In this episode of the Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Ben Borgman is joined in the studio by Pastor Craig and Pastor Glenn Underhill to discuss key insights from the State of Discipleship study by Lifeway Research.
Together they unpack several revealing statistics from the study and explore why many pastors feel uncertain about the effectiveness of discipleship in their churches. While most pastors deeply desire to make disciples, the activities happening in many churches do not always align with that goal.
Ben, Craig, and Glenn discuss the tension between program-driven ministry and relational disciple-making, the challenge of measuring true spiritual transformation, and why Jesus’ model of investing deeply in a few people often gets overshadowed by the demands of modern church leadership.
This episode highlights the disconnect between what pastors believe about discipleship and what church activity often prioritizes. It also introduces practical questions leaders should ask about time, priorities, and expectations within their churches.
Overview:
- 00:00 “Effective Disciple-Making for Pastors”
- 04:26 “Seeking Clarity in Discipleship”
- 09:47 Challenges of Decentralized Community Structure
- 12:49 “Rethinking Discipleship’s Effectiveness”
- 14:34 “Jesus’ Focus on Discipleship”
- 19:39 Prioritizing People Over Busyness
- 21:24 “Investing in a Few”
- 25:47 “Addressing Change and Roadblocks”
- 28:10 “Reordering Priorities Through Jesus”
- 33:11 “Build Trust Through Relationships”
- 34:49 Awkward Leadership Moment Broadcast
Discussion Questions:
- What were some of the most “glaring stats” or disconnects they highlighted, and why do you think these stand out in the modern church context?
- What are some reasons discussed for why pastors struggle to implement disciple-making practices effectively?
- Only a small percentage of pastors strongly agreed they have specific methods for discipleship in their churches. Why do you think such specific intentionality is rare?
- According to the conversation, how do typical discipleship activities (like sermons and Sunday school classes) compare in effectiveness to more relational or one-on-one methods? Why might there be a disconnect between what’s practiced and what’s most effective?
- Craig Etheredge mentions Jesus’s model of investing heavily in a few. How could this model challenge or reshape the priorities in your own church or leadership context?
- What practices could help pastors balance all their responsibilities while still prioritizing intentional disciple-making?
- How does the current “scoreboard” for church success (like attendance and programs) affect the way discipleship is approached, according to the discussion?
- What roadblocks did the hosts identify that prevent congregations from prioritizing discipleship, and how have they addressed these challenges in their own ministries?
- The episode suggests that cultural and congregational expectations can keep pastors from trying new approaches. Have you experienced or witnessed this tension, and what advice would you offer for navigating it?
- How does a personal invitation into discipleship – modeled after Jesus’s direct approach – create different results than general broadcasts or calls from the pulpit? Can you share an example from your own experience where this method helped someone take a next step in faith?
