GA Baptist Discipleship: Recent Episodes
Georgia Baptist Mission Board
This podcast exists to strengthen churches by resourcing, inspiring, and creating disciple-makers! Discipleship is a life-long process by which a follower of Jesus Christ grows toward Christ-likeness and multiplies the experience. Each week we will broadcast new episodes relevant to your ministry and replicating discipleship.
This broadcast will help church leaders see the need to utilize church management software as part of their efforts to make disciples.
Boyd Pelley has been the Co-founder/Culture Architect at Churchteams since 2000. From 1990 to 2008 has served as discipleship, administrative and family pastor of churches in New Mexico, Nebraska, and Texas. Churchteams was born out of his passion for discipleship and team-building in the local church. Married for 37 years, he and Pam have two married, adult children who love and serve Jesus with kids of their own!
In this broadcast we discuss:
- This isn't just a broadcast for nerds.
- How church software can help you engage with a person for ministry.
- How can software be relational?
- How does a church that has never had software take its first step towards starting and building a church management software to be discipleship focused?
- Software does not replace a human relationship. It can only enhance relationships to help churches align values, processes, and data track to accomplish their mission.
Dan Williams formed Partnerships with a Purpose during the Olympics in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. He founded Sports Serve, where he devoted his time to leadership development through sports. Since 1993 Dan has been working with churches and organizations to make disciples in and through sport across North America. He is one of the founding members of the North American Sports Movement.
Chris Weldon has been married for 31 years to Debby. They have 7 children and 3 grandchildren (number 4 is due in November). Chris has been in ministry for 32 years, with 10 of those years in Seattle as a Church Planter with NAMB. The last 5.5 years as a Co-Vocational Pastor at Emerson Church, a replant of a 150-year-old church, that is positioned next to the largest sport complex in Georgia. Chris has a BA in Biblical Studies, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctorate from SEBTS.
In this episode we discuss:
- The cautions of travel sport commitments and the conflicts it creates in the local church.
- How important our world view is when making travel sport decisions.
- How anything can become an idol and specific guard rails we can utilize.
- That disciple-making can happen where you live, work and play.
- Tools to equip families who have chosen to engage in travel sports.
- The importance or seeing ourselves as “in Christ” and not defined by a sport or job.
- Who has the primary responsibility to disciple our children.
- Making disciples requires us to think creatively and keep the priority of connecting with a local church.
- How parents can know if they have crossed the line in priority.
- Mindset shifts church leaders can make to increase gospel impact.
- Three Key questions parents can ask to guide their decision whether to commit to a travel sport team.
Ken Braddy is the Director of Sunday School & Network Partnerships for Lifeway Christian Resources. He’s been the managing director of adult ongoing Bible studies such as Bible Studies For Life, Explore The Bible, MasterWork, The Gospel Project, YOU, and more. Through his team’s work at Lifeway, they served the Bible study needs of approximately 3 million adults each week.
Matthew Gibbs has been the discipleship and evangelism pastor at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia for the past 15 years and has served in ministry over 25 years. He is a core piece of our discipleship team serving as discipleship consultant in our east central region and one of my close trusted friends.
In this episode:
- The general purpose of Sunday morning bible study and how this can be communicated.
- How curriculum can help us achieve the purpose of bible study groups.
- Curriculum is important because our behavior grows out of what we believe.
- The pros and cons for giving your bible study leaders an option on approved curriculum vs a unified curriculum.
- Practical ideas on how to choose what curriculum to use.
- Why leaders must choose and communicate whether you have an open group vs a closed group when choosing what curriculum to use.
- Trends and cautions when choosing curriculum based bible study or sermon based studies and the benefits.
- One way to get a golf trip with Ken Braddy in the Swiss Alps!
We interview Ken Adams, pastor at Crossroads Church Newnan, Georgia and President of IMPACT Ministries. Carl Johnson also joins us. Carl is the pastor of leadership development at Peace Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia and serves as a contract representative for our Georgia Baptist Discipleship Team in the West Central region.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- Craig Etheridge writes that US is now #3 behind India and China for the most number of people NOT professing to be Christian.
- One specific way to win a NEW 2023 IPAD PRO!!
- A shift most churches need to make is to understand what their Win really needs to be.
- The critical need to understand the church’s marching orders and why we do what we do.
- How to FIGHT for a shift in culture.
- Form a framily-friends & family
- Identify and eliminate infections
- Give kudos (never miss an opportunity to praise leaders)
- Hold high your core values
- Take up for your lay and paid leaders
- William Vanderbloemen says “culture wins with everyone… every time.”
- Keys to create a mindset or programmatic shift.
- Why regular and quality leadership meetings can be THE difference in your ministry.
- Ideas to move your people from consumers to co-laborers.
- 3 thoughts to help you make the above shifts including, seek to build onramps and not cul de sacs (credit: Aaron Hulse-First Fayetteville)
Dr. Allen Jackson currently serves as both a professor and pastor. For over half of his adult ministry life, he lived on the NOBTS campus and taught, researched, and spoke in the field of youth and collegiate ministry. Over the years, his interests expanded into other fields in Christian Education and Spiritual formation including leadership, administration, developmental psychology, risk management, and a heavy investment in the next generation. He has written extensively in adolescent, collegiate, leader training, and Bible teaching areas. Allen now serves as senior pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church in Atlanta and has been a constant source of wisdom and friendship in my life for over two decades.
Ray Sullivan III serves as the Discipleship Consultant in South Georgia for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Because conversion is the starting line, not the finish line, Ray is passionate about helping pastors and churches take their next step in developing intentional disciple-making pathways that lead converts to become fully trained disciples of Jesus. Before joining the GBMB, Ray served as lead pastor in churches throughout Kentucky, Florida, and Georgia.
In the episode:
- Learn the events and experiences that influenced each generation and why that matters as we seek to reach and retain Millennials and Gen X.
- Millennials are the largest generation in the American workforce.
- Gen X is the first generation to experience the full effects of divorce and both parents working outside the home.
- Millennials are the first generation to be fully influenced by the cell phone becoming an everyday tool.
- Gen X accounted for the majority of start-ups pre-pandemic and has incurred more debt than any other generation.
- Millennials made popular long beards, flannel, and fedoras.
- Gen X, well, they got parachute pants!
- Millennials will experience the greatest transfer of wealth in American history so helping them learn to manage money is critical.
- Gen X are caring for aging parents and local churches can offer caregiver support.
- Note the pendulum swing regarding what becomes important from one generation to the next.
- Millennials want to be involved.
- Gen X are skeptical and need to see authenticity and moral integrity.
- Listen to learn best practices churches are utilizing to engage both.
Chris Trent is the Next Gen Catalyst on our Church Strengthening team. He served as a student pastor in churches in Texas and Georgia, most recently as student pastor at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for 14 years.
Jenni Carter is a Statewide Next Gen Consultant on our Church Strengthening team focusing on helping churches in Kids Ministry. She has served for over 10 years with the GBMB and is nationally recognized for her efforts in VBS training and for seeing thousands of children come to faith in Christ through VBS.
Gen Z (born years 1997-2013) is easy to focus on the negative things society says about this generation. But on this broadcast, the team has a conversation on leveraging relational authority in the lives of this generation to see God using them in the local church.
The team discusses:
- Why relational authority with Gen Z is different than ever before.
- How can church leaders disciple a child if their parent can't (or won't) be the spiritual leader in the home?
- What's one of the first things we can do to begin the discipleship process for kids?
Let's face it. We gather people and organize events in our church to connect church families and guests. But when we create events, are we doing them with a next step in mind or how "great" the event can be?
We invite JJ Yount on the broadcast alongside Adi Coe, who both serve at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, Georgia. As a seasoned student pastor and associate pastor, JJ shares some of his processes for helping events be next-step generators in our discipleship pipeline throughout his ministry and as the student pastor at First Redeemer. Adi serves on the team with JJ connecting women at First Redeemer and the community in discipleship. In this episode, the team talks about the following:
- How do we communicate and promote events?
- All events start with how the church views the events in general.
- What makes the engine of your church go, and how do you make it go faster?
- Are your events just for evangelism, or could they also do discipleship?
- Who are you trying to bring in, and what action must they take?
