The City Network Podcast

We got to sit down with ICPA church planter, Isaac Tolpin, to hear about his journey planting Rooted Bible Church in Horseshoe Bend, ID. Rooted launched this past October, and has seen incredible movement in just a few months. Listen in!

Find more from The Valley Network at thevalleynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thevalleynet, and Facebook at The Valley Network.

Here are the links mentioned in the episode:

• [email protected] 
• Rooted Bible Church app in the app store
• rootedbiblechurch.org
• Intermountain Church Planters Association

P.S. You might hear our intro say The City Network podcast- we're still in process of changing everything over! Thank you for your patience in this transition!

New name, same vision and values! 

We have Brian Taylor, the executive director of the Valley Network, on the podcast today! We’re talking about leadership shifts, the recent merger, and the vision for the Treasure Valley in this next year around the 4 R’s: relationship, resources, residency, and reproduction.

Plus, stay tuned to hear how you can win 2 nights at the Shore Lodge in McCall!

Here are the links mentioned in the episode:

https://www.maf.org/pastors-gathering

https://www.thecitynetwork.org/survey

Today's episode of the City Network Podcast features church planter DJ Marx, who is launching Storyline Church on September 22nd. Listen in to hear DJ's story, from pastoring in California to Boise to church planting here in Meridian. We talk about recovering from church hurt, trusting God to provide resources, the importance of planting with network and accountability, and having people around you to cheer you on. DJ encourages church planters to stay dedicated to forward momentum (even if it's one tiny thing per day), and urges church partners to stay in the game with church planters. "It's not my church," he says. "It's our church, because we're all going after the same thing." 

To support the work at Storyline, here are all the deets: 

• Go to their website at storylinechurch.tv for everything you might want to know about what they're up to, and sign up for their newsletter to stay in the loop 
• Follow them on Instagram @storylinechurchtv and Facebook at StorylineChurch.tv 
• Pray this Irish Blessing over them: 

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Find more from The City Network at thecitynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thecitynetwork, and Facebook at City Network.

Mentioned in this episode:

Soul Care Summit

This year's Soul Care Prayer Summit is happening April 22-24 up at Quaker Hill in McCall.

Soul Care Summit

"Don't argue for your limitations, and keep dreaming." We had a great conversation with Samuel and Marina Mendoza on the podcast this week! They're planting Rapha Church, officially launching on September 22nd, with the mission to bring the gospel of Jesus to all, and empower believers to disciple others. They have a passion for seeing people's souls and bodies restored, and a wild and determined faith to see what God will do in this season! 

This episode is chock full of encouragement, no matter where you are in the church planting or pastoring journey. Listen in to hear their story, to learn, and to see how you can support our friends at Rapha! 

If you'd like to support them, here are the deets: 

• Follow them on Instagram (@rapha.church) and Facebook (Rapha Church) 
• Go to their website at raphachurch.com
• Click here for all the things! 
• Connect with the Mendozas 
• Show up to their launch date on September 22nd at the West Ada School District Office

Samuel and Marina were both born and raised in the Treasure Valley and met at a small church in Nyssa, Oregon. They married in 2016 and welcomed their first child Lucas in 2021. Samuel, a first-generation PK, served for seven years as an assistant pastor alongside his father, and earned his Bachelors in Biblical Studies in 2014. With Marina, they have served in various ministries within their local church. Throughout the years, they have faced various challenges and embarked on a journey of healing and restoration, witnessing first-hand the incredible healing power of God. 

Find more from The City Network at thecitynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thecitynetwork, and Facebook at City Network. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Soul Care Summit

This year's Soul Care Prayer Summit is happening April 22-24 up at Quaker Hill in McCall.

Soul Care Summit

Do you find yourself wondering if the gospel is still good news for us today? What does recovering the gospel make you think about? Long for? 

Join us for today's episode of The City Network Podcast where Robert is joined by Jonny Morrison, author, pastor, and theologian, where they talk about Jonny's most recent book, Prodigal Gospel: Getting Lost and Found Again in the Good News. They dive into the concepts of rest, sabbath, atonement, the kingship of Jesus, the problem of sin, what the gospel is, and what it means for us today. 

Listen in!

For today's episode of The City Network Podcast, Robert is live with Chris Backert, pastor, author, the senior director of Fresh Expressions NA, and leader in the Ascent movement. The two talk all things mission and evangelical witness. They discuss the decline of traditional denominationalism in the church and the emergence of new forms of church expressions, including microchurches and networks, and explore the challenges and opportunities faced by church planters, the concept of a "blended ecology of church," and the cyclical nature of church growth and decline. They end with a discussion on the importance of engaging with children and youth, the need for better theological education, and the potential of planting churches in less "desirable" areas. 

