Nate Puccini | Lessons from Marketplace to Mininstry

Most pastors don't know how to lead the high-capacity business leaders sitting in their church—and those leaders are often just one invitation away from a breakthrough. In this episode of The Sidecar Leader, Executive Pastor Nate Puccini shares how he went from a lonely, workaholic millionaire running 21 business locations to giving it all up to serve the local church. Nate gets honest about the isolation of senior leadership, the marriage he thought was beyond repair, and the moment a 21-year-old intern's simple invitation changed the entire trajectory of his life. He unpacks the three questions Pastor Peter asked that exposed what success had been hiding—about spiritual disciplines, accountability, and godly mentorship—and why "teachability is the ability to relearn what you think you already know." If you're a pastor or ministry leader wrestling with how to pastor affluent, influential, or entrepreneurial people without feeling intimidated, this conversation is for you. Nate breaks down how to create real space for high-capacity volunteers, why your growth track can't stop at coffee ministry, and how casting a God-sized vision (one that's actually too big for you) gives people a purpose worth serving. You'll also hear the story behind Substance Church becoming the largest food distribution site in Minnesota—and why the secret was equipping the saints, not relying on a name. This is a must-listen for lead pastors, executive pastors, and nonprofit leaders who want to engage their people beyond the usher line, build leadership pipelines that scale, and discover the leaders God has already called to their vision. 🎧 New episodes drop weekly. Listen now and don't forget to follow. About Sidecar Leader: Sidecar Leader is committed to helping church leaders move further, faster—without going alone. Through strategic coaching, creative services, and a proven three-phase process (Discover, Design, Deliver), Sidecar partners with pastors and leadership teams to clarify their vision, overcome challenges, and execute with purpose. Whether you're scaling your church, shifting your strategy, or simply need clarity in your next step, Sidecar helps you lead with confidence. Learn more at sidecarleader.com Contact: [email protected] Follow on Instagram: @sidecarleader