#99: The Future of Church Planting: Innovating for God’s Mission with Len Tang

Discover the future of church planting with expert Len Tang in this eye-opening episode of the Pivot Podcast.

Dive into the evolving world of church planting with expert Len Tang in this transformative episode of the Pivot Podcast. Len, director of the Fuller Church Planting Initiative, unpacks the latest trends and strategies that are reshaping how we approach ministry in the 21st century.

Discover why these approaches to planting churches are more crucial than ever and how they serve as the R&D wing of the church. Len shares insights on:

  • Diverse models of church planting for different contexts
  • The rise of co-vocational ministry and its impact on church planting
  • Innovative funding strategies for sustainable church plants
  • How established churches can support and learn from new plants
  • The importance of leading with mission in denominational church planting efforts

Whether you’re a seasoned pastor, a potential church planter, or a lay leader passionate about church growth, this episode offers fresh perspectives and practical wisdom for advancing God’s mission in today’s rapidly changing world.

Resources mentioned

Featuring

Len Tang

Len Tang

Len Tang is the Director of the Church Planting Initiative at Fuller Seminary, and has planted two churches: Cedar Creek Church in Sherwood, Oregon, and Missio Community Church in Pasadena, California. He is married to Amy and they have three young adult boys, two cats, and one electric motorcycle.

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.

  • Michael Binder

    Michael Binder is an assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. His teaching focuses on starting new congregations, leading change, and practicing Christian witness and evangelism amidst secular cultures. Binder is a founding pastor of Mill City Church in northeast Minneapolis and continues to serve there. He has worked as a consultant with hundreds of congregations and denominations in the U.S. and Canada. Binder is a graduate of Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota), Bethel University (MDiv), and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership).

Lead your church through change

  

with the Missional Leader Cohort