Ridley College Podcast

Ridley College
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Welcome to the Ridley College Podcast. Here, you’ll find Public Lectures, stories from our students and faculty, and insights from leading experts on the Bible, theology and ministry.

  1. Aug 12

    Preaching to Uncle Bob: Evangelistic Preaching in a Post-Christian World with John Dickson

    🎙️ S4 E9 — Preaching to Uncle Bob: Evangelistic Preaching in a Post-Christian World with John Dickson Episode Description In this episode, Ridley Faculty member, Tim Johnson, sits down with the John Dickson — historian, author, podcaster, and public Christian — ahead of the annual Ridley Preachers Conference. Their conversation centres on one of the most important and underestimated skills in ministry: evangelistic preaching. Not the Billy Graham crusade kind — but the kind that happens every Sunday in local churches around the country, where real doubters are sitting in real pews. John makes a compelling case that the local church is still the most powerful evangelistic tool we have, and that any preacher — not just the gifted evangelist — can learn to preach in a way that has something for the doubter in the room. They explore the difference between evangelistic preaching and evangelism, the common missteps that lose sceptical listeners, how to handle questions about Christianity's goodness and reputation, what Aristotle's three elements of persuasion have to do with the pulpit, and John's one piece of advice for anyone preparing an evangelistic sermon this Sunday. Whether you're a seasoned preacher or just starting out, this is a conversation that will change the way you think about your next sermon. The Ridley Preachers Conference takes place 27–28 August at Ridley College, Melbourne — in person and online. Visit ridley.edu.au/apc for details. Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇 Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ridley-melbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    Preaching to Uncle Bob: Evangelistic Preaching in a Post-Christian World with John Dickson

  2. Jul 30

    Why Youth Ministry Needs to Innovate And What That Actually Means with Chris Curtis

    🎙️ S4 E8 — Why Youth Ministry Needs to Innovate And What That Actually Means with Chris Curtis Episode Description In this episode, Graham Stanton — Director of Youth Ministry Futures and the Ridley Centre for Children's and Youth Ministry  — sits down with Chris Curtis, CEO of Youthscape from Luton in the UK, fresh off the week-long YMF residential with 50 youth ministry leaders from across Australia. Their conversation picks up where the residential left off, exploring one of the most important — and sometimes misunderstood — words in ministry today: innovation. Chris unpacks his definition of innovation as: “The Spirit-led reimagining of mission and ministry in changing contexts, while remaining rooted in the unchanging person of Jesus Christ." They dig into the history of the word (spoiler: it started in the church — and it wasn't a compliment), the four levels at which innovation happens in youth ministry — structures, methods, language and tools — and what "creative destruction" really means for those of us who love the programs and traditions through which we came to faith. Chris also shares his observations on Australian youth ministry from the outside, why youth ministry is the R&D department of the church, and what a sixth-century Irish monk named Brendan might have to teach us about leaving the familiar for the unknown. A rich, wide-ranging, and genuinely energising conversation for anyone in or around youth and children's ministry. Youth Ministry FuturesThe youth ministry futures project has a vision to grow the number of long-term youth ministry leaders with the theological and practical wisdom to meet the challenges of sharing Jesus with young people in a complex world. We dream of a fellowship of people, committed to praying, promoting, and providing for local church youth ministries, to shift youth ministry from a part-time side hustle into a viable, long-term ministry calling, and see a reinvigorated system of healthy youth ministry in churches across Australia. Learn more: https://ymfutures.com.au/ Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇 Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    Why Youth Ministry Needs to Innovate And What That Actually Means with Chris Curtis

  3. Jun 22

    Inside Ridley: End of Financial Year Special with Rhys Bezzant & Bec Muir

    🎙️ S4 S7 — Inside Ridley: End of Financial Year Special with Rhys Bezzant & Bec Muir Episode DescriptionIn this special end-of-financial-year episode of Inside Ridley,  Rhys Bezzant sits down once again with faculty member Bec Muir as they wrap up a full semester at Ridley. They reflect on the Archbishop's landmark lecture on raising leaders for the Diocese of Melbourne, before turning to some of the big questions Ridley is wrestling with heading into the next year — the future development of the Ridley Online program, the growth of the Anglican Institute, the challenge of AI in theological education, and what it means to build genuine partnerships with churches around Australia and beyond. They also make a direct appeal: Ridley raises 40% of its own income, and right now they're looking for support to invest in curriculum, technology, the Anglican Institute, and a new partnerships manager. A warm, honest, and genuinely encouraging conversation about what Ridley is — and what it's reaching toward. EOFY APPEALTuition fees only cover 60% of our costs. Will you help us raise $400,000 by June 30. To give, visit ridley.edu.au/eofyappeal. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇 Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    Inside Ridley: End of Financial Year Special with Rhys Bezzant & Bec Muir

  4. Jun 7

    Discernment and Partnerships: Renewal for the Diocese of Melbourne with Abp Ric Thorpe

