Everyday Ministry

Everyday Ministry Podcast | VG26: What Moves People Toward Maturity in Christ? with Mark Howard

Welcome to a new season of the Everyday Ministry Podcast! This season, we're sharing talks from VG26, our annual Vinegrowers retreat for pastors and ministry leaders, where we gathered to think more deeply about the work God is doing through his people.

In this opening session, Mark Howard asks a foundational question: What is God doing in the world, and how does he do it?

God is gathering people around the throne of Jesus, bringing them into his kingdom through faith and transforming them into the likeness of Christ. But how do we, as churches and individual Christians, participate in that work?

Drawing from Colossians, Mark explores the forces that move people toward maturity in Christ and those that can pull us away. He unpacks the four E's of ministry: engaging, evangelizing, establishing, and equipping, and the four P's God uses to grow his people: proclamation of his Word, prayer, people, and perseverance.

Mark also challenges us to consider how our own church cultures, convictions, character, and ministry practices might unintentionally hinder spiritual growth.

Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or everyday Christian, this session will help you reflect on how God grows his people and how we can faithfully participate in his work.

Listen in and consider: What are the forces shaping your own growth and the maturity of the people God has placed around you?

Resources & Links

• Explore gospel-centered, disciple-making resources at Matthias Media.

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The Everyday Ministry Podcast is a conversation for all Christians: to participate and grow in gospel work. Hosted by Lindsey Yeagley and Marty Sweeney, we're here to help you take the next step in everyday ministry.

In this final episode of the season, we reflect on the foundational ideas that have shaped our conversations: gospel clarity and helping people move toward maturity in Christ.

We talk about why hope in Christ isn't just a future idea but something that reshapes how we live today. That future hope fuels urgency in evangelism, patience in discipleship, and purpose in everyday ministry.

We also unpack what it really looks like to "move people to the right." It's not about delivering perfect content or expecting instant transformation. It's about helping each person take their next step toward maturity, wherever they are.

You'll hear practical examples from real ministry contexts, including:

• Using simple frameworks to reinforce gospel clarity in Bible study
• Why repetition is necessary (even when it feels redundant)
• How to lead with both challenge and patience
• The importance of teaching people, not just material

We close by reminding ourselves that growth doesn't happen by accident. It happens through intentional, prayerful dependence on God's Word and Spirit.

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Key Resources Mentioned

• Two Ways to Live (gospel framework) https://matthiasmedia.com/products/two-ways-to-live
• Learn the Gospel https://matthiasmedia.com/products/learn-the-gospel
• Future Grace by John Piper https://www.desiringgod.org/books/future-grace
• Swedish Method Bible Study (simple inductive approach)
• Matthias Media resources https://matthiasmedia.com

What do you do when there are more people to disciple than you can possibly handle?

In this episode, Marty sits down with Bruce to wrestle with one of the biggest challenges in ministry: how to faithfully disciple people without bottlenecking growth. As their campus ministry has grown from zero to hundreds of students, they've had to rethink what it really means to make disciples.

They explore the tension between depth and breadth, the necessity of training others, and why multiplication—not just personal investment—is essential for gospel ministry. This conversation challenges the common instinct to "just go deeper with a few" and instead calls leaders to think bigger about raising up more gospel workers.

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What You'll Learn

• Why one-to-one discipleship alone isn't enough
• The difference between making disciples and making disciple-makers
• How to think about growth without compromising faithfulness
• Why "chasing numbers" isn't necessarily unspiritual
• The importance of training and deploying others
• How to handle the tension between quality and capacity
• Why multiplication is essential in any ministry context

Key Ideas from the Episode

• You can't personally disciple everyone—so you must train others
• Ministry must move from addition to multiplication
• Structure and intentionality help sustain growth
• Deployment matters—people won't be "fully ready"
• God is sovereign, but he uses people as his means

Key Quotes

• "You can't just do a deep work in a few—you have to help them do the same."
• "If I spend all my time with one person, I don't have time for anyone else."
• "There's nothing wrong with wanting more people—if it's for the gospel."
• "At some point, you have to deploy people before they feel ready."
• "We want to present everyone mature in Christ."

Resources Mentioned

• The Trellis and the Vine
• Growth and Change
• Wisdom in Leadership

Key Takeaway Faithful ministry isn't just about investing deeply in a few people—it's about equipping those people to do the same. If we want to reach more people with the gospel, we need to think beyond addition and embrace multiplication.

What happens after someone shows curiosity about Jesus?

In this episode of The Everyday Ministry Podcast, Lindsey Yeagley is joined by Bruce Chimani, College and Young Adults Pastor at Old North Church, for an honest and practical conversation about evangelism pathways—and the gaps churches often face when engaging non-Christians.

Drawing from campus ministry, women's ministry, and local church contexts, Lindsey and Bruce reflect on how people actually move from curiosity to conviction, why evangelism often feels overwhelming, and how churches can think more strategically without losing the personal nature of gospel conversations.

