Redeemer Network Podcast

What is God doing across the Redeemer Network? What are we praying for in the years ahead? And what does it look like for every church, and every person, to find their place in the mission?

In the final episode of Season 3, Jordan Elder sits down with Redeemer Network Executive Director Brandon Barker and Sarah Kiracon to reflect on a season exploring the Network’s three priorities: training, funding, and supporting healthy churches. Together, they look back at what has encouraged them, share what they’re seeing God do across the Network, and look ahead to the opportunities in front of our churches.

Along the way, they discuss:

• Why the Redeemer Network is ultimately a story of people and churches caring for one another
• What they learned from conversations about church planting, church renewal, pastoral care, and worship ministry
• The vision behind the annual Redeemer Network Conference and this year’s Mission Matters theme
• Why every church member has a role to play in advancing the gospel and multiplying healthy churches
• What’s ahead for church planting and the Church Renewal Residency
• Why the Network is preparing now to train, fund, and support more church planters in the years ahead
• Stories of God’s faithfulness across churches, cities, and generations

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, church member, or someone passionate about church planting and healthy church multiplication, this conversation is an invitation to remember why the mission matters. We aren't trying to build an organization for its own sake…we want to see more people, in more places, know and follow Jesus through healthy, gospel-centered local churches.

Resources & Links

Redeemer Network Conference: redeemernetwork.org/conference

Learn more about the Redeemer Network: redeemernetwork.org

What does it take to cultivate a healthy worship ministry? Why do worship leaders need encouragement and support? And how can churches develop worship cultures that are both theologically rich and spiritually healthy?

In Episode 6 of Season 3, Jordan Elder sits down with Chris Mallonee to discuss the unique calling of worship leaders and why investing in them is essential to the health of the local church. Drawing from Chris's experience serving in church plants, established churches, and his work with ChurchBiz and the Redeemer Network, they explore the joys, challenges, and opportunities of leading God's people in worship week after week.

Along the way, they discuss:

• The unique calling and challenges of being a worship leader
• Why worship leaders are often highly visible but underdeveloped
• Common pitfalls that can hinder long-term ministry health
• How the Redeemer Network supports worship leaders through coaching, training, and collaboration
• Stories of God growing healthy worship ministries across the network
• Practical encouragement for anyone seeking to cultivate a Christ-centered worship culture in their church

Whether you're a worship leader, pastor, musician, or church member who wants to better understand the role of worship ministry, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at why healthy worship leaders are essential to healthy churches and faithful gospel ministry.

Resources & Links:

Redeemer Network Conference: redeemernetwork.org/conference

Learn more about the Redeemer Network: redeemernetwork.org

Why do pastors need support? What unique challenges come with leading a church? And how can caring for pastors strengthen the health and mission of the local church?

In Episode 5 of Season 3, Jordan Elder sits down with Redeemer Network pastors Jeremy Buck and Kyle Ogle to discuss the importance of caring for pastors and ministry leaders. Drawing from their own years of pastoral ministry and their work serving churches across the Redeemer Network, they explore the realities of ministry, the weight many pastors carry, and why intentional support is essential for long-term faithfulness.

Along the way, they discuss:

• The unique pressures and challenges of pastoral ministry
• Why loneliness, burnout, and discouragement are common among pastors
• How the Redeemer Network comes alongside pastors through coaching, care, retreats, and crisis support
• Stories of God using pastoral care to strengthen leaders and churches
• Why healthy pastors are essential to healthy churches
• Practical encouragement for pastors who are struggling and wondering what their next step should be

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, ministry volunteer, or church member who wants to better understand the realities of pastoral ministry, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at why caring for pastors matters and how healthy leaders help cultivate healthy churches for the sake of the gospel.

Resources & Links

Barna Research: What Pastors Are Saying About Burnout and Quitting Ministry
https://www.barna.com/trends/pastors-quitting-ministry-barna-data/

Redeemer Network Conference: redeemernetwork.org/conference

Learn more about the Redeemer Network: redeemernetwork.org

Why does funding matter for church planting? How can generosity accelerate gospel multiplication? And what role do churches and individual donors play in establishing healthy churches?

In Episode 4 of Season 3, Jordan Elder sits down with Redeemer Network Executive Director Brandon Barker and ChurchBiz Partner Josh Reeves to discuss the theology, philosophy, and practical realities of funding church multiplication. Drawing from years of experience in church planting, pastoral ministry, and nonprofit financial leadership, they explore why healthy churches require healthy financial foundations and how generosity fuels the advance of the gospel.

Along the way, they discuss:

• Why church planting is often underfunded and why that matters
• The biblical connection between generosity, stewardship, and God's mission
• How the Redeemer Network funds church planters and church replanters
• What makes the Redeemer Network's funding model unique
• Why collaborative generosity allows churches to multiply more effectively
• Encouragement for church planters seeking support and donors looking to invest in gospel ministry

Whether you're a church planter raising support, a pastor thinking about church multiplication, or someone who wants to invest in advancing the gospel, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how generous giving helps establish healthy churches and send more leaders to places that need the hope of Jesus.

