New Churches Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Renewing the Importance of the Gathered Church Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

Episode 774

Hosts Noah Oldham and Vance Pitman sit down with Send Network’s Vice President for Planter Development Tony Merida to discuss why we are called to gather as the body of Christ. From topics like Christ’s incarnation to the COVID-19 pandemic, listen in to discover how your presence impacts the life and culture of the local church.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

The pros and cons of online streaming
How God’s presence is encountered through physically gathering
Ways to combat the entertainment-driven consumer mentality of the modern age
Why gathering is more than just a Western interpretation of Scripture
How to “read the room” on your family conversations within the body of Christ

Helpful Resources:

Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

We not only have a new Father, but a whole new family through adoption into the gospel. I not only get to call God “Abba Father,” but I get to call those who look and have radically different backgrounds than me my brothers and sisters. — Tony Merida

The senior pastor and worship pastor are not leading worship; they’re the lead worshipers. So, don’t sit in a green room. Be engaged in every moment of worship because you want your people to see that gathering together matters. — Vance Pitman

Jesus didn’t just Zoom from heaven and tell us what to do, but He incarnated Himself and lived among us. The Word became flesh. We are embodied beings, and our faith is best lived out in embodied ways. — Tony Merida

Church is not an event you attend or watch; it’s a family to which you belong. So many of the “one anothers” in the New Testament cannot be lived out apart from fellowship, community, and gathering together. — Vance Pitman

Don’t get so locked in on Planning Center that you don’t leave room for the Holy Spirit of God to move and redirect your time of gathering. — Vance Pitman

The post Renewing the Importance of the Gathered Church appeared first on New Churches.

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Considerations for Buying a Building for Your Church Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Episode 773

Host Ed Stetzer joins with rural pastor and planter Will Basham to discuss God’s faithfulness over a decade of ministry at New Heights Church. Listen as they dive into the fundamental details of purchasing a church building, along with creative ways to engage your community and congregation in each season along the way.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Tips for financial discernment and wisdom
Church planters’ testimonies of the Lord going before them
How growth can be viewed as a discipleship opportunity
The importance of clear communication in giving
Ways for your people to be the church, from “cafetoriums” to pizza shops, on a school campus or at the park!

Helpful Resources:

Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

I love to ask people to give. It’s a blessing to offer an opportunity to be blessed. — Ed Stetzer

The key is to have a strategy and a facility that match your community. — Ed Stetzer

In designing your church, you’re sending a message about the kind of church you want to be. You’re sending a message to the people of faith that this is a place for them. — Ed Stetzer

It’s so easy to get distracted on the building as a church planter, especially a church planter leading in unconventional places. I spent so many years saying, “The church is not a building; the church is the people until we get a building.” — Will Basham

Planting is a constant effort. You can’t let off the gas pedal of mission because you got a building. It’s taught me that more than anything else, I have to keep the mission in front of our people. — Will Basham

The post Considerations for Buying a Building for Your Church appeared first on New Churches.

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Theological Accountability Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Episode 772

In this episode, hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham talk with pastor, planter, and professor Tony Merida on the significance of an accountability that reaches past moral convictions. Tune in to discover all you have to gain from your sending church and network as you discredit false doctrines and get to the non-negotiables of your gospel-driven mission.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Tips for establishing theological convictions within your next new members’ course
How shared stances build mutual trust between co-laborers of the gospel
The role of the sending church vs. sending network in addressing theological concern
Two paths for preparing and raising planters within your own congregation
Why you may need to return to “the ministry of the phone call”

Helpful Resources:

Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

At the end of the day, Jesus will hold me accountable to what I teach and expects His church to be faithful to sound doctrine. Moral accountability is so important, but theological accountability is something we should be talking about, too. — Tony Merida

If you go back to the New Testament missiology, the apostles’ letters not only corrected missional and practical issues but dealt with theological issues that needed to be addressed. — Vance Pitman

Consider all the great confessions of the faith that have been passed down to us. These core doctrines can be read in a very academic, dry way or in a worshipful way that really builds your faith. — Tony Merida

We’re not talking about a relationship of cops and robbers or being the theological police; we’re talking about brother-to-brother encouragement and pouring theological investment into each other’s lives. — Vance Pitman

In Colossians 1, Paul doesn’t start by talking about problems and heresy. He starts by giving a real picture of Christ, then talking about the problem. If people understand who the real Christ is, they begin understanding the real gospel. — Tony Merida

John the Baptist lost his head over what he believed about marriage, so let’s not goof around as if everybody’s going to love us. We have to be bold while dealing with controversial issues in a way that’s gentle, winsome, and warm, but also in a spirit of boldness. — Tony Merida

The post Theological Accountability appeared first on New Churches.

