Best TGCA Podcasts (2025)

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Gospel Ministry: Effective Evangelism 18:12

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2M ago18:12

18:12

This is part two of our series looking at The Gospel Coalition Australia foundation documents - particularly when we ask ourselves the question: what is gospel ministry in Australia? In this episode we consider the importance of effective evangelism in our ministry. We hear from past guests on this topic, including: Richard Chin (episode 40) David …

1
Film Making and the Gospel of Jesus, Josh Allan on Commending Jesus when making a movie 20:01

2M ago20:01

20:01

Josh Allan joins us in the episode of Commending and Contending to talk about film making, and especially a project he's working on right now. We talk about the collaborative nature of the work of making a movie and how artists can balance the art and the message of a movie. You can find out more about Josh's project at: faithdoubtfilm.com.au…

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The Gospel and Retirement: how one TGCA Council member is using his retirement to serve 21:20

3M ago21:20

21:20

We are joined in this episode by Murray Lean, a long serving TGCA Council member, who is also active in his local TGCA Network in South East Queensland. Murray shares with us how he has sought to serve the people of God in his retirement. We also tap into Murray's wisdom and experience to hear about some places he has ministered and his thoughts on…

1
How Churches Serve and Reach Everyday People, with Andrew Beddoe 20:14

3M ago20:14

20:14

When we compare the demographic of the local area with who is with us at church, we might discover that Everyday People are under represented amongst God's people. Andrew Beddoe, who works at the Vocational Bible College, joins us for thsi chat about why it might be that we see the discrepancy and how we might respond to it. Vocational Bible Colleg…

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Christian Education in Schools: the Canberra experience of sharing Jesus in public schools 16:54

3M ago16:54

16:54

In this episode we are joined by Jess Fields who works for the main Religious Education provider in the city of Canberra. Jess shares the joys and challenges of bringing the good news of Jesus to students in ACT public schools.By The Gospel Coalition

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Mission and Melody, Joseph Hewitt joins me to talk about resources on the website 17:46

4M ago17:46

17:46

The Gospel Coalition Australia Website has plenty of great articles, but it has other resources too. Joseph Hewitt serves as the Reviews Editor for TGCA and brings to our conversation a recent book review by Mikey Lynch. I have an episode of one of our new podcasts, TGCA Music, to talk about. A Chronicle of Melbourne Revivalism seeking principles f…

1
The work of the Holy Spirit and my own agency, with Candice Bergamin 22:35

4M ago22:35

22:35

You've probably wondered about how God's Holy Spirit at work in you fits together with how much you are doing, you own agency, as you grow and change. We rest in Jesus' promise that the Spirit is present and active to cause us to grow and bear fruit, and yet we also know that we are to work out our own salvation. How should we think about all of th…

1
What Peter's first letter teaches us about commending Jesus, with David Shaw 21:45

5M ago21:45

21:45

It's kind of obvious to say, but the apostles had a pretty good handle on what it takes for disciples to commend the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. David Shaw joins us in this episode to focus our attention on Peter's first letter and the themes we find there. Peter's teaching is wonderfully helpful in shaping how we understand who we are, and wh…

1
Reading the Old Testament with confidence, with Gary Millar 22:37

5M ago22:37

22:37

When we open our Bibles to read them for ourselves, we can can feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to make sense of the Old Testament. Gary Millar returns in this episode to help us grow in confidence, to read and explore all that God has for us in his word. Find out more about the Online Workshop on Preaching Prep Take a look at the TGC commentar…

1
Survey Results: The Future of the Gospel in Australia 21:33

6M ago21:33

21:33

In this episode we are joined by Tamara Robson, who worked through all the responses from the recent survey TGCA conducted in connection with the Leader's Mini-Summit. The goal of this smaller summit was to gather leaders from like-minded ministries all across the eco-system and from all over Australia. We were gathering to consider how we might co…

1
Gospel Ministry means Weekly Gatherings 15:51

6M ago15:51

15:51

The Gospel Coalition Australia has written a Theological Vision for Ministry. Part 5 of this Foundation Document asks the question: What is Gospel-Centred Ministry in Australia? The very first answer is: Weekly Gatherings of God's People. For most Christians this means a Sunday Church service - but why do we believe this is so important? What is ou…

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Introducing our first TGCA Online Workshop, with Sarah Kuswadi 12:30