- Do something exciting they haven't done before but know your strategy beforehand.
- Someone who has never been to church and doesn't have a relationship with the church, and it's hard not to see it from their view if they have been raised there.
- It's like Marketing 101: Your internal language needs to be rethought and get out of the bubble of the church.
- The same event doesn't translate into different contexts, so know your demographic and the people you want to reach.
- Where do you start trying to make your church more diverse?
- Dig into what the community needs. People know when it's not genuine.
- God loves creativity!
- JJ visited Africa. Noticed that some of the negative impacts are when we go in and try to make churches in Africa like US churches, they lose the culture. We are not there to create a US church.
- How can we figure out what culturally matters to that person so we can meet them where they are and meet their need?
- Every human wants to belong, but they belong differently, and you must also see this at your events. Train leaders to see this too.
- The win is the people who move on to the next stage (i.e., joining a small group, etc.).
- Pre- and Post-Checklist
Join our panel discussion on ways Virtual Reality (VR) can drive discipleship. Our team will introduce churches to meaningful applications of VR in the local church and online. Joining us on this broadcast are: • Dr. PJ Dunn: Not so closet nerd and NW and NE GA Baptist Discipleship Consultant • Carl Johnson: WC Discipleship consultant and discipleship pastor at Peace Baptist Church • Mike Wynn: Adults pastor at North Star Church in Kennesaw and started VR outreach over 2 years ago • Cole Ragsdale: Reach pastor at North Star Church in Kennesaw and lead on VR outreach and discipleship • Tim Steele: Cross Waves Church founding pastor a home church model church, and VR explorer • Justin Nava: Cross Waves Church communications director and navigating VR relationships In this conversation, we will address: • Justin talks about how the Metaverse is the new Corinth • In disciple-making, relationships always matter, and VR is no different • PJ highlights some common pushbacks regarding VR/Online engagement • Culture has to drive acceptance of a VR strategy, not the strategy • Mike & Cole share that North Star's interest in VR in evangelism • Cole breaks down how gatherings in VR can be worship, discipleship, and prayer • Using VR as a training tool to share the Gospel! • Tim & Justin share a one-to-one conversation approach to Cross Wave's focus on VR • The conversation first focuses on meeting people and connecting (walking the streets) • Justin discusses moving conversations on the "street" into spiritual life change • Tim demonstrates how Avatars create space for people to open up and be themselves and that there is no difference between the VR realm or our in-person relationships • Carl breaks down the theological challenges VR presents to the church • All guest share one way to have relational engagement online to focus on discipleship • PJ's reminder that relationships always matter regardless of what realm or reality you are in • We all have different cultures and know your people well enough to understand how to apply this type of technology to advance the Gospel
Shane Pruitt serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). He has been in ministry for over 20 years as a denominational leader, church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, and a Master’s Degree in History.
Shane is also a traveling communicator speaking to over a hundred thousand people about the good news of Jesus Christ. Shane is also the author of a popular blog, which has over 3 million views. His articles have been picked up by RELEVANT, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, The Gospel Coalition, CrossWalk, Church Leaders, The Baptist Press, FaithIt, HelloChristian, and many others. Shane and his wife, Kasi, were featured as ABC’s Nightly News “Persons of the Week” in August 2017. Shane has written two books 9 Common Lies Christians Believe: And Why God’s Truth Is Infinitely Better, and Calling Out the Called: Discipling those Called to Ministry Leadership (Release date – November, 2022). Both are available everywhere books are sold. He is also the host of the podcast, Next Gen on Mission (available on podcast platforms), and the YouTube Channel – GenSend.
In this episode we discuss: • The “Paralyzed Church” • Scott declares that UGA will beat BAMA in national title game • “We’re shuffling shepherds around, but not raising any up” • The nation-wide struggle of mass ministry openings and the “pool is dry” • The 3 distinct “callings” in scripture • What’s the difference between everyone’s call and a specific call to vocational ministry? • Reasons we are seeing a decline and obstacles for leaders to call out the called • The beautiful tension of the pastor transferring his heart for calling out the called and Holy Spirit driven call to ministry • 5 things leaders can do to make calling out the called a priority
Dr. Kevin Williams has been the pastor of First Baptist Church Villa Rica, Georgia for the past nine years. He is finishing his second term as President of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Dr. Williams was one of the few individuals to receive the ARCOM badge which for the ARMY is the peacetime version of the Bronze Star Medal to recognize outstanding performance. Kevin has a passion for world-wide missions and evangelism.
Fun Fact: Kevin hung upside down from a helicopter in Tokyo, Japan. He was married in the US Embassy in Japan, but he and his wife are actually from my same hometown!
In today’s episode: • Kevin shares that the greatest form of discipleship is grabbing someone by the hand and showing them how to do it. • Kevin shares how to connect a local church’s mission efforts to the command to make disciples not just make converts. • The benefits for members going on mission out of state as well as in the ministry area where you serve. • “One’s capacity to lead publicly is based on their commitment to grow personally.” • Kevin shares lessons learned to lead an historic existing church to make shifts that increase gospel impact, build momentum, and won’t get you fired. • Senior Adults can be the “canary in the coal mine” giving indication of whether the atmosphere in the church is toxic or life giving. • Scott shares that “healthy leaders look more like an iceberg than an icicle”. • Kevin talks about navigating the rough days when people push back on your attempts to move forward. • How to create an atmosphere where everyone feels an open door with you to share their heart but still respects your authority. • The value of leading your church to give to the Cooperative Program even when you do not agree with everyone. • If Satan is not bothering you, then you’re probably not bothering him. • Two practices of effective leaders that create and sustain momentum: focus on solutions and learn to CEO your situation!
Join us this Thursday 3PM: Buck Burch, pastored in middle Georgia for several years, then Buck served as IMB missionary in Russia for 13 years. He is now in his 12th year with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board serving as Missions Catalyst where he leads his team to connect Georgia Baptist churches with missions efforts locally and globally. He is currently completing his doctorate at Liberty University.
Jimmy Baughcum, is the Executive Director for the Atlanta Metro Baptist Association and before taking the position with Metro Atlanta, he was a Church Planting Consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board for 5.5 years. He worked with international students and evangelism at First Baptist Church New Orleans. Jimmy pastored and planted churches in Georgia, served with Injoy Stewardship Services (a John Maxwell company). Dr. Baughcum is pursuing a 2nd doctorate (Ph.D.) in North American Missiology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this episode hear: -How Jimmy broke his ELBOW pulling off his socks off. -That Buck is an expert making pecan log rolls and can curse you in Russian. -Get entered to win $75 by commenting and sharing broadcast. -How Jimmy is leading his churches to reach every neighborhood (246) in Atlanta. -Sully shares two things we all need a greater measure of. -Jimmy talks about what to do with people who do not look, act, believe, or smell like us. -How to strategically map out your ministry area. -How to calendar what you’ll do, with whom, and how. -Where to start if you want to reach your neighborhood. -That “action without a tract will lack traction!” -How even a busy pastor can lead and launch his people to live missionally. -Tools to consider if you want to maximize your efforts. -The Acts 1:8 strategy for sustained missional living efforts. -That “we’ve tried that before and it’ll never work” is the song of the defeated and may speak to a leader’s lack of faith in God. -Hear three things great leaders do.
In this episode with Dr. Gevan Spinney: • Gevan has pastored at FBC Haughton, Louisiana since 2002. Dr. Spinney was saved, called to preach, ordained, and married Andrea at FBCH. Gevan has served as LBC President, is on the board of trustees at NAMB, has an earned doctorate, and an honorary doctorate for his work guiding LA Baptists to respond and rebuild during hurricane Katrina. • Fun Fact: Gevan is a co-host of “The Way It Was” hunting show on the Pursuit channel with legends like Hank Parker. • Crazy story of FBC Haughton where Sully and Dr. Spinney served. • Strangest thing Dr. Spinney ever attempted. • Lessons learned while implementing a NEW disciple-making strategy in a 130-year-old church. • Scott and Gevan share leadership lessons that help them survive a sexual predator experience in their church. • A new member class and strategy that set the culture for God-sized growth and are now averaging more people and budget coming out the pandemic! • Keys to leading as a disciple-maker when trouble arises. o Ex: Don’t write checks with your mouth that your feet cannot back up. • Wisdom for leaders wanting to expand their platform and increase disciple-making impact. • 2 crazy cool ministry ideas First Haughton is doing to make disciples.
