The Pillar Network

The Pillar Network

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This is the official podcast of the Pillar Church Planting Network. This podcast will typically be hosted by Nate Akin, with content provided by other Pillar staff, board members, and network pastors. In this podcast, we will discuss Pillar’s mission, history, DNA, doctrine, information pertinent to pastors, and more.

The Pillar Network


    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 61 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Pillar Network

    Ep. 58 - Discipleship Culture with Garrett Kell

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 41:24


    Brandon Langley talks with Garrett Kell about building a culture of discipleship within the local church. They discuss the role of leadership in modeling discipleship, some of the barriers to establishing a discipleship culture, dealing with specific issues like purity, and more. Garrett is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

    Ep. 57 - Evangelism and Spread Truth with Jerry McCorkle

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 35:52


    Brandon Langley talks with Jerry McCorkle about Spread Truth Ministries and their evangelism resources, overcoming barriers to evangelism, the importance of normal conversations, how to invite people to respond during Sunday gatherings, and more. Jerry is the Executive Director of Spread Truth. Learn more about their work at https://spreadtruth.com/

    Pillar Women Ep. 4 - Biblical Hospitality with Anna Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 43:38


    Jenna DiPrima and Sarah Rogers talk with Anna Moore about biblical hospitality, including the gospel motivation behind hospitality, the unique role of a pastor's wife in fostering a hospitable environment, some of the challenges and struggles associated with hospitality, and more. Anna's husband Ed has served as the pastor of North Shore Baptist Church in Bay Side, NY since 1992.

    Ep. 56 - Church Planting in Connecticut with Steve Thiel

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 31:46


    Dave Kiehn talks with Steve Thiel about the challenges of ministry in New England, his experiences in church planting, raising up new leaders, and more. Steve is a member of our network and the Senior Pastor of Christ Proclamation Church in Windsor, CT. 

    Ep. 55 - Ongoing Care for Church Planters with Bill & Lyla Curtis and Adam & Judith McNinch

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 34:44


    Nate Akin talks with Bill and Lyla Curtis and Adam and Judith McNinch about the ongoing care of church planters and their families. They discuss the need for clarity in communication, the value of presence, the importance of caring for the wives of church planters, as well as the joy and challenges of international partnerships. Bill is a member of our board and the Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church near Florence, SC. Adam is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of Christ Church in Queensferry, UK. 

    Ep. 54 - A Conversation about Pastoral Ministry with Ed Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 35:44


    Dave Kiehn interviews Ed Moore about the joys and challenges of pastoring, the need for purity in pastoral life, ministering to the weak, and revitalizing struggling churches. They also discuss the unique aspects of ministry in New York City and the camaraderie within the Pillar Network. Ed is a member of our network and the pastor of North Shore Baptist Church in New York City.

    Ep. 53 - Church Planting: Before Covenanting Together with Kenny Ortiz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 41:58


    Brandon Langley talks with Kenny Ortiz about the stage of church planting before covenanting together as a church. They discuss fundraising, recruiting and developing core team members, setting up church structures and documents, and more. Kenny is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of Horizon City Church in Orlando, Florida.

    Pillar Women Ep. 3 - Helping Your Husband When He's Discouraged with Phil & Karen Newton

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 34:27


    Jenna DiPrima and Sarah Rogers talk with Phil and Karen Newton about how to help your husband in ministry when he's discouraged and knowing how to handle criticism when it comes. They also discuss knowing your husband's heart, praying for him, and pointing him to Christ. Phil is the Director of Pastoral Care and Mentoring at Pillar and an elder at Midtown Baptist Church in Memphis, TN.

    Ep. 52 - Becoming an Antioch Church with Dave Kiehn, Matt Rogers, & Clint Darst

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 46:52


    Dave Kiehn talks with Matt Rogers and Clint Darst about taking steps toward becoming an Antioch church (the primary sender of a church plant or revitalization team). They discuss their experiences of sending out the first church plant, planting churches locally, training up men to be sent, shepherding the congregation through sending fatigue, and more. Matt is the lead pastor of Christ Fellowship Cherrydale in Greenville, SC. Clint is the lead pastor of King's Cross Church in Greensboro, NC. 

    Ep. 51 - Sending a Lead Pastor and Large Team with Jason Finley & Jeremy Chasteen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 30:16


    Nate Akin interviews Jason Finley and Jeremy Chasteen about planting Village Church of Pendleton. They talk about the process of deciding to plant, preparing and strategizing, as well as some of the emotional and practical barriers to overcome in planting. Jeremy is a member of our board and the Lead Pastor of Crosspoint Clemson. Jason is being sent out of Crosspoint to plant Village Church of Pendleton.