    🎙️ S4 E6 - Discernment and Partnerships: Renewal for the Diocese of Melbourne with Abp Ric ThorpeThe Anglican Institute Lecture 2026 Episode DescriptionWhat does renewal look like in a diocese? And what role does theological training play?  In this lecture, Archbishop Ric Thorpe explores the importance and shape of renewal in the Diocese of Melbourne, and the pivotal role that theological colleges play as the Diocese seeks to discern God’s future together.  This lecture was recorded on 18 May 2026 at Ridley College. Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇 Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    Discernment and Partnerships: Renewal for the Diocese of Melbourne with Abp Ric Thorpe

  5. Jun 3

    AI, Young People & the Church with Anna Davy, Dave Chiswell & Joshua Millard

    🎙️ S4 E5 —  AI, Young People & the Church with Anna Davy, Dave Chiswell & Joshua Millard Episode DescriptionIn this special episode, Ridley student and youth leader Anna Davy facilitates a rich and wide-ranging conversation on Artificial Intelligence or AI, born out of Ridley's annual Children's and Youth Ministry Training Day. Joining her are Dave Chiswell (Lead Trainer at Youth Ministry Futures, and Youth Minister at City on a Hill Geelong), and Joshua Millard (Youth Development Director of CMS Victoria) — two practitioners who care deeply about the same things but come at AI from quite different angles. Together they wrestle with some of the most pressing questions facing children's and youth workers today: What is AI actually doing to young people's formation? What's the difference between helpful and harmful friction? Why are teenagers turning to AI for friendship, therapy, and romance — and what does the church have to offer in response? What does a Christian theology of work and productivity look like in an age of artificial intelligence? Honest, thoughtful, and genuinely urgent — this is a conversation every youth and children's worker needs to be part of, and everyone in the church will want to learn from.  Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇 Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    AI, Young People & the Church with Anna Davy, Dave Chiswell & Joshua Millard

  6. May 27

    Raising Up the Next Generation of Leaders with Sam Oldland

    🎙️ S4 E4 Raising Up the Next Generation of Leaders with Sam Oldland Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Rhys Bezzant sits down with Sam Oldland, the minister overseeing traineeships at St Jude's Carlton — a church right across the road from Melbourne University — for a deep and practical conversation about raising up the next generation of gospel workers. As Sam puts it, when it comes to church planting, "it's never money, it's never location, it's never having enough people — it's always about having the leaders to do it." Sam shares his own quiet, unremarkable journey into ministry (and why that's actually the story we need more of), before unpacking how he's built a thriving two-year ministry traineeship program at St Jude's almost from scratch. They explore the "trellis and vine" framework for thinking about ministry structure, what it takes to recruit and form Gen Z leaders, why the responsibility for raising up new workers lies with the previous generation, and how any church — regardless of size or location — can begin to cultivate a culture of ministry training. Honest, practical, and deeply encouraging for anyone who cares about the future of gospel ministry in Australia. Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one.  Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    Raising Up the Next Generation of Leaders with Sam Oldland

  7. May 13

    Inside Ridley: Books, Graduation & the AI Question with Hannah Craven & Mike Bird

    🎙️ S4 E3 Inside Ridley: Books, Graduation & the AI Question with Hannah Craven & Mike Bird Episode Description In this episode of our Inside Ridley sub-series, faculty members Hannah Craven and Michael Bird sit down for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about what's been happening at Ridley. Mike shares highlights from his OSP — including finishing a new book on the Roman Empire and the early church, visiting the city of his birth in Germany, and lecturing across India, the US and UK. Hannah reflects on the landmark new intensive, Women in the New Testament, and her new role supporting the Anglican Institute. They celebrate Ridley's biggest ever graduation cohort, before diving into one of the most pressing conversations in theological education right now — artificial intelligence. Mike's an enthusiastic early adopter; Hannah's a self-described "friction-maxxer." Together they make for a genuinely fun and thought-provoking conversation about what AI means for learning, character formation, and the future of theological education. Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇 Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    Inside Ridley: Books, Graduation & the AI Question with Hannah Craven & Mike Bird

  8. Apr 21

    Tools for a Lifetime of Ministry with Tim Johnson

    🎙️ S4 E2 — Tools for a Lifetime of Ministry with Tim Johnson In this episode, our Principal, Rhys Bezzant, sits down with newly appointed faculty member Tim Johnson for a rich conversation about life, ministry, and what it means to be well-equipped for the long haul.  Tim shares his journey from growing up in a minister's home in Sydney's western suburbs — with no intention of ever becoming a pastor himself — to over 12 years as vicar of St John's Diamond Creek, and now joining Ridley's faculty to teach preaching and pastoral care. Along the way, they discuss the moment Tim's understanding of justification changed everything, how a local church can prune back activity to focus on what matters most, and why theological education remains vital in a world of cheap alternatives. Tim also opens up about his approach to personal spiritual growth, intentional reading plans, and what it means to keep filling the tank for a lifetime of ministry. A warm, honest, and deeply encouraging conversation for anyone in or considering vocational ministry. Got Questions?Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at pod@ridley.edu.au and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇 Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

    Tools for a Lifetime of Ministry with Tim Johnson
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About

Welcome to the Ridley College Podcast. Here, you’ll find Public Lectures, stories from our students and faculty, and insights from leading experts on the Bible, theology and ministry.

Information

  • Creator
    Ridley College
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © @2026 Ridley College
  • Show Website
    Ridley College Podcast