Smaller church pastors, this broadcast is to help you be a strategic planning hero! For decades Dr. Leo Endel has been helping churches to plan well. He is the Executive Director at Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention based in Rochester, Minnesota and Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Madison, WI. He has a heart for helping small churches be strategic planners for missional impact. His book Where Do We Go from Here? is a strategic planning guide for smaller churches. In the three-hour meeting that Dr. Endel teaches in his book, every pastor can be a strategic planner in their church.
In this broadcast, Scott, PJ, and Dr. Endel discuss: • Leo's fishing trip of a lifetime is a fishy story • PJ's 101 ways to cook mac n cheese • Understanding obstacles that keep your church from planning o "We are doing fine." o "We do not have the time." o "We've been there, done that, and it didn't work." o "Fear of conflict." o "Not operating in a way that recognizes barriers to growth based on church attendance." • Addressing each obstacle and why pastors don't plan • The difference between 75, 125, and 200 in attendance and planning • Getting to the point of change for planning • Drag a highlighter over some ideas to lead a planning meeting • Who to have on a planning team • How lay leaders, deacons, and key volunteers help a pastor be strategic in planning • Celebrating history while looking forward in planning
Dr. Wunch is the Mallory Baptist Associational Missionary and host of Wunchtime (wunchtime.com), a podcast specifically for the bi-vocational pastor to thrive in ministry. Dr. Wunch has recently released a book “Proclaiming the Kingdom of God, " which focuses on helping church members overcome barriers to understanding the Kingdom of God. Discipleship consultants Dr. PJ Dunn and Ray Sullivan also join in on this discussion and dive into why this issue matters for disciple-making.
In this broadcast, the team discusses: • Jesus talked about the Kingdom more than any other topic in the NT • Hans talks about why he chooses to focus on this topic • Ray spells out the difference between kingdom rain and Kingdom Reign • Look at how the Kingdom issue has been misunderstood for years • Practical ways to incorporate Kingdom theology all year in your sermon prep • A Kingdom mindset impacts the ways disciple-making • How the heart of the Kingdom connects to a disciple-making process
Dr. Steve Parr is the Executive Director of the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Network and former Vice President of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Dr. Parr is a nationally known author: The Coffee Shop that Changed a Church, Why They Stay: Helping Parents and Church Leaders Make Investments That Keep Children and Teens Connected to the Church for a Lifetime, and more. Steve is a leading voice in leadership development, Sunday School, and Groups Ministry. Fun Fact: Steve has been in a Fantasy Football league for 32 years which is older than 99% of the 100 million people who will play Fantasy Football this Fall!
Matthew Gibbs is the Adult Discipleship and Evangelism Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins and one of our Georgia Baptist Discipleship Consultants. He is one of the most high-capacity leaders in Georgia. Matthew has implemented and maintained a highly effective discipleship strategy at Second Baptist Church. Fun Fact: Matthew is a professional level model airplane builder.
In this episode you’ll learn: • Why it is important to surround yourself with people who “know” Learning Communities • Recruiting volunteers is getting more difficult and learn keys to recruit effective volunteers that stay • Giving lay leaders a vision worth giving their life to is critical • Unmet expectations are one of the great barriers to retaining volunteers • Sully shares a key leadership principle: it’s ok to fail but it is NOT ok to be mediocre • Dr. Parr shares why church hopping is at an all-time high • Matthew talks about keys to understanding a consumer mentality in church members and how to shift that mindset • Consider an “exit interview” for church members who leave the church if you genuinely want to know why people leave • Sully shares a Jesus style model that moves people away from consumerism and toward Christ-likeness from a book he recently read • The SPARK Conference is HERE—August! 5 in person locations in Georgia and a nation-wide digital premiere on August 25. www.thesparkconference.com, register today for an in-person event and/or the digital premiere!! • Training is biblical and necessary for growing churches: train in drips, schedule gatherings of leaders 3-4 times a year, train the trainable, and more • We must move people from being recipients of the church’s mission to being responsible for the church’s mission • Current trends or future trends that will greatly impact our Sunday School and Small Group ministries
A disciple-making culture has to have a Biblical understanding of Love at its foundation. This broadcast features two of the best speakers on this issue in the nation, Brandon Guindon and our own PJ Dunn. Brandon has led churches worldwide to become healthy and effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ. He was ordained at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, ID and planted Real Life Ministries Texas in 2016. He has authored and co-authored several publications on biblical discipleship, including Disciple-Making Culture, Stay the Course, and the Real Life Discipleship Training Manual.
In this broadcast, the team talks about: • Scott shares at the end the most significant lesson he has ever learned as a disciple and dad • We find out Brandon is an avid bowhunter and PJ played the sousaphone in High School! • PJ starts the discussion by recapping Brandon's book, Disciple Making Culture • Brandon shares why love is the core of all disciple-making efforts • Look at why it is so hard to love God and love others • How the GA Baptist Disciple team used Brandon's book as an equipping tool • Scott's new Parti Yorkie shows him a core discipleship principle • Unpack "A loving culture does not require us to solve everyone's problems." • We listen to people with the intent to respond but we need to listen to understand them. • 3 thoughts on "Strategy won't make a lasting impact if disciple-making is not who we are" • Ask yourself the tricky question, "Am I living out the Great Commission?". • "Creating a disciple-making culture requires careful pruning" How do pastors and disciple-makers do that? • How can disciple-makers stay the course in disciple-making? • Understand, "what is the win?" that helps you understand what you are pruning. • PJ pointed out that we have to measure to scripture and not programs. • Brandon and PJ advise leaders on where to start to make this shift to Great Commission disciples
Sunday School or Small Groups? In this broadcast, PJ discusses how to create and lead healthy communities of disciple-makers in our churches with Steve Gladen and Dr. Randy Stone. Regardless of your strategy to make disciples, they need to have a purpose! We will look at the top 3 recurring issues seen in creating and sustaining small groups in the local church as well.
Steve Gladen has served as the small group pastor at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and spiritual development of over 7,000 adult small groups. Steve has authored several books, including "Small groups with purpose" and "Leading small groups with purpose. In addition to being an elder at Saddleback, he travels around the world consulting and encouraging leaders. You can connect with Steve by going to www.smallgroups.net.
Dr. Stone is a lifelong strategic discipleship guru skilled in church consulting, and team building and has a Ph.D. focused in Christian Education from NOBTS. He currently serves as a professor at NOBTS and leader of Strategic Church Solutions. He has served in churches from 100 to 5,000 in multicultural contexts, and you can connect with him further at www.strategicchurchsolutions.com. In this episode, the panel talks about: • What do you do in a small group, and how is it different than a Sunday School group? • Randy talks about from the classroom what pastors and second chair leaders see as the weakest area of focus for small groups • Steve unpacks how small groups worship together and how they need to be balanced in their experience • How do we keep groups sustainable and focused regardless of church size? • Steve gives to leaders looking to expand their small group's impact • Randy discusses ways to assess the health of their small groups in their context • Dive deeper into the tools used to evaluate group health • The top 3 recurring issues seen in creating and sustaining small groups in the local church • Are small groups an either/or or both/and solution for churches finding a way grow discipleship?
Scott and PJ talk with Dr. Clay Scroggins about leveraging influence in your current role to see change and even how to do it when you have a challenging situation. This transparent conversation with Clay Scroggins is a must for second-chair leaders and pastors alike! Clay Scroggins graduated as an industrial engineer from GA Tech and has spent the last 20 years in the local church and can play Babylon by David Gray on guitar. His doctoral work was on "creating online environments for personal growth," and he speaks, writes, and creates resources full-time for emerging leaders.
