Ep. 112 - Planting Bold Churches: Brian Tome on Clarity, Resilience, and Staying Healthy
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
Release Date: 04/16/2025
Ep. 113 - Jet Fuel & Church Planting: Ricky Brown’s 5 Leadership Hazards to Avoid
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
Welcome jet pilot, pastor, and author Ricky Brown to unpack the five “hazardous attitudes” every church leader must watch out for—straight from FAA training and powerfully applied to ministry. Ricky draws on his dual experience as a commercial pilot and church planter to share practical, soul-tending wisdom for avoiding burnout and moral failure. Ricky’s new book, , breaks these down through powerful fables and life lessons. Greg and Ricky dive deep into the signs of anti-authority, invulnerability, macho attitudes, impulsivity, and resignation, and how each can destroy ministry,...
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Ep. 112 - Planting Bold Churches: Brian Tome on Clarity, Resilience, and Staying Healthy
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of the , Greg Nettle welcomes his longtime friend Brian Tome, founder and senior pastor of in Cincinnati. Brian unpacks the unfiltered reality of church planting—from answering a magazine ad with 11 strangers to building a church that reaches tens of thousands weekly. He shares how grit, vision clarity, and authenticity have shaped his journey, recounts his “two-for-one” approach to core team building, and challenges leaders to relentlessly pursue new people, not just transfer Christians. Brian and Greg discuss lessons learned the hard way, the importance of work ethic,...
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Ep. 111 - Navigating Post-Pandemic Church Growth w/ Josh Abernathy & Clint Nolder
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," hosted by Greg Nettle, president of Stadia Church Planting, guests Josh Abernathy and Clint Nolder discuss their experiences as church planters navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. They share personal and corporate insights on leading their congregations through unprecedented times, adapting to new realities, and maintaining their mission despite significant obstacles. Key topics include: The impact of the pandemic on church operations and community engagement. Strategies for maintaining church growth and connection during...
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Ep. 110 - Church Planting Essentials: Strategic Insights with Vance Pitman from Send Network
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," Greg Nettle chats with Vance Pitman, president of Send Network and founder of Hope Church Las Vegas. Pitman shares his transformative journey from devotional readings to planting a vibrant, multi-ethnic community church in Las Vegas. He emphasizes the importance of intimacy with Christ, viewing ministry as an overflow of this relationship, and the necessity of contextual church planting strategies suited to urban settings. To connect with Vance and Send Network, visit https://www.namb.net/send-network/ To connect with Greg and Stadia, visit ...
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Ep. 109 - Shielding Your Mission by Leading Like a Bodyguard w/ Don Hamilton - Church Planting Podcast
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," Greg Nettle discusses with Don Hamilton, the author of Lead Like a Bodyguard: 52 Timeless Leadership Lessons. They explore key insights into leadership and church planting, drawing on lessons from the life of Nehemiah. Key topics include handling opposition, celebrating milestones, and the importance of team recognition. Connect with Don: https://www.donmarkhamilton.com/ Get Lead Like a Bodyguard on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9bFU4eD Connect with Stadia and Greg Nettle: https://stadia.org 0:54 - Discussing key leadership lessons from *Lead Like a...
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Ep. 108 - Why Some Church Plants Fail and Others Thrive (with Marc Cleary and Dino Rizzo from ARC)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," host Greg Nettle, president of Stadia Church Planting, engages with guests Marc Cleary and Dino Rizzo. They discuss the nuances of church planting, the importance of clarity in calling, and the attributes of successful church leaders. Marc and Dino share their extensive experience in fostering thriving church communities through the Association of Related Churches (ARC). They emphasize the significance of financial health, strong personal relationships, and a clear vision for future church leaders. For more about their work, visit ARC's...
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Ep. 107 - Cultivating Collaboration: Church Planting Insights with Chad Clarkson
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, hosted by Greg Nettle of , we dive deep into the world of church planting with guest Chad Clarkson, Executive Director of the . Chad shares his journey and experiences in fostering a culture of collaboration among church planters in Houston, one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. Key topics include the strategic vision based on Acts 1:8, the efficacy of church networks, and the vital roles of mentorship and multi-site strategies. The discussion also touches upon innovative church models and the benefits of being part of a network that both...
