Finding Our Way

In recent years, the importance of church boards has only heightened, where governance, oversight, protection and accountability have arguably never been needed more. So how does someone become that kind of leader? And, more importantly, how does a local church develop and position those kinds of leaders? Hear @shaneritzema describe his journey of becoming an Elder and Board member @southridge_church, and how he's growing into the kind of leader who can serve the church and Kingdom effectively in this new role. #findingourwaytogether

Over the years as a multi-site church, each of our @southridge_church locations has developed its own identity. And with that unique personality comes unique challenges and opportunities. As part of a 3-part mini-series on the state of each of our locations, hear our St. Catharines Location Pastor, @jeffmartens, share about local church life these days - in a way that can both update those of us in our community, and equip those of us leading in other local churches! #findingourwaytogether

Over the years as a multi-site church, each of our Southridge Community Church locations have developed their own identities. And with that unique personality comes unique challenges and opportunities. As part of a 3-part mini-series on the state of each of our locations, hear one of our Vineland Location Pastors, Nate Dirks, share about local church life these days - in a way that can both update those of us in our community, and equip those of us leading in other local churches! #findingourwaytogether

Over the years as a multi-site church, each of our @southridge_church locations has developed its own identity, and with that unique personality comes unique challenges and opportunities. As part of a 3-part mini-series on the state of each of our locations, hear our Welland Location Pastor, Tom Loewen, share about local church life these days - in a way that can both update those of us in our community, and equip those of us leading in other local churches! #findingourwaytogether

In recent weeks, Southridge has received some media attention because of recent changes to how it operates our homeless shelter. Over the years, the scope of our ministry to those experiencing homelessness has grown, and has changed especially during the pandemic. So where are things at these days, and - more importantly - where are things headed for the future? Hear our Executive Director of Homelessness Services, Annie Froese, clarify where we're at and where we're headed! 

Every year, in partnership with GLN Canada, Southridge Community Church hosts the Global Leadership Summit. And over the years, the vision and impact of the Summit has grown. Hear our Event Manager, Christine Baggs, describe the impact of the GLS on her life personally, and how we can not only experience that kind of impact ourselves again this year, but - more importantly - how we can each personally leverage the Summit in our workplaces and spheres of influence to grow the leadership culture across our region, FOR our region! #findingourwaytogether

One of the greatest challenges of vision casting for the future is just that - it's for the future. How can you invite people into a reality that you haven't yet delivered or even necessarily experienced fully yourself? Hear Jenn Surtees describe what it's been like in her life and leadership, as well as her ministry team's world, as they've been inviting people into a preferred future that they're still in the process of creating themselves. Discover how to navigate both casting and leading an "aspirational vision". #findingourwaytogether

When someone reaches the "finish line" of leading in a local church, how are they feeling? How does someone look back and reflect on their life and legacy in ministry? And what does someone see God's been doing through the whole arc of their experience in leadership? Hear retiring pastor Rick Zwiers share his reflections on almost two decades of ministry leadership at Southridge, as we prepare to celebrate his retirement from vocational church leadership! #findingourwaytogether

In many cases, when you want to develop in something - or want to develop someone - you sign up for a program to be trained by an "expert". Yes, counter-intuitively, faith formation works differently, where the greatest influences on faith and character development happen in the home. What does that mean for developmental ministries, especially those investing in the next generation? Hear @joneseycarrie describe the heart and vision for a local church's Family Ministry, where faith formation begins at home. #findingourwaytogether

The church is a volunteer-intensive organization, yet, so often, there's a chasm between the "doers" and those who "receive" its ministry. When that happens, what are we missing out on? And how can we reclaim the "Priesthood of All Believers" in a way that optimizes the discipleship of every participant in Jesus' work? Hear Vicky Reimer describe her heart for including and investing every single volunteer, and what Jesus can do in their lives when they're involved, together, in His work! 

For many Jesus followers and ministry leaders, the week after Easter is a time to recover from the busyness of the previous season. And yet, the hope is that the realities of Holy Week can be experienced by ourselves and others in an ongoing way, throughout the year. As a local church leader, how can you encourage and nurture that moment-by-moment experience of the reality of Jesus' Risen Life? Hear Justin Brix describe the experiments he and his team tried during Holy Week, that they're hoping to inspire an experience of Holy Week, every single week throughout the year!

The difference between a "bounded set" approach to the Bible and faith is starkly different from what's known as a "centred set". Yet so many followers of Jesus, and even many churches, still often mix up and confuse the two value systems. Hear Adam Dyer describe how Jesus Collective is working to support churches in a greater understanding, and ultimately, a more effective implementation, of a more Jesus-centred approach to faith and local church life! 

If you were a local church leader, who now spent the majority of your time around young adults, what would you hear about the church these days? Check out this conversation with Mark Buchanan about the insights and perspectives he gains from students at Ambrose University, and discover what the emerging generation thinks about the future of the church! 

If you've been familiar with Southridge Church at all, you've probably heard our leaders refer to the posture of "Love Beyond Belief." From a theological perspective, what exactly do we mean by this? And why do we believe this approach to navigating doctrinal disagreements is so critical to the health and future of local church life? Join us for a conversation with Board of Elders member Joan Hyatt, as we celebrate Southridge's step towards a fuller experience of "Love Beyond Belief" among us! 

In every long-term ministry leader's life, there are inevitably tough calls you need to make. This is certainly true of Ed Willms, who recently had a defining moment in his own life and leadership. Hear his story of discerning which "hills to die on", as he shares his heart and perspective on the church for the future. #findingourwaytogether

Coming out of the pandemic, it feels like a lot is changing - about faith, the church, and the future. How do you make sense of it all? Join us as Keri La Douceur shares the leading edge of her own faith journey, and what she's encountering on the front lines of local church and para-church ministry work these days. And discover how to adapt to the leading of God's Spirit in your own life and leadership! 

Sometimes, as the scriptures teach, parts of the body that are less prominent are actually more significant. Such is the case with church finances, and the operations and finance directors who manage them. Hear from Kathy Van Driel as to why infrastructural support ministries like finance matter so much. And learn how at least one local church approaches stewarding them, as they work through the process of approving their annual operating budget. In this podcast, money talks! 

What's the state of the union when it comes to the church empowering women? What's working, and what's not? And what are we learning about men and women leading well together? Hear Cathie Ostapchuk from Gather Women share what she and her ministry are learning these days, so you and your church can continue to grow in your female empowerment! 

In previous conversations, we've learned about the spiritual power of retreats - making undivided space for God, that allows God to show up in amazing ways. Can those same values apply to students - to teenagers and developing young adults? Hear Karley Fecik describe what's been happening in our local church's student ministry lately, as she's led through a "retreat season" for students this winter - and had a blast doing it! 

In your local church, how do your emerging gen feel about life and leadership these days? Hear the perspective of Owen Jeffries when it comes to faith and church, and discover how to more effectively activate, engage and develop emerging leaders!