In this broadcast: • 1/3 of workers feel "engaged and inspired" by their leaders • 3 out of 4 pastors since 2020 report severe levels of stress • 40% have an intense conflict with a church member at least once a month • Scott talks with Clay about how do leaders lead when they don't have authority • Do you have to be the boss in order to lead? • Scott discusses there's something deeper and more profound than just being the leader • When do we challenge authority and still maintain relationships? • If you're not challenging, you're not leading whether you're in charge or not • How Shane, an operator of a Chick-fil-A in Athens starting to make milkshakes. He challenged his bosses and was strategic on how he promoted it. • Clay reminds us you can always lead yourself and have the ability to govern yourself • We have to choose positivity, the attitude you bring is more important than your ideas, education, etc. • Think critically but have to be careful to not be critical • Reject passivity to be in charge • Clay shares one of the reasons he chose to resign • Unpack "Great leaders lead like they are not in charge even though they are in charge" for our Bivocational and pastors engaged with our broadcast today. • You need to learn how to lead through influence, relationships, etc. • PJ shares about how the phrase "because I said so" in a staff meeting didn't work out so well • Clay: everyone wants respect- a better strategy of wanting respect is to be a respectable person • One of his great failures is thinking he understands the whole situation. "Maybe someone just stepped in some poop!" • Clay talks about his new book and how we need to develop into the kind of leaders that the future is demanding
Dr. Wright is an author, national speaker and one of the most respected leaders in Southern Baptist life. He served as senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia for 38 years. He served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from June 2010 to June 2012. Bryant founded Right From the Heart Ministries, radio program reaching thousands of people world-wide. And currently serves as President of Send Relief for IMB.
Chris Trent, served as student pastor in churches in Texas and Georgia, most recently as student pastor at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for the past 14 years. Chris is an author, Consider This: A Youth Minister’s Guide to Longevity. Chris is the NEXT GEN Catalyst on our Church Strengthening team, an illusionist and master of all things Disney.
Bryant shares • the keys to success over his four decades of ministry and rhythms that can help all leaders • wisdom from his new book Succession for all leaders looking to retire or leave a ministry well • the importance of a sabbath and guidance on asking your church for a sabbatical • gives specific details on guardrails he had/has in his life to help him stay morally faithful • why it is imperative for a pastor to build relationships with unbelievers in the community • why we are not seeing more young people surrender to ministry and what leaders can do
Chris shares • keys to success from the second chair leader • there was never any confusion about what mattered most at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church • mission clarity precedes mission success • new initiative “called to ministry” initiative at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in the Next Gen ministry to raise awareness and call out the called • what he hopes to know for when his ministry is completed
Scott shares • people don’t walk in straight lines unless they are focused on a target. If a person is dropped off in the desert and they have to walk their way out, they will almost certainly walk in circles (leg length discrepancy). • people remember a little of what you say and a lot of how you make them feel • challenges leaders to consider: when the tide rises, all the boats in the bay rise with it, so lead well and don’t give up
In this episode, Dr. Hunt, Dr. Smith, and Dr. Sullivan discuss: • Trends in local church life post covid. • A key question to gauge the current health of your church is, "What percentage of your groups ministry is attending?". • Two big changes in groups ministry that every church should consider. • The importance of habit and how long it takes to develop an impactful rhythm. • The future of Sunday School in America. • What is broken about Sunday School and was it always like that? • Incredible key components of a successful growing groups ministry. • What are the biggest challenges facing church staff that have the responsibility of leading Groups Ministry? • Recruiting volunteers, training leaders, and starting new groups. • Josh & Tim talk about Sunday School University as a resource. • Scott shares what it means to be a 2nd & 3rd Mile Christian.
PJ was waiting at the end of the water ride for his friends he had invited that day to join them. He was unable to ride it due to weight restrictions. Suddenly he realized that food had made a wedge between him and disciple-making. The time waiting for the ride is where disciple-making happens, and he was sidelined. More on PJ's story here --> https://gabaptist.org/food-physical-wellness/
PJ talks about health in disciple-making with Dr. Judi Jackson and Dr. Marcus Glass on this broadcast. Dr. Judi Jackson has been connected with NOBTS for over three decades. She has a Ph.D. in Christian Education and has taught as an adjunct professor since 1995. One of her primary classes on the main campus was "Total Wellness and The Minister." Moving with her husband Allen to Atlanta six years ago, Georgia, Dr. Jackson currently serves at the NOBTS extension center in Atlanta as Student Services Director. Dr. Marcus Glass earned a doctorate from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and is an adjunct professor with Beulah Heights University at their extension center in Albany, GA. He is the lead pastor at New Seasons Baptist Church in Albany, GA.
This is a sensitive issue and hard to discuss. Here are some areas the team discusses today: • PJ shares data on the physical health of disciple-makers in the church o Nearly half of pastors feel they don't get enough sleep o 4 out of 10 have high blood pressure o 1 out of 10 have had a cardiac event o 31% have high cholesterol • Dr. Judi talks about how we define "health" o Physical, Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Social, Environmental • Dr. Glass is a workout machine! But that doesn't mean a Bivocational pastor, full-time with the fire department, and full-time husband and father comes naturally or easily! • PJ shares his journey of weight loss and not using food as a counselor • How can our overall health affect our ability to make disciples? • For many in the past years, mental health has been challenging; where do disciple-makers go to find help? • Where does a person start that is looking to improve their health?
In this episode: Dr. Ernest Easley earned a bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University, master’s from SWBTS, and doctoral degree from Luther Rice. Ernest served over 31 years as senior pastor and his impact among Southern Baptists is immeasurable. His voice of reason and wisdom brought confidence and peace helping to make decisions that strengthened the Southern Baptist Convention. Ernest was the first professor of Evangelism in school history at Union University in Jackson, TN and is now the teaching pastor at FBC Cleveland where his son Jordan pastors.
Jordan Easley is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Cleveland, TN after serving with some of the country’s most influential ministries including Long Hollow Baptist Church (David Landrith), Second Baptist Houston (Ed Young), First Baptist Atlanta (Charles Stanley) and Prestonwood Baptist Church (Jack Graham). He earned his bachelor’s degree at Dallas Baptist University and is concluding his master’s degree at Union University. He is an author, national speaker, and most recently he co-authored Resuscitating Evangelism with Earnest Easley.
Ernest shares: • what it is like now serving alongside his son and pastor, Jordan • on the national level there is a great concern about the decline of evangelism across the SBC (40+ years) • when the decline of evangelism and baptism began • the destructive temptation of tying your identity as a leader to what you do rather than who you are in Christ • talks about the critical role of the Holy Spirit in making disciples through the local church • fleshes out the principle of Strategy + Synergy + Systematic=Success • speaks a word to bi-vocational pastors
Jordan shares: • talks about sharing the gospel with OJ Simpson in an airport • about the importance of having wisdom around you when making decisions • Talks about their new book Resuscitating Evangelism and how evangelism and discipleship are necessary • explains the concept of giving “an anemic gospel presentation” from the book • talks about the need for leaders being able to close the sermon • unpacks the discipleship strategy at First Cleveland
Scott shares: • how FBC Haughton added 1800 members in 10 years and why they failed to grow in years 6-10. • that the older he gets the better he was • that unhealthy churches with a lack of disciple making presence is the unpaid bill of the 20th century • how healthy churches multiply disciples, groups, and churches
In this episode: Dr. Levi Skipper is the Church Strengthening Strategist here at GBMB. He earned a Doctorate degree at Luther Rice, a master's from NOBTS, and Shorter University in GA. Levi served as pastor for over two decades in several churches, most recently at Concord Baptist in NE, GA. He saw baptisms grow 122% and SS grew 115% during his tenure.
He is the author of "Resolved" and "Spiritual Avalanche" as well as "Marriage in the Red." Levi is a national speaker and a "has been athlete," not to mention having the best hair at GBMB! Dr. Skipper spent two years between his 1st and 2nd pastorate in Africa, establishing pastor training schools where he trained over 300 leaders in Southern Ethiopia.
In this episode, you'll find: • One of the most significant challenges for local church pastors and keys to solve it • Why equipping must accompany the announcement of needs to a congregation • Levi identifies three naturally occurring attendance bumps that he calls "waves." • Scott and Levi talk about the necessity of long-range planning and goal-setting for pastors/leaders • Levi has a particular word of encouragement for bi-vocational and multi-vocational leaders • Dr. Skipper shares a new resource called "Ride the Waves" and helps leaders understand how to use the resource to maximize impact during these waves. • https://www.ridethewaves.church/start • Levi explains how the Ride the Waves resource can help churches go "next level." • Scott shares that God is NOT opposed to effort, but He is opposed to earning. He then gives three concepts to help leaders grow as a disciple leader.
