New Churches Podcast | Season 3 | Episode 9

The Church: Loving and Leading God’s People Well

Tony Merida, Bryan Loritts & Mark Lee

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hqehrc7p3B0

Please note that the 9 Essentials mentioned in this episode have been revised. You can find the most recent updates at sendnetwork.com/9.

Host Tony Merida is joined by Bryan Loritts and Mark Lee to discuss a church planter’s understanding and love for the Church. They explore foundational questions about the nature and role of the Church, the importance of biblical leadership, and practical steps for developing elders, pastors, and deacons. The conversation also covers leadership development, pastoral care, and what it means for planters to truly love and shepherd the church Christ purchased with His blood.

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Published on March 25, 2025

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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

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. He also serves as a Board member for The Gospel Coalition. Tony has written several books including, The Christ-Centered Expositor, Love Your Church, and multiple volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series. He’s happily married to Kimberly, and they have five children.

More Resources from Tony

Bryan Loritts

Vice President, Regions Send Network

Bryan Loritts (D.Min., Liberty University) is the Teaching Pastor at The Summit Church. An award-winning author of seven books, Dr. Loritts has spent the bulk of his ministry serving and resourcing the multiethnic church. He co-founded Fellowship Memphis in 2003 and serves as the President of The Kainos Movement, an organization committed to seeing the multiethnic church become the new normal. His ministry takes him across the globe annually, as he speaks at conferences, churches, and retreats. Bryan has been a featured speaker for Catalyst and the Global Leadership Summit. Currently, he serves on the board of Biola University and is a regular visiting professor at Grimke Seminary. He is also the Vice President of Regions for the Send Network. He is the husband of Korie, and the father of Quentin, Myles, and Jaden.

More Resources from Bryan

Mark Lee

West Regional Director of Church Planting Send Network

Mark Lee planted VantagePoint Church in Eastvale, California in 2008. Since then, the church has helped plant 10 other churches around the country. Mark also serves on the Lead Team of Church Planters for Send Network.

More Resources from Mark
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