The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast

The Disciple Makers Podcast exists to tell stories about disciples of Jesus who make disciples. Discipleship.org, who sponsors the podcast, exists to Champion Jesus‘ way of disciple making. Episodes are published in thematic seasons. To learn more, visit www.discipleship.org or email us at info@discipleship.org.

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Episodes

Monday Sep 15, 2025

In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, Jason discusses the importance of readiness, faithfulness, and fruitfulness in the Christian life. He reflects on the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25, emphasizing the need for constant readiness and faithfulness, not just a last-minute scramble. He discusses how readiness is not about knowing future events but being faithful in the present. Jason shares anecdotes about his own struggles with procrastination and urges listeners to focus on their immediate actions and short-term goals. He contrasts this with historical examples of failed doomsday predictions to highlight the futility of trying to pinpoint the end times. The episode concludes with a call to action for consistent, faithful living in daily discipleship and evangelism.

Monday Sep 08, 2025

Discipleship: Trusting and Receiving with Robby Angle | Disciple Makers Podcast
In this insightful episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, host Josh engages in a deep conversation with Robby Angle from True Face. Robby shares his personal journey and the pivotal shift from a performance-based faith to one rooted in trusting and receiving God's love. They discuss the importance of correct beliefs and philosophy in creating effective discipleship environments and the impact of leaders' personal spiritual health on their ministry. Robby emphasizes a relationship with God based on trust and receiving over merely knowing more and doing better. Tune in to discover practical ways to foster healthy discipleship cultures in your ministry and personal life.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:05 Meet Robby Angle: A Journey of Faith02:41 The Importance of Small Groups in Discipleship03:34 Understanding True Face and Its Impact05:03 The Core of Discipleship: Beliefs and Philosophy10:05 Practical Applications and Leader Development12:02 The Role of Identity in Ministry16:10 Creating a Culture of Trust and Receiving32:24 Final Thoughts and Resources
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleshiphttps://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Makerhttps://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, host Josh welcomes Robby Angle, president of True Face, for a deep and candid conversation about cultivating authentic discipleship by aligning personal identity with ministry practice. The discussion opens with lighthearted banter, quickly establishing a tone of vulnerability and friendship that sets the stage for the episode’s core themes.
Robby shares his journey through various ministry roles, from Young Life staff to international disaster response with Samaritan’s Purse, professional counseling, and leading small groups at North Point Church. He describes how his experiences shaped his understanding that spiritual growth is most effective in the context of authentic relationships, but also acknowledges the widespread problem of “lame” small groups that fail to foster real transformation.
The heart of the episode centers on the subtle but critical distinction between doing ministry for God out of a sense of earning versus operating from a place of received identity and grace. Robby and Josh both reflect on how easy it is for ministry leaders to derive their sense of worth from their roles and achievements, rather than from their identity as beloved children of God. Robby recounts a pivotal moment during his time in Pakistan, where he realized that his drive to “do more and know more” for God was rooted in pride and a misunderstanding of the gospel. He emphasizes that true discipleship is not about earning God’s love, but about trusting and receiving it, which then naturally overflows into loving action.
The conversation unpacks how beliefs about God and self form the foundation for ministry philosophy and, ultimately, the environments and outcomes in churches. Robby argues that most leaders focus on tweaking environments or adopting new resources, but the real transformation comes from regularly revisiting and realigning core beliefs and philosophies. He illustrates how a leader’s internal posture—whether rooted in striving or in secure identity—directly shapes the culture and effectiveness of their groups.
Josh and Robby discuss practical implications for church leaders, highlighting the importance of developing leaders who are secure in their identity and philosophy before focusing on group formation or equipping. Robby outlines four key areas for churches: developing leaders, supporting leaders, getting people into groups, and equipping those groups, stressing that leader development is the most crucial and often overlooked step.
The episode concludes with practical resources, including True Face’s “The Cure” and discipleshipframework.com, and an invitation for leaders to reach out for support. Ultimately, the conversation calls ministry leaders to examine their motives, root their identity in Christ, and lead others from a place of freedom, trust, and genuine love.
More Discipleship.org Resources: 
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesushttps://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
Stay informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Monday Sep 01, 2025