More on Chris Backert: 

Working with church leaders to develop new expressions of Christian community is the passion of Chris’s life. In addition to his role as Senior Director of Fresh Expressions NA, he serves with the Baptist General Association of Virginia in the area of growth and venture development. He also serves as National Director for both Ecclesia, a US network of missional churches, as well as Missio Alliance. Previously, he served as pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship, a large university congregation in Blacksburg, Virginia and has been involved in the planting of three new congregations. Chris holds a D.Min. in Missional Church Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with wife Rachel, daughter Elliana and son Jase.

Find more from The City Network at thecitynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thecitynetwork, and Facebook at City Network.

Mentioned in this episode:

Soul Care Summit

This year's Soul Care Prayer Summit is happening April 22-24 up at Quaker Hill in McCall.

Soul Care Summit

As the next election season is quickly approaching, are you finding yourself wondering how to engage politically in the culture and with your congregation (or if you even should?)

In this episode, we chat with author, teacher, and speaker Preston Sprinkle, about his new book, Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire. We delve into the theological implications of exile, the historical context of the Israelite nation and its tribal identity, and the governance and economic systems of a nation. We explore the political implications of the early Christian movement, the challenges of planting a church in this particular political era, the divisive nature of mainstream news, and how to find a way through it that is true to the kingdom of God. 

Ways to find more from Preston: 

• Website: prestonsprinkle.com. 
• New Book: Exiles: the Church in the Shadow of Empire
• Podcast: Theology in the Raw
• Conference: Exiles in Babylon 2024 

News/journalism outlets recommended in this episode: 

• The Pour Over
• AND Campaign  
• Breaking Points 
• Matt Tabbi w/ Racket News 
• Useful Idiots 
• The Atlantic

Find more from The City Network at thecitynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thecitynetwork, and Facebook at City Network.

Mentioned in this episode:

Soul Care Summit

This year's Soul Care Prayer Summit is happening April 22-24 up at Quaker Hill in McCall.

Soul Care Summit

Have you ever thought about doing church differently? Or felt the desire to try something different in your ministry, but didn't have the context for it? If so, today's episode is for you.

In today's episode, we talk with Brian Johnson, Reproducing Churches Champion and integrator for NewThing, and leader in the Kansas City Underground, a microchurch network in KC. Robert and Brian discuss the importance of empathy and support in dealing with tragedies and collective emotions, church expansion, spiritual practices, microchurch networks, coaching pathways, future projects, and the way of Jesus.

Just a few nuggets of wisdom in this jam-packed episode!

Listen in!

Find more from The City Network at thecitynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thecitynetwork, and Facebook at City Network. 

To learn more about the Kansas City Underground, click here.

To learn more about NewThing, click here.

For information on the Microchurch Conference, click here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Soul Care Summit

This year's Soul Care Prayer Summit is happening April 22-24 up at Quaker Hill in McCall.

Soul Care Summit

"Seasons of calling feel hard when they don't feel like a calling at all. It's just living life." Today we are with pastor Jessie Horney! Jessie shares her journey to becoming a pastor, and realizing her calling as a storyteller and a friend. We discuss the challenges and rewards of living into your calling, the importance of intentional relationships, and challenges women face in pastoral ministry. She talks about being present for others, and pastoring wherever you go–not waiting for others to come to you. We aren't meant to do this thing alone. 

To connect with Jessie, find her on instagram @jessie.horney.

Find more from The City Network at thecitynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thecitynetwork, and Facebook at City Network.

NOTE: The quote I butchered by Frederich Buchner is: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.”

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Mentioned in this episode:

Soul Care Summit

This year's Soul Care Prayer Summit is happening April 22-24 up at Quaker Hill in McCall.

Soul Care Summit

For this special episode of the Church Planter Podcast, Robert interviews author, speaker, missiologist and agitator Mike Frost. They talk about a wide variety of topics, from church planting in specific cultural contexts, to adapting missionary methods, clarifying purpose, community-centered initiatives, and kingdom proclamation and transformation.

Michael Frost is an internationally recognised Australian missiologist and one of the leading voices in the missional church movement. His books are required reading in colleges and seminaries around the world and he is much sought after as an international conference speaker.

He's the founding director of the Tinsley Institute in Sydney Australia, an adjunct lecturer at various seminaries, and the author of 19 books. He is also well known for his protests against Australia’s treatment of refugees, some of which have resulted in his arrest by the NSW police, as well as his advocacy for racial reconciliation, foreign aid, and gender equality.

To order Mission is the Shape of Water, click here.

For more from Mike, visit his website https://mikefrost.net/.

Mentioned in this episode:

Soul Care Summit

This year's Soul Care Prayer Summit is happening April 22-24 up at Quaker Hill in McCall.

Soul Care Summit