The Master Plan of Evangelism: Robert Coleman
- https://smile.amazon.com/Master-Plan-Evangelism-Robert-Coleman/dp/0800788087/ref=sr_1_1?crid=367ZA0RTPJPC1&keywords=master+plan+of+evangelism&qid=1647530179&sprefix=master+plan%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1
The Spirit of the Disciplines: Dallas Willard
- https://smile.amazon.com/Spirit-Disciplines-Understanding-Changes-Lives/dp/0060694424/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1PCI8Y3BVCC3J&keywords=dallas+willard&qid=1647530229&sprefix=dallas+willard%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-4
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Discipleship
- https://smile.amazon.com/Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Cost-Discipleship-Paperback/dp/B01FOD778U/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+cost+of+discipleship+by+dietrich+bonhoeffer&qid=1647530275&sprefix=the+cost+of+di%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-2
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
- https://smile.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy/dp/1400224640/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1647530347&sr=8-4
The Discipleship Gospel: Bill Hull
- https://smile.amazon.com/Discipleship-Gospel-Jesus-Preached-We-Follow/dp/0998922609/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32YIIFBZH9OA2&keywords=the+discipleship+gospel&qid=1647530548&sprefix=the+discipleship+%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1
Conversion and Discipleship: Bill Hull
- https://smile.amazon.com/Conversion-Discipleship-Cant-without-Other/dp/0310520096/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=conversion+and+discipleship+by+bill+hull&qid=1647530723&sprefix=converson+and%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1
No Longer A Bystander:
- https://smile.amazon.com/No-Longer-Bystander-Radical-Christianity/dp/1956723005/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=no+longer+a+bystander+bill+hull&qid=1647530821&sprefix=no+longer+a+by%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1
In this episode:
JIM ALLEN is the Senior Vice President for the World Champion Atlanta Braves!! He has served in the Braves organization over 31 years. Jim has completed an ironman, six marathons, and in addition to all his executive duties with the Braves organization, he serves as an elder at Perimeter Church.
JAY MCSWAIN, is the President and Founder of PLACE Ministries. He is an author and national speaker. Jay has served in churches with membership of 10 to over 9,000 and is known widely as an expert in local church assimilation. Jay currently serves as Pastor of Discipleship at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, GA. He played on the 1980 UGA national championship football team and currently serves the Braves organization as chaplain for the World Champion Atlanta Braves.
Jim shares behind the scenes experience of winning the World Series in 1995 and 2021 and essentials for building a correct culture to achieve and sustain success.
Scott relays that unhealthy churches with a lack of disciple making presence are the unpaid bill of the 20th century.
Jay talks about leaving a family business that was one of the largest and most lucrative construction companies in the nation to pursue ministry.
Scott shares about his dad starting a business in the oil and gas industry, nearly going bankrupt, then growing it to 27+ employees before selling in 2019 and the effect it had on him as a disciple of Jesus.
Jim and Jay share how they integrate Faith and the Gospel in a secular marketplace that is rarely friendly to a Christian’s world view.
Jay talks about how God used a family tragedy to strengthen his faith and give him a marketplace ministry mindset.
Jim talks about being part of a men’s group at Perimeter Church and how he personally is investing in others in the Braves organization.
Jay talks about leading a former Braves pitcher to Christ and a year later that player died.
Jim shares keys to keeping Jesus first from watch professional players manage family, faith, and professional life.
Scott shares the difference between influence and impact. “Influence is my capacity to affect others and impact is the fruit of my influence.”
Jay gives guidance for pastors who want increase gospel impact through the marketplace ministry.
Scott shares that “the greatest gospel force on the planet is not the preacher in the pulpit, it’s the lay person in the pew who is equipped to serve.”
In this episode Interview with Dr. Dann Spader, founder of Sonlife Ministries and currently serves as President of Global Youth Initiative, an alliance of organizations in 95 countries committed to “equipping young leaders for movements of multiplication.” He’s trained 750,000+ people in 90+ countries to make disciples through organizations he has led. He is national speaker and author of 4 Chair Discipling, Walk Like Jesus, Live Like Jesus and co-author of Growing a Healthy Church and The Everyday Commission, among other titles.
• Find out why Dann spells his name with two n’s “nn” and what it’s like growing up with 15 siblings! • Dr. Spader talks key elements of a healthy church and why many churches fail; trying to put new wine in an old wineskin • Dann talks about the importance of changing values before you change structure • Spader shares the need for a movement not more programs and the critical difference • He gives an overview of the 4 Chairs of Discipling o Come and see (the lost-John 1:39) o Come follow me (the believer-John 1:43) o Become fishers of men (the worker-Matthew 4:19) o Go and bear fruit (disciplemaker-John 15:16) • One must fall in love with real Jesus not a version of Jesus based on what you get from Him • There is a “Yes” to be put on the table at every level of a believer’s walk with Christ • Scott talks about moving people from being the recipient of the church’s mission to being responsible for the mission • Dann dives deeper into John 15 and the blessing of being pruned. Ouch! • Scott and Dann talk about key differences between discipleship in America with limited results and disciplemaking movements happening across the globe
We are excited to share with you a discussion with Drew Hyun, Church Planter and Pastor of Hope Church Midtown, as well as the founding pastor of Hope Church NYC, a family of diverse churches in New York City, and co-founder of the New City Network, a network of urban churches. Drew has spoken extensively on the emotional health of the disciple maker. While serving at New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, NY, Drew was mentored by Pete Scazzero, pastor and author of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship: Moving from Shallow Christianity to Deep Transformation.
Hear Drew and Ray discuss… • What is emotionally healthy discipleship? • What does it mean to follow Jesus well? • What’s wrong with Western Christianity’s measure of success? How should a healthy disciple-maker measure success? • How does our history and family of origin affect our emotional health? What does Drew mean by “Jesus may be in your heart, but Grandpa is still in your bones.” • What are some practical steps for pastors and leaders to be (and remain) an emotionally healthy disciple?
We are excited to share a discussion with Dr. Barry St. Clair, founder of Reach Out Youth Solutions. Barry has lived on the cutting edge of disciple-making and family ministry for over 40 years, impacting over 30 countries.
Through Reach Out, Barry has developed Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry and Parent Fuel to equip youth leaders, parents, and the churches to multiply disciple-making.
In this episode:
· Barry shares how playing collegiate and professional basketball influenced his journey of disciple-making and the importance of having someone pour into you as you pour into others.
· Scott shares a lesson learned from a waitress and a cobb salad!
· Barry talks about a clear definition of a “disciple” and why believers must learn to “be” before they “do.”
· Barry shares a key to influencing your child’s dating life. Invite him to JOIN your discipleship group!
· Dr. St. Clair talks about pouring into Josh Smith, who is not the pastor at Prince Avenue Baptist Church and one of the best leaders in Georgia Baptist life.
· Barry talks about multiplication as an end goal, so start with the end in mind.
· Scott explains the slow fade into a “silhouette of discipleship.”
· The guys discuss where programs, systems, structures, and buildings fit into a healthy church’s plan.
· Disciple-making is all about intentionally investing in relationships.
· Where do I start if I want to begin making disciples right now? Spend time alone with Jesus. Identify 3-5 people who are curious and will commit to meeting regularly with you. Meet weekly to grow in Christ. Plan to multiply.
Wow! Mark your calendar today for the interview with Jim Putman and Chad Harrington, co-authors of The Revolutionary Disciple. Jim is a three-time All-American wrestler and the co-founder & Senior Pastor of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho. Outreach Magazine lists Real Life Ministries among the top one hundred most influential churches in America.
Chad is the founder of HIM Publications and Harrington Interactive Media. Chad has degrees from Ozark Christian College and Asbury Theological Seminary. In my opinion, Chad is a gift to the local church by helping self-publishing authors to publish quality books.
In this episode:
• Jim shares the difference between wrestling and wrastling!!
• We also hear Jim talk about his “ministry almost being upended because of his pride.”
