GA Baptist Discipleship

Join our panel discussion on ways Virtual Reality (VR) can drive discipleship. Our team will introduce churches to meaningful applications of VR in the local church and online. Joining us on this broadcast are:

• Dr. PJ Dunn: Not so closet nerd and NW and NE GA Baptist Discipleship Consultant

• Carl Johnson: WC Discipleship consultant and discipleship pastor at Peace Baptist Church

• Mike Wynn: Adults pastor at North Star Church in Kennesaw and started VR outreach over 2 years ago

• Cole Ragsdale: Reach pastor at North Star Church in Kennesaw and lead on VR outreach and discipleship

• Tim Steele: Cross Waves Church founding pastor a home church model church, and VR explorer

• Justin Nava: Cross Waves Church communications director and navigating VR relationships

In this conversation, we will address:

• Justin talks about how the Metaverse is the new Corinth

• In disciple-making, relationships always matter, and VR is no different

• PJ highlights some common pushbacks regarding VR/Online engagement

• Culture has to drive acceptance of a VR strategy, not the strategy

• Mike & Cole share that North Star's interest in VR in evangelism

• Cole breaks down how gatherings in VR can be worship, discipleship, and prayer

• Using VR as a training tool to share the Gospel!

• Tim & Justin share a one-to-one conversation approach to Cross Wave's focus on VR

• The conversation first focuses on meeting people and connecting (walking the streets)

• Justin discusses moving conversations on the "street" into spiritual life change

• Tim demonstrates how Avatars create space for people to open up and be themselves and that there is no difference between the VR realm or our in-person relationships

• Carl breaks down the theological challenges VR presents to the church

• All guest share one way to have relational engagement online to focus on discipleship

• PJ's reminder that relationships always matter regardless of what realm or reality you are in

• We all have different cultures and know your people well enough to understand how to apply this type of technology to advance the Gospel

Shane Pruitt serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). He has been in ministry for over 20 years as a denominational leader, church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, and a Master’s Degree in History.

Shane is also a traveling communicator speaking to over a hundred thousand people about the good news of Jesus Christ. Shane is also the author of a popular blog, which has over 3 million views. His articles have been picked up by RELEVANT, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, The Gospel Coalition, CrossWalk, Church Leaders, The Baptist Press, FaithIt, HelloChristian, and many others. Shane and his wife, Kasi, were featured as ABC’s Nightly News “Persons of the Week” in August 2017.

Shane has written two books 9 Common Lies Christians Believe: And Why God’s Truth Is Infinitely Better, and Calling Out the Called: Discipling those Called to Ministry Leadership (Release date – November, 2022). Both are available everywhere books are sold. He is also the host of the podcast, Next Gen on Mission (available on podcast platforms), and the YouTube Channel – GenSend.

In this episode we discuss:

• The “Paralyzed Church”

• Scott declares that UGA will beat BAMA in national title game

• “We’re shuffling shepherds around, but not raising any up”

• The nation-wide struggle of mass ministry openings and the “pool is dry”

• The 3 distinct “callings” in scripture

• What’s the difference between everyone’s call and a specific call to vocational ministry?

• Reasons we are seeing a decline and obstacles for leaders to call out the called

• The beautiful tension of the pastor transferring his heart for calling out the called and Holy Spirit driven call to ministry

• 5 things leaders can do to make calling out the called a priority

Dr. Kevin Williams has been the pastor of First Baptist Church Villa Rica, Georgia for the past nine years. He is finishing his second term as President of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Dr. Williams was one of the few individuals to receive the ARCOM badge which for the ARMY is the peacetime version of the Bronze Star Medal to recognize outstanding performance. Kevin has a passion for world-wide missions and evangelism.

Fun Fact: Kevin hung upside down from a helicopter in Tokyo, Japan. He was married in the US Embassy in Japan, but he and his wife are actually from my same hometown!

In today’s episode:

• Kevin shares that the greatest form of discipleship is grabbing someone by the hand and showing them how to do it.

• Kevin shares how to connect a local church’s mission efforts to the command to make disciples not just make converts.

• The benefits for members going on mission out of state as well as in the ministry area where you serve.

• “One’s capacity to lead publicly is based on their commitment to grow personally.”

• Kevin shares lessons learned to lead an historic existing church to make shifts that increase gospel impact, build momentum, and won’t get you fired.

• Senior Adults can be the “canary in the coal mine” giving indication of whether the atmosphere in the church is toxic or life giving.

• Scott shares that “healthy leaders look more like an iceberg than an icicle”.

• Kevin talks about navigating the rough days when people push back on your attempts to move forward.

• How to create an atmosphere where everyone feels an open door with you to share their heart but still respects your authority.

• The value of leading your church to give to the Cooperative Program even when you do not agree with everyone.

• If Satan is not bothering you, then you’re probably not bothering him.

• Two practices of effective leaders that create and sustain momentum: focus on solutions and learn to CEO your situation!

