New Churches Podcast

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Tony Merida is joined by Adam Muhtaseb and Vance Pitman to help apply the wisdom James has for us in church planting.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Jeff Medders is joined by Jonathan and Melissa Parnell to hear God’s wisdom on the trials and suffering faced in church planting.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Adam Muhtaseb and Daniel Santander to tackle one of the most urgent and personal questions every church planter must face: How do I not burn out?

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Noah Oldham is joined by Vergil Brown and Daniel Santander to explore one of the most pressing challenges every church planter faces: how to lead well.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Noah Oldham is joined by Adam Muhtaseb and Matt Smethurst to tackle a crucial but often overlooked aspect of church planting: How do I build systems?

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Tony Merida is joined by Matt Smethurst and Daniel Santander to discuss one of the most essential tasks of a church planter: making disciples.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Tony Merida and Matt Smethurst to answer a question many church planters wrestle with: How do I preach engaging sermons?

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Noah Oldham is joined by Adam Muhtaseb and Vergil Brown to answer two of the most common—and often most stressful—questions church planters face: How do I raise money, and how do I find a space?

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Tony Merida is joined by Vergil Brown and Jeff Medders to tackle a crucial question for church planters: How do I faithfully engage my city with the hope of the gospel?

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Tony Merida and Matt Smethurst to address one of the most important—and often challenging—realities of church planting: building a team.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Noah Oldham is joined by Tony Merida and Adam Muhtaseb to address one of the most frequently used—and often misunderstood—ideas in church planting: vision.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Tony Merida and Daniel Santander to tackle one of the most foundational questions every prospective church planter asks: How do I know I’m called? As the first episode in a season focused on the “how” questions of church planting, the conversation explores what biblical calling really is, how a man can discern whether he’s called to pastoral ministry—and whether that calling is best lived out through planting, revitalization, or pastoring an existing church—and why every healthy planter must be sent by a local church. Listeners will walk away with theological clarity, pastoral wisdom, and practical guidance for discerning God’s direction and embracing the church-centered nature of the planting task.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Noah Oldham, Tony Merida, and Patrick Schreiner, to explore the often-overlooked role of pastoral care.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, Noah Oldham sits down with pastors Will Basham, Bryan Loritts, and Jon Kelly to explore the inevitable conflicts church planters face, drawing lessons from Acts 15.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Jon Kelly, Elizabeth Woodson, and Dean Inserra to explore Acts 16 and the principles of church planting and leadership development.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Elizabeth Woodson, Dean Inserra, and Bryan Loritts to explore the diversity of the early church in Acts, focusing on the church at Antioch.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Trevin Wax is joined by Will Basham, Bryan Loritts, and Jon Kelly to explore personal evangelism through the lens of the Book of Acts.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Noah Oldham is joined by Will Basham, Tony Merida, and Dean Inserra to explore the vital role of systems in church planting, drawing lessons from Acts 6.

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, Noah Oldham is joined by Bryan Loritts, Patrick Schreiner, and Trevin Wax to explore the theme of gospel boldness through the Book of Acts.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Jeff Medders is joined by Dean Inserra, Elizabeth Woodson, and Will Basham to explore what healthy, gospel-centered community looks like, highlighting fellowship, shared meals, generosity, and authenticity as key elements.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Jeff Medders is joined by Tony Merida, Trevin Wax, and Patrick Schreiner to explore apostolic preaching in the Book of Acts and its implications for church planting.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Noah Oldham is joined by Vance Pitman, Bryan Loritts, and J.D. Greear to explore the vital role of prayer and fasting in church planting.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, Tony Merida is joined by Patrick Schreiner, Jeff Medders, and Jon Kelly to talk about the power of the Holy Spirit in church planting.

