Scripture Untangled

In this episode of Scripture Untangled, the Right Reverend Dr. Kimberly Heath, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, joins CBS Ambassador Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling for a rich and honest conversation about calling, transformation, and what the church needs right now. Kimberly shares the unexpected moment that changed the course of her life, how Scripture has shaped her journey, and why real transformation often happens through small steps - aware, repair, renew.
In this episode, Kimberly and Andrew discuss: 
How God often speaks a calling into our lives through the voice of another person. 
How Scripture anchors us in seasons of uncertainty and guides us toward purpose. 
Spiritual transformation that happens through awareness, action, and renewal. 
The life of faith and how it is strengthened through daily prayer and intentional habits. 
Read the transcript:  https://biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s13-ep8  
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The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly A. Heath is the 45th Moderator of The United Church of Canada. She was born in Lusaka, Zambia, where her parents taught school, but grew up in small towns and cities in Canada.  
After studying history at McGill University, she earned her Master of Divinity at Emmanuel College, before being ordained in 1999. Her Doctorate in Ministry studies focused on preaching, particularly where it can effect transformation, within and in the world, through small steps and minor shifts. She began her nearly three decades of active ministry with the people of Claresholm-Stavely Pastoral Charge in rural southern Alberta. Since 2007, she has served the people of Wall Street United Church in eastern Ontario. 
Her active ministry has led her to working within the wider church, chairing Pastoral Relations in Foothills Presbytery, serving as President of Bay of Quinte Conference, and working on the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council Transition Commission. She also inspires and nurtures church leaders’ faith through clergy retreats, workshops and preaching conferences. 
She lives in Brockville, Ontario, with her husband and youngest of her four children ranging in age from 15 to 27 years and Salty the dog. She is bilingual and enjoys reading, sailing, and open-water swimming. 
Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca
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In this episode of Scripture Untangled, seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck speaks with Dr. Jeff Green, CBS Vice President of Scripture Translation about Bible translation, Indigenous languages, and the way Scripture in your heart language inspires hope, strengthens identity, and deepens faith. 
In this episode, Jeff and Lorna discuss: 
 Jeff’s journey from a church-rooted upbringing and studying math at Waterloo to discovering Biblical languages and Bible translation as his life’s work. 
Why heart language matters, and why people need Scripture in the language that speaks most deeply to them, not just one they can partially understand. 
How the Canadian Bible Society works alongside Indigenous communities under local leadership to support Scripture translation in heritage languages. 
The healing and hope of Scripture in Indigenous languages: language loss, revival, community restoration, and the powerful truth that “God speaks my language.” 
Why Bible translation is not solo work, but involves church leaders, translators, reviewers, and whole communities. 
Read the transcript: https://biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s13-ep7  
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Jeff has been involved in Bible translation since 2001. He and his family spent 11 years in East Asia, where he served with Wycliffe/Summer Institute of Linguistics in a Bible translation project and in many other roles. He helped his colleagues with their linguistic analysis and Bible translation work as a linguistics consultant and a translation consultant. He taught linguistics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels for Canada Institute of Linguistics in Langley, BC and as part of their partnership with Tyndale University College in Toronto, ON, and for Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. His leadership experience includes serving as Language and Culture Learning Coordinator and as the coordinator of a Bible translation community of practice focused on the Himalayan region. 
Since joining CBS, Jeff has been a translation consultant on projects in Plains Cree, Iñupiatun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Kwak’wala, and Punjabi. He supports the wider Bible translation movement by serving as Managing Editor of The Bible Translator journal and as an Academic Mentor in the Master of Arts in Translation of Scripture program at Northwest Seminary and Canada Institute of Linguistics. He enjoys teaching others the things he’s had the opportunity to learn and helping others with the technical aspects of Bible translation work. 
Jeff earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Bible Translation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. He and his family live in Oshawa, ON. 
Learn more about Indigenous translations - https://biblesociety.ca/project/canada-indigenous-languages-bible-translation/  
Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca
Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate
Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety
The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

