In Part 2 of this series, Ben Borgman, Pastor Glenn Underhill, and Pastor Craig Etheredge continue unpacking the State of Discipleship study from Lifeway Research, focusing on solutions to the challenges facing churches today.
While many churches say discipleship is a priority, this episode highlights a key issue: confusion around what discipleship actually means. The team draws a clear distinction between “discipleship”—often centered on information and spiritual growth—and “disciple making,” which follows the model of Jesus Christ and leads to life transformation and multiplication.
They explain that disciple making is a defined, intentional process with a clear goal: developing followers of Jesus who reproduce their faith in others. In contrast, many modern church approaches stop at knowledge or program completion, creating consumers rather than multipliers.
The conversation also emphasizes the need for a holistic strategy—one that shapes every ministry in the church rather than being confined to a single department. True effectiveness comes when churches move beyond information-based models and begin equipping people to live out and multiply their faith.
Guests
• Ben Borgman – Executive Director, Disciple First
• Pastor Glenn Underhill – Pastor of Spiritual Development
• Pastor Craig Etheredge – Lead Pastor, CrossCreek Church