In this episode of the New Churches Podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Tony Merida, Vance Pitman, and J.D. Greear to kick off a new season exploring church planting through the book of Acts.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Jeremy Pierre in this special episode of the New Churches podcast for a discussion on the vital role of pastoral care in church planting.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Barnabas Piper in this special episode of the New Churches podcast for a discussion on what it means to build and sustain a gospel culture in your church.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Matt Smethurst in this special episode of the New Churches podcast for a discussion on calling, culture, and convictions in church planting.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Kyle Worley in this special episode of the New Churches podcast for a discussion on the surprising path that led Kyle to plant Mosaic Church in Richardson, Texas.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Ronnie Martin in this special episode of the New Churches podcast for a discussion on the importance of renewal in the life of a church planter.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by J.T. English in this special episode of the New Churches podcast for a discussion on the vital link between evangelism and discipleship in church planting.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Vance Pitman, Matt Carter, and Jen Oshman for a final discussion on applying key essentials to church planting teams.

Host Noah Oldham is joined by Matt Carter, Vance Pitman, and Mark Lee to discuss practical leadership in church planting.

Host Matt Carter is joined by Tony Merida, Vance Pitman, and Trevin Wax to discuss the essential role of global missions in church planting.

Host Tony Merida is joined by Bryan Loritts and Mark Lee to discuss a church planter’s understanding and love for the Church.

Host Noah Oldham is joined by Jeff Medders, Bryan Loritts, and Jen Oshman to explore how Theology, Mission, and Teaching apply to church planting teams.

Host Tony Merida is joined by Vance Pitman, Bryan Loritts, and Jared C. Wilson to discuss the essential role of preaching and teaching in church planting.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Shane Pruitt and Trevin Wax to discuss the mission of church planting—focusing on evangelism and disciple-making.

Host Jeff Medders is joined by Trevin Wax and Jared C. Wilson to discuss the essential role of theology in church planting.

Host Noah Oldham welcomes Vance Pitman, Mark Lee, and Jen Oshman explore how the first three essentials—Heart, Relationships, and Calling—apply to teams.

Host Tony Merida welcomes Jared C. Wilson, Mark Lee, and Shane Pruitt to discuss the planter’s calling.

Host Matt Carter welcomes Noah Oldham, Bryan Loritts, and Trevin Wax to discuss the importance of relationships in church planting as part of the nine essentials of a faithful and effective church planter series. They emphasize that real ministry is inherently relational, requiring planters to cultivate healthy connections in various areas, including marriage, family, their core team, unbelievers, new converts, and friendships.

Host Jeff Medders welcomes Tony Merida, Jared C. Wilson, and Vance Pitman for a new season of the New Churches podcast to discuss the nine essentials of a faithful and effective church planter! They explore the origins and necessity of these essentials, emphasizing the importance of both faithfulness and effectiveness in church planting.

In this final episode of the season, host Jeff Medders is joined by fellow laborers Vance Pitman, Tony Merida, and Matt Carter to dive into Paul’s closing words for his protege in Titus 3:12-15.

Tune in to discover why Titus 3:10 is so often overlooked and disobeyed within the modern-day church planting context and how you can know how to best address “the attention economy” for the betterment of those you’re called to serve.

Uncover what it means for your church plant to foster a culture of good works so that your community will come to know the Lord and be changed by His gospel message of hope.

See how this “all people” vision for planting the church is essential for every church plant in every context, as well as how verse 14 offers a gospel flavor to speak comfort and correction to you when you need it most.

Uncover why the deity of Christ is so crucial in church planting and preaching today and how your faithful gospel teaching impacts the sanctification of those whom you’re entrusted to shepherd.

Discover how you, like Paul, can serve, engage, recruit, and commission the women of your congregation by casting an intentional vision for their growth and development as disciples of the Word.

Uncover the exhortations and encouragements needed for your congregation through the lens of Paul’s care for Titus and his flock.

Learn how preachers are made, what the elements of sound teaching are, and why it is essential to set an example through preaching.

Discover how you can grow as a public theologian and apologist in your community as you discern and address the differences between sound teaching and false teaching, wrong teaching, and different teaching.