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Rural Church Planting Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Episode 771

Host Ed Stetzer sits down with rural pastor and planter Will Basham to discuss his heart for reaching the lost in rural America. Regardless of our own backdrop, this church-planting mission remains the same for us, too, as we go and make disciples. Here’s how God is reaching the lost in Milton, West Virginia, and how you can join in on His mission.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

How the Imago Dei should impact our pursuit of the lost and searching
The difficulties and blessings found in rural church planting
What planters in the urban context can learn from rural America
How to address worshipping through giving in your church context
What the gospel teaches about the polarization of today’s social climate

Helpful Resources:

Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Anywhere there are people created in the image of God is an important place for ministry. — Will Basham

When we devalue an area culturally, people in that cultural context—those in the inner city, as well as in rural America—know that they’re undervalued by the culture. — Ed Stetzer

It’s about teaching faithfulness in a lot of little areas. It’s not about trying to shake people down for money but teaching our people about sacrificing and worshiping through giving. — Will Basham

When we forget the gospel or try to mingle it with political or social issues instead of keeping it above them, we become misguided and just part of the noise. — Will Basham

Our church is trying to teach people that in a sea of faces, they’re not forgotten. — Will Basham

God is at work in the rural context and calls people there. Maybe you are called to go there or to partner with others who are answering the call to reach these spaces as well. — Ed Stetzer

The post Rural Church Planting appeared first on New Churches.

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Leading Well in Social Media Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Episode 770

What exactly are the benefits of engaging with social media? Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham team back up with pastor and planter Josh Howerton to share insight into social media’s role in ministry. Here’s how your online presence can assist you in sharing God’s truth and shepherding His people as you seek to plant new churches.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

The three spiritual giftings of church leaders
How online platforms can hurt or help you as you live on mission
The significance of connecting with your congregation in the online sphere
Why you should take your time with developing and strategizing your online content
Tips for establishing online limits and accountability

Helpful Resources:

Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Social media can be a field full of landmines. — Noah Oldham

Shepherding and Bible teaching isn’t just 40 minutes once a week. Our people are spending dozens of hours online, and we’re leaving our sheep to the wolves when we decide to not engage. — Josh Howerton

I engage online because I want to have the conversation where my people are. I don’t want my pulpit to get hijacked by the current cultural issue, but I do need to help my people with those concepts. — Josh Howerton

A reason to think about why these issues matter, as well as why we need to speak about them, is because it’s not political; it’s about being the immune system of our culture. — Vance Pitman

You want to have a ministry that edifies the wise, corrects the foolish, and—though this is something with a bit of an edge to it—drives away the evil. — Josh Howerton

Attracting a mob is like getting attacked by snowballs. When it’s done, you realize it actually didn’t hurt you that much. But you have to be wise and thoughtful from every angle. — Josh Howerton

The post Leading Well in Social Media appeared first on New Churches.

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Habits of Healthy Church Planting Couples Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

Episode 769

Host Ed Stetzer teams back up with long-time ministry leaders Christine and Kyle Hoover to share their wisdom gained through all their years of marriage and church planting. Tune in to discover the lessons they learned the hard way—from calendars and communication to rest and recreation—and how you can better invest in your marriage as a priority ministry, too.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Tips for establishing sustainable rhythms of rest
Why you must establish boundaries within your time commitments
What your cell phone usage says about your mental and emotional health
The importance of owning your identity in Christ
How your calendar communicates your priorities—for better or for worse

Helpful Resources:

Ed’s leadership podcast: The Stetzer Church Leaders Podcast
Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

You could fill every minute of every day with new ideas for church planting; you have to intentionally make decisions for you and your spouse to be together. — Kyle Hoover

A lot of church planters fit their family time in however and whenever they can, which communicates to the family that they’re secondary. — Kyle Hoover

A lot of pastors, church planners, and their wives think they’re the exception to the rule of rest. Church planting is nonstop, but that’s exactly what runs you into the ground. — Christine Hoover

Cultivating your relationship is a primary ministry God has given you; it’s not a place to just rest until you go out and do more ministry. — Christine Hoover

It’s worth it to financially and timewise invest in your marriage so that you can endure in ministry while cultivating your marriage. — Christine Hoover

In almost all circumstances of leaving, the people who go with you are your family. Investing in those long-term relationships is better for your church plant as you invest in your family. — Ed Stetzer

The post Habits of Healthy Church Planting Couples appeared first on New Churches.

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Leading and Supporting Planters from a Large Network Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Episode 768

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham spend time with pastor and planter Josh Howerton discussing how networks can help us go further faster. Tune in to discover how this valuable kingdom advancement can be yours for the taking as you lead your people with a missional mindset—financially, relationally, and spiritually.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

How to identify which church planters you want to invest in
Ways to holistically advance your congregation’s giving culture
Where you can best allocate your energy, budget, and other resources as a church
Why you can’t miss out on developing your church’s “leadership cheat code”
The worst money pit a planting church can sink money into!

Helpful Resources:

Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Everything in the New Testament ties to this idea of churches planting churches together. You’re not planting a church; you’re being sent out by a church that is planting a church. — Vance Pitman

God uses churches of all sizes to reach all kinds of people, and different networks have different emphases. — Josh Howerton

You don’t have to be a large church to be a multiplying church; the size of the church doesn’t determine its significance. — Vance Pitman

There is a massive net gain, not just for the kingdom, but for your church when you become personally invested in planting and multiplying other churches. — Josh Howerton

Multiplication is not something we’re going to consider or treat as an option; it’s something we’re going to do, and it’s driven by a theological and missiological conviction. — Vance Pitman

I love to see our church planters believing that from day one we will multiply. It only happens when we’re trusting God for it. — Noah Oldham

The post Leading and Supporting Planters from a Large Network appeared first on New Churches.

