New Churches Podcast

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? As part of a season focused on the “how” questions of church planting, the conversation addresses the real pressures planters experience from the world, the flesh, and the devil,...

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. As part of a season focused on the “how” questions of church planting, the conversation unpacks a biblical vision of leadership—what it is, how planters should think about their role, and why leader...

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? Using the image of a trellis supporting a growing vine, the conversation highlights how intentional structures help church plants thrive, remain healthy, and bear lasting fruit. Together, they explore...

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. As part of a season focused on answering common questions from planters, the conversation explores how to faithfully pursue discipleship in a new church in 21st-century North America. The hosts talk about ho...

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? As part of a season focused on the most common “how” questions in church planting, the conversation explores what it really means for preaching to be engaging—not entertaining or gimmicky, but clear, com...

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? Continuing the season’s focus on the “how” of church planting, the conversation offers practical guidance on building financial support, creating a healthy...

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? As part of a season focused on the practical “how” questions of church planting, this conversation explores the essential heart shift that must take place in a planter—moving from s...

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. As part of a season focused on the “how” questions of church planting, the conversation explores how planters can thoughtfully recruit people to join the mission and why clarity, characte...

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. As part of a season focused on the “how” questions of church planting, the conversation explores what vision truly is, how a planter faithfully casts vision, and why clarity and consistency matt...

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...

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, offering practical advice on shepherding a congregation, protecting against false teaching, fostering unity, and cultivating enduring relationships with church members. Listeners gain both biblical insight and real-world...

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. They discuss practical strategies for navigating disagreements, fostering healthy conflict, and leading with humility, patience, and grace. Listeners gain insights on maintaining unity, prot...

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. They discuss identifying and mentoring leaders, fostering shared ownership on church teams, and equipping young adults and students to serve effectively. Listeners gain practical insights for...

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. They discuss how cultural, ethnic, and social differences shaped gospel ministry, offering practical insights for church planters seeking to reach their entire communities with intent...

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. They discuss practical strategies for church leaders to cultivate evangelistic habits, engage their communities, and equip church members to share the gospel authentically. From identifying “low-hanging fruit” to levera...

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. They discuss how early churches handled growth, leadership development, and care for the congregation, showing how practical systems and Spirit-led guidance work together. Listeners will gain actionab...

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. They discuss how the apostles’ courage—rooted in their relationship with Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit—provides a model for church planters facing opposition, relational challenges, and cultural pressures....

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. Practical insights and real-life examples offer church planters guidance for fostering vibrant, Christ-centered communities in toda...

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. They examine how Peter and Paul proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus with clarity, contextual awareness, and Spirit-empowered boldness, calling listeners to repentance and fa...

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. Drawing from Acts, they emphasize that prayer isn’t just preparation for ministry—it is the ministry, shaping church culture and fueling God’s work. They share practical insights for cultivating a prayer-driven church...

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. Beginning in Acts 2, they reflect on Pentecost and how the Spirit empowers ordinary believers to take the gospel to the nations. Together they highlight the Spirit’s role in both the extraordinary and the ordinary—unitin...

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. Together, they discuss the biblical foundations for church planting, why multiplication is essential for God’s kingdom mission, and how both Scripture and practical realities compel churches to plant and...

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. Drawing from his experience as a seminary professor and local church pastor, Jeremy casts a compelling vision for personal, proactive, and gospel-shaped ministry to people. He shares insights on building relational trust, asking be...

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. Drawing from his experience at Immanuel Nashville, Barnabas shares practical insights on fostering honesty, safety, and honor in church life—and how Christ-centeredness is the key to lasting unity and transformatio...

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. Matt shares the story behind the launch of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, and the power of a sacrificial team. They explore how a robust membership process, a culture of evangelism, and insights from Tim Keller...