https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/commending-contending/ Australian Christians talk about how they are commending and contending for the gospel in their daily lives. en_AU Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:46:17 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:46:17 +0000 The Gospel Coalition clean no 608017 podcasts@thegospelcoalition.org.au Doubling the leaders, for our ministries and churches, must be part of our Doubling Vision. Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:00:53 +0000 James Hoey, Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/v3wba22nuua8ins6/Commending_and_Contending_E65_Raising_up_leaders_with_James_Hoey_-_4_4_2026_441_PM8cqah.mp3 21:42 Doubling the leaders, for our ministries and churches, must be part of our Doubling Vision. no Why it matters that we be all things to all people, across all the diversity of Australian society. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:00:38 +0000 Laura Wolfenden, Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/2njjmn2ynhynu6vn/Commending_and_Contending_E64_Reaching_all_people_with_Laura_Wolfenden_-_23_3_2026_224_PM60lma.mp3 26:33 Why it matters that we be all things to all people, across all the diversity of Australian society. no The Doubling Vision sets a measurable target, so we need to talk about how it works and why it helps. Sun, 15 Mar 2026 22:00:38 +0000 Jo Gibbs, Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/3vgbqyfwmewtv3pr/Commending_and_Contending_E63_The_five_percent_measure_with_Jo_Gibbs_-_2_3_2026_1249_PM8dsyr.mp3 23:44 The Doubling Vision sets a measurable target, so we need to talk about how it works and why it helps. no Crucial resources for pursuing the doubling vision are laid out in its preamble. All we need to do is slow down and discover the power of the preamble. Sun, 01 Mar 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Anne Eckermann, Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/cvy4xf2yvb5evjii/Commending_and_Contending_E62_The_Preamble_with_Anne_Eckermann_-_12_2_2026_455_PM6355f.mp3 21:49 Crucial resources for pursuing the doubling vision are laid out in its preamble. All we need to do is slow down and discover the power of the preamble. no Through prayer and connection we long to see a doubling of disciples in churches and ministries across Australia. Join Bill Salier, chair of TGCA, and host, Jonathan Holt, as they start a series of episodes talking through the implications of this collective vision. Sun, 15 Feb 2026 22:00:49 +0000 Jonathan Holt, ​Bill Salier https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ayk52nh3aendukfi/Commending_and_Contending_E61_The_Doubling_Vision_with_Bill_Salier_-_12_2_2026_427_PM5ycfx.mp3 20:11 Through prayer and connection we long to see a doubling of disciples in churches and ministries across Australia. Join Bill Salier, chair of TGCA, and host, Jonathan Holt, as they start a series of episodes talking through the implications of this collective vision. no Gospel ministry includes effective evangelism. It’s obvious to say, but why is it so important and where can we start? Sun, 09 Nov 2025 22:00:25 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/iq27dfc67hu5dtdz/Commending_and_Contending_E60_What_is_Gospel_Ministry_Effective_Evangelism_-_9_11_2025_209_PM877l0.mp3 18:12 Gospel ministry includes effective evangelism. It’s obvious to say, but why is it so important and where can we start? no We are joined by Australian film-maker, Josh Allan to talk about commending the good news of Jesus through the camera lens. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 22:00:51 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/htpt83un44w5h4wn/Commending_and_Contending_E59_Josh_Allen_-_20_10_2025_1202_PM7886f.mp3 20:01 We are joined by Australian film-maker, Josh Allan to talk about commending the good news of Jesus through the camera lens. no Murray Lean, long time TGCA Council member and Pastor joins us to talk retirement, the South East Queensland TGCA Network and mentoring young pastors. Sun, 12 Oct 2025 22:00:54 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Murray Lean https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/fpbxbgs4kwhkhr56/Commending_and_Contending_E58_Murray_Lean_-_11_8_2025_1146_AM_175u0p.mp3 21:20 Murray Lean, long time TGCA Council member and Pastor joins us to talk retirement, the South East Queensland TGCA Network and mentoring young pastors. no Andrew Beddoe joins us to explore how Everyday People might be better served to find Jesus and grow as disciples - and how professionals in our church might learn together with them. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:00:53 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Andrew Beddoe https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pfaphpz4xshax2tf/Commending_and_Contending_E57_Andrew_Beddoe_-_8_8_2025_1233_PM7po3q.mp3 20:14 Andrew Beddoe joins us to explore how Everyday People might be better served to find Jesus and grow as disciples - and how professionals in our church might learn together with them. no The gospel of Jesus is shared in Canberra public schools primarily through the work of Christian Education in Schools. Jess Fields shares how it works and why it matter so much. Sun, 14 Sep 2025 22:00:31 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/n9muvmqppg3vwpdv/Commending_and_Contending_E56_Jess_Fields_-_11_8_2025_205_PM9nvgm.mp3 16:54 The gospel of Jesus is shared in Canberra public schools primarily through the work of Christian Education in Schools. Jess Fields shares how it works and why it matter so much. no A story of revival and a song about grace. Joseph Hewitt, TGCA Reviews Editor, joins us in this episode to highlight some resources from the TGCA website. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 22:00:09 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Joseph Hewitt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/yt3qvhnq88676q57/Commending_and_Contending_E55_Joseph_reviews_editor_-_13_8_2025_1011_AM9tyr9.mp3 17:46 A story of revival and a song about grace. Joseph Hewitt, TGCA Reviews Editor, joins us in this episode to highlight some resources from the TGCA website. no Holding together my responsibility to grow and the work of the Holy Spirit is an important tension to wrestle with. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 22:00:39 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Candice Bergamin https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jzunfth6t4qqwpeh/Commending_and_Contending_E54_Candice_-_30_6_2025_132_PM7kte2.mp3 22:35 Holding together my responsibility to grow and the work of the Holy Spirit is an important tension to wrestle with. no We are joined by David Shaw to talk about 1 Peter and it's encouragement to commend the gospel Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:00:21 +0000 Jonathan Holt, David M. Shaw https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/yn7i23uybhctch99/Commending_and_Contending_E53_David_Shaw_1_Peter_-_28_7_2025_1222_PMabqxc.mp3 21:45 We are joined by David Shaw to talk about 1 Peter and it's encouragement to commend the gospel no Gary Millar points us in the right direction for how to grow in confidence in our own personal reading from the Old Testament. Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:13:47 +0000 Jonathan Holt, ​Gary Millar https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/eei846wk74g2rue5/Commending_and_Contending_E52_Gary_reading_OT_-_21_7_2025_1251_PM75gmj.mp3 22:37 Gary Millar points us in the right direction for how to grow in confidence in our own personal reading from the Old Testament. no The TGCA Survey gives a window into what readers would love to see for the future of the gospel in Australia. Join Tamara and I as we talk through the survey. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 23:57:39 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/uuumsfg5tnzfzk2i/Commending_and_Contending_E51_Tamara_and_the_survey_results_-_1_7_2025_112_PM9zs44.mp3 21:33 The TGCA Survey gives a window into what readers would love to see for the future of the gospel in Australia. Join Tamara and I as we talk through the survey. no Sun, 22 Jun 2025 22:00:05 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/sch7483nxij6gq6z/Commending_and_Contending_E50_Special_on_Weekly_Gatherings_-_23_6_2025_756_AM6uuic.mp3 15:51 no Introducing a great new resource from us at TGCA: our Online Workshop - with the first one to running being all about preparing well to preach. Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:07:02 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Sarah Kuswadi https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/s4pmqhgsvpafbtm9/Commending_and_Contending_E49_Sarah_K_-_10_6_2025_844_AM641kc.mp3 12:30 Introducing a great new resource from us at TGCA: our Online Workshop - with the first one to running being all about preparing well to preach. no Can politics and faith mix? Dan Anderson talks us through how he sees the gospel of Jesus shaping our engagement with political life. Sun, 25 May 2025 22:00:38 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Dan Anderson https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wvzk7iuntqbr2j48/Commending_and_Contending_E48_Dan_Anderson_-_26_5_2025_721_AM9whef.mp3 24:09 Can politics and faith mix? Dan Anderson talks us through how he sees the gospel of Jesus shaping our engagement with political life. no The gospel draws together all kinds of people, who, over the long haul, become the means by which God shapes and sharpens each of us. Sun, 11 May 2025 22:00:12 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Rick Maude https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/hh9iz4mi6tnxhnbd/Commending_and_Contending_E47_Rick_Maude_-_28_4_2025_158_PMaqgyf.mp3 19:15 The gospel draws together all kinds of people, who, over the long haul, become the means by which God shapes and sharpens each of us. no Admin work might be frustrating for many of us, but for those exercising their gift in it, it is a blessing for the whole church. Sun, 27 Apr 2025 22:00:22 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Sam Jensen https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/y7pvjytc2d7bkvxh/Commending_and_Contending_E46_Sam_VCA_-_14_4_2025_1227_PM615vp.mp3 17:52 Admin work might be frustrating for many of us, but for those exercising their gift in it, it is a blessing for the whole church. no 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. Sun, 13 Apr 2025 22:00:30 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Mikey Lynch https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9gpq3xc362mcfx3z/Commending_and_Contending_E45_-_6_4_2025_1233_PM825xx.mp3 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. no Sun, 30 Mar 2025 22:12:24 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Murray Capill https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/cgvr8pepxbpjvahb/Commending_and_Contending_E44_Murray_C_-_13_2_2025_1028_AM7w7x9.mp3 22:56 no Sun, 16 Mar 2025 22:00:07 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Keith and Sarah Condie https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7tzs44bwbheuru6n/Commending_and_Contending_E43_Sarah_C_-_15_3_2025_245_PMa0pvd.mp3 24:25 no 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. Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:00:26 +0000 Jonathan Holt, ​David Starling https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/bu7vyrpjncw8w328/Commending_and_Contending_E42_David_-_10_2_2025_338_PM6sjih.mp3 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. no 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. Sun, 16 Feb 2025 22:00:26 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Nicky Chiswell https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wrw4dfr87cgjpgkt/Commending_and_Contending_E41_Nicky_-_10_2_2025_247_PM6dyjg.mp3 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. no Richard Chin, who is also a TGCA Council member reflects on the progress and future of the MEET JESUS campaign, used in churches and at universities during 2024 Sun, 10 Nov 2024 22:00:59 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Richard Chin https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/2ze7mttmpcdhc7jr/Commending_and_Contending_E40_-_7_11_2024_1104_AM86kn5.mp3 20:26 Richard Chin, who is also a TGCA Council member reflects on the progress and future of the MEET JESUS campaign, used in churches and at universities during 2024 no Extra bits that didn’t get into the episode, but were so good that they needed to be shared: here are my treasures from the cutting room floor. Sun, 27 Oct 2024 22:00:57 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/r5u7dmkpcxskdpqe/Commending_and_Contending_E39_-_27_10_2024_826_PManacy.mp3 16:37 Extra bits that didn’t get into the episode, but were so good that they needed to be shared: here are my treasures from the cutting room floor. no We head to the remote town of Roxby Downs to discover how the gospel of Jesus reaches into the particular circumstances of this location to transform lives. Sun, 13 Oct 2024 22:00:18 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Glen McDonald https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/hujh9b7g3hf3nsyf/Commending_and_Contending_E38_Glen_-_9_9_2024_542_PMaqsk5.mp3 16:52 We head to the remote town of Roxby Downs to discover how the gospel of Jesus reaches into the particular circumstances of this location to transform lives. no Looking backward, to look forward. How has the foundation of TGCA meant that we are now praying for 100 people to give $100 a month toward the future of TGCA. Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:00:46 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/psxnxmypz4be77yt/Commending_and_Contending_E37_-_19_9_2024_856_AMamull.mp3 13:30 Looking backward, to look forward. How has the foundation of TGCA meant that we are now praying for 100 people to give $100 a month toward the future of TGCA. no Faith and art and commending the gospel of Jesus - all are woven together in the work of Christina and Peirce Baehr, from Pilgrim Hill. Sun, 15 Sep 2024 23:59:47 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/x642cjg3jrm39cbm/Commending_and_Contending_E35_-_30_8_2024_1208_PM8j9ge.mp3 16:54 Faith and art and commending the gospel of Jesus - all are woven together in the work of Christina and Peirce Baehr, from Pilgrim Hill. no We hear from Amy Stopher about the power of chhering other on in their work of commending adn contending for Jesus. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 22:00:52 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Amy Stopher https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/eskwidgjjdkp2797/Commending_and_Contending_E36_-_29_8_2024_126_PM8yanr.mp3 16:01 We hear from Amy Stopher about the power of chhering other on in their work of commending adn contending for Jesus. no 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. Wed, 21 Aug 2024 01:13:52 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Simon Camilleri https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ie949bcnhuby4v8t/Commending_and_Contending_E34_-_18_8_2024_1250_PMbw9vw.mp3 17:50 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. no Sun, 04 Aug 2024 22:00:04 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ywbn524sncz9rq3n/Commending_and_Contending_E33_-_1_8_24_951_am6ejg6.mp3 14:45 no When we pay attention to the changing seasons, we can see how serving, where God has planted us, can move and change with the weather God gives us. Sun, 21 Jul 2024 22:00:25 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Naomi Ireland https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wy6sgkugjc2cnh65/Naomi_Ireland_E32_-_24_6_24_348_pm9gxen.mp3 When we pay attention to the changing seasons, we can see how serving, where God has planted us, can move and change with the weather God gives us. no Connecting beyond your church can be hard, and fearful, but maybe it’s exactly what we need to foster kingdom growth in a town or city. Sun, 07 Jul 2024 22:00:36 +0000 Jonathan Holt, Tim Thorburn https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/79qsauapn6snuv4e/Tim_Thorburn_E31_-_1_7_24_404_pma2qia.mp3 19:43 Connecting beyond your church can be hard, and fearful, but maybe it’s exactly what we need to foster kingdom growth in a town or city. no Sun, 23 Jun 2024 22:00:56 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jdfkiyggyrjzrx8d/Mid-season_2024_E30_-_20_6_24_1030_am6zfti.mp3 15:00 no We continue our chat with Clare and James, turning our attention to the important work fo growing character in future leaders. Sun, 09 Jun 2024 22:00:17 +0000 Jonathan Holt https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/v7w73rmzcyfxni64/Clare_James_Pt2_E29_-_4_6_24_950_ambqeio.mp3 10:32 We continue our chat with Clare and James, turning our attention to the important work fo growing character in future leaders. no