Tune in to discover why character is so essential to the health and longevity of your church plant.

Discover how Paul’s God-centered, Christ-exalting mindset shaped him as a planter and pastor.

Discover why mentor relationships are so vital in the lives of planters and pastors today, as well as what it looks like to equip and deploy planters through the lens of Paul’s and Titus’s examples.

In this bonus summer episode, host Jeff Medders meets with researcher, preacher, and church elder Dan Steel to discuss many of the very real pitfalls experienced by church planters today. Tune in to discover how you can wisely navigate the hurdles and complexities of modern-day church planting while remaining faithful to the Lord and to His mission for His church.

Host Ed Stetzer meets with Vice President of Research and Resources Trevin Wax to discuss the many shifts and trends that have taken place within the world of church planting in recent years. Discover where the New Churches podcast has been, as well as what you can expect in future seasons!

Host Jeff Medders sits down with pastor, Bible teacher, writer, and podcast host Daniel Im to discuss how church leaders can impact their congregations and communities with the power of the gospel in this post-pandemic world. Tune in to discover how you can make disciples and engage those who may be spiritually asleep in your midst.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham team back up with author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin to discuss the impact of discipling women through the small group method. Tune in to discover how you can create intentional, impactful discipleship spaces for women from the earliest days of your church plant.

Hosts Jeff Medders and Tony Merida dive into one of the most difficult areas of leadership development: conflict resolution. Tune in to discover tools with which to view your disagreements, unmet expectations, and miscommunications as growth opportunities rather than situations to flee. Here’s how you can meet your conflict head-on, honoring Christ and pursuing peace through the help of His Spirit.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham meet with author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin to discuss the eternal impact of training up the women in our congregations. Tune in to discover how you can help your church plant grow in Great Commission faithfulness from the household and beyond by intentionally investing in women’s theological equipping.

Host Tony Merida meets with Send Network’s Director of Urban Church Planter Development Doug Logan and Director of Theology and Content Jeff Medders to discuss how evangelism and discipleship can converge to establish a soul-winning culture within your church plant. Tune in to discover the mindset and systems shifts you can cultivate in your congregation to reach people for Christ and continue to grow them for the furtherance of the gospel.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Jeff Medders team up with Troy Nesbitt, the president of the Salt Network, to discuss the roles of mentorship, discipleship, and leadership with our ministry spheres. Tune in to discover how you can reach the next generation’s leaders and the part you can play in helping them live on mission for Christ.

Host Tony Merida teams back up with longtime friend and mentee Adam Muhtaseb to discuss their own experiences in leading with Christlike humility. Tune in to discover how our Savior has paved the way for us to walk humbly before God and one another as we plant our churches for His glory and not our own.

Host Ed Stetzer chats with Vice President of Research and Resources Development, Trevin Wax, about the shifts in how church planters relate to denominational affiliations, networks, and institutions as a whole. Tune in to learn more about current church planting trends and their impact on the future of our new churches.

Host Tony Merida meets backs up with longtime friend and Baltimore Send City Missionary Adam Muhtaseb to share their experiences with intentionally discipling the members of their church plants. Listen in to discover how you can embrace new pathways of discipleship in the life of your church and demystify the process along the way.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Jeff Medders team up with Troy Nesbitt, the president of the Salt Network, a church planting network dedicated to reaching college students with the hope of the gospel. Tune in to discover what sets this student demographic apart and how you can assist in impacting the most reachable, trainable, and sendable people group on earth with the good news of Christ’s love.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Jeff Medders reunite with Aaron Cavin, the pastor, planter, and Send Network city missionary to Boston, Massachusetts. Tune in as they discuss the intricacies of developing a sending church culture and how you can help your people live sent as they think multiplication from the earliest days of your church plant.