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How to Help Your Wife Thrive Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Episode 767

Host Ed Stetzer chats with ministry leaders Christine and Kyle Hoover about how church pastors and planters can better serve their wives while leading their congregations. Tune in to discover how understanding balance and boundaries, along with calling and communication, will allow your wife to flourish the way God designed her to.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

How creativity can help you resolve conflict within your ministry and marriage
Tips for establishing boundaries as a ministry spouse
Why your feelings aren’t a burden to God or His church
How intentionality and discernment can lead you toward your unique ministry calling
The importance of establishing healthy rhythms from the earliest days of your church plant

Helpful Resources:

Ed’s leadership podcast: The Stetzer Church Leaders Podcast
Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

The best thing a husband can do is study his wife, have conversations with her about what she is passionate about and gifted for, and as soon as possible, help her find her spot in the church plant that incorporates those gifts. — Christine Hoover

In the framework of intentionality, is the default approach to just hand off responsibilities to your wife? Or are you being intentional to turn every stone to find a different scenario that works better? — Kyle Hoover

Treat your wife with the same kind of care and intentionality that you would if she were a lay or staff person, not assuming things based upon her being your wife. — Kyle Hoover

Church planning tends to attract people who are very driven and who are going to fill their time with work because they’re excited about starting something new. This entrepreneurial mindset can often lead to a marriage and a family out of balance. — Ed Stetzer

My ability to engage others in the church is going to change over time because of the season of life that I’m in. It comes down to knowing my context, knowing myself, and knowing what the Lord has asked me to do. — Christine Hoover

The post How to Help Your Wife Thrive appeared first on New Churches.

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Prayer and Church Planting Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Episode 766

Hosts Vance Pitman and Noah Oldham offer their insights into what it means for a church to truly be a house of prayer. Here’s how your congregation can more intentionally be in tune with the Lord in each new season of church planting, establishing healthy prayer rhythms as you go.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

The impact of starting your church well and finding your footing early on
Why your inclination toward self-reliance is more than likely stunting your growth
How prayer can cultivate your mission field
Tips for measuring success in the life of your church
The example Jesus set in picking a launch team!

Helpful Resources:

Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.
Are you ready to enroll in our Church Planting Masterclass?

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Prayer, along with the Word of God, should be the centerpiece of what we’re doing and what we’re about. — Vance Pitman

Jesus said that when the lost world thinks about you as a people, they ought to say, “I don’t know everything about those people, but I know they talk to God over there.” — Vance Pitman

We don’t pray before we work; prayer is the work, and then God works. Unfortunately, today, we often think prayer is what we do before we get to the real work. — Vance Pitman

We’re not about success; we’re about kingdom fruit. — Noah Oldham

The power’s not in our praying. The power is in the One we’re praying to, and when we seek Him, He begins to move in power. — Noah Oldham

The post Prayer and Church Planting appeared first on New Churches.

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The Preacher as Theologian Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

Episode 765

Host Ed Stetzer teams back up with writer, professor, and missionary Trevin Wax to hone in on the ways theology impacts us as preachers, pastors, and planters. Tune in to discover how you’re already doing the work of a theologian… and why it’s time to lean into that calling upon your life.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Why your personal definition of “theologian” may be ready for an update
The influence of church history and tradition upon our teachings today
The ways theology can impact your daily walk with Christ—and your people’s, too!
Sustainable rhythms of study for vocational and covocational pastors alike
How diversifying your reading can help you better connect with your congregation

Helpful Resources:

Fred Sanders’ article: Sent, But Perfectly, But Really
Interested in learning more? Start the free Preaching Masterclass.
Check out our Church Planting Primer.

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes.

Shareable Quotes (#NewChurches):

If you’re a pastor tasked with opening and expounding on God’s Word for the people He has entrusted to your care, you’re theologizing. — Trevin Wax

If you’re having to get up and preach, you shouldn’t want to preach yourself; you should want to preach God’s Word. It begins with the basic, fundamental level of interpreting God’s Word faithfully. — Trevin Wax

The pastor as theologian is not that you arrive; it’s that you’re continuing to sharpen your skills. — Ed Stetzer

Theology, at the end of the day, is not so we can fill our minds with knowledge. It’s so we can bow our knees in humility toward God and know Him better. — Trevin Wax

You’re shaping your congregation whether you realize it or not. Don’t you want to shape them in the best most God-glorifying way possible? — Trevin Wax

Who you are theologically shapes who your congregation is theologically. Make sure that who you are theologically is well-grounded, balanced, and biblical. — Ed Stetzer

The post The Preacher as Theologian appeared first on New Churches.

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Episode 774

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 773

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 772

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 771

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 770

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 769

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 768

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 767

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 766

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Episode 765

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Helpful Resources:

Shareable Quotes (#NewChurches):

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