• Scott shares how humility; the theme of the book is the least celebrated and most overlooked tool in most leader’s toolbelt
• Hear Chad share why Philippians brought a “humility revolution” and the definition literally changed after Jesus came
• “my confidence makes my leadership believable. But my humility makes my confidence believable” Tim Elmore
• Jim shares personal advice for single staff and bi-vocational leaders
• Hear about a book that helped Jim understand that video is not the best tool to create a joyful experience
• What to do if you’re trying to color a 2022 picture with a 1950s color palette
• The guys talk about 5 spheres of discipleship:
o Abiding with Christ in Humility
o The Church Sphere-what is the minimum requirements to be a church and where does online church fit
o The Home Sphere-Chad shares 1/3 of US homes are single family households
o The World Sphere-Jim talks about the importance of the Acts 4 (when to stand) and Romans 13 (when to sit) paradigm
o The Spiritual Sphere-exaltation comes after humiliation
*We will provide a 50% off coupon and passcode for all our viewers to purchase The Revolutionary Disciple!
Pastor Johnny was the pastor at FBC Woodstock, GA for over 33 years and now serves as the VP of Evangelism and Leadership at NAMB. He’s a nationally known speaker, author, and leadership icon. The only thing that surpasses his love to see other pastors succeed is his love for Mrs. Janet, his wife of over 50 years.
In this episode, you’ll hear: • The two most important words in Pastor Johnny’s life. • The question he asked himself that changed the direction of his leadership and how mentoring the next generation became his passion. • How a couple in his first church adopted Johnny & Janet early in his career. You’re going to be surprised to hear the emotional reason this couple had for grafting the Hunt’s into their family. WOW. • Johnny tell how he only had one commentary, one suit, and sold everything when he went to college. • Him tell the story of being voted into your first pastorate when he wasn’t even the guy the church had gathered to vote on… he was a write-in! • Keys to success in future church for leaders. • Shares details about dealing with depression and how he overcame it… worth the price of admission! • Shares wisdom for the single staff or bi-vocational leaders seeking to grow in this tsunami of cultural change? • And the surprising answer to, what would you do differently if you had a “do over” in regards to staff members and building bigger buildings? • Shares the one word he wants on his epitaph. • Hear how stewarding “Otis’ influence” led to he and Janet to pay for dozens of students to attend college/seminary.
https://www.amazon.com/Hearing-Technicolor-Mindset-Multicultural-Congregation/dp/1087712947
Let’s talk TOP HIGHLIGHTS & LESSONS LEARNED from 2021.
PJ'S TOP HIGHLIGHTS· Real Friendship is Real Discipleship
o Michael Catt and a Life of Discipleship, not a program
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIucQdndGZA
· Disciple-Making Culture – top book of 2021 “Without Love your Ministry Efforts are Worthless.”
· https://www.amazon.com/Disciple-Making-Culture-Brandon-Guindon/dp/1970102330/ref=asc_df_1970102330/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509191820350&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2789332872937516212&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011800&hvtargid=pla-1257141035016&psc=1
o Dr. Marcus Glass, we need to shift our mindset of discipleship to be disciple-makers in Learning Communities
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gma-qFmTVEc
· https://gabaptist.org/discipleship/#learning
· Taking Action to be a Disciple-Maker
o As leaders, we need to draw the net in discipleship commitments to help people be disciple-makers
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKZmLcYWgA
o Show me the Father address our father story and how it relates to generational discipleship
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUoJ0vuqhB4
o How to make disciples when you are too busy, with the Gibbs family
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzEkMXkODP0
· Volunteers Drive Your Mission Forward
o How to reinvigorate volunteer culture since COVID-19, relationships matter Ricky Smith
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWL3Meknk5g
o Choosing to the ministries that matter most with fewer volunteers to have excellence still
o Surveying, your congregation, will help data drive decisions for discipleship and volunteers in 2022
PJ's NEXT STEP for LEADERS in 2022:
· Walk Thru The Bible
o Jan 13 FBC Cartersville
· https://www.facebook.com/events/2926862164240675/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22group_featured_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D
o Jan 20 Second Baptist Warner Robbins
· https://www.facebook.com/events/1135071640565187/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22group_featured_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D
o Jan 27 Northside Valdosta
· https://www.facebook.com/events/995784034332879/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22group_featured_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D
RAY'S TOP HIGHLIGHTS
Tim Elmore quote
More time with fewer people equates to greater kingdom impact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SWo7LTT3gI
Donald Whitney
Two most important spiritual disciplines, bible intake and prayer. We have a problem when many of our pastors are not practicing disciplines yet responsible to disciple others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxPWgEYSQE8
Gary Lewis and Scott Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxScxkg4cAM&t=815s
Can SS and SG co exist. Chick Fil A focuses on chicken but different presentations of chicken for different people.
Ray's NEXT STEP FOR LEADERS in 2022
SPARK Conference 2022; 5 locations (CARL JOHNSON)
www.thesparkconference.com
o Christ Place Gainseville
o Eastside Marietta
o 2nd Baptist Warner Robbins
o Byne Memorial Albany
o FBC Rincon
CARL'S TOP HIGHLIGHTS
1. Forget about algorithms and trust God and use data to inform decisions…From the Gloo broadcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qknkHR0Pjz8
· Data can provide you a better understanding of your ministry context.
· Data can provide insight for your strategy to reach you community
· Write your plans in pencil… allow room for God to make changes.
- Making disciples and not just converts. Healthy churches we are studying have an intentional plan to disciple their people. From the Joey Rodgers broadcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlKgb6oA_lA
· Clearly define what a disciple is so you know what your target is.
· Create a discipleship pathway
· Start building a disciple making culture.
- How you finish is more important than how you begin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoHo5DqoQAg
· You may not have begun with a plan to create a disciple making culture, but you can still finish well by leaving a legacy of making disciple makers just like Jesus did.
CARL'S NEXT STEP FOR LEADERS in 2022:
· ME Essentials at North Metro Baptist Church Lawrenceville, GA in May 2-4
o Ken Braddy and Scott Sullivan will train attendees with essential skills to succeed as a local church Discipleship Pastor/Associate Pastor/Minister of Education.
MATTHEW'S TOP HIGHLIGHTS
How do you make disciples when you are too busy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzEkMXkODP0
Dr. Whitney spiritual disciplines from family perspective and Ray talk about it from professional?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxPWgEYSQE8
3 Questions every church must answer in future church:
-
Intentional Plan: Do you have an intentional plan to disciple your people; simple and sustainable
-
Diversity: Are you willing to make necessary shifts so that your church looks like heaven and your community
-
Mindset Shift: Kingdom building or Your Personal Platform
MATTHEW'S NEXT STEP for LEADERS in 2022:
A KEY opportunity happening in 40+ locations are our Learning Communities.
· https://gabaptist.org/discipleship/#learning
This week's discussion will help you understand how bible engagement can help to carbonate your capacity to make world impacting disciples. So, join us for this fantastic interview with Phil Tuttle, President and CEO of Walk Thru The Bible. Phil served WTTB for over three decades. He is the author of Raise Up a Child, Crucible: The Choices that Change Your Life Forever, Detour: Finding Purpose When Life Doesn't Make Sense, Revolution: How Millennials Can Change the World, and Chosen: When God Calls Your Name…which we will give away the ebook version for everyone who engages during the live broadcast. Encouraging signs regarding bible engagement • 181 million Americans opened their bible at some point • 71% Americans feel that America would be worse off without the bible • 59% of Protestant church goers are engaged with the bible
In this episode: • Why is it so hard for people to engage consistently with Scripture? • Discover the "theology of the mini-van". How you use tools in family discipleship is as important as what you use. • Learn how to earn bonus time with the Apostle Paul serving smores around a campfire!? • The single greatest predictor in life change is personal engagement is scripture engagement. • With regular engagement in Scripture (4 times a week or more), the change became consistent and predictable – o 62% less drinking in excess o 59% less pornography o 59% less sex outside of marriage o 31% less anger o 20% less overeating o 416% increase of financial giving to the church o 228% increase of sharing faith with others o A lot of change aligned with the fruit of the spirit
• Find out what raking leaves and digging for diamonds has to do with spiritual growth. • Why success favors the risk-taker!! • And Phil tells us how Walk Thru the Bible can serve the local church… view God accurately and how the entirety of Scripture fits together. • Register today to attend the FREE Walk Thru The Bible Tour in GA. 10:00AM-2:00PM. o January 13th—FBC Cartersville o January 20th—2nd Baptist Warner Robbins o January 27th—Northside Baptist Church Valdosta
Be sure to subscribe and never miss an episode: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRESLi21We1lue5FaPAlokA Instagram: instagram.com/gabaptist_discipleship Podcast: gabaptistdiscipleship.transistor.fm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gadiscipleship
We appreciate and support our veterans on this special Veterans Day broadcast of Georgia Baptist Discipleship. We talk with Dr. Ray Bennet, one of the nation's foremost experts, on connecting veterans to the local church through discipleship. Matthew Gibbs leads a conversation with Ray and PJ Dunn about how we can do more than asking our veterans to stand in appreciation this year; we can connect them to our churches through discipleship.