Host Tony Merida teams back up with rural pastor and planter Will Basham to discuss how you and your team can best navigate the pressures and polarization of politics amidst another election year. Tune in to discover your pastoral responsibility as a preacher within your church planting context and how you and your congregation can be people of peace in chaotic times.

Host Ed Stetzer teams back up with pastor and planter Dean Fulks to discuss the relational highs and lows of sending out your best people to plant new churches. Discover the impact of grace-fueled, vision-driven leadership on your congregation as you multiply your church’s DNA for the purpose of the Great Commission.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Jeff Medders meet up with Aaron Cavin, the pastor, planter, and Send Network city missionary to Boston. Listen in as they discuss their own experiences in being part of a church planting network, as well as what drew them into serving at Send Network.

Host Tony Merida chats with rural pastor and planter Will Basham to discuss the advantages of church membership, not only for the church but for its people, too. Tune in to discover how you can take discipleship to the next level by engaging your congregation through the process of church membership.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham meet with Darryl Speers, Send Relief missionary to Los Angeles, California. Tune in to discover how the Lord interrupted this church planter’s plans for the good of the church and the engagement of their community—all for the glory of God alone. Listen to learn why engaging the city is a core value of Send Network and the first step in biblical missiology.

Host Tony Merida returns with his long-time friend and colleague Dr. Doug Logan to discuss the latter’s joys, challenges, and success stories of ministry within the urban context. Tune in to discover the creative ways in which you can engage your urban community with the hope of Christ’s gospel.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham discuss their shared experiences of engaging the powerhouse of their church planting endeavors: prayer. Tune in to learn more about these prayer-fueled opportunities disguised as challenges that they have encountered from the first days of their church plant and beyond.

Host Ed Stetzer chats with lead pastor Dean Fulks to share his experiences from serving as a church planter to later pastoring a sending church. Tune in to discover the key characteristics to look for in your core team members, as well as the ways to set your people up for success through the twists and turns of starting your new church well.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham spend time discussing their shared experiences of church planting in the context of a team. Listen as they share the wisdom they’ve gained through the lessons they’ve learned on the field and why sticking together and building out your team is one of your greatest assets as a planter.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham team back up with pastor’s wife, mom, and National Director of Women’s Evangelism, Catherine Renfro, to dive into the impact of investing in the ladies of your congregation. Tune in to discover why God is calling each and every member of your church to live on mission—and why it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Host Tony Merida chats with long-time friend and colleague Dr. Doug Logan, Send Network’s Director of Urban Planter Development, to share the latter’s experiences in urban church planting. Tune in as the author, pastor, and planter shares insight into loving your city well, investing in your mental and emotional health, and reaching your people through meeting their needs.

Host Ed Stetzer returns with writer, speaker, and professor Kyle Strobel to dive more deeply into the leadership challenges of church planting. Tune in to discover the profound paradox of leading from weakness as you make much of Christ and abide in His strength.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham meet with pastor's wife, mom, and National Director of Women's Evangelism, Catherine Renfro, to discuss the significance of women’s evangelism in the life of the church. Tune in to discover how you can mobilize the women of your congregation to join in the activity of God, one gospel conversation at a time.

Host Tony Merida teams back up with Matt Carter, Send Network’s Vice President of Mobilization, to discuss the rhythms and patterns that have helped them thrive in ministry, as well as in their personal health and families. Tune in to discover why your earliest days in ministry are so significant and how you can reclaim your days for the sake of God-honoring endurance.

Host Noah Oldham teams back up with pastor and planter Adam Muhtaseb to discuss their relationships with constructive criticism throughout their journeys as church planters. Tune in as they discuss what Scripture has to say about your life, ministry, and righteousness in Christ and how God intends to form you in His image as you shepherd your flock for His glory.

Host Ed Stetzer meets with writer, speaker, and professor Kyle Strobel to discuss the impact of spiritual practices—both personally and corporately—in the life of the church planter. Discover what it means to find your strength in the Lord and how to lead your people to do the same.

