Scripture Untangled

Season 12: Episode 11 | Leanne Friesen | The Power of Lament in Scripture

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In this episode, Leanne and Andrew discuss:

• How Leanne’s faith was shaped by growing up in a vibrant church community in rural Newfoundland within The Salvation Army tradition.
• Her journey into pastoral ministry, including her years serving as lead pastor and the Biblical foundations that have sustained her through nearly two decades of leadership.
• How the teachings and stories of Jesus in the Gospels have shaped her understanding of pastoral leadership, discipleship, and guiding others toward Christ.
• Leanne’s personal experience of losing her sister to cancer, that led to her writing the book Grieving Room, which encourages the Church to create compassionate spaces where grief is acknowledged rather than rushed toward resolution.
• The future of the Church, and the importance of listening to younger generations and shifting from a survival mindset toward a genuine desire to share the hope of Christ.

Leanne Friesen is the Executive Minister of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec, where she serves a family of just under 300 churches. Before this, she was lead pastor of Mount Hamilton Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ontario for 18 years. Leanne is also the author of the book “Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things After Death and Loss” and the upcoming book “After the Terrible” (2027 release). She also curates the popular Instagram page @grieving.room where she offers grief support. Leanne lives in Hamilton with her husband and two teenage children.

You can hear more from Leanne at a number of podcasts, many of which are on her website leannefriesen.com.

Her book is available for purchase on Amazon and Indigo or wherever books are sold.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling was the Senior Minister of Timothy Eaton Memorial United Church in Toronto, one of Canada’s largest United Church congregations and was responsible for leadership and administration at Timothy Eaton from 1998 until his more recent retirement. Overseeing staff, providing visionary leadership, acting as the public representative of over 1,500 members and managing a dynamic and ever-evolving ministry to the city of Toronto and beyond.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Law from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, a Master of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. In 2008, Wycliffe College, Toronto, recognized his contribution to preaching with an honorary Doctor of Divinity.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling is now the Ambassador for the Canadian Bible Society building relationships with churches, academic institutions and individuals across Canada.