    Ep. 50 - A Discussion About Church Planting, Education, Assurance, and John Flavel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 27:46


    Dave Kiehn interviews Jeff Strickland about his church planting experience in Indianapolis, pursuing higher education while in ministry, his book on John Flavel, and the joy that comes from assurance in Christ. Jeff is a member of our network, the Lead Pastor of The Fields Church in Indianapolis, IN, and the author of The Foundation of Joy: Assurance in the Theology of John Flavel. 

    Ep. 49 - Team Dynamics with Jeff Long

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 32:36


    Jeff Long gives a talk on the importance of team dynamics among elders. He shares insights into the importance of team leadership, the character of an elder, the role of elders in leading the congregation, and more. Jeff is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. This talk was originally given at the 2025 Pillar Intensive in San Diego, CA.

    Pillar Women Ep. 2 - Motherhood in Ministry with Jeanine Sanchez

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 36:14


    Jenna DiPrima and Sarah Rogers talk with Jeanine Sanchez about motherhood in ministry, including the unique joys of a ministry family, developing relationships with church members, serving the church together as a family, and more. Jeanine teaches English and writing to children and teaches the Bible to women. She is the coauthor of Reaching Your Child's Heart.

    Ep. 48 - Interview About Evangelism During the Easter Season with Jonathan Carswell

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 28:44


    Nate Akin talks with Jonathan Carswell, CEO of 10ofThose, about how their book ministry got started, how to encourage evangelism in your church, and ideas for evangelism around Easter and throughout the year, including good resources to give out to church members and friends who don't know Christ. Check out these resources and more at10ofthose.com/easter. 

    jesus christ ceo evangelism easter season 10ofthose jonathan carswell
    Ep. 47 - Ten Lessons Learned in Revitalization with Dave Kiehn

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 21:26


    Dave Kiehn gives a talk about lessons learned in church revitalization, including knowing who you are in Christ, prioritizing the preaching of the Word, trusting the Lord's providence, and more. Dave serves as the Lead Pastor of Park Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC and as Pillar's Director of Ministry for the Americas.

    Ep. 46 - Co-Vocational Church Planting with Vic Carpenter & Phil Newton

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 31:49


    Phil talks with Vic Carpenter about co-vocational ministry. They discuss Vic's path to planting a church, the difference between bi-vocational and co-vocational ministry, planting while maintaining a separate full-time vocation, and more. Vic is a member of our network and the Teaching Pastor of Redeemer Bible Church in Spotsylvania, VA.

    Ep. 45 - Women's Ministry in the Pillar Network with Jenna DiPrima, Sarah Rogers, & Nate Akin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 36:08


    Jenna and Sarah talk with Nate about Pillar Ladies. They discuss women's ministry strategy for Pillar, ways to connect with other women in the network, biblical roles for women in ministry, and more. Sarah Rogers and Jenna DiPrima both serve as Women's Ministry Coordinators for Pillar.

    Ep. 44 - “Make Progress in Preaching” with Josh Wredberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 33:18


    Josh Wredberg shares principles of preaching that can help pastors grow in their ability to convey the truths of Scripture. He talks about the use of illustrations, applying the text with depth, and more. Josh is a member of our network and the lead pastor of Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay-Varina, NC. This talk was originally given at the 2025 Pillar Intensive.

    Ep. 43 - Elder Led Congregationalism with Brandon Langley & Phil Newton

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 36:48


    Brandon Langley and Phil Newton discuss elder led congregationalism as a model for church polity. They talk about the difference between elder led, elder ruled, and purely congregational models, building communication and trust with the congregation, appointing new elders, and more.  

    Ep. 42 - A Discussion On Biblical Counseling in the Local Church with Dave Kiehn and Brian Walker

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 35:12


    Dave Kiehn interviews Brian Walker from Anchored Virtual about biblical counseling in the local church. They discuss the crucial role of biblical authority in counseling, the story of Anchored Virtual, and more. Find out more about Anchored Virtual here.

    Ep. 41 - Biblical Authority Over Experience with Danny Rurlander

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 48:14


    Danny Rurlander gives a talk on the importance of holding the authority of Scripture over our experiences. Danny shares the ultimate experience of hearing the Word of God, to see Jesus as he really is and become like him, as we preach Christ through all the Scriptures. Danny is a member of our network and the senior pastor of Moorlands Church in Lancaster, UK.

    Ep. 40 - Lessons from Historical Readings in Pastoral Theology with Phil Newton

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 62:56


    Phil Newton shares valuable lessons on pastoral theology from faithful pastors and theologians throughout church history, including the pursuit of Christ-likeness, holiness as an example for the church, the effect of holiness on preaching, and how suffering shapes the character of a pastor. This talk is from one of the breakout sessions at the 2024 Unite Conference. 

    Ep. 39 - Aspiring Young Pastors with Bobby Jamieson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 35:28


    Brandon Langley talks with Bobby Jamieson about young men aspiring to the office of pastor/elder, including pitfalls to avoid, thinking well about calling and desire, establishing pastoral internships, and more. Bobby is a member of our network and the senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC.

