Episodes

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 106 Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry Description: In this episode, Patrick O’Connell and guest Andrew Hoffman discuss the evolution of church planting networks and the shift from isolated ministry to collaborative missional work. Host: Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director Guest: Andrew Hoffman, Bay Area Church Planting Network, Director Links Shared in Episode: Bay Area Church Planting Network Category: Networks NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 105 Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry Description: In this episode, Patrick O’Connell is joined by guest Corey Garris to explore the foundational role of networks in church multiplication. Garris, a leader with the Front Range Multiplication Network (FRMN) in Denver, shares insights on shifting from isolated ministry to collaborative action. Host: Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director Guest: Corey Garris – Front Range Multi...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 104 Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry Description: In this episode, Patrick O’Connell speaks with Eric Metcalf, a leader with Exponential and the Chicagoland Collective, about the vital role and challenges of network leadership in church multiplication. Host: Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director Guest: Eric Metcalf, Partnerships Director, Exponential and Chicagoland Collective, Catalyst Links Shared in Episode: Chicagola...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 103 Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry Description: In this episode, Patrick O’Connell and Rodrigo Cano explore the transition from isolated to collaborative ministry through the power of networks. Rodrigo shares his extensive experience managing microchurches and leading the Chicagoland Collective, highlighting how shared Kingdom vision can address spiritual needs on a massive scale. Host: Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Directo...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 102 Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry Description: In this episode of the Networks NEXT Series, Patrick O’Connell is joined by Selena Freeman, Church Multiplication Catalyst for the Church of the Nazarene. Patrick and Selena dive into a conversation that helps leaders see that networks don’t start with strategy – they start with trust, and that trust has to be intentionally cultivated. Join us for this important conversation. Host:...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 101 Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry Description: In this first episode, Patrick O’Connell, Director of Networks NEXT, talks with Mark Neal, COO of Apsire Network and Co-Founder of Clarity Ministries. The conversation in this episode centers around moving from an isolated ministry toward a mission-oriented community and calling leaders back to a shared mission. Host: Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director Guest: Mark Neal, ...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 100 Series: Thinking Ahead: Pastors and AI Description: AI is here, and your congregation has questions. Is it a sin to use it? Will AI replace jobs? And what about your kids using it? Nils Smith, VP of Marketing for Faith Driven Entrepreneur and founder of Amplify Social Media, walks through the top 10 questions pastors are being asked about artificial intelligence. Learn how AI can be a tool for organizational efficiency and an “incredible tool” for spreadin...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 99 Series: Thinking Ahead: Pastors and AI Description: Jay Owen, Chief of Ministry Staff at Church of Eleven22, shares how his team builds custom ministry apps in hours using AI-powered tools. His church now creates software solutions for under $3 that used to cost tens of thousands of dollars and take weeks to develop. In this practical episode, Jay walks through real examples including: A personalized wallpaper creator built in 45 minutes the night before a m...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 98 Series: Thinking Ahead: Pastors and AI Description: AI is a “force multiplier” for the Kingdom, but instead of being a friend or an enemy, you should make AI your frenemy. In this episode, Jason Morris introduces the “Art of AI Jiu-Jitsu”, teaching pastors how to use AI as an “adversarial network” to leverage its power while avoiding its weaknesses. Since the average church cannot afford to “own the compute” or “own the model,” the speaker argues that the gre...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 97 Series: Thinking Ahead: Pastors and AI Title: Chad Williams, CEO of FiveQ agency, provides a comprehensive biblical framework for evaluating AI and technology in ministry. Drawing from Scripture, he traces technology through creation, fall, and redemption to help church leaders make wise decisions about emerging tools. In this episode, Chad addresses the questions your congregation is already asking about AI. He explains why technology reflects God’s creative...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 96 Series: Thinking Ahead: Pastors and AI Title: AI just removed the technology barrier that’s been killing your best ministry ideas. You’ve had this idea for months. A better way to equip parents. A simple volunteer system. A tool that helps your people apply Scripture to daily life. You can see it clearly. You know it would work. But then: “That would cost thousands.” “We’d need a developer.” Another God-given vision shelved. Kenny Jahng shows pastors how ch...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 95 Series: Thinking Ahead: Pastors and AI Title: How to Get Started with Agentic AI for Your Church and Ministry Natchi Lazarus breaks down agentic AI in plain language for church leaders who want practical solutions, not complicated tech jargon. Discover how AI agents work 24/7 on your behalf—creating content, posting to social media, and tracking results while you focus on people. You’ll learn the four essential components of AI agent systems, when to use age...