120 - Michael Foster on Church Planting (But Not Ghey)

Support the show!! - https://www.patreon.com/chasedavis

This Is Foster Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-foster/id1511566280

Michael Foster on X - https://twitter.com/thisisfoster

It’s Good to be a Man - https://itsgoodtobeaman.com/

This is Foster - https://www.thisisfoster.com/

Ezra Institute - https://www.ezrainstitute.com/training-programs/runneracademy/

Summary

In this episode, Chase Davis interviews Michael Foster, a pastor and church planter, about various topics related to church planting and masculinity. They discuss the cool factor in church planting, the importance of authenticity and tradition, and the pitfalls of the pastor as entrepreneur model. They also explore the need for a masculine church culture and the balance between imitation and individuality in pastoral leadership. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in church planting and offers insights for future church planters. In this conversation, Michael Foster discusses various topics related to masculinity and the church. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the times and interacting with ideas. The success of his book, 'It's Good to Be a Man,' is attributed to its sincerity and compassionate approach to men's issues. Foster also addresses the tendency in evangelicalism to squash men's desires and the need for a doctrine of desires. He introduces his new podcast, 'This Is Foster,' which focuses on practical topics for men. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of embracing biblical masculinity and encouraging men to pursue godly ambitions.

Takeaways

Church planting should focus on reaching the people in the community and making disciples in a way that is accessible and relevant to them.

Authenticity and tradition are important in creating a masculine church culture that appeals to men and addresses their needs.

The pastor as entrepreneur model can lead to a constant need for innovation and can distract from the core mission of the church.

Church planters should prioritize building a strong church planting team and focus on the substance of ministry rather than imitating a specific pastor or model.

Balancing imitation and individuality in pastoral leadership is crucial, as men naturally want to imitate older men but also desire authenticity and personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:11 The Cool Factor in Church Planting

06:31 Michael Foster's Church Planting Journey

14:21 The Need for Authenticity in Church Planting

19:22 Creating a Masculine Church Culture

24:03 The Pitfalls of the Pastor as Entrepreneur

30:52 The Importance of Tradition in Church Planting

32:01 The Franchise and Boutique Models of Church Planting

42:16 The Future of Church Planting

44:12 Balancing Imitation and Individuality in Pastoral Leadership

45:09 Understanding the Times and Interacting with Ideas

49:01 The Success of 'It's Good to Be a Man'

57:12 The Pietistic Impulse in Evangelicalism

58:07 Squashing Men's Desires in American Evangelicalism

01:05:22 The Practical Side of 'It's Good to Be a Man'