Shop Talk

What does it mean to go and be the Church? It can be a question that people find hard to explain, but can it be as simple as acting on the values and practices of Jesus in our world today? In this episode of the Shoptalk podcast, Pastor Mike is joined by Melissa Strike and discuss how Jesus has shaped her passion for foster and adoption along with her new work with Safe Families Edmonton. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts Apple 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk Spotify 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk1 Stitcher 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk2 Google Play 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk3

Conversations on race and justice are not just a one time thing, but something must continually lean into. In Canada these conversations must include the experience of indigenous people. Join us for a conversation with Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred, the director of Indigenous Studies program at the Vancouver School of Theology. He provides insight on how we can cultivate a posture of listening and learning that can begin to build a foundation of understanding to help shine a light on issues of racism and injustice in our World. Be sure to grab the podcast from any of these places Apple 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk Spotify 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk1 Stitcher 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk2 Google Play 👉 https://bit.ly/staacshoptalk3

We're coming up the one year mark in this pandemic and everyone has felt the effects in one way or another. For many of us, we have not had the language or training to know how to process the experience. Jennifer Chow, a registered Psychologist, joins us as we talk about the ways faith and community can be integral components to help us navigate these days. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and Stitcher.

During this covid season, mental health has become a significant issue as we have dealt with lockdowns and isolation. The stress, worry, anxiety, loneliness have all compressed bringing challenges to our mental health. Join us for a conversation with psychologist Kyle Schalk as we talk about removing the stigma attached to mental health and ways that we can help to create environments where its ok to not be ok.

What does it take to have ears to hear? The events that have transpired over the last number of weeks has caused a variety of reaction. Most of our response is based on the way we see these events. The challenge, lies in fact that our experience impacts how we see. For many of us we have not been impacted by issues of race or injustice. So having ears to hear requires that we take time to listen to the stories of those who are different than us. Join us for part 2 of a 2 part conversation with Melayne Shankel, Ian Bramble and Carl Waldron that helps to shed some light on experiences that may be different than our own.

What does it take to have ears to hear? The events that have transpired over the last number of weeks has caused a variety of reaction. Most of our response is based on the way we see these events. The challenge, lies in fact that our experience impacts how we see. For many of us we have not been impacted by issues of race or injustice. So having ears to hear requires that we take time to listen to the stories of those who are different than us. Join us for part 1 of a 2 part conversation with Melayne Shankel, Ian Bramble and Carl Waldron that helps to shed some light on experiences that may be different than our own.

In order to have conversations about racism and justice we need to understand race and some of the underlying constructs of power and privilege. Join us for part 2 of a conversation with Avery Letendre on this Shoptalk podcast as we tackle issue of race, justice and having ears to hear.

In order to have conversations about racism and justice we need to understand race and some of the underlying constructs of power and privilege. Join us for part 1 of a conversation with Avery Letendre on this Shoptalk podcast as we tackle issue of race, justice and having ears to hear.

As followers of Jesus we choose to model our lives after him. So what can we learn about the heart of God for all people and how does it shape the way we approach issues of race, justice and compassion. Join our conversation with Vijay Krishnan as we explore what it means to confront issues of racism, become those who live for others, and see the Kingdom of God bring a disruption to our lives and the world around us.

For many of us when we start to hear our vehicles making an unusual noise we too whatever we can to ignore it. We close the window, turn up the radio, all the while hoping it will go away. Usually that approach catches up to us and we find ourselves broken down on the side of the road. Sometimes we need to open the hood and check things out to address the issues if we want to keep our car on the road. The same thing can be applied to our lives. Join our conversation with Dr. Rob Remier- Author of Soul Care as we talk about what it means to Open the hood in our lives.

We are in the middle of a pandemic that has brought the world to a halt. Schools closed, jobs lost, businesses shut, it is a crisis that will have far reaching impacts. So what do we do in the middle of a crisis? How do we navigate our way through it? Where is there hope to be found? On this episode of the Shop Talk podcast Mike is joined by Lucas and Adrien Welsh. They serve on the team at Fort City Church in Fort Mcmurray and share from their experience during the evacuation of Fort Mcmurray due to the fire in 2016. Join us as we hear about lessons learned and how the experienced has shaped them and the church in the days since.

Many times when we think of missions the image that comes to mind is heading out to some far off country and learning to live in a place that is much different than where we call home. We often think that we bring with us resources, expertise and methods that will be able to address all the problems in the place we find ourselves. In this episode of Shop Talk we are joined by Carl Waldron (Executive director of Hopeshares Canada) to talk about a changing view of missions and how we can begin to approach the topic with a new lens in place.

In a marriage between the I do' and till death do us part, there is a journey that is full of ups and downs, joy, laughter, tears, grief and sorrow and pain. Marriage is the closest relationship that we can share, it can be life giving and taxing all at the same time. On this episode of Shop talk we are joined by two couples sharing their experiences as we talk about the ups and downs of married life.

If you were to ask people about markers in the life of a Christ follower, prayer would be near the top of the list. Yet so many feel stuck or unsure how to pray. We are joined by Greg Gibson to talk about how prayer has grown to be central in his life and some of the things he has learned along the way.

In our first Shop Talk episode of 2020, Mike Sotski is joined by Brent Trask - the District Superintendent of the Western Canadian District of the Christian & Missionary Alliance to chat about the changing dynamics in our churches. From changing demographics to technology - how successful are our local churches at keeping up with culture and getting outside of our "comfortable boxes" and successfully making disciples throughout the world? Listen in on this next episode of Shop Talk.

In this episode of Shop Talk we look at celebrities coming to the Christian faith- and in particular hip hop superstar Kanye West. In the past year Kanye West's faith journey has hit the spotlight in a big way. From his Sunday Services to his most recent album release Jesus Is King, Kanye's dramatic transformation has people talking. Mike is joined by St. Albert Alliance Church staffers Dan MacGillivray (Youth & Young Adults Pastor) and Melayne Shankel (Director of Communications) to chat all about this current hot topic.

On this episode of Shop Talk, we look at technology. In today’s culture- It almost feels impossible to keep current with what is currently happening in the world of technology. In a time where screen time and how and what we consume is a growing issue-how do we navigate a changing technological cultural landscape? Mike is joined by guest Chris Gonsalvez former teacher and school administrator to chat about the effect of technology on our kids and families.

On this episode of Shop Talk, Mike Sotski is joined by Doug Balzer, Director of Innovation, Leader and Thought Development at the Western Canadian District of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Doug, along with his wife Teri lead renewal events such as the Soul Care Equipping Conference and Holy Spirit Encounter around the world. In Doug's own words: “I love what I do because I get to see darkness being displaced by light; both in the lives of our official workers as well as in neighbourhoods where new faith communities are being established.” Mike and Doug chat “Soul Care”, what it's all about and how it can be a helpful tool on our journey towards healing and wholeness as apprentices of Jesus. For more information read Doug's bio here: https://transformcma.ca/who-we-are/district-staff/

On this episode of Shop Talk, Mike Sotski is joined by Linda Raymond who talks about her work with the Horizons International an organization that exists to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to the world, especially the Muslim world, by Proclaiming the Gospel, Discipling the Nations, and Equipping the Church. For more info on Horizons International - visit https://www.horizonsinternational.org

Mike Sotski is joined by the Kids Staff at St. Albert Alliance Church (Kids Pastor, Pam Loeppky; Elementary Coordinator, Janelle Rempel; Preschool Coordinator, Debbie Beckman) talking about the importance of families learning about Jesus together and building a foundation of faith for kids today. For a list of resources referenced in today's podcast visit our website.