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 94 Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches Title: Team Development in a Multiethnic Church Context Unity matters in every church: but in a multiethnic church, cultivating a unified staff is both more challenging and more consequential. In this episode, we share transferable truths and practical insights to help leaders build effective, mission-aligned multiethnic teams. Host: Mark DeYmaz – Multiethnic Church NEXT, Director Guests: Nirup Alphonse – LI...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 93 Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches Title: Community Engagement: Beyond Rhetoric to Results Pastors often say, “We’re going to take this city for Christ.” But have we ever actually seen that happen? And many churches claim to love their city—but does the city love the church back? In this episode, we’re joined by proven practitioners who share actionable insights for meeting real, empathetic needs in your community at the bridge of Christ’s huma...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 92 Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches Title: Theological Insights for Building a Healthy Multiethnic Church New Testament churches were intentionally multiethnic. They were envisioned by Christ in John 17, described by Luke in Acts 11, and prescribed by the apostle Paul throughout his life and writings. In this episode, credible practitioners and scholars come together to discuss the biblical mandate for the multiethnic church. Host: Mark DeYmaz...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 91 Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches Title: Multiethnic Church Planting, Growth, & Development Every church planter faces challenges. Those planting multiethnic churches face even more. Where does the passion come from, and how does the vision become reality? This conversation offers practical insight and quotable wisdom for leaders pursuing healthy, gospel-centered multiethnic churches. Host: Mark DeYmaz – Multiethnic Church NEXT, Director Gu...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 90 Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches Title: Transitioning from Homogeneity to Healthy Multiethnicity In this episode experienced practitioners consider the how and what of transitioning a homogenous church into a healthy multiethnic church. Among other things, we explore personal calling, receptivity of denominational churches of over 100 years, prophetic vision and pace of change, how to foster cross-cultural relationships within the body, and t...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 89 Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches Title: Sociological Insights: Evaluating the Movement Past, Present, and Future Join sociologists Michael Emerson and Geoge Yancey to consider the history and trajectory of the Multiethnic Church Movement from the late 1990s to the present day. The conversation explores pains and gains over the past twenty-five years and what is needed to press on to maturity over the next quarter of this 100-year movement, wh...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 88 Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches Title: Developing Your CQ® This episode dives deep into the why, how, and what of developing Cultural Intelligence (CQ®). The conversation explores the four components of CQ—Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action—and explains how pastors, staff teams, and entire churches can strengthen their CQ. With actionable insight and discussion of the CQ assessment tool, this robust interaction offers practical guidance f...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 87 Series: Ministry Reimagined What does it look like to disciple deeply and see that impact multiply widely across communities? In this challenging and hope-filled episode, host Tom Planck, Director of NEXT Ventures, is joined by Walter Harvey of the Wi+H Movement and Paul Watson of the Freedom Initiative. Together, they share innovative, context-specific approaches to discipleship that are helping people grow in faith and become disciple-makers in their own c...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 86 Series: Ministry Reimagined What will it take to raise up the next generation of Kingdom leaders—and how can the Church equip them to thrive? In this visionary and practical episode, Tom Planck is joined by three catalytic leaders who are deeply invested in multiplying healthy, mission-driven leadership: Jon Wiest of Mobilize the Church, Steve Pike of Urban Islands Project, and Dave Miller of Leadership Pathway. Together, they engage in a powerful conversati...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 85 Series: Ministry Reimagined What does meaningful ministry look like for the next generation? In this energizing and insightful episode, Tom Planck is joined by Olivia Williamson of Claim Your Campus and Emma Tautolo of AZ Reach, two leaders who are deeply invested in raising up Gen Z through prayer, leadership, and holistic community engagement. Olivia shares how Claim Your Campus is mobilizing middle and high school students to pray for their schools and c...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 84 Series: Ministry Reimagined What if evangelism wasn’t just about sharing the message of Jesus—but about sharing life with others? In this inspiring and deeply practical episode, host Tom Planck is joined by Akie Hadeed, Founder of Streets of Prayer, and Molly Soderstrom, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Brook. Together, they explore the transformative power of relational evangelism, where faith is shared not from a platform but from the context of re...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 83 Series: Ministry Reimagined What does ministry look like when the church goes beyond four walls and into the digital world? In this thought-provoking and timely episode, host Tom Planck sits down with Anne Bosarge, founder of Digital Discipleship and Mark Lutz, Founder and Lead Pastor of Lux Digital Church, to explore how technology is reshaping the way we reach, disciple, and walk with people in their faith journeys. Anne and Mark share their unique perspe...