The real-life, real time story of two pastors starting a new church on the south side of Indianapolis. The process of planting a church is rarely efficient, but the stories that come from it are almost always interesting.
As we begin a new season of the Church Plant podcast, The Fields is entering a new season of ministry with their launch of community groups. It’s the summer of 2025, The Fields is 2 ½ years old, and this is going to be a significant change.
To open the second season of Church Plant, Pastors Mike and Chris sit down to discuss some of the reasons for this change, some of the challenges community groups often face, and the vision for the first iteration of these groups. Follow us as this season unfolds.
SHOW NOTES:
"Contemplation" - a sermon by Tim Keller
https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/contemplation/
17 Dec 2022
S1/E13 - Designing Worship
Every church designs their worship services differently. Some feel very "high church" with a lot of readings and movement, while others feel very casual. As Mike and Chris launch The Fields Presbyterian Church, key decisions have to be made on how this new church will worship together.
23 Nov 2022
S1/E12 - The Heart of Hospitality
Often we think of building community as events centered around the institution of the church. But scripture calls us to have margin in our lives to show brotherly love to others. This isn't something you can manufacture, but must be done out of a heart that has been transformed by God's hospitality--his love for us when we were strangers and outcasts. Today, Mandy McBride joins our conversation as we talk about the importance of authentic community in a church plant.
2 Nov 2022
S1/E11 - The Gospel for the People and Pastors
The gospel commends certain aspects of our culture, but challenges others. Through the gospel, people who once found their self-worth in their performance or success are transformed to find that they are immeasurably valuable because of who God says they are. This is an important reality for every person, even for pastors who preach this week after week.
12 Oct 2022
S1/E10 - All The Kids
Launching a church in the suburbs means kids... and lots of them! But how does a new church care for kids and families when resources are limited? What does the Bible say about the role of kids in the church and how does this affect the way we should handle ministry to kids? In today's episode, Kids' Ministry Director Amber Lotz joins Mike and Chris to talk about the Fields Presbyterian Church's philosophy for kids and family ministry.
29 Sept 2022
S1/E9 - A Place To Call Home
As the launch team of The Fields Presbyterian Church approached their target launch date, they still had not yet secured a location in which to meet. But like every other need, the Lord provided the perfect place for this new church to worship together just in time. Today, Mike and Chris talk about what happened as they began to meet together in their new space.
7 Sept 2022
BONUS EPISODE: Making Disciples in the Local Church
Every church ought to be discipling people, but how its done can vary. At The Fields Presbyterian Church, discipleship has been on Mike and Chris' minds since day one and they want to launch the church with a strong discipleship program in place. But this discipleship program seems to go against the grain of what most evangelical churches are doing right now.
This episode is largely for the members of the launch team of The Fields, but it also has wider application for the evangelical Christian church as we consider together how best to fulfill the great commission in our culture and context.
24 Aug 2022
S1/E8 - The Gospel In The Heart
A new church must give its prospective congregants a picture of what the church will be like. Typically this is called "Vision Casting." But instead of casting a vision for a new church, what if we gave people the gospel and let God's Word do its work in people's lives? Wouldn't that paint a better picture of what the church should be about? In this episode, Mandy McBride joins Mike and Chris to talk about the "Gospel In The Heart" Bible studies we've been using to gather people and help people to see the focus of this new church.
3 Aug 2022
S1/E7 - The Name
Few things are more daunting or paralyzing than coming up with a name. This week, Mike and Chris talk about the process of naming the church plant and finally reveal the new name.
21 Jul 2022
S1/E6 - Funding The Mission
Everything costs money. While the gospel is free, starting up a new church comes with a cost. Where did Mike and Chris find funding for their new church? What does the need for funding teach the people of a new church about dependence on God?
7 Jul 2022
S1/E5 - The Gathering
When starting a new church, gathering people to help get it started is one of the biggest hurdles the church planter faces. While strategies and systems are sometimes used to help with this process, ultimately it is God who gathers His people to form His church. This week, we hear from several families about how they became a part of our launch team.
22 Jun 2022
S1/E4 - People Before Place
When starting a new church, it must have the right foundation. The church is not an institution or a building, rather it's a community of believers who are sinners saved by grace. This week, Mike and Chris talk about what the Bible says about the church and how that shapes their philosophy of ministry.
8 Jun 2022
S1/E3 - Taking On A Ministry Partner
Many church planters are the only staff member and solo pastor, often for a long time. But for us, we chose to take on a second staff member right from the start. This week, we welcome co-planter Chris McLaughlin and his wife Erica to talk about how they came to be part of this new church.
25 May 2022
S1/E2 - The Harbor Story
Pastor Mike's ministry was greatly influenced by two men named Jack Miller and Dick Kauffman. Who were these men and how will their influence shape the church we're launching on the south side of Indianapolis?
12 May 2022
S1/E1 - Why Are You Starting A New Church?
Welcome to Church Plant! This is the real-life, real-time story of two pastors who are starting a new church on the south side of Indianapolis. In our inaugural episode, Mike and Chris introduce themselves and discuss why the southern suburbs of Indianapolis, Indiana need another church.
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