    Ep. 38 - Biblical Authority Over Culture with Clint Darst

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 43:54


    Clint Darst gives a talk on the authority of the Bible over culture. He discusses why Scripture has authority over culture and how we can have clarity and confidence from the Word of God as we relate to the world around us. Clint is the lead pastor of King's Cross Church in Greensboro, NC. This talk was originally given at the 2024 Pillar Unite Conference.

    Ep. 37 - Congregational Singing and Revitalization with Parker Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 31:23


    Nate Akin talks with Parker Moore about congregational singing, including how to promote joyful corporate singing, the value of theologically rich music, and the revitalization of Cleveland Road Baptist Church, where Parker serves as the Senior Pastor.

    Ep. 36 - Conversation on Elder Plurality & Team Dynamics

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 53:12


    Matt Rogers & Nate Akin host a discussion with panelists Blake White, Jason Finley, Josh Wredberg, and Clint Darst. They discuss the importance of elder plurality, including some of the challenges, ways to maintain a healthy balance of authority and deference among elders, senior/lead pastor roles, and more. This audio is from a network-wide Zoom call from December 5, 2024.

    Episode 35: Unite Plenary Session: Biblical Authority over Pragmatism with John Musyimi

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 44:04


    In this episode, John Musyimi delivers a talk on maintaining the authority of the Bible over pragmatism. He delves into the fear of God versus the allure of success, exploring various temptations that can lead us towards pragmatism. John is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of North Point Baptist Church in Nairobi, Kenya. This talk was originally given at the 2024 Pillar Unite Conference.

    Episode 34: College Ministry & Church Planting with Orlando Saer & Casey Williamson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 45:34


    In this episode, Brandon Langley interviews Orlando Saer and Casey Williamson on college ministry in the local church and how it relates to church planting. They discuss some of the challenges, pitfalls, best practices, and more. Orlando is the Senior Pastor of Christ Church Southampton in the UK, and Casey is the Lead Pastor at Goodwood Community Church in Baton Rouge, LA. 

    Episode 33: Sending a Church Plant with Aaron Menikoff and Zack DiPrima

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 44:39


    In this episode, Phil Newton interviews Aaron Menikoff and Zack DiPrima about planting from the perspective of a sending church. They discuss the motivations for sending, preparing both Zack and the core team, timing, and more. Aaron is the senior pastor at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Zack and his team were sent out to plant Trinity Church Kennesaw in early 2024. 

    Episode 32: Pastoral Endurance with Jordan Thomas & Phil Newton

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 52:26


    In this episode, Phil Newton and Jordan Thomas discuss pastoral endurance at a Pillar pastors gathering in Memphis, TN. They talk about challenges to enduring in pastoral ministry, what it looks like to endure faithfully, and more. Jordan Thomas is the Lead Preaching Pastor of Grace Church Memphis. Phil Newton has decades of experience in pastoral ministry and now serves as the Director of Pastoral Care & Mentoring for the Pillar Network.

    Episode 31: Unite Breakout: Establishing a 2 Timothy 2:2 Ministry (Residencies)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 57:59


    In this episode, Liam Garvie, Johnny Lithell, Jason Wredberg, and Jimmy Steele discuss raising up leaders through residencies in the local church. They discuss the purpose and content of residencies, identifying candidates, funding, and more. This panel discussion is from one of the breakout sessions from the 2024 Unite Conference.

    Episode 30: Unite Plenary Session: Sola Scriptura and the Baptists

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 43:11


    In this episode, Nate Akin gives a talk on Sola Scriptura, biblical authority, tradition, and how baptists have navigated these topics. This talk was originally given at the 2024 Pillar Unite Conference.

    Episode 29: Deacon Ministry with Matt Smethurst

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 39:23


    In this episode, Brandon Langley and Liam Garvie interview Matt Smethurst about deacon ministry in the local church. They talk about the biblical principles and functions of the office, identifying deacons, deacon ministry in church planting, and more. Matt is the lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, and the author of Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church.

    Episode 28: Church Revitalization with Mark Livingston

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 45:01


    In this episode, Phil Newton interviews Mark Livingston about church revitalization. Mark shares his experiences of pastoral ministry, biblical principles for revitalization, and encouragements for pastors in the process of revitalizing churches. Mark is a member of our network and the lead pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi. 

    Episode 27: Interview with Dr. Mohler about Baptist Convictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 25:14


    In this episode, Nate Akin interviews Dr. Albert Mohler about how he became a baptist, baptist confessions, holding important theological convictions, and more. Dr. Mohler is the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a member of Third Avenue Baptist Church.

