The Acts 29 Canada Podcast

Church planting for Canada

Theological clarity, cultural engagement, and missional innovation for churches across our nation.

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Latest episode · 37:27

Preparing for Church Planting

Clay Bitner describes preparing to plant Grace Edmonton. The conversation covers leadership development, family, prayer, and the relationships a planter should invest in while preparing to plant.

Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/4bKhF7L)

Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)

Episode details

53 episodes · 5 seasons

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Showing all 53 episodes

Season 4, Episode 12 · June 29, 2024Preparing for Church PlantingClay Bitner describes preparing to plant Grace Edmonton. The conversation covers leadership development, family, prayer, and the relationships a planter should invest in while preparing to plant. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/4bKhF7L) Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)37:27

Season 4, Episode 11 · June 22, 2024Planting is WarfareClay, Dwight, and Jordan talk about spiritual warfare in church planting, lessons from Acts 29 Next, and why planters need prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/4bKhF7L) Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)36:09

Season 4, Episode 10 · June 15, 2024Contextualizing the GospelClay, Dwight, and Jordan discuss contextualization: understanding a neighbourhood well enough to communicate the gospel faithfully within its culture. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/4bKhF7L) Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)36:39

Season 4, Episode 9 · May 23, 2024Mission, Values, & StrategyDwight, Jordan, and Clay work through the relationship between a church's mission, its stated values, and the strategy it actually follows. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/4bKhF7L) Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)35:53

Season 4, Episode 8 · March 5, 2024Drives and BurdensJordan and Dwight discuss apostolic and prophetic leaders, the burdens that drive them, and their place in church planting. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/4buBP5A) Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)37:41

Season 4, Episode 7 · February 6, 2024Church Planting TeamsJordan and Clay discuss how to build a church-planting team, including the people and roles needed around a planter. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/4buBP5A) Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)43:40

Season 4, Episode 6 · January 30, 2024What's next for Acts 29 Canada?Dwight, Jordan, and Clay preview Acts 29 Canada events and initiatives planned for 2024. Acts 29 Canada newsletter (https://acts29canada.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=516e0b21cf5ecd06128c1bbfc&id=0b345b165c&e=f7f6604d84&c=42613f67fb) Sponsor: Digital Indoorsmen (https://digitalindoorsmen.com)29:16

Season 4, Episode 5 · January 9, 2024A Planter's Character and HealthDwight and Jordan discuss the Christlike character church planters need and the habits that help them remain healthy in ministry.37:31

Season 4, Episode 4 · January 2, 2024Church Plant GiftingsDwight, Jordan, and Clay discuss the gifts and qualities of a church planter who is ready to be sent.36:03

Season 4, Episode 3 · October 24, 2023Biblical Patterns for PlantingDwight, Jordan, and Clay trace patterns for church planting in Scripture and identify the convictions they believe planters cannot negotiate.36:08

Season 4, Episode 2 · October 11, 2023Mistakes Church Planters MakeDwight Bernier shares church-planting mistakes that others can learn from before repeating them. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/3LEjRm5)33:03

Season 1, Episode 4 · September 29, 2023Church Planting VS Church StartingJordan, Dwight, and Clay distinguish church planting from simply starting a church, and ask how that definition shapes who a planter is trying to reach. Church Plantology, by Peyton Jones (https://amzn.to/3LEjRm5)39:42

Season 3, Episode 9 · August 31, 2023Church Planting RequirementsThis conversation sets out the requirements church planters must bring to the work and the areas they need to keep developing. Primed to Plant, by Dwight Bernier (https://amzn.to/45ShBPW)44:13

Season 3, Episode 8 · July 3, 2023How to Develop a Church that Plants ChurchesChurch planters Andy Ardern and Matt Lahey explain how an existing church can make planting new churches part of its own life and ministry.49:21

Season 3, Episode 7 · June 19, 2023How to Recruit and Develop LeadersJordan Coros and Lyle Wells discuss how churches can recruit leaders and keep developing them for long-term ministry.40:37