7M ago12:30

12:30

We are joined this episode by the Chief Operating Office of TGCA, Sarah Kuswadi, who chats with us about her own experience of joining online training offered by the U.S. TGC. We also talk about the very first TGCA Online Workship, all about preparation for preaching. Online Workshop: Preaching Prep Support the work of TGCA…

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Politics and the Gospel, with Dan Anderson 24:09

7M ago24:09

24:09

Dan Anderson, from the Lachlan Macquarie Institute, joins us on this episode to wade into the complex waters of our shared political life. How might the good news of Jesus enable us to engage with other Christians who have a different view on politics to us? And how could Christians be involved in politics in a way that commends the gospel? Find ou…

1
Local Church Ministry Over The Long Haul 19:15

8M ago19:15

19:15

God saves people into local churches, where we shape one another, especially over the long haul, through the ups and downs of life. Rick Maude has been doing exactly this in the one spot for many years. Rick chats with us about the challenges of recruiting people, and the joys of centering the gospel in relationships and ministry.…

1
Gifted for Admin, with Sam Jensen 17:52

8M ago17:52

17:52

Comms? Socials? Ops? what are these things and how do they happen in churches. In the background of every ministry there are administration actions that keep them going. Communications: getting the word out. Social media: reaching people where they are. Operations: making sure the logistics all work and don't get in the way. Sam Jensen, founder of …

1
Something Old; Something New, with website editor Mikey Lynch 20:19

9M ago20:19

20:19

We're joined by TGCA website editor Mikey Lynch, who brings a couple of new pieces from our website, while I pull out something old, but still very much worth reading. There's so many excellent articles at the website to explore. You can subscribe to our email to update on new articles and follow us on social platforms to get the 'throwback Thursda…

1
Church Leadership That Commends The Gospel, with Murray Capill 22:56

9M ago22:56

22:56

Award-winning author, and TGCA Council Member, Murray Capill returns to the podcast to talk about his recent book about gospel clarity and church leadership. How does a church leadership team commend and contend for the gospel of Jesus, and not just manage finances and repairs? Murray calls church leadership teams to give proper attention to a gosp…

1
Pastoral Care that commends the gospel, with Sarah Condie 24:25

10M ago24:25

24:25

One key part of the ministry we share as the body of Christ is the pastoral care we extend one another. In this episode we are joined by Sarah Condie to talk about how our pastoral care might commend the good news of Jesus.By The Gospel Coalition

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How are our Bible Colleges going? David Starling reflects on two decades in Theological Education 25:16

10M ago25:16

25:16

Council Member, David Starling has served for two decades in Theological Education. He is well placed to reflect on the changes over time and current state of play. How are our Bible Colleges going?By The Gospel Coalition

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Being Anxious, For Nothing: Nicky Chiswell on bringing our real self to God's real self 27:00

10M ago27:00

27:00

Anxiety is a real and very common experience for many Christians. How do we understand our anxious feeling and where is God in that distress. Nicky Chiswell helps us take a look at what anxiety is and how our faith in God interacts with our experience. We talk about how to remind ourselves of God's loving presence and also consider how to care for …

1
What did we learn from the MEET JESUS campaign? with Richard Chin 20:26

1y ago20:26

20:26

In our last episode for 2024, we are joined by Council member and AFES Director, Richard Chin, to hear his reflections on the Meet Jesus project which spread across university campuses and local churches all over Australia. Richard shares many encouraging stories and talks about how raising the spiritual temperature of our our outward-looking praye…

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Treasures From the Cutting Room Floor: Kara, Tim and Naomi 16:37

1y ago16:37

16:37

We're almost at the end of the year and the end of Season Two of Commending and Contending. For this episode I went back through clips that ended up not being included in the episodes they were recorded for. Whether it was an extra bit of the conversation, or part of the chat we had to prepare, there is so much more encouragement in my conversation…

1
Mining Town Ministry; Glen McDonald And The Opportunities in Roxby Downs 16:52

1y ago16:52

16:52

Come with me, in this episode to the isolated town of Roxby Downs in northern South Australia. We'll get to hear from local pastor, Glen McDonald about the unique features of this mining town and how the local church looks for ways to connect people to the saving work of Jesus. There may be a surprise in how this regional town is learning from the …

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My Two Cents Worth On the Frilled Lizard and the Future of TGCA 14:00

1y ago14:00

14:00

Over the past month the team at TGCA have been praying for one hundred new supporters who commit to giving one hundred dollars a month, to sustain the valuable work which has grown over the past decade. Join me, your host Jonathan Holt, as I dive into a recent article by Council Chair, Rory Shiner and a much older, and every early article which tel…