Join us this Thursday 3PM:

Buck Burch, pastored in middle Georgia for several years, then Buck served as IMB missionary in Russia for 13 years. He is now in his 12th year with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board serving as Missions Catalyst where he leads his team to connect Georgia Baptist churches with missions efforts locally and globally. He is currently completing his doctorate at Liberty University.

Jimmy Baughcum, is the Executive Director for the Atlanta Metro Baptist Association and before taking the position with Metro Atlanta, he was a Church Planting Consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board for 5.5 years. He worked with international students and evangelism at First Baptist Church New Orleans. Jimmy pastored and planted churches in Georgia, served with Injoy Stewardship Services (a John Maxwell company). Dr. Baughcum is pursuing a 2nd doctorate (Ph.D.) in North American Missiology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In this episode hear:

-How Jimmy broke his ELBOW pulling off his socks off.

-That Buck is an expert making pecan log rolls and can curse you in Russian.

-Get entered to win $75 by commenting and sharing broadcast.

-How Jimmy is leading his churches to reach every neighborhood (246) in Atlanta.

-Sully shares two things we all need a greater measure of.

-Jimmy talks about what to do with people who do not look, act, believe, or smell like us.

-How to strategically map out your ministry area.

-How to calendar what you’ll do, with whom, and how.

-Where to start if you want to reach your neighborhood.

-That “action without a tract will lack traction!”

-How even a busy pastor can lead and launch his people to live missionally.

-Tools to consider if you want to maximize your efforts.

-The Acts 1:8 strategy for sustained missional living efforts.

-That “we’ve tried that before and it’ll never work” is the song of the defeated and may speak to a leader’s lack of faith in God.

-Hear three things great leaders do.

In this episode with Dr. Gevan Spinney:

• Gevan has pastored at FBC Haughton, Louisiana since 2002. Dr. Spinney was saved, called to preach, ordained, and married Andrea at FBCH. Gevan has served as LBC President, is on the board of trustees at NAMB, has an earned doctorate, and an honorary doctorate for his work guiding LA Baptists to respond and rebuild during hurricane Katrina.

• Fun Fact: Gevan is a co-host of “The Way It Was” hunting show on the Pursuit channel with legends like Hank Parker.

• Crazy story of FBC Haughton where Sully and Dr. Spinney served.

• Strangest thing Dr. Spinney ever attempted.

• Lessons learned while implementing a NEW disciple-making strategy in a 130-year-old church.

• Scott and Gevan share leadership lessons that help them survive a sexual predator experience in their church.

• A new member class and strategy that set the culture for God-sized growth and are now averaging more people and budget coming out the pandemic!

• Keys to leading as a disciple-maker when trouble arises.

o Ex: Don’t write checks with your mouth that your feet cannot back up.

• Wisdom for leaders wanting to expand their platform and increase disciple-making impact.

• 2 crazy cool ministry ideas First Haughton is doing to make disciples.

Smaller church pastors, this broadcast is to help you be a strategic planning hero! For decades Dr. Leo Endel has been helping churches to plan well. He is the Executive Director at Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention based in Rochester, Minnesota and Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Madison, WI. He has a heart for helping small churches be strategic planners for missional impact. His book Where Do We Go from Here? is a strategic planning guide for smaller churches. In the three-hour meeting that Dr. Endel teaches in his book, every pastor can be a strategic planner in their church.

In this broadcast, Scott, PJ, and Dr. Endel discuss:

• Leo's fishing trip of a lifetime is a fishy story

• PJ's 101 ways to cook mac n cheese

• Understanding obstacles that keep your church from planning

o "We are doing fine."

o "We do not have the time."

o "We've been there, done that, and it didn't work."

o "Fear of conflict."

o "Not operating in a way that recognizes barriers to growth based on church attendance."

• Addressing each obstacle and why pastors don't plan

• The difference between 75, 125, and 200 in attendance and planning

• Getting to the point of change for planning

• Drag a highlighter over some ideas to lead a planning meeting

• Who to have on a planning team

• How lay leaders, deacons, and key volunteers help a pastor be strategic in planning

• Celebrating history while looking forward in planning

Dr. Wunch is the Mallory Baptist Associational Missionary and host of Wunchtime (wunchtime.com), a podcast specifically for the bi-vocational pastor to thrive in ministry. Dr. Wunch has recently released a book “Proclaiming the Kingdom of God, " which focuses on helping church members overcome barriers to understanding the Kingdom of God. Discipleship consultants Dr. PJ Dunn and Ray Sullivan also join in on this discussion and dive into why this issue matters for disciple-making.

In this broadcast, the team discusses:

• Jesus talked about the Kingdom more than any other topic in the NT

• Hans talks about why he chooses to focus on this topic

• Ray spells out the difference between kingdom rain and Kingdom Reign

• Look at how the Kingdom issue has been misunderstood for years

• Practical ways to incorporate Kingdom theology all year in your sermon prep

• A Kingdom mindset impacts the ways disciple-making

• How the heart of the Kingdom connects to a disciple-making process

Dr. Steve Parr is the Executive Director of the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Network and former Vice President of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Dr. Parr is a nationally known author: The Coffee Shop that Changed a Church, Why They Stay: Helping Parents and Church Leaders Make Investments That Keep Children and Teens Connected to the Church for a Lifetime, and more. Steve is a leading voice in leadership development, Sunday School, and Groups Ministry.

