New Churches Podcast

Episode 789 Host Ed Stetzer returns with pastor and planter Mark Lee to discuss the impact of creating and maintaining a positive staff culture within the life of your church. Here’s how you can lead your team to multiply leaders within their ministry spaces while cultivating a spiritual and professional environment where your people can thrive. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The marks of an unhealthy staff dynamic How to sustain your staff values when the going gets tough Ways to help your team balance responsibilities and manage stress The pros and cons of hiring a small church staff Why servant leadership is key for head pastors 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): You can gauge a healthy culture by how it acts during crisis. — Mark Lee As the church grows, even the senior pastor becomes more removed from the stories happening in the church. Their responsibility is to find those stories and communicate them wherever they can. — Mark Lee As leaders, our goal isn’t to gain many followers. It’s not even to be surrounded by the best technicians. Our job is to empower leaders who will do kingdom work better than we ever could. — Mark Lee We may teach hyperbolically, but when we actually engage with our people, it has to be filled with grace and servant leadership. — Mark Lee People go into ministry because they want to make a difference and feel like they’re in the trenches with other people. So, it’s important for us to act less like an office and to more like a family. — Mark Lee Don’t underestimate the importance of staff culture. Shaping a culture is an indispensable part of your leadership. As the head of staff, no one else can do that for you. — Ed Stetzer The post Creating a Positive Staff Culture appeared first on New Churches.

Discover the importance of biblical endurance in modern-day ministry. Learn about reframing pain as an opportunity for growth, cultivating resilience, discerning your calling, and finding a sustainable pace. Explore the challenges faced by pastors and the need for support and relationships with fellow pastors.

Episode 787 Host Tony Merida sits down with longtime friend, pastor, and author David Platt to discuss the Great Commission’s call for missional preaching. Tune in to learn more about how the meditation and internalization of Scripture can impact your own heart for change as you seek to transform the nations with the gospel. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The danger of separating your preaching from your discipleship Your role as part of the global body of Christ Ways to encourage your fellow leaders in their missional zeal Why prayer and preaching are both essential for your church’s discipleship culture How Scripture emphasizes the global church Helpful Resources: Sermons from Radical: Radical’s Messages Archive David’s Preaching Masterclass lesson: Preaching with the Nations in View Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches): We can all grow in our preaching as Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:15: ‘…let them see your progress.’ — Tony Merida What we’re doing in preaching is presenting people with the good news so that they can escape God’s wrath and find refuge and grace in Christ—and we want to do that among the nations. — Tony Merida The God we are pointing people to is the global God of the nations; not just God of the people we’re talking to at that moment, or people who look like those we’re talking to at that moment, or those we’re entrusted with the responsibility of shepherding. Jesus is the Savior of all nations. — David Platt Preaching is a fundamental part of this Great Commission we’ve been given, but if all we’re doing is preparing and teaching sermons, then we are not doing all that disciple making requires. — David Platt If we are worshipers of a global God, we should have a heart for the nations and for the spread of God’s glory among all the nations. That’s where all history is headed. — David Platt The zeal for the spread of God’s glory among all the nations is not just for a few people, but for every follower of Jesus. — David Platt The post David Platt on Preaching with the Nations in View appeared first on New Churches.

Episode 786 Host Ed Stetzer meets with Emmy award-winning producer and director of Lifeway Kids, Chuck Peters. Tune in as they discuss effective ways to engage children and their families as you further the gospel within your kids ministry context. Learn more about this rising generation’s social and emotional needs as it pertains to their identity in Christ. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: What millennial parents are looking for The impact of accessible and applicable children’s curriculum Why presenting absolute truth is essential for the next generation The cultural, intellectual, and behavioral needs of kids today Why your church needs a game plan for what you teach and how you reach the children of your community Helpful Resources: Lifeway Kids’ new ministry Resource: Hyfi Currriculum Lifeway Kids’ free eBook: Flip the Script Are you part of a new church plant? Learn more about our new church offer here. Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches): Reaching families starts with reaching kids in any community. — Chuck Peters One of the biggest felt needs that parents have is for their children to find connection in a safe place. If they feel their kids are in a safe place, those parents are more likely to come and listen to what it is we have to share. — Chuck Peters There are pathways for engaging people who don’t know the Lord through church plants, specifically through children’s ministry. — Ed Stetzer Trust plus respect equals influence. — Chuck Peters Technology is a great way to engage with kids. But the performance-based ministry models of the past are not where it’s at. What’s more important is personal relational engagement, and we can do that anywhere. — Chuck Peters This is a generation that desperately needs to know that their identity is not something that they achieve. It’s something they receive and that God has spoken to. — Chuck Peters The post Kids Ministry appeared first on New Churches.

Episode 785 Host Tony Merida sits down with longtime friend, pastor, and author David Platt to discuss the fruitfulness of passionately pursuing Jesus amidst the difficulties of church planting today. Tune in discover how you can more effectively cultivate unity, conviction, and reliance on Jesus as you shepherd the people God has entrusted you with. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: How to categorize the primary, secondary, and tertiary convictions of the local church Why a global Christian worldview is crucial for living life on mission How a church’s compassion toward their community impacts the spread of the gospel locally Ways to cultivate healthy conversation around the gospel, the church, justice, and race Scriptural encouragement for the exhausted church planter Helpful Resources: David’s New book, Don’t Hold Back 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’ve seen so much division, discouragement, disconnect, and even despair in the church because we’ve been holding fast to not just an American dream, but holding back from the issues that the gospel requires us to press into. — David Platt The last thing the nations need is the exportation of nominal, cultural American Christianity. I’m zealous to see people sent out from churches in our country go to the nations, but I want to make sure they’re taking the gospel and not an Americanized version of it. — David Platt What’s led to a lot of the unhealthy things we’ve seen in the church is wielding God’s Word like it’s a weapon in a culture war instead of water for friends in a desert. — David Platt When sitting down with a brother or sister who’s struggling in their leadership role, start with the promises of God. You’re not alone in this long line of history of those who’ve gone before you. — David Platt These have been hard days. But if God is the goal, then these are great days. Don’t hold back from God; that’s the big picture. — David Platt The post Pursuing Jesus appeared first on New Churches.