1
The Ministry of Cheering-On, with Amy Stopher 16:01

1+ y ago16:01

16:01

It's a good thing when we are commending and contending for Jesus ourselves, but there is an important ministry of cheering-on others who do this around us. Amy Stopher is our guest on this episode and she shared some of the way she takes us this ministry of cheering on and also tells us who is her cheer squad.…

1
Pilgrims On A Journey: Commending Christ in the Arts 16:53

1+ y ago16:53

16:53

Christina and Peirce Baehr (and their little baby) join us this episode to talk about Pilgrim Hill, which is both a hostel for travellers, and place for Christians in the arts to work and meet and create. Christina and Peirce something of their own journey and how they see the gospel of Jesus commended in the space they have created to host backpac…

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EPIC Bible Reading, with a link to the Meet Jesus project 17:48

1+ y ago17:48

17:48

In this episode Simon Camilleri joins us to talk about epicly big Bible readings, where a whole book of the Bible is read in one sitting. Simon explains why this can help our understanding and how he plans to do this in connection with the Meet Jesus project. Find our details about the plans for the epic reading of John's gospel. Kid's Guide Books …

1
Some Encouragement from the Meet Jesus Mission, And More 14:45

1+ y ago14:45

14:45

In this episode we will take some encouragement from a recent article at the TGCA website about the progress on the Meet Jesus mission. We will also dip back into one of the Bible talks from the 2022 National Conference, Gospel Fueled Holiness.By The Gospel Coalition

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How the Seasons Shape Ministry, in Australia's Top End, with Naomi Ireland 17:23

1+ y ago17:23

17:23

Living and working in the Northern Territory has given Naomi Ireland a deep understanding of the impact of the changing seasons on the people of Australia's Top End. The result of this is an awareness of how to shape ministry to respond and move with the changing seasons.By The Gospel Coalition

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Connecting Beyond Your Church for the Sake of the Kingdom, with Tim Thorburn 19:42

1+ y ago19:42

19:42

Hear from Tim Thorburn about the profound difference that connection beyond the local church made to the wider gospel-ecosystem in Perth. What will only happen if we do it together, across like-minded churches? Tim shares from his experience in the emergence of the Perth Gospel Partnership (or PGP).By The Gospel Coalition

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Mid-Season Recap and Reflection (with something new from one guest) 14:59

1+ y ago14:59

14:59

We're just on halfway through season two and it's time to pause and consider where we've come. This episode includes some flashbacks to guests we've met in the first half of this year, plus some of the interview with Helen that didn't fit in her original episode.By The Gospel Coalition

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Growing Character in Future Leaders 10:34

1+ y ago10:34

10:34

This is part two of our conversation with Clare and James from MTS. We talk more about how important it is to work on character with emerging leaders.By The Gospel Coalition

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The Whole Church Raising Up Apprentice Pastors 14:59

1+ y ago14:59

14:59

Clare and James, who are both from the Ministry Training Strategy organisation chat with us about how our whole church is part of God's work of raising up pastors and leaders for his people.By The Gospel Coalition

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Loving Admin Hannah Vella on Valuing Safe Ministry 13:50

1+ y ago13:50

13:50

Administration, in our churches, is an amazing space to show love. This is true especially in the area of Safe Ministry Compliance. As we adjust to a world where Safe Ministry admin is always a part of our service, how do we make sure we are loving, and remembering the reason why this matters. Hannah recommended two articles: Strategically Doing Le…

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Being equipped by equipping others, with Jesse Morrison 18:09

1+ y ago18:09

18:09

Being ready to contribute in church community is a significant part of how we can grow in our own faith. In this episode we talk with Jesse Morrison about how that's working at the church he is part of.By The Gospel Coalition

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Women and men, contending side by side, with Kara Hartley 17:38

1+ y ago17:38

17:38

Kara shares with us some of the encouragements and also the dangers as we seek to contend together in our churches, where women and men serve together in the cause of the gospel. Kara also speaks to those who've lost confidence in how they could meet and read the Bible with another person.By The Gospel Coalition

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Never Too Old, Rod Bayley and the Call to Plant Churches 15:54

1+ y ago15:54

15:54

Rod Bayley has a story to share about how he came to offer to lead the church plant coming from the church where he was senior pastor. Rod also gives us a window into the Illawarra Network of The Gospel Coalition Australia. As a 'network of networks', The Gospel Coalition Australia encourages local leaders to support one another in our calling to c…

