than two decades of ministry experience, Andy shares why childhood is not a “waiting room” for faith, but one of the most formative seasons for spiritual development. Together, they explore the unique challenges and opportunities of discipling Gen Alpha, why great programs alone are not enough and how churches of every size can move from simply gathering kids to intentionally forming disciples.

This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for senior pastors, campus pastors, kids pastors and church leaders alike - from partnering more effectively with parents, to creating simple rhythms of faith formation in the home, to rethinking how discipleship is modelled across church life.

If you’re passionate about seeing the next generation develop a faith that is personal, resilient and deeply rooted in Christ, this episode will equip and challenge you to think bigger about the Church’s role in shaping families for the future.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, ACC National President Ps Joel Chelliah sits down with Ps Taryn to unpack over 25 years of ministry, leadership and the lessons that truly matter.

From navigating personal challenges and protecting what matters most, to redefining success in leadership, Ps Joel shares wisdom on building healthy families, staying spiritually grounded and leading with longevity. He speaks candidly about the rise of Gen Z, the importance of generational leadership and why the future of the Church depends on empowering sons and daughters - now, not later.

Whether you’re a pastor, leader or simply hungry to grow, this episode will encourage you to stay close to God, guard your heart and lead with a legacy in mind.

In this episode, Ps Nate sits down with Dave Adamson, Director at YouVersion Australia, to explore one of the biggest questions facing the Church today: how do we faithfully disciple people in a digital world?

From social media and messaging apps to AI and the Bible App, Dave brings decades of experience in online ministry to help pastors and leaders cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. Together, they unpack why context is now more important than content, how to avoid overwhelm when choosing platforms, and what it looks like to turn technology from a tool of distraction into a powerful tool for discipleship.

You’ll hear practical strategies for:

• Choosing the right platform for your church (and not trying to do everything)
• Reaching people by answering the questions they’re already asking
• Engaging your community beyond Sunday services
• Navigating screen addiction and modelling healthy rhythms
• Leveraging tools like YouVersion to anchor people in Scripture daily

Plus, powerful real-life stories of how digital touchpoints are leading people back to faith, community, and hope.

If you’ve ever felt unsure, overwhelmed, or even sceptical about technology in ministry - this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and a fresh vision for what’s possible.

In this episode, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps Dan Sheikh - Senior Pastor of Heart for the City Church and Director of Youth Alive WA - to unpack the heart and hustle behind building thriving youth and young adult ministries.

From starting groups with just a handful of teenagers to now leading one of the largest youth and young adult demographics in Perth, Dan shares hard-won lessons on pioneering from scratch, creating synergy between youth and young adults, and why hustle, grace, and longevity matter when discipling Gen Z.

Whether you’re leading a church plant, a mid-sized ministry or a large youth group, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, encouragement, and vision for raising up the next generation in your church.

In this rich and practical conversation, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps. James Murray of Abide Church to talk about discipleship, church culture, and what it means to truly lead people into the way of Jesus. James shares his personal journey from being Sunday-centric to discovering a deeper call to disciple-making, the four key pillars that shape their approach and why prayer and abiding in Christ are non-negotiable. With honest reflections, stories from ministry, and insights on social media, leadership and metrics that really matter, this episode will encourage and equip pastors and leaders to lead with clarity, authenticity and love.

What does it really take to lead through crisis, navigate leadership transitions, and grow a church with intentionality? In this candid conversation, Pastor Fred Porter—Senior Pastor of Kingdom Culture Church in Brisbane—shares his remarkable journey from youth pastor to senior leader, including navigating moral failure in the early days of the church plant, stepping into leadership after his father, and seeing the church grow from 250 to 750+ in just a few years.

Fred opens up about the spiritual weight of leadership, the importance of honoring the past while boldly leading into the future, and why clarity, systems, and the right team are vital for healthy growth. With practical insights on staffing, structures, discipleship, and spiritual resilience, this episode is packed with encouragement and challenge for pastors and leaders at every stage.

What exactly is professional supervision - and why does it matter for pastors and leaders today? In this episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps Paul Sanders, former pastor of 30 years and now staff chaplain with Mission Australia, to unpack the role of supervision in ministry life.

Paul shares candidly about his own journey from senior pastor to chaplain, why supervision is more than just “mentoring,” and how reflective practice helps leaders avoid burnout, grow in self-awareness and serve with integrity. They also explore the difference between pastoral work and chaplaincy, how supervision connects soul, role and context, and why a secure identity in Christ is vital for navigating seasons of transition in ministry.

Whether you’re curious about professional supervision, considering it for your own leadership or simply wanting to lead with greater longevity and health, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

Ministry 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.

Whether you’re feeling weary, on the edge of burnout or just wanting to lead from a healthier place, this episode is full of life-giving encouragement and strategies for sustainable leadership.

In 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 to discipling young people in an age of endless Google searches, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and practical insights for anyone seeking to grow - both personally and professionally - in their calling.