Host Noah Oldham sits down with Adam Muhtaseb, the pastor, planter, and recipient of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Joe B. Brown Preaching Award. Listen in as they discuss the impact of your church’s Sunday morning preaching culture and how you can take strides to engage the assembled nonbelievers as you strengthen your flock from the platform.

Host Tony Merida meets with Matt Carter, Send Network’s Vice President of Mobilization, to discuss their journeys through preaching the Word within their respective church-planting contexts. Tune in to discover their wisdom gained and lessons learned throughout their years of preaching and planting.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham return for another episode with pastor, planter, and leadership expert Dr. Crawford Loritts. Tune in to discover what you can gain through the guidance of those who have gone before you on this church planting journey.

Host Ed Stetzer teams back up with colleague Craig Hazen to take a deep dive into John 15:7—Christ’s own words about fearless, expectant prayer. Discover the role of prayer in the life of the church planter as you petition the Lord on behalf of your people and wait to see how He will provide.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham spend some time with pastor, planter, and leadership expert Dr. Crawford Loritts to examine the impact of aligning today’s current events with Scripture’s eternal truth. Here’s how you can honor God from the pulpit as you leverage your platform for the sake of the gospel made known.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham share insight into one of the most difficult aspects of planting a church in North America today: establishing sustainable patterns of rest. Here’s what you can add and subtract to your life in ministry in order to live in the rest Christ has prepared for you.

Host Tony Merida spends time with Jeff Medders to discuss the life and legacy of James Spurgeon not only as a pastor and preacher, but as a dedicated church planter, too. From his intentionality as a leader to his vision casting as a church revitalizer, Spurgeon has much to teach planters today about faithfully living on mission, no matter the context in which you lead.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham team back up with pastor and planter Ray Ortlund to share the internal and external measures you can take as a church planter to keep your leadership and ministry healthy and guarded from harm. Discover the personal and theological safeguards you can set in place to protect the calling God has placed upon you and your church.

Host Ed Stetzer chats with his colleague Craig Hazen, the Founder and Director of Christian Apologetics at the Talbot School of Theology. Together, they discuss the impact of apologetics within the church-planting sphere and how this study and practice grants us confidence to move forward in our missional calling to share the peace of Christ’s truth with the world.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham share an encouraging word with Ray Ortlund, the author, pastor, and founder of Immanuel Nashville. Together, they discuss the significance of forming Christ-exalting personal habits within the earliest days of ministry. Tune in to discover how you can create safeguards for the long-term health of your ministry as well as your own personal spiritual walk with Christ.

Host Tony Merida meets with Jeff Medders, the Director of Theology and Content at SEND Network, to discuss the significance of the resurrection in our daily lives as believers, as well its power in the weekly rhythms of our churches. Tune in to discover how emphasizing the resurrection empowers us to live boldly on mission for the gospel.

Host Ed Stetzer meets with church planters Adam Muhtaseb and Richard Pope to discuss their best practices when it comes to facing hardship while leading a new church plant. Here’s why rest, repentance, and reliance on God and His people are essential for planters as they seek to lead others to Christ’s truth amidst life’s greatest difficulties.

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham kick off the new year by discussing the significance of casting a church-wide vision as leaders within your congregation. Discover how biblical leadership surpasses the ordinary markers of goal setting and why you’re called to simply take the next step forward in faithfulness as you wait expectantly upon the Lord.

What does it look like to connect with your community? Noah Oldham and Vance Pitman talk with Mark Lee about best practices for engaging your community as a new church planter.

As our society tips toward majority non-Christian, the need for clearer calls to the gospel becomes paramount. Ed Stetzer, Shane Pruitt, and Catherine Renfro talk about how to give an effective gospel presentation.

Hosts Noah Oldham and Vance Pitman sit down with Pastor Matt Carter to discuss the significance of creating a culture of sending through preaching. Here's what it means to "live sent" and to empower your people to do the same.