With pastors leaving, churches closing, and adults ranging from young to mid-life rapidly moving away from religious affiliation, there is a need for a renewal of those in pastoral vocations who, as Eugene Peterson encourages us, operate on the margins.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Casey Smith goes way back with his old friend, Juan Maclean, church planter and pastor of Redemption City Church in Boston, MA. They talk about zeal in church planting, the importance of the church planter's wife, what the church needs most from its pastor, and what spiritual growth in ministry looks like over the years. It's a fun conversation and one you won't want to miss.

Come eavesdrop on my conversation with Pastor Byron Cogdell of Identity Church in Daytona, Florida as we discuss how the Lord wrestled him and won, the beauty of the black church, and a great initiative that will make positive waves in his community. Come and learn from this gifted preacher and strategic thinker.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin chats with Matt and Devon Guertin, church planters of Local Church in Bay Village, OH. They talk about their journey to church planting, the gift of friendship, their deep love and affection for the people God has called them to shepherd, and why we need each other in ministry. It's a great conversation with unexpected twists.

Come eavesdrop on my conversation with Dr. Derwin Gray, pastor of Transformation Church and author of Building a Multiethnic Church. In this episode, Pastor Derwin preaches the gospel to church planters while dropping nuggets of wisdom throughout. Trust me; your soul needs this pastor!

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin sits in with Nick Bogardus, former lead pastor of Cross of Christ Church in Costa Mesa, CA. They talk about ministry transitions, resiliency, wholehearted leadership, and that one time they locked eyes on the beach. It's a moving conversation, one you won't want to miss.

Come eavesdrop on a conversation with Pastor Thabiti Anyawhile and Harbor's President, Jamaal Williams, as they discuss Pastor Thabiti's call to plant a church, wisdom for young planters, and the Crete Collective.

If someone told you there would be a demon knocking on your door today, what would you do? What would you say? How would you feel? Maybe you’d want to know what they look like? Perhaps you’d like to know when they’re going to show up?

If you know what he looks like and when he’ll show up, then the next step is knowing how to kill him.

Come eavesdrop on a conversation with Dr. Dan Hyun and Harbor's President, Jamaal Williams, as they discuss lessons learned in planting a multi-cultural church and how to begin making sense of anti-Asian racism.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Casey Smith and Ronnie Martin dig in with Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. They talk about church planting and leading a congregation, the selfish ambition and insecurities that can creep in while doing so, and how to not wreck your life and ministry by becoming your own worst enemy. It's a fun conversation that ranges from Ted Lasso to Tim Keller to the mystery that is friendships within a church as a pastor. Oh, and we cover our love for BBQ. Don't miss it.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin sits down with Sean Nolan, the lead and founding pastor of Engage Albany, in Albany, New York. They talk about Sean’s journey to faith in Jesus, trying to find significance and meaning in the music industry, what led him to church planting, and some lessons learned about belonging, vulnerability, and friendship.

If you ministered through 2020, you might be experiencing “damned if you do, damned if you don't.” If you are, here's some needed truth…

In this episode, Ronnie Martin sits down with Ed Marcelle, former lead pastor of Terra Nova Church in Albany, NY, and now the Director of Church Planting and Multiplication at Harbor Network. Ed talks about his journey to faith in Jesus, his passion and conviction for church planting, his love for Albany, NY, and what ultimately led him to Harbor Network.

This column, led by Harbor President Jamaal Williams, tracks Harbor's value of diversity and one of our goal’s associated with it: to empower a diverse group of leaders from all people groups to plant churches in diverse areas because God values all people.

Whether you’re meeting in person or online, as a pastor, you have a deep desire to offer an experience that is meaningful, gospel-saturated, and hopeful. Through the years, I’ve learned some lessons that have helped me be holistically prepared for Easter Sunday. Here are five lessons that I’ve learned that have helped me rest and be ready for Easter service.

What does the 90’s duo Tag Team have to do with Old Testament law, spiritual baby food, building upside-down houses, and the way of Jesus? Well, more than you might imagine.

God comforted Paul, not by absence of stress, but by presence of a fellow friend in ministry. Not by absence of fear but by shared testimony in in ordinary place on an ordinary day. Does this surprise you?

If you are a pastor or spiritual leader, your resources may be low, but your power hasn’t changed. That should mean a great deal to us.

The body of Christ is beautifully diverse, and our network should reflect that beauty in diversity. Here’s what we mean and how it takes shape among our churches and leaders.

With all that is important in this world, why would a network value something as inefficient and difficult as friendship?