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Ep. 106 - Building Strong Church Planting Teams: Insights from Jon Ferguson
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," hosted by Greg Nettle, president of Stadia, the discussion features Jon Ferguson, co-founding pastor of Community Christian Church and a pioneer in church multiplication. The conversation covers the benefits and challenges of team leadership in church planting, drawing from Jon's extensive experience and his co-leadership with his brother, Dave Ferguson. Key topics include the advantages of starting with a team, the importance of complementary skills within the team, and the potential pitfalls of team dynamics. The episode also delves into the...
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Ep. 105 - Balancing Faith & Finances: Insights for Church Planters (with Matt Murphy)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of , Greg Nettle, President of Stadia, discusses the delicate balance between faith and financial wisdom with COO Matt Murphy. They explore the challenges and strategies involved in managing church finances, highlighting the importance of having a plan, understanding the risks of poor stewardship, and the necessity of wise investing. They also emphasize the pitfalls of financial management in church settings, such as over-saving or reckless spending. The episode provides valuable insights for church leaders on navigating finances with faith and prudence. Key topics include the ...
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Ep. 104 - Personalizing and Systematizing Care Strategies (with Andrea Wells)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
This episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," hosted by Greg Nettle, president of , features Andrea Wells. Andrea discusses the importance of developing personalized and systematic care strategies for team members, investors, and partners within church planting initiatives. Highlights include her recent trek in Olympic National Park to raise funds for new churches and detailed strategies for personalizing care in organizational settings. Connect with Greg, Andrea, and Stadia at [00:00:23] Introduction of Andrea Wells and her role at Stadia [00:00:48] The importance of care in...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle welcomes his longtime friend Brian Tome, founder and senior pastor of Crossroads Church in Cincinnati. Brian unpacks the unfiltered reality of church planting—from answering a magazine ad with 11 strangers to building a church that reaches tens of thousands weekly.
He shares how grit, vision clarity, and authenticity have shaped his journey, recounts his “two-for-one” approach to core team building, and challenges leaders to relentlessly pursue new people, not just transfer Christians. Brian and Greg discuss lessons learned the hard way, the importance of work ethic, and the pain and payoff of staying true to your calling—even when it means “ripping people’s ears off” before they rip off yours.
Brian also dives into Crossroads’ outreach—like fighting sex trafficking in Nepal, developing software for prison ministry, and building the CityLink Center. He reflects on personal health, relational boundaries, and leading with authenticity (yes, even smoking a Marlboro onstage once to make a point!). The conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone in the trenches of church leadership or just starting out.
Books/Resources Mentioned:
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The Five Marks of a Man by Brian Tome
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Robert Lewis’ books on outreach and apologetics
01:20 - Brian’s journey to Cincinnati and unexpected beginnings
03:08 - The reality of early church planting: 11 people, high risk
04:30 - Building the core: relentless networking and vision casting
05:28 - Church planting in the 90s: no playbook, pure hustle
06:07 - Work ethic and chasing the right people for the vision
08:01 - Defining and protecting the church’s vision
09:21 - Vision morphs: from seeker to world-changing community
10:23 - Crossroads’ growth: campuses, online reach, and impact
11:11 - Outreach: Fighting sex trafficking, prison ministry, CityLink Center
12:00 - How outreach became central to Crossroads’ DNA
13:44 - Outrageous generosity and its ripple effect
14:21 - What Brian wishes he knew starting out: double-edged sword of no systems
15:54 - Creativity vs. standardization: finding your unique path
16:50 - The power and limitation of mentors and advice
18:52 - Keys to long-term health: personal, relational, spiritual
21:19 - Building authentic relationships inside the church
22:43 - Hobbies, friendships, and avoiding isolation in ministry
23:09 - The cost and value of authenticity in leadership
24:51 - Navigating church culture: authenticity and boundaries
26:13 - Authenticity means sharing struggles, not just victories
27:32 - Preaching: teaching rhythms, preparation, and team development
30:05 - Finding your own preaching rhythm and developing others
31:44 - Loving your spouse while leading a growing church
32:55 - Last words: legacy, faithfulness, and friendship