1
Getting ready to have conversations about Jesus, with Helen Bell 16:49

2y ago16:49

16:49

We chat this episode with Helen Bell about how to be better prepared for conversations about Jesus. How do we help them come up and how can we be prepared to say something that will spark interest and more conversation? Also, Helen explains how Taylor Swift is getting us ready for heaven.By The Gospel Coalition

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Cultivating Curiosity, with Archie Poulos 17:08

2y ago17:08

17:08

Archie shares with us the power of taking a stance of curiosity when we engage with books and writers outside our Christian circle. He invites us to consider how we might learn from the wisdom that God has scattered generously amongst all people. Archie recommends some interesting books, which challenged him to think about how we might be ready to …

1
Our Extraordinary God, at work in us ordinary people 15:03

2y ago15:03

15:03

We're back for Season 2, joined in this first episode by Anne Eckermann, who share the story of Grace Conference, run for women in Adelaide. She takes us into the remarkable story of how God's extraordinary provision has helped ordinary disciples run this significant event. Anne Eckermann lives and works in Adeliade, with her family. She has a pass…

1
Season One Wrapped 15:06

2y ago15:06

15:06

We made it! All twenty episodes of Season One are done and dusted. We are grateful for all the guests who made time to join us on the podcast. And thanks also to all of you who’ve listened and shared (we’ve even been featured in a local church’s newsletter). Sometimes our guests had more to say than we could fit in the episode, so we’ve saved those…

1
The Sweet Joy of Hospitality 15:08

2y ago15:08

15:08

Bec lives and works in Perth, where she is busy in her church, home and work. But she made time to join us on this episode to share about the wonder and impact of hospitality. When we offer one another the welcome that God gives us in Jesus Christ, powerful things can happen. Bec has been intentional about this at the playgroup she coordinates. You…

1
Paul Harrington: Staying at the Same Church Long-Term 16:07

2y ago16:07

16:07

Council member, Paul Harrington, joins us to talk about his long association with Holy Trinity Church in Adelaide. Paul first arrived as a new believer, and has stayed. It’s been decades of seeing God at work and being shaped by the faithful, gospel-hearted people around him. What’s it like to stay put, and be in the same church over many years? Wh…

1
Chaplaincy to Paramedics 17:48

2y ago17:48

17:48

Heather Millard volunteers in a multi-faith Chaplaincy program, serving paramedics and those impacted by serious incidents. She speaks about how she prepares and leaves such moments of trauma and stress. Heather reflects on how all of us have moments when our behaviour might commend the gospel of Jesus and how we might trust God to do the longer wo…

1
Dominic Steele: Compassion in the Call to Holiness 16:40

2+ y ago16:40

16:40

Dominic Steele, pastor of Village Church Annandale, Sydney, and host of The Pastor’s Heart podcast joins us to talk about how we might show compassion to people we know and love, whose experience of same-sex attraction influences how they hear the call to live holy lives, in obedience to Jesus. How we speak from the front of our church services, in…

1
At Church and Out on Safari 15:24

2+ y ago15:24

15:24

By The Gospel Coalition

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Gary Millar: Leaders must contend for the gospel in their own heart 19:04

2+ y ago19:04

19:04

Council member, Gary Millar shares how important it is for Christian leaders to contend for the gospel in their own hearts, whether in in times of disappointment or during times of success.By The Gospel Coalition

1
Jo Gibbs Chats with Us About Commending the Gospel in Church Teams 18:03

2+ y ago18:03

18:03

Jo Gibbs from Reach Australia shares her passion for teams in churches, as a place for disciple-making. Hear about how both relationships and results can be on our radar when we serve alongside others. Jo recommended a couple of articles: https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/book-review/attempting-theological-triage/ and https://au.thegospelcoalition.…

1
Mikey Lynch Talks About Contending for the Gospel in Written Form 18:50

2+ y ago18:50

18:50

TGCA website editor, Mikey Lynch talks with us about contending for the faith through the written word, writing well and what it's like to write for the website. Mikey recommended this article: https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dear-penelope-or-on-children-and-hope/By The Gospel Coalition

1
Living for Jesus with a Medical Diagnosis 18:22

2+ y ago18:22

18:22

Website writer, Jeanette Chin talks with us about commending the good news of Jesus in the midst of a challenging medical diagnosis.By The Gospel Coalition