In this Veterans Day Broadcast, we will:
- Give a special appreciation to all our pastors who have served our country
- Ray tells us how he got interested in pursuing this subject of enhancing relational connections between veterans and civilians in the local church
- Matthew and Ray define "warrior integration" in the local church
- PJ talks through how to ask veterans to share their stories when we are not sure how to start the conversation
- Discuss the five biblical postwar rituals in the Scripture that will help you relate to veterans!
- Reminder that veterans are excellent volunteers and mentors in your church
- Ways to move forward honoring veterans in years to come to grow your disciple-making strategy
- How to help veterans reflect God's work and glory in their lives through their warrior story
- Impact of Ray's passion for connecting veterans and civilian church members.
If you can't catch us live, be sure to subscribe! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRESLi21We1lue5FaPAlokA Instagram: instagram.com/gabaptist_discipleship Podcast: gabaptistdiscipleship.transistor.fm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gadiscipleship
https://www.benmandrell.com/introducing-lifeways-the-glass-house-with-ben-and-lynley-mandrell/
"If you're going to risk and maybe fail, fail at something that matters. Fail gloriously so that even in failure, lives change." - Jon Acuff
Disciple-makers, the most crucial step in creating a discipleship pathway is starting! Join Discipleship Consultants PJ Dunn & Ray Sullivan with guests Kenny Sexton and Dr. Duane Logsdon. Kenny is the lead pastor at Satilla Baptist Church in Satilla, GA, and Regional Director with the Bonhoeffer Project. Duane is the Associate Pastor of Discipleship at Byne Memorial Baptist Church in Albany, GA. It may feel overwhelming to embark on this journey. We break down some simple first steps to take in this broadcast.
We will talk about: - What is the Watershed Principle, and how does it help me create a discipleship pathway? - Programs have a finish. Discipleship is a process! - One clear sign your disciple-making strategy has a big-time issue and room for improvement - Resisting the feeling of being overwhelmed in a disciple-making process - Kenny speaks to the Bonhoeffer Project and how the headwaters are vital to pathway success - Program vs. process model of ministry - Duane addresses how people want to understand the process but feel a program - How deploying a pathway is messier than the infographics we create! - How to be disciplined to the process to see a pathway flourish - When words create worlds, they matter - Two things to shift your congregation towards disciple-makers next week!
If you cant catch us live, be sure to subscribe! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRESLi21We1lue5FaPAlokA Instagram: instagram.com/gabaptist_discipleship Podcast: gabaptistdiscipleship.transistor.fm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gadiscipleship
Allan Taylor is Executive Pastor of Ministries at First Baptist Concord in Knoxville Tennessee. Previously, he served as Director of Sunday School & Church Education Ministries at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, TN. Allan conducts many Sunday School and Leadership conferences both nationally and internationally and mentors instructs and encourages Christian Educators and Sunday School leaders. He has written two Sunday School books: The Six Core Values of Sunday School and Sunday School in HD.
In this broadcast Scott and Allan discuss: - Defining the importance of Biblical teaching for new teachers - Training inspired leaders, 6 sessions to connecting with your volunteers - The ultimate goal of Bible teaching for learners and teachers - How to use curriculum the way it was intended - Examples of teaching from Allan - Dissecting how we teach and how we connect with learners - The most important thing a teaches needs to know to be a good teacher - Reminder from Scott to teachers on why they teach and understanding why they lack passion in teaching
If you cant catch us live, be sure to subscribe! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRESLi21We1lue5FaPAlokA Instagram: instagram.com/gabaptist_discipleship Podcast: gabaptistdiscipleship.transistor.fm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gadiscipleship
Pastors and disciple-makers, have you considered extending your disciple-making strategy outside the walls of the church? We need disciple-making strategies and opportunities outside of the church to reflect our "in church” practices. Never assume the workplace is an inaccessible environment to not only share the Gospel but to make disciples.
Ashley Tyree is the Chaplain of the Beasley Group (Americas largest hardwood timber producer) located in Hazlehurst, Georgia, and has plants all over the US. He has served Georgia Baptist as a bi-vocational pastor, serving at Lumber City Baptist Church pastor for six years.
In this broadcast, Ray, Kenneth, and Ashley discuss: - Chaplaincy in the workplace - What a mealworm has to do with disciple-making - How Ashley was called in the pastorate and then placed into full-time workplace chaplaincy - Encouragement for bi-vocational pastors trying to find to engage people outside the walls of the church - How to mobilize volunteers as a bi-vocational pastor to reach the workplace - Where and how to start a workplace discipleship strategy - How desire, discernment, determination, and devotion affect your workplace discipleship goals
If you cant catch us live, be sure to subscribe! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRESLi21We1lue5FaPAlokA Instagram: instagram.com/gabaptist_discipleship Podcast: gabaptistdiscipleship.transistor.fm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gadiscipleship
http://michaelcatt.com
thisisthegospel.com
Contact by email: friarcatt@aol.com
Podcast recommend by Dr. Catt:
The Michael Catt Podcast
The Ron Dunn Podcast
The Vance Havner Podcast
Books by Dr. Catt in the area of discipleship:
Investing in men: Courageous Living
General understanding of the Christian Life: Upgrade
Prayer: The Power of Persistence
Purpose: The Power of Purpose
Books recommended by Dr. Catt are a must-read for those interested in discipleship:
The Saving Life of Christ - Major Ian Thomas
Spiritual Leadership - Oswald Sanders
Spiritual Discipleship - Oswald Sanders
Disciples Are Made, Not Born - Walt Hendrickson
Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People - Stuart Briscoe
The Knowledge of the Holy - Tozer
Why Not Just Be Christians - Vance Havner
Extraordinary Victory for Ordinary Christians - Ron Dunn
Dr. Chuck Lawless is Dean of Doctoral Studies and Vice-President of Spiritual Formation and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Seminary in NC, where he also serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions. In addition, he is Team Leader for Theological Education Strategists for the International Mission Board of SBC. Chuck is a prolific blogger, has written multiple top-selling books, including Membership Matters and Spiritual Warfare.
In this broadcast, Scott and Chuck discuss: - Is church membership even needed? - Is church membership biblical, or when did it start? - Help for leaders looking to define church membership for their church - Effectively onboarding members into your church - How effective onboarding can lay a foundation to move people towards Christlikeness - Importance of membership engagement in an overall church ecosystem - Trends in church membership? - Can church membership move people towards Christlikeness - How busyness can make a small issue a BIG issue in our church - Importance of managing priorities that allows us to make clear choices
If you cant catch us live, be sure to subscribe! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRESLi21We1lue5FaPAlokA Instagram: instagram.com/gabaptist_discipleship Podcast: gabaptistdiscipleship.transistor.fm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gadiscipleship
Tim Williams has been a faithful evangelist for over 30 years and traveling the world sharing the Gospel. He also serves as the GBMB evangelism consultant in the SW & SE regions preaching each Sunday and inspiring revivals everywhere he serves. In this broadcast, PJ & Ray sit down with Tim to talk through elements of a harvest time in a sermon. Drawing the net in a sermon is not just for decisions for Christ but decisions of any kind.