Creating a Disciple-Making Culture with Bart Shaw | Disciple Makers Podcast
In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, host Josh Howard speaks with special guest Bart Shaw, disciple-making strategist and campus pastor at Traders Point Christian Church. Bart Shaw shares his journey and insights into cultivating a disciple-making culture in the church through innovative methods like micro groups. These small, high-accountability groups focus on deep, intentional scripture study and practical obedience to God's word. Bart discusses the importance of multiplication, building relationships, and the need for accountability to foster genuine spiritual growth. He also highlights the significance of personal commitment to disciple-making for church leaders. Tune in to discover valuable principles and practical steps that can help you and your church create a thriving disciple-making environment.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:09 Bart Shaw's Background and Journey02:00 Micro Groups: Concept and Implementation04:18 Impact and Success Stories of Micro Groups07:55 Challenges and Accountability in Micro Groups11:03 Personal Journey and Influences15:40 The Role of Obedience in Movement16:25 Challenges in Implementing Discipleship Programs18:16 Lessons from Martial Arts for Discipleship19:57 Duckling Discipleship: A Simple Yet Effective Approach21:51 Principles for Effective Micro Groups26:48 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Monday Aug 25, 2025

Join the learning community: https://discipleship.org/hall-of-tyrannus-learning-community/
Empowering Disciple-Making Movements: A Game-Changer for Churches
Join Bobby Harrington and Josh Howard in an enlightening webinar designed to shift the paradigm of disciple-making within churches. Bringing 16 years of hands-on experience from India, Josh proposes a 'parallel track' methodology that synergizes with existing church programs. This approach aims to cultivate intentional disciple-makers without dismantling the established structure. Delve into actionable insights on fostering rapid multiplication of disciples, addressing the disconnect in modern church culture, and creating a sustainable disciple-making model. Essential for pastors, church leaders, and anyone committed to Jesus-style discipleship, this episode unpacks a strategic pathway to meet the Great Commission in today's context.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:53 Josh Howard's Background and Experience04:28 Defining Disciple Making Movements06:58 Core Definitions of Discipleship13:02 The Biblical Basis for Disciple Making15:24 Challenges in Modern Church Discipleship18:18 The Parallel Track Approach26:36 Implementing the Parallel Track36:08 Q&A and Final Thoughts
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleshiphttps://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Makerhttps://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guidehttps://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/
-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Churchhttps://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/
Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:
-- The Discipleship Gospelhttps://himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel/?utm_source=discipleship-org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=books-page
-- Disciple-Making Culturehttps://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesushttps://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleshiphttps://a.co/d/7d85z6T
-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestylehttps://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz
Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/
Stay informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Disciple Making Q&A

Monday Aug 18, 2025

Monday Aug 18, 2025

Q&A: Addressing Challenges in Disciple Making | Disciple Makers Podcast
In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, we return from a brief break to address listener questions about disciple making. Tune in Josh Howard navigates various topics, including the role of the Big C Church in the USA, handling discouragement, incorporating disciple making into busy lifestyles, and the importance of the supernatural in the disciple making process. Discover practical advice, biblical insights, and encouragement to help you on your journey to becoming a disciple who makes disciples.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Update01:23 Q&A Session Begins01:34 Is the US Church Behind in Disciple Making?05:38 Dealing with Discouragement in Disciple Making11:49 Following Jesus' Style in a Busy World19:07 The Role of the Supernatural in Disciple Making24:26 Integrating Disciple Making into Daily Life28:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Monday Aug 11, 2025

Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
 
Join us for the 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/ 
 
Track Session 4: Leading Great House ChurchesA Church of House Churches thrives from the health of great House Churches. Learn our expectations of great House Church gatherings, as well as how House Churches are strategically used to help people grow in their spiritual journey to be fully devoted disciples of Jesus.
 
 

Monday Aug 04, 2025

Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
 
Church Project Track Session 3: Distributed Pastoral Leadership
Today, the word “pastor” conveys someone far more centralized and public than was used in the New Testament (often it means the public speaker on a stage). How did the Early Church identify, equip, and empower ‘ordinary’ individuals to function as pastors, and how could implementing this change the church today?
 
Effective Leadership and Distributed Model: Insights from Titus Chapter 1
Dive deep into the principles of effective church leadership as drawn from Titus Chapter 1. This episode outlines the importance of localized pastoral leadership and decentralized structure for fostering rapid gospel movement, referencing works by theologian Alan Hirsch. Learn about the history and evolution of house churches, the critical balance between centralized and light centrality, doctrinal training, and the intricate processes of raising new house church pastors. Gain practical insights into maintaining sound doctrine, facilitating diverse community growth, and the importance of continuous leadership development. The episode also covers the successful transition strategies for legacy churches, effective house church operation, and quantitative versus qualitative measurement of church health.
00:00 Introduction to Titus Chapter One00:13 The Role of Elders in the Early Church01:11 Centrality and Movement in the Church02:16 Distributed Leadership and Sound Doctrine03:46 House Church Origins and Growth05:12 Developing Doctrine and Duties07:56 Pastoring House Church Pastors14:23 Handling Diversity and Sanctification17:45 Sunday Gatherings vs. House Churches24:23 Reflections and Lessons Learned28:59 Connecting People in a Growing Community29:56 Leadership Turnover and Mobility33:13 One-on-One Discipleship Approach35:35 Challenges in Transitioning Legacy Churches41:35 Preaching and Teaching in House Churches45:49 Leadership Pipeline and Testing50:12 Measuring Success and Engagement57:46 Recruiting Initial House Church Pastors59:38 Final Q&A and Leadership Development
 
