In this Serve Story episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Jeff Medders—Director of Theology and Content for Send Network (NAMB), Visiting Professor of Christian Studies at Midwestern Seminary, and General Editor and Fellow of the Spurgeon Center. Together they discuss why church planters need robust theology, how Send Network prepares and assesses planters, and the importance of faithful, effective ministry. Jeff shares insights from his church planting experience, his work building theological resources, and the new masterclass and courses designed to equip planters for long-term, healthy ministry. Learn more about Send Network resources at www.newchurches.com.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

church planting, Send Network, NAMB, theology, ecclesiology, assessment, pastoral ministry, missiology, ministry training, discipleship

Takeaways

• Church planters need both faithfulness to Scripture and effectiveness in leadership.

• Send Network provides training, assessments, and resources to prepare planters for the challenges of ministry.

• Theological depth protects planters from error and equips them to shepherd their people well.

• The assessment process helps ensure that planters are called, qualified, and ready for the rigor of planting.

• Spiritual formation, not just strategy, is essential for long-term health in ministry.

• Robust theological resources—including seminary, masterclasses, books, and podcasts—help multiply healthy churches.

• Good theology helps planters triage issues, avoid unnecessary division, and focus on gospel essentials.

Sound Bites

• We want planters who are faithful and effective—because one without the other won’t last.

• Church planters are local theologians; they must tell the truth about God.

• Fog machines won’t help you if you don’t know your doctrine.

• Anybody can gather a crowd, but only the gospel raises people from the dead.

• Good theology helps us care about what matters—and stop caring about what doesn’t.