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. 124 - Andy Sikora - The Hard Lessons of Church Planting: Perseverance, Calling & Healthy Leadership- The Church Planting Podcast
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle, President of , welcomes long-time friend Andy Sikora, planter and lead pastor of in Cleveland. Fresh off a two-week Patagonia trek, Andy reflects on 15 years of church planting and the lessons learned along the way. Andy shares how he and his wife moved to Cleveland after serving in young adult ministry, eventually launching Renew in 2011. He discusses the critical role of perseverance, the importance of planting with people rather than alone, and the conviction that God must truly call you to the work. He illustrates these...
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Ep. 123 - Joey Odom- Breaking the Phone Habit: Faith, Focus, and Real Connection
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of , host talks with about the intersection of faith, technology, and personal health. Joey—co-founder of —explains how constant proximity to our phones is reshaping our relationships, productivity, and even our spiritual lives. They discuss the concept of “digital thorns” — how smartphones, though powerful tools for discipleship and ministry, can choke out meaningful relationships and intimacy with God. Joey shares practical ways to reclaim time and attention, including simple steps like five minutes a day away from your phone, accountability within small groups,...
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Ep. 122 - Jay Pathak on Calling, Cost, and Multiplying Churches
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of , Greg Nettle sits down with Jay Pathak, National Director of Vineyard USA and co-author of . Jay shares his unexpected journey into church planting, from studying philosophy at Ohio State to planting Mile High Vineyard in Denver after 9/11. Key themes include: The power of a clear calling—and why clarity often means higher cost. The challenges of starting with little money, odd jobs, and slow growth. Why multiplying leaders is the foundation for multiplying churches. Lessons from on building for replication. Evangelism as the heartbeat of church planting, no...
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Ep. 121 - The Resident-First Strategy That’s Creating a Movement (with Brian Hofmeister)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Brian Hofmeister, founding pastor of in Muskego, Wisconsin. Brian shares the powerful story of how his church moved from a single church plant to becoming a multiplying, sending church. Key themes include: How a church of any size can invest in multiplication from the beginning Why Lakepoint committed 10% of its budget to future church plants—even in its early years Lessons learned from developing residents and sending planters during the COVID-19 pandemic A compelling vision for shared church family...
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Ep. 120 - Why the Future Church Needs Multiple Income Streams (with Mark DeYmaz)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle welcomes Mark DeYmaz, founding pastor of in Little Rock and a leading voice in the multiethnic church movement. Mark pulls back the curtain on how his church is thriving through missional vitality and church economics—generating revenue, leveraging real estate, serving the poor, and reaching their community with tangible expressions of the Gospel. Topics include: The three-legged church model (spiritual, social, financial). How Mosaic transformed a Kmart into a 100,000 sq. ft. center of ministry and enterprise. Why your...
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Ep. 119 - Steps to Real Change: John Ortberg on Addiction, Discipleship, and Church Growth
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this powerful conversation, Greg Nettle sits down with author and pastor John Ortberg to discuss his newest book, . Drawing inspiration from the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Ortberg reveals why this recovery-based model may actually be the most effective path to real spiritual transformation—for everyone, not just those with addiction. The conversation covers: How AA emerged from discipleship roots in the Oxford Group Why most churches struggle with a “wimpy Step One” How to foster communities of grace-filled vulnerability The critical role of desperation, community, and...
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Ep. 118 - The Quiet Revival: Why Gen Z Is Coming Back to Church (with Dave Ferguson)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this powerful episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle is joined by long-time friend and influential church leader . Dave is the founding pastor of , president of , and co-founder of the global church planting network NewThing—now integrated into Exponential. The conversation covers: Dave’s personal and organizational transitions, including appointing a new lead pastor at Community A deep dive into his 5-step leadership apprenticeship model (from his book ) His global perspective on a potential revival among Gen Z, especially in the UK The explosive growth of...
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Ep. 117 - Micro and Multiethnic Churches and the Future of Church Planting (w/ Dr. Liz Rios and Rev. Len Tang)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
Greg sits down with Dr. Liz Rios (Founder of ) and Rev. Len Tang (Director of the ) to explore the expanding world of multiethnic, micro, and digital church planting. They unpack the rapid growth of microchurches, the increasing leadership of women of color in church planting, and the redefinition of success beyond outdated metrics. The conversation also dives into the barriers multiethnic leaders face—especially in funding and power-sharing—and the urgent need for new pipelines that elevate diverse leaders. Get practical ideas and inspiration for: Starting and supporting digital faith...
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Ep. 116 - From Church Planter to Tech CEO: Dean Sweetman & the Future of Church Tech
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode, Greg Nettle talks with Dean Sweetman, co-founder and co-CEO of , a digital giving platform now used by over 50,000 churches worldwide. Dean shares his remarkable journey from being a high school dropout and aspiring surfer in Australia to planting over 60 churches globally and building a church tech company processing billions in donations annually. Key highlights: Dean’s unconventional path into church planting across Asia, Africa, and North America. Why demographic research + Holy Spirit leading matters when choosing a church plant location. How a Starbucks app...
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Ep. 115 - Choosing the Opposite: Radical Leadership Lessons with Tammy Melchien
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with longtime friend and teaching pastor Tammy Melchien. Tammy has served at in Chicagoland for over two decades and is releasing her first book, Choosing the Opposite, in October 2025. Tammy reflects on her journey as a church planter in urban Chicago, the unique challenges of being a single woman in ministry, and the joy of seeing lives transformed in a transient, young professional community. She shares the origin story and key insights from her book—rooted in the Sermon on the Mount—and how following Jesus often...
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