They discuss the importance of evangelistic courses as a shared entry point, the role of follow-up after conversion, and why a theological conviction about eternity must fuel practical evangelism efforts. This episode will encourage pastors and ministry leaders to think clearly, pray boldly, and build pathways that don't rely on one person doing everything.

In This Episode, You'll Hear About

• Why evangelism pathways are often unclear or overwhelming
• Differences between campus ministry and adult church contexts
• The danger of throwing new believers straight into deep-end Bible studies
• Why evangelistic courses help churches share the load together
• Acts 17 and the often-overlooked group of "curious but unconvinced" people
• Why follow-up after evangelistic courses matters more than the course itself
• How prayer undergirds sustainable evangelism
• Why a deep conviction about eternity fuels urgency in gospel work

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Discover (Evangelistic Course) – Matthias Media https://matthiasmedia.com/products/discover

• Taste and See – Rory Shiner (Evangelistic Course)

• You, Me & the Bible – Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/you-me-and-the-bible

• Just for Starters – Matthias Media https://matthiasmedia.com/products/just-for-starters

• The Christian Gospel – Matthias Media https://matthiasmedia.com/products/the-christian-gospel

• Acts 17:32 – Paul's sermon and varied responses to the resurrection

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background 03:06 Understanding Evangelism in College Contexts 06:00 Challenges in Evangelism: Gaps and Strategies 09:01 The Importance of Community and Follow-Up 11:55 The Role of Prayer in Evangelism 15:02 Theological Foundations for Evangelism 17:56 Practical Approaches to Engaging Non-Christians 20:57 Looking Ahead: Future Strategies and Goals

evangelism, college ministry, church growth, community engagement, prayer, discipleship, non-Christian outreach, theological foundations, follow-up strategies, personal testimony

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Thinking Right to Move Right: When Women's Ministry is Built to Grow

What does it look like to build a women's ministry that actually helps women grow — not just attend?

In this episode of The Everyday Ministry Podcast, Lindsey Yeagley is joined by Beth Harrell, Women's Ministry Director at Old North Church, for a practical and honest conversation about intentionality in women's ministry. Together, they explore how existing ministries—like Bible studies and gatherings—can be used more thoughtfully to encourage maturity, evangelism, and long-term fruit.

Beth shares wisdom from years of ministry experience, including how to train leaders well, why growth often happens slowly and incrementally, and how informal "sheepdogs" play a vital role in helping women take their next step toward maturity in Christ. They also discuss the importance of unified Bible study, clear pathways for involvement, and cultivating a culture where gospel conversations are normal—even when we fail or feel hesitant.

This episode is especially helpful for pastors, women's ministry leaders, and volunteers who want to think carefully about structures that support growth, without over-programming or burning people out.

In This Episode, You'll Hear About

• Why women's ministry needs intentional trellises, not just events

• Using existing Bible studies more evangelistically and formatively

• Training leaders to notice and nurture "left-lookers"

• The role of informal leaders ("sheepdogs") in gospel growth

• Why small, incremental change matters more than quick results

• Helping women identify their next step toward maturity

• Holding ministry structures loosely and adapting wisely over time

📚 Resources Mentioned (with Links)

• Motherhood – Jocelyn Loane https://matthiasmedia.com/products/motherhood

• The Trellis and the Vine – Colin Marshall & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/the-trellis-and-the-vine

• The Vine Project – Colin Marshall & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/the-vine-project

• Guidance and the Voice of God – Phillip Jensen & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/guidance-and-the-voice-of-god

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🌐 Website: https://matthiasmedia.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/everydayministrypodcast

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Thinking Right to Move Right: Building Pathways for Women to Grow

What does it actually look like to help women take their next step toward maturity in Christ?

In this episode of The Everyday Ministry Podcast, Marty Sweeney sits down with Beth Harrell, former Matthias Media staff member and now full-time Women's Ministry Director at Old North Church. Together, they explore how thoughtful ministry structures—paired with patient, relational discipleship—help women move from events to engagement, and from attendance to maturity.

Beth reflects on the importance of building clear pathways for growth, balancing large gatherings with one-to-one ministry, and training leaders without burning them out. The conversation also challenges common assumptions about success in women's ministry, reminding us that long-term fruit often comes through slow, faithful investment in people rather than impressive programs.

This episode is especially encouraging for churches with limited time, staff, or resources—and for anyone wanting to think more carefully about how real growth happens in everyday ministry.

In This Episode, You'll Hear About

• Why women's ministry needs pathways, not just programs

• How one-to-one ministry supports and strengthens larger gatherings

• Identifying and training leaders with patience and care

• Why the "next step" isn't always another event

• Measuring fruitfulness by growth, not numbers

📚 Resources Mentioned

• The Trellis and the Vine – Colin Marshall & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/the-trellis-and-the-vine

• The Vine Project – Colin Marshall & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/the-vine-project

• Guidance and the Voice of God – Phillip Jensen & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/guidance-and-the-voice-of-god

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How do Christians actually grow in maturity — and what does it look like for the gospel to shape our everyday lives?

