GA Baptist Discipleship

GA Baptist Discipleship

By Georgia Baptist Mission BoardReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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GA Baptist Discipleship episodes

  • How to Lead When You're Not in Charge - Clay Scroggins
    Scott and PJ talk with Dr. Clay Scroggins about leveraging influence in your current role to see change and even how to do it when you have a challenging situation. This transparent conversation with Clay Scroggins is a must for second-chair leaders and pastors alike!
    Clay Scroggins graduated as an industrial engineer from GA Tech and has spent the last 20 years in the local church and can play Babylon by David Gray on guitar. His doctoral work was on "creating online environments for personal growth," and he speaks, writes, and creates resources full-time for emerging leaders.
    In this broadcast:
    • 1/3 of workers feel "engaged and inspired" by their leaders
    • 3 out of 4 pastors since 2020 report severe levels of stress
    • 40% have an intense conflict with a church member at least once a month
    • Scott talks with Clay about how do leaders lead when they don't have authority
    • Do you have to be the boss in order to lead?
    • Scott discusses there's something deeper and more profound than just being the leader
    • When do we challenge authority and still maintain relationships?
    • If you're not challenging, you're not leading whether you're in charge or not
    • How Shane, an operator of a Chick-fil-A in Athens starting to make milkshakes. He challenged his bosses and was strategic on how he promoted it.
    • Clay reminds us you can always lead yourself and have the ability to govern yourself
    • We have to choose positivity, the attitude you bring is more important than your ideas, education, etc.
    • Think critically but have to be careful to not be critical
    • Reject passivity to be in charge
    • Clay shares one of the reasons he chose to resign
    • Unpack "Great leaders lead like they are not in charge even though they are in charge" for our Bivocational and pastors engaged with our broadcast today.
    • You need to learn how to lead through influence, relationships, etc.
    • PJ shares about how the phrase "because I said so" in a staff meeting didn't work out so well
    • Clay: everyone wants respect- a better strategy of wanting respect is to be a respectable person
    • One of his great failures is thinking he understands the whole situation. "Maybe someone just stepped in some poop!"
    • Clay talks about his new book and how we need to develop into the kind of leaders that the future is demanding
    55 min
  • Called to Ministry & Keys to Finish Well - Bryant Wright & Chris Trent
    Dr. Wright is an author, national speaker and one of the most respected leaders in Southern Baptist life. He served as senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia for 38 years. He served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from June 2010 to June 2012. Bryant founded Right From the Heart Ministries, radio program reaching thousands of people world-wide. And currently serves as President of Send Relief for IMB.
    Chris Trent, served as student pastor in churches in Texas and Georgia, most recently as student pastor at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for the past 14 years. Chris is an author, Consider This: A Youth Minister’s Guide to Longevity. Chris is the NEXT GEN Catalyst on our Church Strengthening team, an illusionist and master of all things Disney.
    Bryant shares
    • the keys to success over his four decades of ministry and rhythms that can help all leaders
    • wisdom from his new book Succession for all leaders looking to retire or leave a ministry well
    • the importance of a sabbath and guidance on asking your church for a sabbatical
    • gives specific details on guardrails he had/has in his life to help him stay morally faithful
    • why it is imperative for a pastor to build relationships with unbelievers in the community
    • why we are not seeing more young people surrender to ministry and what leaders can do
    Chris shares
    • keys to success from the second chair leader
    • there was never any confusion about what mattered most at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
    • mission clarity precedes mission success
    • new initiative “called to ministry” initiative at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in the Next Gen ministry to raise awareness and call out the called
    • what he hopes to know for when his ministry is completed
    Scott shares
    • people don’t walk in straight lines unless they are focused on a target. If a person is dropped off in the desert and they have to walk their way out, they will almost certainly walk in circles (leg length discrepancy).
    • people remember a little of what you say and a lot of how you make them feel
    • challenges leaders to consider: when the tide rises, all the boats in the bay rise with it, so lead well and don’t give up
    53 min
  • SS University - Tim Smith & Josh Hunt
    In this episode, Dr. Hunt, Dr. Smith, and Dr. Sullivan discuss:
    • Trends in local church life post covid.
    • A key question to gauge the current health of your church is, "What percentage of your groups ministry is attending?".
    • Two big changes in groups ministry that every church should consider.
    • The importance of habit and how long it takes to develop an impactful rhythm.
    • The future of Sunday School in America.
    • What is broken about Sunday School and was it always like that?
    • Incredible key components of a successful growing groups ministry.
    • What are the biggest challenges facing church staff that have the responsibility of leading Groups Ministry?
    • Recruiting volunteers, training leaders, and starting new groups.
    • Josh & Tim talk about Sunday School University as a resource.
    • Scott shares what it means to be a 2nd & 3rd Mile Christian.
    50 min
  • Health in Disciple-Making: Marcus Glass & Judi Jackson
    PJ was waiting at the end of the water ride for his friends he had invited that day to join them. He was unable to ride it due to weight restrictions. Suddenly he realized that food had made a wedge between him and disciple-making. The time waiting for the ride is where disciple-making happens, and he was sidelined. More on PJ's story here --> https://gabaptist.org/food-physical-wellness/
