In today’s episode, our host Glenn Underhill is joined by special guest Craig Etheredge, author of the new book “His Way Still Works.” Together, they dive deep into the importance of adopting a Jesus-centric philosophy of ministry and the impact it has on transforming churches into movements of multiplication.
Tune in as Glenn and Craig, both from Cross Creek Church in the Dallas Fort Worth area, discuss how aligning a church’s ministry philosophy with Jesus’ model can drive impactful decisions and outcomes. They share five key steps to craft this philosophy and emphasize the critical role of clarity and cohesion within the church team.
You’ll also hear insights into navigating potential challenges, including gaining the support of your church team and aligning with the lead pastor’s direction while avoiding divisions. Craig and Glenn highlight the importance of building environments that support discussions on Jesus’ ministry philosophy and introduce new perspectives to create positive changes.
Whether you’re a pastor seeking to refine your ministry approach or a church leader looking to drive a movement of discipleship, this episode offers valuable strategies to guide your journey. Don’t miss this enriching conversation, and stay tuned for a special offer on Craig Etheredge’s book “His Way Still Works.” Join us as we explore how a Jesus-focused ministry philosophy can transform your church and inspire a new era of disciple-making leaders.
Overview:
- 00:00 Glenn Underhill hosts podcast on disciple-making philosophy.
- 05:25 Jesus aimed to make multiplying disciples and movement.
- 08:03 Church success measured by Jesus’ way or not.
- 12:03 Studying Jesus’ life revealed clear ministry philosophy.
- 13:34 Studying Jesus chronologically reveals his ministry philosophy.
- 19:24 Support for overwhelmed pastors: discipleFIRST coaching.
- 22:00 Jesus’ authority, disciple-making, passion, and understanding.
- 24:11 Reflective cohort sessions helped align with values.
- 29:10 How to help others when leadership opposes.
- 30:37 Leading with the philosophy of ministry.
- 35:45 Empower leaders to multiply disciples like Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do the speakers stress the importance of a Jesus-centric philosophy of ministry for the church, and how can this philosophy drive decisions and outcomes?
- How does Craig Etheredge’s book “His Way Still Works” contribute to developing a Jesus-centric ministry philosophy? What are the 36 key events mentioned, and why are they crucial?
- What transferable discipleship principles can be extracted from the life of Jesus, according to the speakers, and how can these be applied in any church context?
- Can you discuss the five steps outlined by Speaker C for crafting a Jesus-centric philosophy of ministry? Which of these steps do you find most challenging or insightful?
- How can church leaders effectively get their team on board with a disciple-making philosophy? What role do environments and resources play in this process?
- How can introducing new ideas and perspectives in a church setting create positive change, according to the speakers? How should leaders approach potential resistance or division?
- What metrics should churches develop to measure the effectiveness of their ministry in terms of disciple-making, as suggested by the speakers?
- Why is the alignment with the lead pastor crucial in implementing a Jesus-centric philosophy of ministry? How should staff members navigate situations if they are not aligned with the pastor’s direction?
- Discuss the significance of forming a cohort to align the team’s beliefs and practices with Jesus’ ministry philosophy. How did scheduling it during office hours benefit the team?
- How can churches practically implement the philosophy of making disciples who multiply into a movement? What steps can be taken to ensure this philosophy remains central to all ministry activities?