Resources & Links

Redeemer Network Conference: redeemernetwork.org/conference

Learn more about the Redeemer Network: redeemernetwork.org

Why does church renewal matter? How can declining churches become healthy again? And what does it take to faithfully lead a church through revitalization?

In Episode 3 of Season 3, Jordan Elder sits down with Redeemer Network Director of Church Renewal Marco De Leon to discuss the vision, philosophy, and strategy behind the Redeemer Network Church Renewal Residency. Drawing from Marco's own experience leading a church replant, they explore why healthy churches matter, why pastors need support in the work of renewal, and how the Redeemer Network is equipping leaders to revitalize existing churches for long-term gospel impact.

Along the way, they discuss:

• Why church renewal and revitalization are essential to gospel ministry
• The unique challenges pastors face when leading struggling or declining churches
• How the Redeemer Network Church Renewal Residency equips pastors through coaching, community, and practical training
• Why healthy churches are vital for reaching communities with the gospel
• How church health workshops help identify, encourage, and equip pastors pursuing renewal
• Stories of God bringing fresh hope to pastors and congregations through collaborative ministry

Whether you're a pastor leading a church through change, considering a call to church revitalization, or passionate about seeing healthy churches multiply, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Redeemer Network is investing in church renewal for the sake of the gospel.

Resources & Links

Redeemer Network Conference: redeemernetwork.org/conference

Learn more about the Redeemer Network: redeemernetwork.org

Why do church planters need training? What makes a healthy church planter? And why is a residency model so important for long-term church health?

In Episode 2 of Season 3, Jordan Elder sits down with Redeemer Network Director of Church Planting Reid Monaghan and Redeemer Brady Pastor Paden Berens to discuss the philosophy, structure, and impact of the Redeemer Network Church Planting Residency. Drawing from their own experiences in church planting, they explore why preparation matters, how healthy churches raise up healthy leaders, and what it looks like to train church planters through immersive, church-based discipleship.

Along the way, they discuss:

• Why church planting requires more than passion and gifting
• The biblical model of training leaders before sending them
• How the Redeemer Network Residency combines theological formation, character development, and practical ministry experience
• The value of collaborative training across churches of different sizes and contexts
• Why church planting is a responsibility shared by the whole church, not just a few leaders
• How churches can begin praying for and raising up future church planters

Whether you're exploring a call to ministry, considering church planting, or simply want to understand how healthy churches multiply, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Redeemer Network is investing in the next generation of church leaders.

Resources & Links

• Redeemer Network Conference: redeemernetwork.org/conference
• Learn more about the Redeemer Network: redeemernetwork.org 

Why does the Redeemer Network exist? What are we actually trying to accomplish? And how do we grow without losing sight of what matters most?

In the first episode of Season 3, Jordan Elder sits down with Dusty Thompson and Brandon Barker to revisit the story behind the Redeemer Network and unpack the three priorities that have shaped its mission from the beginning: training, funding, and supporting healthy churches.

Along the way, they discuss:

• How a vision for church planting became a network of churches
• Why healthy churches are the goal, not organizational growth
• The importance of training church planters and church replanters
• Why funding matters for gospel multiplication
• How caring for pastors and their families strengthens the mission
• The challenge of scaling without losing culture, conviction, or focus

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or church member passionate about seeing the gospel advance, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the convictions driving Redeemer Network's work and a compelling vision for collaborative church multiplication.

Resources & Links

• Redeemer Network Conference: redeemernetwork.org/conference 
• Learn more about Redeemer Network: redeemernetwork.org 

Host: Jordan Elder, Redeemer Network President

Guests: Kyle Ogle (Center Church Brenham) and Dave Bruskas (Watermark Community Church)

The second season will shift focus to sharing stories of God at work within our network. We’ve got a great lineup of pastors/planters/leaders scheduled to come on to share with us real-world examples of God's work through our church planting, replanting, and revitalization efforts in Texas and beyond.

Host: Jordan Elder, Redeemer Network President

Guest: Jason Hatch (Redeemer Midland) and Craig Parish (Living Stones, Reno, Nevada)

The second season will shift focus to sharing stories of God at work within our network. We’ve got a great lineup of pastors/planters/leaders scheduled to come on to share with us real-world examples of God's work through our church planting, replanting, and revitalization efforts in Texas and beyond.

Show Notes:

• Giving and Getting in the Kingdom - Book

Host: Reid S. Monaghan, Founder & President - GospelUnderground.org

Guest: Zach Tharp, Church Planter - Redeemer Church in Brownwood, TX

The second season will shift focus to sharing stories of God at work within our network. We’ve got a great lineup of pastors/planters/leaders scheduled to come on to share with us real-world examples of God's work through our church planting, replanting, and revitalization efforts in Texas and beyond.