Episode 784 In this second installment of “Transitions and Leaving Well,” host Ed Stetzer meets with returning guest Todd Adkins, the Director of Leadership Development at Lifeway, to discuss best practices in navigating the people and processes related to your current role. Tune in to discover why retaining relational currency is essential as you honor God—and His people—with your next steps. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The significance of clarity in communication How to categorize and prioritize your next steps Suggested timelines for communicating departure Why you should seek to work well amidst difficult people and circumstances How to wrestle well with God’s plan for your future 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): If we’re doing it right, our legacy is not just what we do, but also what was developed under our leadership. Take big responsibility in carrying that forward. — Todd Adkins Leaving well matters in ministry because the church is a community of people who know one another. They’re still going to know each other and be around one another after you leave. — Ed Stetzer It says a lot more about you than it does your organization when you don’t leave well. — Todd Adkins When you announce your transition, your church has to immediately start making decisions. If you’re the church planter, they will look to you. And when they can’t do that, it can be frustrating for them. — Ed Stetzer Leaving well means helping your people walk through their stages of grief. — Todd Adkins The post Transitions and Leaving Well: Part 2 appeared first on New Churches.

Episode 783 Host Ed Stetzer meets back up with Lifeway’s Director of Leadership Development Todd Adkins to discuss how you can transition out of your church plant with your congregation’s best interests in mind. Tune in to discover your responsibilities in stewarding your plant’s relationships and systems well as you follow God’s guidance for your life. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Why your leadership pipeline matters from the start The best ways to avoid leadership uncertainty in your absence Why your game place for succession is of utmost importance How you can empower your successors in their decision-making skills Your biggest relational concerns as you step away from your church plant 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): Creating a culture that transitions well means creating one that develops well and intentionally. — Todd Adkins So much of church planting is connected with you as the planter. It’s very hard to extricate yourself from that. — Ed Stetzer Take a look at your systems and say, “Hey, are these set up to where somebody can step in and run? Are these are set up in a way that is not completely dependent up on my personality, gifts, and skillset?” — Todd Adkins You want to be sure that there’s a plan in place because in a leadership vacuum, the person with the loudest voice or the clearest new vision is the guy that gets to pick it up. And we know that’s not always healthy or helpful. — Todd Adkins There’s always going to be a part of us there as church planters because we helped launch this thing. In many ways, it’s our baby, and whether you planted it or it’s a ministry you started or a software you developed, it’s going to be hard to transition away from it. — Todd Adkins The post Transitions and Leaving Well: Part 1 appeared first on New Churches.

Author and pastor Jamaal Williams joins hosts Tony Merida and Vance Pitman to discuss how understanding community demographics can help churches tailor their ministry activities and better serve their community. They highlight the importance of cultivating a diverse church, mobilizing congregations for mission, and anticipating the needs of the American church. The chapter descriptions delve into tailoring ministry, understanding demographics for effective community service, serving the local community, and starting a new church with a strong team and emphasis on prayer.

Learn how to equip your congregation for evangelism by using the best tools, keeping the church's focus on evangelism, and sharing your own testimony. Discover Lifeway Research's statistics on what Americans are looking for in life and from your life story. Remain curious in your own spiritual walk with Jesus and explore effective ways to have faith conversations. Discover different approaches to evangelism, including the importance of personal relationships and storytelling. Get tips on encouraging evangelism in churches by staying curious, creating conversations, brainstorming opportunities, and addressing common needs.

Episode 780 Hosts Tony Merida and Vance Pitman spend time with author and pastor Jamaal Williams to discuss Scripture’s example of the multi-cultural church through the lens of Jamaal’s book, In Church as It is in Heaven. Discover the steps your church can take through prayer, hospitality, and curiosity, that your local expression of the body of Christ would begin to look more like the one in heaven. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: How to disciple your congregation through education and representation The importance of separating cultural Christianity from true faith in Christ Why your church needs an intentional plan for unity How the spiritual disciplines unite us corporately What God has gifted us to celebrate as a unified body! Helpful Resources: Jamaal’s Book: In Church as It Is in Heaven 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 multi-ethnic church is not a new thing; it’s a New Testament thing. — Vance Pitman A multi-ethnic kingdom culture is simply a church that welcomes people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, and that seeks to disciple them in the likeness of Christ without them feeling the need to check their ethnicity at the door.  — Jamaal Williams Throughout the Bible, we see God gathering together people from every nation and tribe, and if this is a theme throughout the biblical narrative, then we should be striving for that here and now, not waiting for that in heaven. — Jamaal Williams It was an undeniable mark of the first-century church that the gospel reconciled people who should not have been reconciled. What’s tragic about where we live today, after what we have walked through in America these last few years, is that the world should be able to look at us and see something different. — Vance Pitman We ultimately see hospitality in how Jesus welcomed people—no matter who they were, no matter how broken they were, no matter their background. He sat with them, ate with them, made space for them. And as Christians, the way forward is to model hospitality.  — Jamaal Williams Be intentional about this Idea of pursuing multi-unity. We’re not talking uniformity but unity, which means diversity within the unity. It’s a celebration of who God made us to be. — Jamaal Williams The post Cultivating a Multiethnic Kingdom Culture appeared first on New Churches.