Cass Langton on Church Planting Post-Hillsong, Beauty as Witness, and Pastoring Creatives

Mar 23, 2026

Cass Langton, pastor, worship leader, and church planter who left Hillsong to start The Local Church Sydney. She talks about healing after a major ministry transition. She shares how lounge-room gatherings grew into a vibrant community. She explores why beauty and creativity matter for the church and practical ways to nurture and care for artists and creatives.

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ANECDOTE

From Hillsong To Planting The Local Sydney

Cass Langton and her husband left 26 years at Hillsong, spent a year resting and praying, then discerned a local church plant after gatherings grew from 35 to 100 people.
A Good Friday service in a small Danish chapel overflowed, led to finding a venue and launching The Local in Sydney in June 2024 with kids and baptisms within weeks.

ANECDOTE

Baptism Of A Dying Former Prisoner Changed A Family

Within weeks of launching, a man recently released from prison with terminal asbestos cancer came, found acceptance, was baptized, and died in Christ, catalyzing his family's regular attendance.
That baptism and his testimony drew his parents into apprenticeship to faith and showed rapid tangible impact in the local community.

ADVICE

Pause For Healing Before Planting Again

Take extended intentional rest and professional support after transition rather than rushing into the next project.
Cass studied New Testament courses, saw healing in studying Jesus, and used counseling and pastoral discernment before launching again.

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In this conversation, Jason Ballard sits down with Cass Langton, pastor, worship leader, and longtime creative leader, to talk about church planting, healing after ministry transition, and why creativity and beauty matter deeply in the life of the church.

Cass reflects on the surprising journey that led her and her family from 26 years at Hillsong into planting The Local Church in Sydney. She shares honestly about the slow and painful work of healing after ministry transition, the importance of resisting reactionary leadership, and the grace of learning to recognize God’s presence in the quiet, ordinary moments of life.

Jason and Cass also explore the unique calling of creatives in the church. Together, they discuss how pastors can better understand, value, and disciple creatives, why beauty is a primary matter in the Kingdom of God, and how the church can become a place where artists, musicians, writers, and makers are spiritually and creatively nurtured.

This is a rich conversation for pastors, church planters, worship leaders, and anyone longing to see the church become more beautiful, imaginative, and alive to the presence of God.

Jason and Cass discuss:

Cass’s journey from Hillsong to planting The Local Church Sydney,
How healing, rest, and recalibration shaped the season before launching something new,
Learning to see the “miracles in the mundane” in pastoral ministry,
The role of beauty and creativity in the mission of God,
How churches can cultivate and pastor creatives well,
Why creatives need community, formation, and care, not just opportunities to serve,
Practical ways pastors can bless and release artists in their churches.

Show Notes

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