Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy

Ken Braddy talks with Dr. Joseph Brasher, Connect Pastor at Sugar Creek Baptist in Houston, about how churches can shift from simply adding people to existing groups toward a healthier multiplication mindset. They focus on what actually helps groups grow: connection, care, and a culture that expects new leaders and new groups to emerge.Brasher shares practical examples from Sugar Creek, including a “greenhouse” approach to launching groups, and explains why relational health often matters more than lecture-style content if you want people to stay engaged and eventually lead.

Most churches know discipleship matters. Far fewer can clearly explain what it actually is, how to measure it, or what a person should do next. Ken Braddy and Chad Higgins reveal what Lifeway's latest research says about the state of discipleship and why so many churches are still stuck with fuzzy language, vague plans, and Sunday-only strategies.

Ken Brady also shares how his own thinking changed from a class-based approach to a more relational, community-centered view of disciple making. Chad Higgins explains why a clear discipleship pathway must begin with shared language, honest assessment, and a church-wide process that people can actually follow.The episode also introduces Disciples Path, Lifeway's free four-step resource designed to help churches build a clearer disciple-making process. Through discovery, discernment, design, and deployment, churches can evaluate where they are, define where they're going, and help people identify their next step with confidence.If your church wants more than crowded calendars and good intentions, this conversation offers a practical, research-backed path forward. Essential listening for pastors, staff members, group leaders, and anyone asking, "What does healthy disciple making actually look like?"

This episode of Disciple Making in Community with Ken Braddy features Adam Erlichman of Build Groups and explores why churches should focus on multiplying leaders instead of simply filling open spots. Adam explains how a proactive leadership pipeline, clear pre-qualification standards, and consistent training can help churches discover, develop, and deploy new group leaders more effectively. He also shares practical insights on avoiding crisis-mode recruitment, building healthier group ministries, and creating a clear path for people in the pews to step into discipleship leadership.

In this episode of Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy, Ken talks with children’s ministry leader Danielle Bell about the real-world challenges facing next gen disciple-making, including inconsistent attendance, busy family schedules, and the pressure on kids ministry leaders. Danielle shares practical, gospel-centered ways churches can partner with parents and grandparents through everyday discipleship, “as you go” conversations, and simple at-home practices that help faith take root. From the Gospel Project to three-circle gospel training from HyFi, this conversation offers encouraging, actionable ideas for strengthening children’s ministry, family discipleship, and intergenerational ministry in the local church.

The future of Bible study groups is not about bigger rooms or better labels. It is about knowing your people, keeping the conversation alive all week, and building a ministry that actually meets the needs of real life right now. Dr. Jody Dean, professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and church practitioner, joins Ken Braddy to unpack where groups ministry is headed and why some churches are thriving while others are fighting for space, leaders, and momentum. If your church is asking how to reach younger adults, engage young families, and make group life matter beyond Sunday morning, this conversation gets practical fast.

Building a Disciple-making Ministry by Ken Braddy and Allan Taylor

This episode of Disciple-making in Community focuses on why disciple making often drifts in churches and what leaders can do to rebuild it with intention. Ken Braddy talks with Scott Sullivan, Discipleship Catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, about culture, pathways, and practical next steps for churches of any size. Scott brings frontline experience from leading the Spark Conference, building discipleship training across Georgia, and helping churches move from activity to multiplication. The conversation is packed with honest diagnosis, leadership shifts, and usable ideas for pastors, staff, and lay leaders.

Ken Braddy talks with Scott Sullivan, Discipleship Catalyst with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, about what is actually moving the needle in disciple making across churches. The conversation focuses on practical, repeatable systems for discipleship, especially intentional planning, smaller group environments, and mentoring. If your church is relying mostly on sermons and Sunday school, this episode offers a clear framework for what to add next.

In this episode, Ken Brady interviews Chad Higgins about discipleship pathways, research insights, and practical tools like Disciples Path to help churches develop effective disciple-making strategies.

Check out DisciplesPath here: https://www.lifeway.com/en/disciplespath?intcmp=lw%3Adisciplespath%3Asrdr

In part two of Ken’s conversation with Jana Magruder, Jana shares important lessons for church leaders who want to build stronger ministry relationships and healthier community. From being an active church member and gathering people in person to empowering others, leading up, and pursuing relationships in a culture of isolation, this episode offers practical encouragement for pastors, ministry leaders, children’s ministry leaders, and volunteers who want to foster intergenerational connection and lead with purpose. 

In this episode, Ken Braddy talks with Jana Magruder about lessons for ministry leaders, especially what they would tell their younger selves. Jana shares wisdom from years in children’s ministry, including how to recruit volunteers with vision, trust leadership, protect personal relationships, make space for rest and reflection, and keep learning as culture changes. This conversation offers encouragement for pastors, children’s ministry leaders, church staff, and volunteers who want to lead with purpose and adapt faithfully in a changing world.