Ep. 119 - Steps to Real Change: John Ortberg on Addiction, Discipleship, and Church Growth
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
Release Date: 07/23/2025
Ep. 127- Bryan Loritts on Building Trust and Unity in a Multi-Ethnic Church
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Bryan Loritts, award-winning author, pastor, and nationally recognized voice on multi-ethnic church leadership. Bryan is the author of Right Color, Wrong Culture and has devoted his ministry to helping leaders communicate with clarity, humility, and credibility across cultural and racial differences. Together, Greg and Bryan explore why communication—not just theology or vision—is the critical factor in building healthy multi-ethnic churches. Bryan shares how his upbringing in African-American church contexts,...
info_outline
Ep. 126 - Mike Frost: Rethinking Evangelism: Reaching People Who Know Nothing About Jesus
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Michael Frost, internationally recognized missiologist, author, and leading voice in the missional church movement. Michael is the author of influential books including The Shape of Things to Come. Together, Greg and Michael explore what it means to lead, plant, and evangelize in a post-Christian world—a cultural reality where people no longer understand the Christian story, assumptions, or language. Michael shares his personal journey from traditional church leadership into missional theology, explaining how the...
info_outline
Ep. 125 - Russ Ewell on Reaching Gen Z: How the Next Generation Will Transform the Church - The Church Planting Podcast
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Russ Ewell, Executive Minister of the , author of , and founder of . Together they explore one of today’s most pressing ministry questions: How do we reach, disciple, and develop Gen Z and millennials into kingdom leaders? Russ shares recent data showing that Gen Z is experiencing the highest levels of anxiety, loneliness, and loss of purpose of any generation in recent history. Yet he insists this generation is also deeply open, idealistic, and eager to make the world better. He outlines a practical, three-part...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineIn this powerful conversation, Greg Nettle sits down with author and pastor John Ortberg to discuss his newest book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough. 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 daily practices in spiritual growth
-
How churches can implement the Steps curriculum and even start B12 groups (Bible + 12 Steps)
John also shares about his free daily vodcast ministry, Become New, and upcoming resources for small groups and churches based on Steps, launching Fall 2025.
Whether you're planting a church or trying to revitalize one, this episode offers practical wisdom and a compelling vision for deep, lasting discipleship.
We hope you enjoy this podcast. For more info about Stadia Church Planting and how you can get involved, check out stadia.org. To connect with Greg Nettle, you can find him at GregNettle.com
Episode Index
01:10 - John's new book *Steps* and its origin in the 12 Steps
03:00 - Why *Steps* is for everyone, not just addiction recovery
04:20 - The spiritual roots of AA and the Oxford Group
06:00 - The power of weakness and the gift of desperation
08:00 - Greg shares a baby dedication story and his own approval addiction
10:20 - Why churches struggle with a “wimpy Step One”
12:00 - Biblical examples of desperation and robust transformation
13:20 - How desperation leads to discipleship intensity
14:00 - Discipleship as both program and fellowship
16:00 - Why church needs to be more like an AA meeting
17:30 - The power of confession and shared inadequacy
19:00 - Appropriate vulnerability for pastors and leaders
21:00 - How to help your church take real steps toward transformation
22:20 - Real-life church examples like the “B12 class”
24:00 - Free video curriculum for *Steps* coming Fall 2025
25:15 - Final thoughts: encouragement for church planters