In this episode of Everyday Ministry, Lindsey Yeagley and Marty Sweeney continue their conversation about growing toward maturity in Christ by focusing on the means God uses to grow his people: his Word, prayer, and his people.

A central theme of this episode is the difference between simply memorizing gospel truths and truly internalizing the gospel so that it shapes how we think, pray, obey, and help others grow. Lindsey and Marty explain why having a clear framework like Two Ways to Live is so valuable — not just as an evangelism tool, but as a formative structure that helps the gospel take root in our hearts and lives over time.

They also reflect on why gospel clarity leads to gospel growth, how growth is often slow and uneven, and why helping others grow is a natural overflow of genuine maturity in Christ.

Note: The audio quality in this episode is not quite what we'd hoped — thank you for your patience and grace as you listen.

Key Topics

• The difference between memorizing the gospel and internalizing it

• Why Word, prayer, and people are God's primary tools for growth

• How Two Ways to Live shapes everyday Christian thinking and living

• The role of conviction, character, and competency in discipleship

• Why growth in Christ is often slow, non-linear, and deeply relational

• How gospel clarity fuels lasting growth and confidence

Resources Mentioned

• Two Ways to Live – gospel tract and framework https://matthiasmedia.com/products/two-ways-to-live

• Learn the Gospel (study built around Two Ways to Live) https://matthiasmedia.com/products/learn-the-gospel

• The Trellis and the Vine – Colin Marshall & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/the-trellis-and-the-vine

• The Vine Project – Colin Marshall & Tony Payne https://matthiasmedia.com/products/the-vine-project

Scripture Referenced

• Joshua 1:8–9

• Matthew 16:24

• John 3:36

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In this episode of Everyday Ministry, Lindsey Yeagley and Marty Sweeney dig into the disciple-making idea of "moving to the right"—a phrase that comes from The Trellis and the Vine and The Vine Project by Tony Payne and Colin Marshall.

They explore what it means to grow in maturity in Christ, why right thinking about the gospel leads to right living for Jesus, and how the Two Ways to Live framework helps us pursue daily growth as disciples.

Together, they unpack how gospel clarity fuels gospel confidence, how sanctification is both God's work and our daily choice, and why looking "left" (helping others grow) is an essential mark of maturity.

Key Topics

• What "moving to the right" means and why it matters

• How Two Ways to Live provides a framework for ongoing discipleship

• Why the gospel that saves us is also the gospel that grows us

• Signs of spiritual growth and maturity in everyday life

• How to disciple others by "looking left"

Resources Mentioned

• 📘 Two Ways to Live – The Choice We All Face

• 📗 The Vine Project – Shaping Your Ministry Culture Around Disciple-Making

• 📙 The Trellis and the Vine

• 📒 The Thing Is by Tony Payne

• 📕 Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

• 📗 Side by Side by Ed Welch

• 📘 Learn the Gospel – Learn More

Scripture References

• Colossians 1:28–2:7

• Romans 5–6

• Hebrews 3, 10, and 12

• Luke 24

• Mark 10:45

• Psalm 2

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Lindsey and Marty kick off Season 3 with a fun breakfast chat that flows into a deep, practical conversation about sharing the gospel. They explore how the Two Ways to Live framework offers structure and freedom, helping Christians speak naturally and confidently about Jesus.

Key Topics

• Why talking about cereal reminds us of the joy of sharing Jesus

• What Two Ways to Live is and why it's helpful

• Handling the "hard parts" of the gospel like sin and judgment

• Tips for practicing gospel conversations with friends, kids, and neighbors

• How gospel clarity fuels gospel confidence

Resources Mentioned

• Two Ways to Live

• Who Will Be King? (Kids' version)

• Bible references: Matthew 12; Hebrews (Jesus' lordship and rule)

Connect with Us

• Website: matthiasmedia.com

• Instagram: @everydayministrypodcast

In this bonus episode marking the end of Season 2, we're sharing a special breakout session from Evangelize 2024 with Tony Payne. It's an insightful and practical deep-dive into the complex relationship between evangelism and apologetics.

Tony unpacks seven types of persuasion Christians often engage in—from gospel proclamation and responding to objections, to lifestyle witness and cultural engagement. With clarity, biblical depth, and plenty of humor, he challenges us to lead with the gospel, remain compassionate, and avoid getting sidetracked by secondary concerns.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone involved in gospel ministry—pastors, leaders, or everyday Christians seeking to faithfully share Christ.

Tony's breakout handout/visual

Highlights:

• The difference between apologetics and gospel proclamation

• Common pitfalls in preemptive apologetics

• How to help Christians grow in confidence

• Why leading with the gospel should be our default

• A practical framework for understanding gospel conversations

Resources Mentioned:

• Defending the Gospel by Kel Richards

• Reason for God by Tim Keller

• Dominion by Tom Holland

• Two Ways to Live evangelistic framework

👉 Watch the entire conference on our YouTube channel.

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• Music: Fun Kid - Quincas Moreira