    Episode 26: Eight Tips for Pastoral Ministry with Phil Newton

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 39:43


    In this episode, Phil Newton, Pillar's Director of Pastoral Care and Mentoring, shares eight tips for a healthy, effective, and Christ-honoring pastoral ministry. Phil covers topics such as being intentional in living as a Christian, nurturing and prioritizing your marriage, training potential leaders, and more.

    Episode 25: Church Planting in Germany with David Martin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 34:03


    In this episode, Liam Garvie and Phil Newton talk with David Martin about pastoring an international church in Germany, raising up leaders, and more. David is a member of our network and the lead pastor of International Baptist Church in Cologne, Germany. 

    Episode 24: Team Planting with Phil Newton, John Sarver, & Joshua Chatman

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 46:02


    In this episode, Phil Newton interviews his pastors, John Sarver and Joshua Chatman. They discuss planting Midtown Baptist Church in Memphis, why churches should plant churches, planting with another staff elder, and more. 

    Episode 23: From a Pugilistic Unbeliever to a Pastor

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 48:45


    In this episode, Nate Akin talks with Liam Garvie, Paul Rees, and Martin Smith about Martin's conversion, training and journey to pastoral ministry. Martin is the senior pastor of Hawick Baptist Church, a Pillar church in Scotland.

    Episode 22: Pragmatism and Pastoring with Juan Sanchez

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 35:39


    In this episode, Brandon Langley talks with Juan Sanchez about the dangers of pragmatism in pastoral ministry, and how the scriptures provide everything we need for properly shepherding and equipping the church. Juan is the senior pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, TX.

    Episode 21: Planting on the West Coast with Jimmy Steele and Will Forrest

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 39:00


    In this episode, Dave Kiehn talks with Jimmy Steele and Will Forrest about their experiences with planting churches on the west coast of the US. Jimmy is the lead pastor of the Hill Church in San Diego, CA, and Will is the lead pastor of Summit Life Church in Seattle, WA.

    Episode 20: "Guarding the Gospel" with Tiago Oliveira

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 40:34


    In this episode, Tiago Oliveira gives a message from 2 Timothy 1:15-25 on guarding the gospel. Tiago is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Lisbon, Portugal and he serves as President and Academic Dean of the Martin Bucer Portugal Seminary. This talk was originally given at the 2024 Pillar International Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.

    Episode 19: Ministry in Cambodia & the Importance of the Local Church in Missions

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 29:12


    In this episode, Brandon Langley interviews Austin Roden, pastor of Great Commission Baptist Church in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. They discuss some of the challenges for ministry in Cambodia and why the local church is vital in missions. 

    Episode 18: Authority with Jonathan Leeman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 40:14


    In this episode, Brandon Langley interviews Jonathan Leeman about his book, Authority. They discuss what a biblical view of authority looks like, its importance in training leaders in the local church, and more.

    Episode 17: Pillar in Latin America

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 34:08


    In this episode, Pillar's Regional Director Dave Kiehn joins Pillar's Hispanic Coordinator Victor Rodriguez and Pastor Juan Hernandez of Rescue Mission Church to discuss the challenges facing Latin American churches and how God is moving in and through Pillar in the Spanish speaking world.

    Episode 16: Live Exposition in a Digital Age

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 38:22


    In this episode, Brandon Langley talks with Landon Dowden and Josh Wredberg about the importance of live exposition. They discuss the joys, challenges, and more.

    Episode 15: "Suffering for the Gospel" with Ken Mbugua

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 51:33


    In this episode, Ken Mbugua gives a talk on suffering for the gospel from 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Ken is the Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nairobi, Kenya and the managing director for Ekklesia Afrika. Ken originally gave this talk at our 2024 Pillar International Conference in Scotland.

    Episode 14: Kingdom Minded - The Painful & Wonderful Work of Sending & Planting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 33:35


    In this episode, Brandon Langley talks with Ken Rucker and Shawn Branscum about being Kingdom-minded when it comes to the challenges, sacrifices, and joys of sending out church plants. 

    Episode 13: Panel Discussion from Pillar SBC Fellowship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 35:48


    In this episode, Dave Kiehn hosts a panel discussion with Nate Akin, Ben Lacey, Juan Sanchez, and Steven Wade, on some of the most pressing topics of today. This content was originally recorded at the 2024 Pillar Fellowship at the SBC in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    Episode 12: Conversation about the SBC, Office of Pastor, and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 37:52


    In this episode, Dave Kiehn talks with Nate Akin, Ben Lacey, and Juan Sanchez about the SBC 2024, Office of Pastor, pragmatism, cooperation, and more. 

    Episode 11: Liam Garvie interviews Phil Newton & Rich Shadden

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 31:03


    In this episode, Liam Garvie talks with Phil Newton & Rich Shadden about pastoral leadership, raising up future elders, and their new book, “Mending The Nets”.

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