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleshiphttps://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Makerhttps://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guidehttps://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/
-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Churchhttps://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/
Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:
-- The Discipleship Gospelhttps://himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel/?utm_source=discipleship-org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=books-page
-- Disciple-Making Culturehttps://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesushttps://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleshiphttps://a.co/d/7d85z6T
-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestylehttps://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz
Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/
Stay informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Monday Jul 28, 2025

Track Session 2: Decentralized, Diverse Discipleship Communities
Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
While most churches’ group structures operate as homogeneous friend groups, the Early Church gathered in diverse, cross-generational communities operating as a spiritual family. Discover the need to return to this fullest expression of the church in House Churches.
Revisiting Ecclesiology: House Churches and the DNA of True Biblical Communities
In this insightful episode, Jason Shepherd, founder of Church Project, shares his journey of starting a church 15 years ago with a vision of creating authentic biblical communities. Without a designated church name, the project focuses on rediscovering Christ's original intent for the church. Shepherd discusses the key elements of ecclesiological DNA (EDNA), emphasizing distributed pastoral leadership, decentralized structures, and diverse discipleship communities. He explores the historical and biblical foundation of house churches, citing scripture to argue for their continued relevance. Shepherd also provides practical insights into the formation, growth, and management of house churches, and how they engage with benevolent activities and student ministries. This episode challenges conventional church models, advocating for smaller, mission-focused, relationally-rich communities.
Key Takeaways 00:00 Introduction and Speaker Background01:52 Understanding Ecclesiology03:15 The Concept of House Church05:24 House Church in Practice07:23 House Church Multiplication12:08 Small Groups vs. House Churches23:58 Qualities of a New Testament House Church28:43 Q&A Session32:41 Evaluating the Health of Your House Church34:32 The Importance of Hospitality35:47 Developing House Church Pastors37:14 Scheduling and Meeting Logistics39:56 Balancing Growth and Intimacy48:12 Handling Kids in House Church56:12 Financial Practices and Benevolence58:49 Connecting Newcomers to House Churches01:00:27 Final Q&A and Closing Remarks
 
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleshiphttps://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Makerhttps://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guidehttps://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/
-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Churchhttps://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/
Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:
-- The Discipleship Gospelhttps://himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel/?utm_source=discipleship-org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=books-page
-- Disciple-Making Culturehttps://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesushttps://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleshiphttps://a.co/d/7d85z6T
-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestylehttps://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz
Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/
Stay informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Monday Jul 21, 2025

Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Church Project Track Session 1: Re-Discovering E-DNA
Jesus started this beautiful thing called "church," not man. And, He and His followers led and modeled how he intended for church to be lived out. Rather than the latest church growth book or contextually-based model, it is time to return to the ways Jesus intended for His Church to be lived out as seen in the example of the Early Church.
Rethinking Church: From Traditional to Transformative - A Journey of Rediscovery
In this session, the speaker shares his 15-year journey of founding and developing Church Project. Growing up in a small fundamental Southern Baptist church in Tyler, Texas, he initially misunderstood the gospel's breadth. Through years of college, internships, and pastoral work, he grappled with his frustrations and God's calling. After leaving traditional church settings, he started Church Project with a mission to return to the church's original intent. The session dives into the importance of decentralizing from primary places and priests, distributing pastoral leadership, and fostering diverse discipleship communities. Through biblical references, especially Titus chapter one, the speaker explains the foundational elements needed to create effective and healthy church communities. Join this transformative discussion that challenges conventional ecclesiology and aims to shape a more inclusive, decentralized, and dynamic church model.
Key Takeaways 00:00 The Beginnings of Church Product00:45 Discovering the True Gospel00:54 From Pre-Med to Ministry01:46 A Frustrated Calling03:46 The Birth of Church Product04:29 Rethinking Church05:12 Understanding Ecclesiology05:59 Paul's Instructions to Titus18:22 Distributed Pastoral Leadership23:22 Diverse Discipleship Communities26:46 Q&A Session27:50 Introduction to the Sessions28:10 The Role of the Building29:11 Centralization vs. Decentralization29:53 Gathering Spaces and Their Use33:41 House Churches and Accountability38:16 Challenges and Solutions in House Churches49:43 The Importance of Corporate Gatherings57:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleshiphttps://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Makerhttps://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guidehttps://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/
-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Churchhttps://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/
Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:
-- The Discipleship Gospelhttps://himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel/?utm_source=discipleship-org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=books-page
-- Disciple-Making Culturehttps://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesushttps://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleshiphttps://a.co/d/7d85z6T
-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestylehttps://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz
Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/
Stay informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Resting and Disciple Making

