The Changes Ahead Podcast

Why aren’t more Christians concerned about the climate crisis? In this episode, Sarah invites us into a values driven approach to doing what we can and why it is so important for the church to be engaging in the response to what is happening to God’s world.

For people who find belonging in faith communities easy, how much do we pause to understand the experience of those who don’t. In this episode, we have the chance to hear from someone who is finding, after being in church spaces for most of his life, that experiencing true belonging was like being able to breathe for the first time.

After joining us for a sound bit at the 2025 Baptist Hui, Josh returns to share more of his reflections, laments and hopes. Shaped by the call to the margins of society, Josh challenges the church to take justice more seriously, at home and overseas.

What happens when someone starts asking questions and rethinking faith? In this episode, we hear some of Lily’s story as she shares how her evolving view of faith and the Bible is radically changing her impression of church, and as she wonders if too much comfort in church might be a bad thing.

Hear Debbie's story of the way her heart gets her into trouble, how her leadership prioritises the vulnerable and how seriously she takes Jesus’ command to care for the marginalised.

Cathy and Steven ventured out to the annual Baptist Hui last year, and asked the question “What do you wish for the church?” In this first episode of season 5, they reflect on the answers people shared. Thanks to all who came and chatted with us!

What does it feel like to experience religious trauma? Why is it so hard to put the experience into words? What do we need to be aware of in the church when it comes to how people experience our spaces, our teachings, our behaviour? In this episode, Anna brings some reflections from her own journey, and recent research into the phenomenon of religious trauma. A challenging but important conversation for us to wrestle with in the church.

In this episode, we hear from Hanna Massad, once a Baptist pastor in Gaza, who shares with raw honesty the agony of the unfolding situation in Palestine. Yet his voice is not one of bitterness, but of humility, mercy, and a deep longing for justice. Hanna invites us to see beyond headlines into the human and spiritual reality of life in Gaza, and to consider what it means to hold onto grace in the face of unimaginable suffering.

We talk a lot about change in this podcast series, and it seems that where change is imminent, often anxiety presents itself – both personally and institutionally. Becky expertly guides us through this dynamic, giving us some helpful re-framing and offering grace as we seek the best for our church communities.

In this episode, we talk with the husband of a Baptist pastor who isn’t afraid to challenge expectations. He shares honest reflections on navigating faith, identity, and community in a role often overlooked. Nigel pushes against cultural, gender, and church norms, inviting us to rethink leadership, partnership, and belonging in the life of the church today.