    PJ talks about health in disciple-making with Dr. Judi Jackson and Dr. Marcus Glass on this broadcast. Dr. Judi Jackson has been connected with NOBTS for over three decades. She has a Ph.D. in Christian Education and has taught as an adjunct professor since 1995. One of her primary classes on the main campus was "Total Wellness and The Minister." Moving with her husband Allen to Atlanta six years ago, Georgia, Dr. Jackson currently serves at the NOBTS extension center in Atlanta as Student Services Director. Dr. Marcus Glass earned a doctorate from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and is an adjunct professor with Beulah Heights University at their extension center in Albany, GA. He is the lead pastor at New Seasons Baptist Church in Albany, GA.
    This is a sensitive issue and hard to discuss. Here are some areas the team discusses today:
    • PJ shares data on the physical health of disciple-makers in the church
    o Nearly half of pastors feel they don't get enough sleep
    o 4 out of 10 have high blood pressure
    o 1 out of 10 have had a cardiac event
    o 31% have high cholesterol
    • Dr. Judi talks about how we define "health"
    o Physical, Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Social, Environmental
    • Dr. Glass is a workout machine! But that doesn't mean a Bivocational pastor, full-time with the fire department, and full-time husband and father comes naturally or easily!
    • PJ shares his journey of weight loss and not using food as a counselor
    • How can our overall health affect our ability to make disciples?
    • For many in the past years, mental health has been challenging; where do disciple-makers go to find help?
    • Where does a person start that is looking to improve their health?
    39 min
  • Can Discipleship and Evangelism Coexist? Jordan & Ernest Easley
    In this episode:
    Dr. Ernest Easley earned a bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University, master’s from SWBTS, and doctoral degree from Luther Rice. Ernest served over 31 years as senior pastor and his impact among Southern Baptists is immeasurable. His voice of reason and wisdom brought confidence and peace helping to make decisions that strengthened the Southern Baptist Convention. Ernest was the first professor of Evangelism in school history at Union University in Jackson, TN and is now the teaching pastor at FBC Cleveland where his son Jordan pastors.
    Jordan Easley is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Cleveland, TN after serving with some of the country’s most influential ministries including Long Hollow Baptist Church (David Landrith), Second Baptist Houston (Ed Young), First Baptist Atlanta (Charles Stanley) and Prestonwood Baptist Church (Jack Graham). He earned his bachelor’s degree at Dallas Baptist University and is concluding his master’s degree at Union University. He is an author, national speaker, and most recently he co-authored Resuscitating Evangelism with Earnest Easley.
    Ernest shares:
    • what it is like now serving alongside his son and pastor, Jordan
    • on the national level there is a great concern about the decline of evangelism across the SBC (40+ years)
    • when the decline of evangelism and baptism began
    • the destructive temptation of tying your identity as a leader to what you do rather than who you are in Christ
    • talks about the critical role of the Holy Spirit in making disciples through the local church
    • fleshes out the principle of Strategy + Synergy + Systematic=Success
    • speaks a word to bi-vocational pastors
    Jordan shares:
    • talks about sharing the gospel with OJ Simpson in an airport
    • about the importance of having wisdom around you when making decisions
    • Talks about their new book Resuscitating Evangelism and how evangelism and discipleship are necessary
    • explains the concept of giving “an anemic gospel presentation” from the book
    • talks about the need for leaders being able to close the sermon
    • unpacks the discipleship strategy at First Cleveland
    Scott shares:
    • how FBC Haughton added 1800 members in 10 years and why they failed to grow in years 6-10.
    • that the older he gets the better he was
    • that unhealthy churches with a lack of disciple making presence is the unpaid bill of the 20th century
    • how healthy churches multiply disciples, groups, and churches
    49 min
  • Ride the Waves - Levi Skipper
    In this episode:
    Dr. Levi Skipper is the Church Strengthening Strategist here at GBMB. He earned a Doctorate degree at Luther Rice, a master's from NOBTS, and Shorter University in GA. Levi served as pastor for over two decades in several churches, most recently at Concord Baptist in NE, GA. He saw baptisms grow 122% and SS grew 115% during his tenure.
    He is the author of "Resolved" and "Spiritual Avalanche" as well as "Marriage in the Red." Levi is a national speaker and a "has been athlete," not to mention having the best hair at GBMB! Dr. Skipper spent two years between his 1st and 2nd pastorate in Africa, establishing pastor training schools where he trained over 300 leaders in Southern Ethiopia.
    In this episode, you'll find:
    • One of the most significant challenges for local church pastors and keys to solve it
    • Why equipping must accompany the announcement of needs to a congregation
    • Levi identifies three naturally occurring attendance bumps that he calls "waves."
    • Scott and Levi talk about the necessity of long-range planning and goal-setting for pastors/leaders
    • Levi has a particular word of encouragement for bi-vocational and multi-vocational leaders
    • Dr. Skipper shares a new resource called "Ride the Waves" and helps leaders understand how to use the resource to maximize impact during these waves.
    • https://www.ridethewaves.church/start
    • Levi explains how the Ride the Waves resource can help churches go "next level."
    • Scott shares that God is NOT opposed to effort, but He is opposed to earning. He then gives three concepts to help leaders grow as a disciple leader.
    28 min
  • Getting to Know Bill Hull and the Discipleship Gospel We Teach

