Helen Burns on the Tension Between Production & Authenticity, the Crisis of Pastoral Belonging, and Why Gen Z is Looking For Presence Over Information

The Pastorate Podcast

38 years into ministry, Helen Burns speaks of the Church We’re excited to share this conversation with Helen Burns, a beloved voice of encouragement and wisdom in the Canadian Church. With 38 years of ministry experience, Helen and her husband John planted Relate Church in 1986, serving as lead pastors for 35 years before transitioning leadership to their daughter Angela and her husband Rod in 2018.

With deep love for the Church and an unwavering hope for the next generation, Helen shares reflections on:

• The challenge of leadership transitions and the emotional cost of passing the baton well

• The shift from performance-driven ministry to authentic presence and why Gen Z seeks real encounters over production

• The power of intergenerational relationships and why seasoned leaders are more needed than ever in today’s Church

• The reality of pastoral loneliness and how she and John are investing in leaders through mentorship and restorative retreats

Helen’s humility, wisdom, and deep love for the Church make this an inspiring conversation. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an emerging pastor, we pray this episode encourages and strengthens you in your journey.

Helen Burns is a passionate lover of Jesus and committed to building His Church. She and her husband John pioneered Relate Church, a thriving family church in the Vancouver area, in 1986 where they served as lead pastors for 35 years. Today, they continue to teach and serve there while travelling and speaking internationally. Helen shares with depth and insight on marriage, family and relationships, and is the author of several books.

John and Helen have been married for over 50 years and they have three awesome daughters and she is the blessed Oma of eight grandchildren.

Listen now and be encouraged!

Sponsors:

We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.

Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Guest Notes

• Relate Church⁠

• The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson⁠

• ⁠Barna Statistics⁠⁠See, Hear, Love YouTube/Podcast⁠

Show Notes

• Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram⁠⁠⁠