In this broadcast, we discuss: - Ray's pastoring experience and the challenges with getting people to take action - How to lead into an effective invitation at the end of your message - Examples of what to do in a sermon to draw the net to make disciples - How drawing the net increases your ability to make disciples - Ways Tim approaches a harvest time in a sermon and steps to take before and after - PJ's failed (multiple) attempts at drawing the net! - How to define a successful harvest by numbers and spiritual impact
If you can't catch us live, be sure to subscribe! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRESLi21We1lue5FaPAlokA Instagram: instagram.com/gabaptist_discipleship Podcast: gabaptistdiscipleship.transistor.fm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gadiscipleship
https://www.amazon.com/Five-Marks-Disciple-One-Make/dp/1662811810
http://biblicalspirituality.org
https://smile.amazon.com/Spiritual-Disciplines-Christian-Donald-Whitney/dp/1576830276/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1629148590&sr=8-5
https://lifewayresearch.com/2020/07/09/3-disastrous-assumptions-to-make-about-volunteers-during-and-after-covid-19/
· The Volunteer Church by Leith Anderson and Jill Fox
· The Volunteer Effect by Jason Young
· Volunteer Management During a Pandemic by Byran Yeager
· https://vibrantvolunteers.org
Links from this Broadcast:
How Do You Define A Healthy Church Aside From The Numbers?
What Is A Small Church? (An Updated Definition)
Church Health Survey
https://gabaptist.org/discipleship/#learning
https://info.cvoutreach.com/loneliness
https://www.today.com/health/marriage-loneliness-t184285
https://time.com/5833681/loneliness-covid-19/
Chris Trent is the product of youth ministry (and God’s grace) having been invited to summer camp by a youth pastor at the end of his 11th-grade year. He trusted Christ at that camp and has been involved in youth ministry ever since that moment 30+ years ago. He is the author of Consider This: A Youth Minister’s Guide to Longevity and co-host of the Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast. Having recently wrapped up 16 ½ years as the Middle School Pastor and Student Pastor at Johnson Ferry Baptist in Marietta, Georgia he now serves as the Next Gen Catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. He lives in Marietta, GA with his wife, Wendy, and two kids, Dillon and Abby. Graduated from the University of Mobile and MDiv from Southwestern
- Laying aside effective ministry practices developed during covid.
- Focusing more on kids that are not coming back rather than kids that do come back.
- Planning more for fun instead of spiritual development.
- Thinking students are the same as they were a year ago.
- Believing that they're back in a time of maintaining rather than rebuilding.
Brent Crowe is a thought-provoking visionary and communicator who has a passion to present the life changing message of the gospel. Brent uses humor and real-life situations to relate to people at the heart of their struggles. The roles of husband, father, minister, evangelist, author and leader have allowed Brent to influence people from all walks of life throughout his twenty years in ministry.
Engaging issues such as leadership, culture, and change, Brent speaks to hundreds of thousands across the nation and abroad each year and is currently serving as Vice President for Student Leadership University, a program that has trained over one hundred and fifty thousand students to commit themselves to excellence.
In 2019, approximately 3,000 Protestant churches were started in the U.S., but 4,500 Protestant churches closed.
Mark Clifton is the senior director of replanting at the North American Mission Board. Mark has served as a pastor, church planter, church revitalizer, mission strategist, coach, and mentor to young leaders. He has planted and replanted numerous churches and served as a national and regional leader for church planting and missions. He is currently replanting Linwood Baptist Church near Kansas City.
Rolando Castro is a Church Planting Consultant at Georgia Baptist Mission Board. He is a vital part of our Missions Consultant team to engage local communities and see new churches planted in Georgia.
- Today, two-thirds (65%) of churchgoers agree they can walk with God without other believers.
https://lifewayresearch.com/2021/04/19/why-discipleship-cant-happen-in-your-church-without-relationships/
- Around 2 in 3 pastors (65%) feel satisfied with the state of discipleship compared with 47% in 2011, which is likely more than increased optimism.
https://lifewayresearch.com/2021/ 04/13/pastors-programs-or-people-who-makes-disciples-in-your-church/
Scott McConnell's article on a successful church re-plant after covid: https://lifewayresearch.com/2021/03/22/why-your-post-pandemic-church-must-restart-like-a-church-plant/
http://emircaner.com
https://truett.edu
https://www.skylinechili.com
https://gabaptist.org/iscipleship/#learning
www.amazon.com/Social-Media-Ministry-Digital-Discipleship
Meredith Harris | Church Marketing Consultant
mereharristx@gmail.com
325-320-2669
Church Alliance was created to specifically assist churches with a wide range of concerns such as governing documents, policies, bylaws, and matters relating to religious liberty. ADF provides legal representation in cases involving religious liberty for their members. I hope every Georgia Baptist church will join Church Alliance to take advantage of this wonderful service - Thomas Hammond, Executive Director | Georgia Baptist Mission Board
https://www.adfchurchalliance.org/partners/gbmb
Steve Parr | Director at Gwinnett Metro Baptist Association Jay Hackett | Senior Pastor at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church
https://lifewayresearch.com/2021/02/24/10-characteristics-of-churches-that-keep-young-adults/
What can the local church do to prepare members and staff for their future even if that means it may not be at their church?
1. Don’t lock a staff person into only one role.
2. Provide financial assistance as an incentive to take seminary classes.
3. Attend seminars together, have staff retreats, envision the “picture of the preferred future” – perhaps take online assessments (Ideal Team Player, Ministry Strengths, DISC, temperaments)
4. If you are a pastor, be aware of the future dreams of staff members and allow opportunities to develop their gifts and skills. Be honest about their potential, even if this is hard.
Great knowledge of scripture can be academic, but an application of that knowledge is life-changing.
Don't assume people will be disciples, have intentional pathways, like a new members class, to onboard them to a discipleship pathway. The new member class is not for the size of new members, but the intentionality of discipleship for churches of any size.
FREE Download The 5 Discipleship SHIFTS Most Churches NEED TO MAKE To Produce World-Impacting Disciple Mmakers : www.ministryboom.com/5shifts
Church Assessment: https://gabaptist.org/discipleship/
No Sweat Evangelism: https://nosweatevangelism.com/
SPARK 2021: https://www.thesparkconference.com/earlynotification2021_
Ken Adams was called as the first pastor of Crossroads Church in Newnan, Georgia in 1989. He was passionate about the Great Commission and wanted his church to be a part of the movement and mission of Jesus. Ken wanted everything at Crossroads to revolve around being and building disciples of Jesus.
The new and challenging circumstances we face in 2020 with a pandemic and churches trying to figure out how to safely re-open, and the challenge becomes even more difficult. As churches open up and provide ministry programs, finding, recruiting, and training volunteers has now become a tremendous discussion and frustration subject.
Join us as we talk about Adults 55+ Returning to Church with guest Benny Pate & Consultant Michael Taylor!
https://gabaptist.org/discipleship/
What is the most important issue that you see when groups return on the first day?
1. For most part the worship return has been planned and many have returned. What have we learned that will better our planning for groups returning?
1. Do you see the regrouping as an opportunity to make some shifts in how the groups ministry takes place?
https://gabaptist.org/be-single-focused-church/
- Singles Never Married
- Adults who have never married and may or may not be looking to date.
- Dating Singles
- Singles actively looking to date and may or may not be in a relationship currently.
- Engaged Singles
- Singles who are engaged with an official ring, however, not married yet and still single.
- Divorced Singles
- Singles who have been married and the legal divorce papers have been signed by a judge.
- Single Parents
- Parents of children who are not married, including single parents who became so by divorce, widowhood, adoption, or out of wedlock. Never assume how an individual became a single parent.
- Widows and Widowers
- Singles who did not choose to be single again as their spouse has passed.
http://thesparkconference.com
On Aug. 28, 2020 videos of keynote speakers and breakout sessions will be time-released throughout the day for individuals, churches, or associations who register prior to that date at TheSparkConference.com. Those who register before Aug. 28 will have free access to content from Aug. 29-Sept. 22.
The Georgia-hosted annual training event is anticipating churches from its six partnership state conventions to take advantage of the resources. Those conventions, announced last month, are New York, New England, Pennsylvania/South Jersey, Michigan, Utah/Idaho, and Puerto Rico.