Send Network Podcast

In this episode, the guys respond to listener feedback! They engage with the question of whether church planting team members can themselves be considered church planters. They talk about the role of the lead church planter, his team members and the togetherness and diversity of skills necessary for planting a church. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.    

Why should a pastor or church planter consider being part of Send Network? In this episode, our cohosts share their top three reasons why they chose Send Network and love being part of a network that’s working to plant churches everywhere for everyone.

Church planters are never called to the mission alone. In this episode, cohosts Dhati Lewis, Heiden Ratner and Noah Oldham talk about how to develop a church planting team and the different roles people played on their planting teams as they were planting their churches.

For most pastors and church planters, Easter is a big day. And it’s a big evangelistic day as newcomers are more likely to be sitting in the pews. In this episode, Heiden Ratner and Noah Oldham get very practical about how pastors and planters can begin preparing for Easter this year.

In this episode, cohosts Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner are joined by special guest, Michael Byrd, the lead planter and pastor of Faith Community Bible Church in St. Louis, Missouri, to talk about Black History Month and kingdom contributions in the past, present and future — as well as church planting in the inner city.

How do we create a culture of generosity in our churches — especially in a season that has felt more depleting for many of our members? In this episode, pastors Heiden Ratner and Noah Oldham talk about a few ways planters, pastors and church leaders can help create a culture of generosity in their churches where members freely give their time, talents and treasures to those in need. To read church planting stories and to learn more about how you generously invest in the work of church planting in North America visit AnnieArmstrong.com. Mentions: Annie Armstrong Easter Offering NAMB’s Next Step Leader The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

The Church is more than a Sunday gathering, but not less. And in this season where many haven’t been able to gather normally, we’ve had to take a step back and truly evaluate what Sunday is all about. Who is it for? The person who doesn’t know Christ? Those who are already in the body of Christ? Both? In this episode, our cohosts talk about who Sunday service is for and why it’s important for Christians to “not forsake the assembly,” even when we can’t meet in person.

Do you have a space where you’re really known? There comes a point in the church planting journey—after you’ve built community for everyone else—that it becomes difficult for planters and their wives to have community for themselves. In this episode, our cohosts discuss why authentic community is vital for church planting families, the models and rhythms of community and obstacles to having it.  

Every context is different, and so are the thoughts and preferences of our co-hosts. In this episode, they discuss their preferences between the neighborhood model and the regional model — and how God sometimes led them in a different direction when they planted their churches.    

How do the men and women surrounding the Christmas narrative — a story over 2,000 years old — give principles for church planting today? In this episode, co-hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner share what the wise men, Joseph, Anna and Simeon remind us about several nonnegotiable principles of church planting.

How far in advance should pastors plan their sermons? Is it ever appropriate to deviate from your preaching calendar? In this episode, co-hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner discuss how they think through preaching strategies, calendars and team teaching.

If you’re thinking about planting a church, there are three essential elements you must incorporate. In this episode, our co-hosts discuss why prayer, preparation and planning are essential for prospective planters to consider and live out. Want to learn more about starting a residency at your church or where to find one near you? Visit sendnetwork.com/residencies to learn more about residencies and discover a program nearest you.  

Virtually every church plant and pastor needs — or wants — more leaders. But what should pastors be looking for in the potential leaders who sit among them every week? In this episode, hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner discuss their top three leadership qualities they look for as they seek to intentionally identify and train leaders. To learn more about how you can practically train leaders in your church, check out our Multiplication Pipeline and residency resources. Mentions: Leadership resource recommendations: Noah Oldham- Leaders that Last by Dave Kraft Dhati Lewis- Leading with a Limp by Dan B. Allender Heiden Ratner- Vance Pitman Leadership Podcast; Replenish by Lance Witt

With so much going on in the church and in the lives of your members, engaging your city can feel daunting. And with so many needs, it can be hard to know where to start. In this episode, our hosts talk about how and why we should engage our city and communities, practical ideas about where your church can begin and how to holistically engage your city and community — spiritually, emotionally, economically and socially. To learn more about how you can engage the needs of your city and be part of holistic restoration, download our Send Relief ministry guides.

Pastors and church planters, how are you feeling as you lead your churches through this season of political divisiveness and struggle? It can seem our country — and sometimes our churches — are more divided along political lines than in recent history. In this episode, our cohosts discuss how they’ve been leading their church in this political season and how to help your church pursue unity, love and how to lock arms for the greater mission. This was filmed in October — prior to election day and the final results of the 2020 election.  

A lot of church plants don’t make it to their fifth birthday. And sadly, fewer church plants survive if their planting pastor leaves within the first few years. How does a church planter ensure his church will endure, even if he isn’t around? In this episode, our hosts talk about what elements and systems a planter must establish in order to thrive for the long-haul. Multiplication Pipeline helps you train leaders in your church and send them on mission. Learn more at namb.net/pipeline.  

It takes a lot to plant a church, but there are key skills and characteristics every church planter needs. Using a new, creative format, hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner discuss what they each believe are the top three skills every church planter needs to plant a church. Mentions: The Art of War by Sun Tzu The Christ-Centered Expositor: A Field Guide for Word-Driven Disciple Makers by Tony Merida

Discerning the call to plant a church can be tough. It’s unique and personalized to each planter, but there are also common aspects that manifest differently in people’s lives. There’s a lot to consider, and in this episode, hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner help future church planters and sending and multiplying churches know what to look for, what questions to ask and the hard reality of church planting. Do you feel called to plant a church? We’d love to help. Learn more about our assessment process at namb.net/assessment

Sometimes, pastors and church planters end up taking care of everyone — except themselves — and the grind of ministry wears them down to the point of exhaustion or burnout. Is it selfish to care for yourself so you can better care for those around you? In this episode, We are Send Network hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner talk about the importance of self-care for leaders and practical ways pastors can take care of themselves in busy seasons and beyond.

If you’re a pastor, church planter or in any ministry leadership position, dealing with criticism is unavoidable. Now—perhaps more than ever—pastors are bombarded with emails, phone calls and text messages about how they ought to be handling things. But how should they respond to these criticisms? Is there some criticism that’s helpful and others that are harmful? In this episode, Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner will discuss hard criticism, helpful criticism, and harmful criticism and how to respond to each. Mentions: Dealing with the Rejection and Praise of Man by Bob Sorge Read one chapter of Proverbs a day