    The Master Plan of Evangelism: Robert Coleman

    • https://smile.amazon.com/Master-Plan-Evangelism-Robert-Coleman/dp/0800788087/ref=sr_1_1?crid=367ZA0RTPJPC1&keywords=master+plan+of+evangelism&qid=1647530179&sprefix=master+plan%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1


    The Spirit of the Disciplines: Dallas Willard

    • https://smile.amazon.com/Spirit-Disciplines-Understanding-Changes-Lives/dp/0060694424/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1PCI8Y3BVCC3J&keywords=dallas+willard&qid=1647530229&sprefix=dallas+willard%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-4


    Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Discipleship

    • https://smile.amazon.com/Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Cost-Discipleship-Paperback/dp/B01FOD778U/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+cost+of+discipleship+by+dietrich+bonhoeffer&qid=1647530275&sprefix=the+cost+of+di%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-2


    Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

    • https://smile.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy/dp/1400224640/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1647530347&sr=8-4

    The Discipleship Gospel: Bill Hull

    • https://smile.amazon.com/Discipleship-Gospel-Jesus-Preached-We-Follow/dp/0998922609/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32YIIFBZH9OA2&keywords=the+discipleship+gospel&qid=1647530548&sprefix=the+discipleship+%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1

    Conversion and Discipleship: Bill Hull

    • https://smile.amazon.com/Conversion-Discipleship-Cant-without-Other/dp/0310520096/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=conversion+and+discipleship+by+bill+hull&qid=1647530723&sprefix=converson+and%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1

    No Longer A Bystander: 

    • https://smile.amazon.com/No-Longer-Bystander-Radical-Christianity/dp/1956723005/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=no+longer+a+bystander+bill+hull&qid=1647530821&sprefix=no+longer+a+by%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1


    58 min
  • Marketplace Ministry - Jim Allen & Jay McSwain

    In this episode:
    JIM ALLEN is the Senior Vice President for the World Champion Atlanta Braves!! He has served in the Braves organization over 31 years. Jim has completed an ironman, six marathons, and in addition to all his executive duties with the Braves organization, he serves as an elder at Perimeter Church. 

    JAY MCSWAIN, is the President and Founder of PLACE Ministries. He is an author and national speaker. Jay has served in churches with membership of 10 to over 9,000 and is known widely as an expert in local church assimilation. Jay currently serves as Pastor of Discipleship at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, GA. He played on the 1980 UGA national championship football team and currently serves the Braves organization as chaplain for the World Champion Atlanta Braves.

