Interview with Ps Mark Varughese

For our final episode of season 2 of the Re-Think It Podcast, I’m changing things up and flipping the mic! I wanted to share a recent interview I had with Pastor Kristy Mills, the executive pastor at Horizon Church. This episode was recorded a couple of months ago for an Instagram Live I did as the NSW State President of Australian Christian Churches. I go pretty deep and share how an Indigenous conference made me realise my ‘white-man’ biases, why I think there needs to be more women in church leadership and how we can measure the post-pandemic church. Thanks again for all your support on the podcast! Don’t panic, there is always unlearning to be had and I’ll be back for season 3 shortly, where as always, I will push the boundaries on church leadership.

What do chess, frogs and skateboards all have in common? ‘Boss Frog’ Andy Gourley of course! Andy is the founder and director of Red Frogs Australia, a global support network program that provides direct relief from alcohol and drug-related illnesses amongst young people. In today’s podcast episode, I have a chat with the incredible leader that Andy is on re-thinking community engagement, delegating support amongst chaos, leading a worldwide organisation through the Covid-19 Pandemic and how we can engage the younger generations in this current climate. Don’t worry, he gives us some chess tips too! “The key to community engagement, is keeping your finger on the pulse. Things you did 20 years ago aren’t going to work. You need to constantly be out and in need to meet the need” – Andy Gourley

“We can be so petty. We lose sight of the fact that we are just a small part of God’s mob. Sure, we each have a different tag, denomination, and label. But it’s ONE mob, ONE Lord, ONE faith.” – Rev. Tim Costello It’s our TENTH episode of the Re-Think It Podcast! And, boy have we got a good one for you! You won’t find many people who are more passionate about seeing the church in Australia be known for justice, mercy and humility than Tim Costello is. Tim is one of Australia’s best-known community leaders and a sought-after voices on social justice issues, leadership and ethics. He is the Executive Director of Micah Australia and in this role, has a strong vision to gather, inspire and empower Australian Christians to share God’s heart for justice. In today’s podcast episode he gives us an update on what Micah is up to during these tragic world events, inspires us that we can do “A lot with a little”, gives us his insights on what the church needs to re-think right now and what we failed at during the Covid-19 pandemic – heads up, if you think we haven’t pushed the boundaries on church leadership, its in this very episode that it’ll get pushed right over! He also has a crazy story about his great-great grandfather being imprisoned by the same judge who sentenced Ned Kelly!!

You don’t have to be a pastor or leader to live out the Re-Think It and TGIM message! I found Cory Oliver, through listening to her podcast ‘The Coriolis Effect’. Cory is an actor, singer, entrepreneur, mother, and a fierce woman of faith. You may recognise her from the movie ‘God’s Not Dead’. In today’s episode, Cory graciously shares her experiences with difficult seasons, maintaining her faith in the entertainment industry and how she remains filled formed and functioning in all her spaces. "It's the moments when you are in the fetal position, crying out to God that he will meet you.  And, turn your pain into your purpose" - Cory Oliver

“The gathering should be at the back end of our week. The gathering does not need to commission us for the week, we are already commissioned by God to go out into our communities. And then, we can gather back on Sunday and celebrate all God has done throughout the week” – Joel A’Bell This week, I have the pleasure of interviewing Joel A’Bell on the Re-Think It Podcast. Joel is the Oceania Regional Leader of Convoy of Hope Australia, a faith-based, non-profit organisation.  Convoy of Hope helps empower others to live with greater independence and freedom from poverty, disease, and hunger. And most recently they have been supporting the Northern NSW Floods. You might remember, but I interviewed his wife, Julia in Season 1 of the podcast, have a listen here if you missed it! In today’s episode Joel shares his reflections on the last 2 years, how he would explain the ‘church’ without mentioning Sundays, his affiliations with significant people of faith and how he describes the new metrics of the church. It’s an absolute must-listen to!

The unlearning journey continues! Join us for Season 2 of the Re-Think It Podcast.  Last season, I left you on a bit of a cliff hanger with my interview with Rev Nicky & Pippa Gumbel.  In case you've forgotten (I know you haven't), Rev Nicky and Pippa Gumbel are the Vicar's of Holy Trinity Brompton, a church in Knightsbridge London with over 4,000 members of their congregation that holds 11 services each Sunday.  They are also the founders of Alpha, a series of evangelistic talks and discussions which explore the basics of Christianity - which has been adopted by over 30,000 churches of all denominations.  Have a listen to part 2 of my interview with them as they continue to provide wisdom into leadership, church life and how they got through some of the most difficult times in their life.  “People aren’t yearning for the smoke machines anymore. They are searching for holiness. And therefore; relationship is key and, community is key” – Rev Nicky Gumbel

In the final episode for Season 1 of the ‘Re-Think It’ podcast, I have the privilege of sharing part one of my recent interview with Rev Nicky & Pippa Gumbel as they discussed with Australian Christian Churches leaders what they’ve had to unlearn throughout their leadership journey. Click here for more information on Rev Nicky & Pippa Gumbel.  Stay tuned for more in the coming months, the unlearning journey will continue! For more information head to re-thinkit.com.au Re-Think It Instagram: @rethink1t Paul Bartlett Instagram: @paulebartlett

Today I had a chat with ‘my boss’ Ps Wayne Alcorn.  As national president of the ACC, senior leader of Hope Centre and father and grandfather, Ps Wayne tells us how he has continued to balance all his titles and roles. Check out https://www.hopecentre.com/ For more information head to re-thinkit.com.au. Re-Think It Instagram: @rethink1t Paul Bartlett Instagram: @paulebartlett

In today’s episode I interviewed Ps Mark Varughese, who I’m sure you know, is the senior leader of the global movement, Kingdomcity.   Ps Mark gives us an insight to his busy schedule and how he lead a global church through the Covid-19 pandemic.  Have a listen now! For more information head to re-thinkit.com.au. Re-Think It Instagram: @rethink1t Paul Bartlett Instagram: @paulebartlett

As Australia's leading social researcher and CEO of McCrindle Research, you may have seen this man's face whilst eating your breakfast on 'Sunrise' or 'The Today Show'.  But today Mark McCrindle joins Paul Bartlett on the 'Re-Think It' podcast as he shares his story of re-thinking the way we lead the next generation and how he handles life, faith and his business.  For more information head to re-thinkit.com.au. Re-Think It Instagram: @rethink1t Paul Bartlett Instagram: @paulebartlett