Season 3, Episode 6 · June 5, 2023How to Care for Your SoulDr. Dwayne Bond joins Jordan to discuss caring for your soul when the burdens of life and ministry feel crushing.36:51

Season 3, Episode 5 · May 22, 2023How to Lead a MeetingBlair Allen explains how to plan and lead meetings that are useful for everyone in the room.39:16

Season 3, Episode 4 · May 8, 2023How to Be HospitableMatt VanderLeek joins Dwight and Jordan for a practical conversation about Christian hospitality in the church and ordinary life.46:08

Season 3, Episode 3 · April 24, 2023How to Answer Tough QuestionsJeff Medders explains how Christians can answer difficult questions without treating disagreement as a reason to burn a relationship down.45:34

Season 3, Episode 2 · April 10, 2023How to Disciple Young PeopleNoel Heikkinen joins the podcast to discuss how churches can disciple young people and pursue faithfulness across generations.53:58

Season 3, Episode 1 · March 27, 2023How to Engage in Ethical DiscussionsDwight Bernier and Andrew Fulford build a Christian ethical framework for discussing difficult public and pastoral questions.50:48

Season 2, Episode 15 · June 21, 2022Season 2 Wrap Up and Season 3 IntroDwight and Jordan look back on season two and give listeners an early look at season three.42:59

Season 2, Episode 14 · June 14, 2022Why Do Churches Forget Evangelism?Shaila Visser of Alpha Canada discusses why evangelism slips out of church life and what Canadian research says about the state of evangelism. Alpha Canada Evangelism Report (https://alphacanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Alpha-Evangelism-Report-FINAL.pdf)40:25

Season 2, Episode 13 · May 24, 2022Helping in UkraineJustin Hayslett describes how Legacy Refuge is caring for vulnerable children affected by the war in Ukraine. Legacy Refuge (https://legacyrefuge.org/kingdomsandorphans/) Acts 29 Ukraine relief (https://harvestbarrie.ca/give)47:51

Season 2, Episode 12 · May 10, 2022Area Focus: SaskatchewanLuke Etalemaki reports on gospel work and church planting in Saskatchewan.36:53

Season 2, Episode 11 · April 26, 2022Discipleship and The Good News StoryMurray McLellan explains The Good News Story and how churches can use it to make disciples. The Good News Story (https://thegoodnewsstory.com/)53:59

Season 2, Episode 10 · April 12, 2022Planting Among the PoorMatthew Spandler-Davidson discusses the challenges of planting churches in poor and difficult places, and why planters should choose those communities intentionally.40:26

Season 2, Episode 9 · March 29, 2022Loving the CityMarc Pilon asks whether a city would notice if a church disappeared, then considers how loving a city belongs to the church's mission.57:11

Season 8, Episode 2 · March 15, 2022Gospel Habits for LifeDarryl Dash explains how gospel habits can help Christians grow in faith. 8 Habits for Growth (https://amzn.to/35RYWdI)41:51

Season 2, Episode 7 · March 1, 2022Do We Need Seminaries?Matt Fraser of Movement Seminary joins the podcast to discuss whether seminaries still matter and what formal theological education gives the church.43:54

Season 2, Episode 6 · February 15, 2022Church Planting ResidenciesGeoff Wright and Trent Walker explain how church-planting residencies prepare planters and help churches participate in starting new congregations.47:29

Season 2, Episode 5 · February 1, 2022Thinking and Feeling ChurchesAdam Ramsey, author of Truth on Fire, talks with Dwight and Jordan about holding theological conviction and lived experience together in the Christian life.39:14

Season 2, Episode 4 · January 18, 2022Company of PastorsBrad Mellette describes Company of Pastors, a ministry that connects pastors and helps churches work together for the good of their city.52:44

Season 2, Episode 3 · January 4, 2022Planting Churches with Jesus Culture in a Multicultural ContextJeremiah shares lessons from planting a multi-ethnic church in Brompton and explains how hospitality can help churches care for Christians and non-Christians.55:55