    Jim shares behind the scenes experience of winning the World Series in 1995 and 2021 and essentials for building a correct culture to achieve and sustain success.

    Scott relays that unhealthy churches with a lack of disciple making presence are the unpaid bill of the 20th century.

    Jay talks about leaving a family business that was one of the largest and most lucrative construction companies in the nation to pursue ministry. 

    Scott shares about his dad starting a business in the oil and gas industry, nearly going bankrupt, then growing it to 27+ employees before selling in 2019 and the effect it had on him as a disciple of Jesus. 

    Jim and Jay share how they integrate Faith and the Gospel in a secular marketplace that is rarely friendly to a Christian’s world view.

    Jay talks about how God used a family tragedy to strengthen his faith and give him a marketplace ministry mindset.

    Jim talks about being part of a men’s group at Perimeter Church and how he personally is investing in others in the Braves organization.

    Jay talks about leading a former Braves pitcher to Christ and a year later that player died.

    Jim shares keys to keeping Jesus first from watch professional players manage family, faith, and professional life.

    Scott shares the difference between influence and impact. “Influence is my capacity to affect others and impact is the fruit of my influence.”

    Jay gives guidance for pastors who want increase gospel impact through the marketplace ministry.

    Scott shares that “the greatest gospel force on the planet is not the preacher in the pulpit, it’s the lay person in the pew who is equipped to serve.”

    45 min
  • 4 Chair Discipling - Dann Spader
    In this episode
    Interview with Dr. Dann Spader, founder of Sonlife Ministries and currently serves as President of Global Youth Initiative, an alliance of organizations in 95 countries committed to “equipping young leaders for movements of multiplication.” He’s trained 750,000+ people in 90+ countries to make disciples through organizations he has led. He is national speaker and author of 4 Chair Discipling, Walk Like Jesus, Live Like Jesus and co-author of Growing a Healthy Church and The Everyday Commission, among other titles.
    • Find out why Dann spells his name with two n’s “nn” and what it’s like growing up with 15 siblings!
    • Dr. Spader talks key elements of a healthy church and why many churches fail; trying to put new wine in an old wineskin
    • Dann talks about the importance of changing values before you change structure
    • Spader shares the need for a movement not more programs and the critical difference
    • He gives an overview of the 4 Chairs of Discipling
    o Come and see (the lost-John 1:39)
    o Come follow me (the believer-John 1:43)
    o Become fishers of men (the worker-Matthew 4:19)
    o Go and bear fruit (disciplemaker-John 15:16)
    • One must fall in love with real Jesus not a version of Jesus based on what you get from Him
    • There is a “Yes” to be put on the table at every level of a believer’s walk with Christ
    • Scott talks about moving people from being the recipient of the church’s mission to being responsible for the mission
    • Dann dives deeper into John 15 and the blessing of being pruned. Ouch!
    • Scott and Dann talk about key differences between discipleship in America with limited results and disciplemaking movements happening across the globe
    44 min
  • Why Your Emotional Health Matters - Drew Hyun
    We are excited to share with you a discussion with Drew Hyun, Church Planter and Pastor of Hope Church Midtown, as well as the founding pastor of Hope Church NYC, a family of diverse churches in New York City, and co-founder of the New City Network, a network of urban churches. Drew has spoken extensively on the emotional health of the disciple maker. While serving at New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, NY, Drew was mentored by Pete Scazzero, pastor and author of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship: Moving from Shallow Christianity to Deep Transformation.
    Hear Drew and Ray discuss…
    • What is emotionally healthy discipleship?
    • What does it mean to follow Jesus well?
    • What’s wrong with Western Christianity’s measure of success? How should a healthy disciple-maker measure success?
    • How does our history and family of origin affect our emotional health? What does Drew mean by “Jesus may be in your heart, but Grandpa is still in your bones.”
    • What are some practical steps for pastors and leaders to be (and remain) an emotionally healthy disciple?
    50 min

About GA Baptist Discipleship

From the publisher's feed

This podcast exists to strengthen churches by resourcing, inspiring, and creating disciple-makers! Discipleship is a life-long process by which a follower of Jesus Christ grows toward Christ-likeness…

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