New Churches Podcast | Season 6 | Episode 3

How Do I Build a Team?

J.A. Medders, Tony Merida & Matt Smethurst

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OgI30O5sgO4

In this episode of the New Churches podcast, host Jeff Medders is joined by Tony Merida and Matt Smethurst to address one of the most important—and often challenging—realities of church planting: building a team. As part of a season focused on the “how” questions of church planting, the conversation explores how planters can thoughtfully recruit people to join the mission and why clarity, character, and shared conviction matter in the early days. The discussion also dives into the ongoing work of discipling and developing leaders within the launch team and how to identify and vet future elders and deacons. Listeners will walk away with biblical insight, seasoned counsel, and practical guidance for building a strong foundation for a new church.

(00:24:01) How do you recruit people to a church planting team?

(06:07:00) What are the best practices for building a team?

(16:02:04) What evangelism tools do you recommend?

(21:08:10) How can a planter identify elders and deacons?

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Published on February 17, 2026

Character The Church Practical Leadership Pre-Launch Growing
About the Podcast

New Churches Podcast

The New Churches podcast delivers biblical and practical insights to help you be a faithful and effective church planter. Learn from trusted pastors, theologians, missiologists, and faithful leaders who can help you pursue the mission God has given you. 

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Meet the Authors

J.A. Medders

General Editor New Churches

J. A. Medders (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the director of theology and content for Send Network, and the general editor for New Churches. He is the author of Gospel Formed, Humble Calvinism, and co-author of The Soul-Winning Church. You can follow Jeff on X, Instagram, and his newsletter.

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Tony Merida

Vice President, Planter Development Send Network

Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C, and is the vice president of Planter Development for Send Network. Tony has written several books, including The Christ-Centered Expositor, Love Your Church, and multiple volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series.

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Matt Smethurst

Matt Smethurst is lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He is the author of Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel (2025), Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready (2022), Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church (2021), Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures for Approaching God’s Word (2019), and 1–2 Thessalonians: A 12-Week Study (2017). He also cohosts, with Ligon Duncan, The Everyday Pastor podcast from The Gospel Coalition.

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