Fun Fact: Steve has been in a Fantasy Football league for 32 years which is older than 99% of the 100 million people who will play Fantasy Football this Fall!

Matthew Gibbs is the Adult Discipleship and Evangelism Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins and one of our Georgia Baptist Discipleship Consultants. He is one of the most high-capacity leaders in Georgia. Matthew has implemented and maintained a highly effective discipleship strategy at Second Baptist Church.

Fun Fact: Matthew is a professional level model airplane builder.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why it is important to surround yourself with people who “know” Learning Communities

• Recruiting volunteers is getting more difficult and learn keys to recruit effective volunteers that stay

• Giving lay leaders a vision worth giving their life to is critical

• Unmet expectations are one of the great barriers to retaining volunteers

• Sully shares a key leadership principle: it’s ok to fail but it is NOT ok to be mediocre

• Dr. Parr shares why church hopping is at an all-time high

• Matthew talks about keys to understanding a consumer mentality in church members and how to shift that mindset

• Consider an “exit interview” for church members who leave the church if you genuinely want to know why people leave

• Sully shares a Jesus style model that moves people away from consumerism and toward Christ-likeness from a book he recently read

• The SPARK Conference is HERE—August! 5 in person locations in Georgia and a nation-wide digital premiere on August 25. www.thesparkconference.com, register today for an in-person event and/or the digital premiere!!

• Training is biblical and necessary for growing churches: train in drips, schedule gatherings of leaders 3-4 times a year, train the trainable, and more

• We must move people from being recipients of the church’s mission to being responsible for the church’s mission

• Current trends or future trends that will greatly impact our Sunday School and Small Group ministries

A disciple-making culture has to have a Biblical understanding of Love at its foundation. This broadcast features two of the best speakers on this issue in the nation, Brandon Guindon and our own PJ Dunn. Brandon has led churches worldwide to become healthy and effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ. He was ordained at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, ID and planted Real Life Ministries Texas in 2016. He has authored and co-authored several publications on biblical discipleship, including Disciple-Making Culture, Stay the Course, and the Real Life Discipleship Training Manual.

In this broadcast, the team talks about:

• Scott shares at the end the most significant lesson he has ever learned as a disciple and dad

• We find out Brandon is an avid bowhunter and PJ played the sousaphone in High School!

• PJ starts the discussion by recapping Brandon's book, Disciple Making Culture

• Brandon shares why love is the core of all disciple-making efforts

• Look at why it is so hard to love God and love others

• How the GA Baptist Disciple team used Brandon's book as an equipping tool

• Scott's new Parti Yorkie shows him a core discipleship principle

• Unpack "A loving culture does not require us to solve everyone's problems."

• We listen to people with the intent to respond but we need to listen to understand them.

• 3 thoughts on "Strategy won't make a lasting impact if disciple-making is not who we are"

• Ask yourself the tricky question, "Am I living out the Great Commission?".

• "Creating a disciple-making culture requires careful pruning" How do pastors and disciple-makers do that?

• How can disciple-makers stay the course in disciple-making?

• Understand, "what is the win?" that helps you understand what you are pruning.

• PJ pointed out that we have to measure to scripture and not programs.

• Brandon and PJ advise leaders on where to start to make this shift to Great Commission disciples

Sunday School or Small Groups? In this broadcast, PJ discusses how to create and lead healthy communities of disciple-makers in our churches with Steve Gladen and Dr. Randy Stone. Regardless of your strategy to make disciples, they need to have a purpose! We will look at the top 3 recurring issues seen in creating and sustaining small groups in the local church as well.

Steve Gladen has served as the small group pastor at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees the strategic launch and spiritual development of over 7,000 adult small groups. Steve has authored several books, including "Small groups with purpose" and "Leading small groups with purpose. In addition to being an elder at Saddleback, he travels around the world consulting and encouraging leaders. You can connect with Steve by going to www.smallgroups.net.

Dr. Stone is a lifelong strategic discipleship guru skilled in church consulting, and team building and has a Ph.D. focused in Christian Education from NOBTS. He currently serves as a professor at NOBTS and leader of Strategic Church Solutions. He has served in churches from 100 to 5,000 in multicultural contexts, and you can connect with him further at www.strategicchurchsolutions.com.

In this episode, the panel talks about:

• What do you do in a small group, and how is it different than a Sunday School group?

• Randy talks about from the classroom what pastors and second chair leaders see as the weakest area of focus for small groups

• Steve unpacks how small groups worship together and how they need to be balanced in their experience

• How do we keep groups sustainable and focused regardless of church size?

• Steve gives to leaders looking to expand their small group's impact

• Randy discusses ways to assess the health of their small groups in their context

• Dive deeper into the tools used to evaluate group health

• The top 3 recurring issues seen in creating and sustaining small groups in the local church

• Are small groups an either/or or both/and solution for churches finding a way grow discipleship?