In this powerful episode of Scripture Untangled, CBS Ambassador Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling sits down with Dr. Lennett Anderson, Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nova Scotia, Assistant Professor at Acadia Divinity College, and advocate for racial justice, community transformation, and Biblical leadership. Lennett shares his story of growing up in a vibrant, faith-filled church community and how that foundation shaped his passion for discipleship, justice, and servant leadership.   
In this episode, Lennett and Andrew discuss: 
How a strong faith foundation and church community shaped his lifelong calling to ministry and justice. 
Leading a historic Black church that is now beautifully multicultural, united by the Gospel. 
Raising up the next generation, who are hungry for authenticity, revival, and meaningful faith. 
Living with intentionality, courage, and a deep commitment to Biblical justice. 
Read the transcript:  https://biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s13-ep6
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The Reverend Dr. Lennett J. Anderson is a pastor, educator, military chaplain (retired), and community leader whose ministry spans more than two decades of transformative service in church, academy, and society. He has served since 1999 as Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church— “The MEETing Place”—in Nova Scotia, providing visionary leadership to one of the province’s historic African Nova Scotian congregations. Under his leadership, the church has become a hub for spiritual formation, community engagement, and social justice advocacy. 
Dr. Anderson is an Assistant Professor of Leadership and Racial Justice at Acadia Divinity College, where he equips emerging leaders for ministry grounded in equity, reconciliation, and faithful public witness. His teaching and writing explore pastoral leadership, anti-racism, and the role of the church in advancing human dignity. 
He is a retired commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and served as Unit Chaplain at HMCS Scotian. His military service, combined with his pastoral vocation, reflects a lifelong commitment to servant leadership and the holistic care of people in diverse contexts. 
A respected voice in matters of race relations and community development, Dr. Anderson has advised educational institutions, policing bodies, and civic organizations on equity and inclusion. He has also provided leadership within the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia and contributes to broader denominational and global church networks, including service as State Overseer in Canada for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. 
Dr. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University and a Master of Divinity from Acadia University. He has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity in recognition of his significant contributions to ministry and community leadership. 
His work has been recognized with numerous honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Platinum Jubilee Community Hero Award, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Citizenship, and the Canadian Forces Decoration. 
Committed to faith, family, and community, Dr. Anderson shares life and ministry with his wife, Dr. Késa Munroe-Anderson, and their children. His life’s work is marked by a passion for spiritual renewal, justice, and the building of beloved community. 
Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca
Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate
Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety
The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

What happens when faith meets fear, and grace meets a life that doesn’t feel “in order”? In this episode of Scripture Untangled, seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck sits down with GRAMMY-nominated Canadian jazz artist Laila Biali for a deeply honest conversation about anxiety, community, and the redeeming love of God. 
In this episode, Laila and Lorna discuss: 
Laila's faith journey, including wrestling with relationships and faith, and the powerful experience of being embraced, not rejected, by a church community. 
The Grammy 'God-wink', the hard road behind the album, and the perseverance required to bring it to completion. 
How Laila engages Scripture in a busy season of life, leaning into simple, sustainable rhythms like daily Bible app readings, short devotionals, and guided prayer. 
Key Scriptures that have anchored Laila's life, speaking into themes of beauty, redemption, strength, and fear. 
Motherhood, travel and calling - choosing seasons, community needs, and letting God “veto” decisions. 
Read the transcript: https://biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s13-ep5  
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The church Laila refers to in this interview is not Toronto’s Little Trinity Anglican Church, but New York City's Trinity Baptist Church.

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Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca
Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate
The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca
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Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist and national radio host and 2026 GRAMMY Award nominee Laila Biali has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents from New York City's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts and supported international icon Sting. Biali's past four consecutive releases – Wintersongs (2024), Your Requests (2023), Out of Dust (2020), and Laila Biali (2018) – all received JUNO Award nominations, and she won the 2019 JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.  
Wintersongs was also nominated for a 2026 GRAMMY Award alongside heavyweights Elton John & Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Hudson and Laufey.  
In 2020 Biali was honoured by SOCAN Music with the Hagood Hardy Award for Excellence in Songwriting following her 2018 win at the Canadian Songwriting Competition for Best Song (Jazz). Biali was the youngest-ever double winner at Canada’s National Jazz Awards, named SOCAN Composer of the Year and Keyboardist of the Year.  
When Biali isn’t on stage she’s busy hosting CBC Music’s national radio show, Saturday Night Jazz. Biali's signature sound transcends genre, making her a favourite among audiences globally. 
https://lailabiali.com/
Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca
Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate
Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety
The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

Discover spiritual formation for real life in a world that never turns off. In this episode of Scripture Untangled, Rev. Mark Jefferson, Associate Professor at Acadia Divinity College, sits down with CBS Ambassador, Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling to explore how Scripture, worship, and Christian community shape us from the inside out, especially amid digital distraction and AI-driven culture. 
In this episode, Mark and Andrew discuss: 
Being formed before you lead - why worship and community shape future leaders. 
Clarity as a spiritual gift and discerning what to carry and what to shed as your calling narrows. 
The “First Minutes” practice of dedicating the earliest part of the day to God.. 
From curiosity to passion in Scripture, and moving beyond devotional skimming into “digging in.” 
Spiritual formation that begins by actually seeing young people and not just demographic data. 
Starting with the Gospel of Mark, a simple on-ramp to meeting Jesus in Scripture for new readers. 
Read the transcript: https://biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s13-ep4  
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Rev. Mark Andrew Jefferson, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and the John Norris Gladstone Chair of Preaching and Worship at Acadia Divinity College, where he also serves as Dean of the Chapel. An ordained Baptist minister, he is a homiletician and theologian whose work explores Black worship, preaching, embodiment, and the formation of Christian communities amid surveillance, racial capitalism, and digital mediation.  
His scholarship brings Black theology, sound studies, and ecclesial practice into sustained conversation with contemporary questions of technology and power. He has preached and lectured widely across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East.  
His forthcoming book, Rhythm and Algorithm: Preaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, examines Black preaching as a practice of rhythmic resistance and spiritual formation in an algorithmic age. Dr. Jefferson is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College and served as Bicentennial Preacher at Virginia Theological Seminary. 
Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca
Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate
Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety
The Bible Course: biblecourse.ca