Pastor to Pioneer

Pastor to Pioneer
  • 5.0 (19)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The Pastor to Pioneer podcast is an honest conversation with pastors and former pastors who are exhausted from existing church structures and are seeking a simpler way of being the church and making disciples like we see in scripture. This podcast is a space to consider the question many are afraid to ask, "Could these things look differently?"

  1. FEB 11

    Episode 90: Loving Others, Not Spiritually Managing Others- Gavin Duerson

    In this episode of the Pastor to Pioneer podcast, Britton Smith interviews Gavin Duerson, a simple church disciple-making practitioner from Lexington, Kentucky. Gavin shares his journey from being a mascot at the University of Kentucky to working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and eventually transitioning to leading a network of simple churches. He discusses the impact of his daughter's special needs on his faith and ministry, emphasizing the importance of love, connection, and understanding God's grace. Gavin advocates for a decentralized approach to church, focusing on mentoring and supporting others in their faith journeys, and highlights the significance of living out the Great Commission in everyday life.

    1h 4m

  2. JAN 28

    Episode 89: Don't Prop Up What's Failing- Jeff Jackson

    In this episode, Jeff Jackson shares his transformative journey from being a pastor to an entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He discusses the importance of community, accountability, and extreme obedience to God, as well as his struggles with sin and the journey towards redemption. Jeff emphasizes the need for a decentralized church model and the power of miracles and healing within a supportive community. His story serves as an encouragement for those navigating their own faith journeys, reminding listeners of the importance of authentic relationships and the ongoing work of God in their lives.

    56 min

  3. JAN 14

    Episode 88: 21 Years of the Same Sunday- Turner Moore

    In this episode of the Pastor to Pioneer podcast, Britton Smith interviews Turner Moore, a former traditional church pastor who transitioned to leading a home church. Turner shares his journey from a mega church environment to a more intimate church setting, discussing the challenges and realizations he faced along the way. He reflects on the importance of family dynamics, the role of the Holy Spirit in worship, and the significance of personal transformation in ministry. Turner also talks about starting a lawn care business as a means of providing for his family while pursuing his calling in a new church model.

    1h 2m

  4. 12/31/2025

    Episode 87: Bama, Belize, and Beyond- Todd Henderson

    Todd Henderson spent nearly 40 years as a Methodist pastor, but COVID revealed a hard truth: he had been making members, not disciples who could make disciples. Despite loving his congregation, he realized the prevailing church model was a "beautiful black hole" that would always consume attempts at pioneering disciple-making movements. At 60 years old, though they are scared and excited in equal measure, Todd and his wife are choosing to rediscover the life and work originally invited them into.

    53 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Episode 86: From Stage to Sidelines-Tyler Ingalls

    In this episode of the Pastor to Pioneer podcast, Tyler Ingalls shares his journey from a supportive Christian upbringing to becoming a youth pastor and basketball coach. He discusses the challenges he faced in youth ministry, the importance of holistic discipleship, and the need for parents to engage spiritually with their children. Tyler emphasizes the disconnect between church leaders and families, advocating for a new approach to ministry that fosters genuine relationships and spiritual growth. He also highlights the spiritual hunger of young people and the limitations of current church structures, offering insights on how to create a more effective and engaging environment for discipleship.

    1h 9m

  6. 12/03/2025

    Episode 85: The Pros and Cons of Pastors Pioneering-Neal Karsten

    In this episode of the Pastor to Pioneer Podcast, Neal Karsten and Britton discuss the unique qualities that make pastors well-suited for pioneering new church models, as well as the challenges they face in this transition. They explore the importance of conviction, the loneliness of pioneering, and the need for detox from traditional church models. The conversation emphasizes the significance of relationships over programs and the necessity of humility and dependence on God in the pioneering journey.

    1h 4m

  7. 11/12/2025

    Episode 84: Success on the Fringe- JJ Hefley

    Summary In this episode of the Pastor to Pioneer podcast, host Pastor to Pioneer speaks with JJ Hefley, a former pastor turned pioneer of simple church movements. They discuss JJ's journey from traditional ministry to a focus on disciple-making movements, and the challenges of shifting a church's paradigm towards community engagement and ownership. JJ shares insights on the importance of empowering others to share the gospel and the need for churches to adapt to the changing landscape of Christianity in America.

    1h 7m

  8. 10/29/2025

    Episode 83: Can You Transform Church DNA?- Jim Gulish

    In this episode of the Pastor to Pioneer podcast, Jim Gulish shares his journey from a traditional pastoral role to pioneering new forms of ministry in Michigan. He discusses his early faith experiences, the challenges of church planting, and the importance of discipleship over mere attendance. Jim emphasizes the need for contextual understanding in ministry and the freedom he has found in being a Christian without the constraints of a title. He encourages fellow pastors to embrace their unique callings and not feel alone in their journeys.

    57 min
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5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

The Pastor to Pioneer podcast is an honest conversation with pastors and former pastors who are exhausted from existing church structures and are seeking a simpler way of being the church and making disciples like we see in scripture. This podcast is a space to consider the question many are afraid to ask, "Could these things look differently?"

Information

  • Creator
    Pastor to Pioneer
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Pastor to Pioneer

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