What does it mean to be a gospel-centered church and should we be a gospel-centered church? As we think through taking the Gospel into the world and fulfilling the Great Commission, have we short changed discipleship by making Matthew 28 all about evangelism? In this conversation with Brandon Stiver, author and missiologist Alan Hirsch joins the show to discuss the current state of discipleship within the church, emphasizing the disconnect between modern practices and the teachings of Jesus. He argues that without true discipleship, churches risk producing a form of religion that strays from Christ-likeness.

Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl

Podcast Sponsors

Take the free Core Elements Self-Assessment from the CAFO Research Center and tap into online courses with discount code 'TGDJ25'

Take the Free Core Elements Self-Assessment

Resources and Links from the show

Disciplism : Reimagining Evangelism Through the Lens of Discipleship (Amazon)

Reframation : Seeing God, People, and Mission Through Reenchanted Frames (Amazon)

Alan's Substack

Conversation Notes

• What we're experiencing now in America is a trend in the church.
• Alan's experience growing up as a Jewish person in apartheid South Africa
• If the churches that we lead do not disciple, we will produce bad religion.
• We are not producing Christ-likeness in our churches.
• The image of God is reflected in Jesus' way of being human.
• Modern churches need to align more closely with Jesus' teachings.
• The consequences of poor discipleship can be detrimental to faith communities.
• Examples of modern Christians that are getting discipleship right.
• Churches must focus on producing genuine followers of Christ.

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License