Season 2, Episode 2 · December 21, 2021Planting in the NorthHarrison Kwok describes the opportunities and difficulties of ministry in the Yukon, along with practical ways churches elsewhere can support the work.43:08

Season 2, Episode 1 · December 7, 2021The Problem of Jesus in CanadaMark Clark joins Dwight and Jordan to talk about how Canadians see Jesus and what that means for evangelism, preaching, and church planting.53:36

Season 1, Episode 17 · October 25, 2021Unusual Church Planting Needed: Replanting and Revitalizing ChurchesBrad Somers and Dwight Bernier discuss when a struggling church may need replanting or revitalization, and how to tell the difference.44:34

Season 1, Episode 16 · October 24, 2021Planting House ChurchesDwight Bernier explains what house churches are and where they may offer a realistic church-planting strategy in Canada.30:12

Season 1, Episode 15 · October 24, 2021Church as SeminaryHarrison Kwok and Dwight Bernier discuss changes in seminary education and why local churches should train their own leaders.26:20

Season 1, Episode 14 · October 20, 2021Season 1 Wrap UpDwight and Jordan close season one, preview season two, and discuss vaccine passports.20:36

Season 1, Episode 13 · August 11, 2021Area Focus: NewfoundlandStephen Bray describes church planting in Newfoundland, the work of Mile One Mission, and the need for more gospel ministry across Atlantic Canada.42:15

Season 1, Episode 12 · July 28, 2021Co-Planting a ChurchClay Bitner joins Dwight Bernier to talk through co-planting: sharing the work of starting a church instead of carrying it alone.33:13

Season 1, Episode 11 · July 14, 2021Existing Churches in a Church Planting NetworkTodd Dugard joins Dwight Bernier to explain why an established church might join a church-planting network. Dugard moved to Barrie in 2001 to plant Harvest Bible Chapel with eight local families. Harvest Bible Chapel (https://www.harvestbarrie.ca/)27:24

Season 1, Episode 10 · June 30, 2021LeadershipActs 29 Global Executive Director Brian Howard reflects on lessons from years of leading inside and outside the church.47:47

Season 1, Episode 9 · June 16, 2021Missional CommunitiesChris Synesael explains how missional communities shaped the planting of West Village Church in Victoria, British Columbia, and what other planters can learn from that approach.41:29

Season 1, Episode 8 · June 2, 2021Reaching Other ReligionsEvangelist Sandra Weeks shares practical ways to reach people from other religious backgrounds while equipping local churches to do the same.41:43

Season 1, Episode 7 · May 19, 2021Indigenous & Bivocational PlantingSam Whitehawk joins Dwight Bernier to discuss bivocational church planting and how working outside the church helps him stay connected to Indigenous communities.41:27

Season 1, Episode 6 · May 5, 2021When Pastors Want to QuitDwight Bernier and Blair Allen talk about why pastors consider leaving ministry and how churches can care for leaders who are close to quitting.48:44

Season 1, Episode 5 · April 21, 2021Mental WellnessDwight Bernier and Jason Kovacs discuss mental health among pastors and congregations, and how churches can respond with welcome, care, and hope.44:50

Season 1, Episode 4 · April 7, 2021Loving Our NeighbourhoodGeoff Wright describes how ordinary life in a neighbourhood can become a setting for gospel-shaped relationships and disciple-making.36:10

Season 1, Episode 3 · March 24, 2021Rethinking DiscipleshipThe pandemic exposed weaknesses in familiar discipleship strategies. This episode returns to Jesus' command to make disciples and considers a different way forward.42:10

Season 1, Episode 2 · March 10, 2021Should Churches in Canada be Gathering?Dwight Bernier and Andrew Fulford consider how Canadian churches should think about gathering under government restrictions, and which theological questions should guide their decisions.47:12

Season 1, Episode 1 · February 26, 2021Welcome to the Acts 29 Canada PodcastDwight Bernier introduces the Acts 29 Canada Podcast and what listeners can expect from the conversations ahead.3:50