Monday Jul 14, 2025

Monday Jul 14, 2025

Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of rest and Sabbath in disciple-making, as well as the impact of burnout and how to counteract it through sustainable rhythms of life.
Join Discipleship.org at one of our fall events:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/ 
 
The Deeper Walk Experience | Franklin, TN | Aug. 15-16, 2025: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/dw-experience-franklin/ 
Discipling Men | Dallas, TX | Sept. 11, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/dallas-2025-regional/ 
The Discipleship Gospel | Oceanside, CA | Oct. 9, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/2025-west-coast-conference/ 
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
 
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The Importance of Sabbath: Finding Rest in Disciple-Making
In this episode of the Disciple Maker Podcast, hosts Josh Howard and Jason Ishmael dive into a vital but often overlooked aspect of disciple-making: the practice of Sabbath. They share personal stories and insights on how incorporating rest and healthy rhythms into daily life can prevent burnout and lead to more sustainable ministry work. Drawing from both personal experiences and biblical principles, the hosts emphasize how taking regular Sabbaths can help maintain spiritual and mental health, foster deeper relationships, and ultimately strengthen one's ministry. Tune in to discover how to balance work and rest effectively and why this balance is crucial for a thriving disciple-making journey.
 
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 
 
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Beginnings
01:03 The Importance of Sabbath in Ministry
03:00 Personal Testimony: Burnout and Recovery
06:12 Implementing Sabbath Practices
09:23 Cultural Rhythms and Work Ethics
11:31 Balancing Work and Rest in Ministry
14:39 Reflecting on Life Choices
15:24 The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
16:04 The Importance of Rest in Discipleship
17:03 Balancing Work and Rest
19:00 Sabbath as Resistance
19:52 Real-Life Examples of Sabbath
23:25 The Modern Pace of Life
26:12 Encouragement for Restful Living
 
Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/ 
 
Join us for our 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/ 
See Below for a longer description:
In this episode of the Disciple Maker Podcast, Josh Howard and Jason Ishmael humorously start off by discussing the challenges of kicking off the podcast seamlessly. They segue into an important discussion on Sabbath and rest. Josh shares his personal experience with burnout from a grueling work schedule in India, emphasizing the importance of regular rest to avoid mental, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. They highlight that Sabbath isn't just an Old Testament concept but essential for sustainable ministry and overall well-being. The need for ministry leaders and everyone to balance work and rest is underscored, promoting a lifestyle that counters societal pressures of constant busyness and productivity. By setting boundaries and maintaining healthy rhythms of life, Josh and Jason advocate for a balanced approach to ministry and personal life. The episode calls listeners to evaluate their own rest practices and integrate meaningful Sabbath practices to prevent burnout and enhance fulfillment and effectiveness in both life and ministry.

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New Resource on Disciple Making Culture!

A disciple making church culture is what your church actually does in disciple making; strategy is your plans on paper. Unfortunately, while we have good intentions to make disciples, our strategy and church culture do not always line up. 

Read this 10 minute book – a visual summary – and share it with your leaders so everyone can better understand what it means to have a disciple making culture.

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Watch the recordings from our most Recent National Disciple Making Forum

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

The Harvard Business Review describes it this way: “The values, beliefs and behaviors practiced in an organization formed over time because they are rewarded or punished (i.e. by formal or informal rules, rituals, and behaviors.”

The McKinsey Institute put it more simply: “culture is how we do things around here …”

That statement, often attributed to the most influential management guru of our time, Peter Drucker. What Drucker meant by “culture eats strategy for breakfast” was that lasting change in an organization comes only when the culture of an organization changes. Applying this to church, if you do not change the culture of a church, the church will not change.

Many leaders fail to account for this reality.

This gets at the root of why our disciple making plans can so easily fail. We try great strategies—preaching on disciple making, small groups, D-Groups, etc. But our churches will not change—indeed cannot change—because “culture” easily defeats the strategies we adopt.

 

Listen to conversations from these individduals Shodankeh, Jason Shepperd,Sean McDowell and others as we dive into this vital conversation at the Discipleship.org 2024 National Disciple Making Forum.

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Dive Deeper with more Disciple Making Culture Resources:

Click the images below to learn more:

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