#100: Church Planting Reimagined: Nick Warnes on Discernment, Adaptability, and Inclusive Leadership

Discover the future of church planting with Nick Warnes, founder of Cyclical Incorporated, in this insightful episode of the Pivot Podcast.

In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, we dive deep into the world of church planting with Nick Warnes, founder and executive director of Cyclical Incorporated. Nick shares his expertise on developing leaders for new Christian communities, challenging traditional notions of what it means to start a church. From discernment processes to financial sustainability, from adapting to diverse contexts to embracing a truly missional approach, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone interested in the future of the church.

Whether you’re considering planting a church, supporting church planters, or simply curious about innovative approaches to ministry, Nick’s insights will inspire you to think differently about how we can participate in God’s ongoing work in the world. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that reimagines church planting for the 21st century.

Resources mentioned

Featuring

Nick Warnes headshot

Nick Warnes

Nicholas Warnes (Masters of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary, Emphasis in Worship Theology and Art) is the Founder and Executive Director of Cyclical. He enjoys the regular pattern and rhythm of being both the Executive Director of Cyclical Inc and Director of Cyclical LA in Los Angeles. Nick is also a recognized speaker on church planting, international church planting coach, and the president of the board of the Church Planting Initiative at Fuller Theological Seminary. Nick finished his first book in 2014 with Dr. Mark Lau Branson called "Starting Missional Churches: Life With God in the Neighborhood". More recently, Nick edited "Faithful Innovation" in 2020 and authored "Deconstructing Church Planting" in January 2022. Nick lives with his wife, Whitney, and son, Lee, in Los Angeles, CA.

Meet Your Hosts

  • Terri Elton

    Terri Martinson Elton began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

    Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

    Before her work in the synod, she served at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minn. for 16 years. While at Prince of Peace she worked in various roles within children, youth and family ministries, as well as served as the director of Changing Church Forum, an outreach ministry of Prince of Peace. She also authored To Know, To Live, To Grow, a confirmation curriculum, and co-authored What Really Matters, a book for congregational leaders, with the Rev. Mike Foss.

    Elton holds a B.A. degree in communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. (1986). She earned both her M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.

    Elton’s research and teaching interests include: congregational leadership, leading in the midst of change and conflict, helping ministry leaders craft a missional ecclesiology with an eye toward the First Third of Life, awakening a vibrant theology of baptism and vocation and reimagining faith and mission practices for children, youth, young adults and their families.

    Elton is a member of the Academy of Religious Leadership, the Association of Youth Ministry Educators, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and the American Society of Missiology and is on the board for Real Resources. Elton spends much of her time working with congregations and congregational leaders and seeks out opportunities for enhancing ministry with those in the First Third of Life within the ELCA.

  • Dr. Dwight Zscheile

    Dr. Dwight Zscheile is vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary. His latest book is Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress Press, 2023).