We are wrapping up another great season of Group Answers with Brian Daniel. If you haven't listened to the entire season, we encourage you to go back and check out the amazing guests we've had on the show! On today's show Brian and Haley discuss the attributes of compelling community with Jared Osselaer.

Jared is the Pastor of Story City Church in Burbank, California. He received the calling of ministry when he was eight years old and since then his ministry path has taken him to so many unexpected places. From time in the marines, to a church planter, police chaplain, and even the founding father of a motorcycle club, Jared's ministry over the years has been extremely diverse. Pastor Jared loves spending time with his wife of 28 years, Monique, and their two children.

 This conversation covers the concept of missional community and the importance of belonging before believing. They explore the book 'The Celtic Way of Evangelism' and its emphasis on accepting people into the community to work out their faith. You'll hear how we can navigate the challenges of a post-Christian worldview and the cultural dilemmas between different regions, and how christians everywhere can tear down walls and be bridge builders.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
-The Celtic Way
-Connect with Brian Daniel 

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Hy friends! Welcome to another great episode of Group Answers! Discipleship can play out in a variety of ways in depending on the context: big churches vs. small churches, or  rural areas vs. urban areas. On today's show Rebi Varghese, Community Groups Pastor at Church of the City in New York, shares his passion for discipleship and the challenges and opportunities of ministry in a city like Manhattan. He discusses the unique rhythms of New York City and the importance of community in the discipleship process. Rebi emphasizes the universal principles of disciple making, such as the need for relational equity and a hunger for God. He also highlights the importance of resourcing and caring for leaders, as well as the value of cohorts and mentoring in building sustainable ministries. Rebi's vision is to see discipleship impact the entire city of New York and beyond.

Rebi Varghese has served as the Community Groups Pastor at Church of the City (COTC) New York for almost 2 years. Born and raised in Michigan, God called Rebi and his wife Liz to to take a step of faith to move to New York and be a part of the work God is doing through COTC. Rebi served as an assistant pastor at Harvest Mission Community Church in Ann Arbor for 7 years prior to joining COTC. When not at work he enjoys spending time with Liz and their 7 month old son Caleb and following Detroit sports teams and the University of Michigan.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Rebi Varghese
Connect with Brian Daniel 

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Churches all over the world will be embarking on Vacation Bible School this summer! Besides it being a fun-filled week for kids, VBS has an amazing potential for discipling the next generation and reaching families. On today's show Melita Thomas shares with us the history of VBS, the "how", and the "why"!

Melita Thomas serves as Lifeway’s VBS and Kids Ministry Specialist. Melita holds a masters degree in Childhood Ministry from Dallas Baptist University. A passionate advocate for kids ministry in the local church, Melita enjoys teaching kindergartners and preteens at Nashville First Baptist Church. She also enjoys cheering on Nashville's hockey team and spending time with her two nephews.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
Lifeway VBS
Connect with Haley
Connect with Brian

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Jesus' parting words were to "go and make disciples," yet the Church tends to plan thier programming like those words were more of a suggestion than a commission. On today's show Brian Daniels, along with Haley Malone and Scott Sullivan, discuss what discipleship is and isn't and what Scott sees is and isn't working for churches.

Scott is married to the love of his life, Elizabeth. They have four children: Erika, Austin, Caleb, and Noah. He serves as the Discipleship Catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board representing 3400 churches and 1.4 million Georgia Baptists. Scott is an author, think leader, national discipleship consultant, personal disciple-maker, and speaker. He is passionate about Jesus, family, and the outdoors.

Scott shares with us negative and postive trends he's seeing in discipleship throughout the churches, and shares applicable practices to think through when implementing programs in ministry.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
-Connect with Brian Daniel
-Connect with Haley Malone
-Connect with Scott Sullivan

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Each episode we cover the different complexities, trends, methods and resources for  group life in churches all over the world. On today's show, Brian Daniel and Haley Malone discuss women's ministry with Kelly King. 

Kelly is the Women's Minister at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK. Recently, she served as the manager of Magazines/Devotional Publishing and Women’s Ministry Training for Lifeway Christian Resources. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide to Leading Women in the Local Church. She is a contributor to the Lifeway Women’s Bible, as well as several Lifeway Women Bible studies. In addition, she spent four years as a cohost of the MARKED podcast for Lifeway Women. She has a Master of Theology degree from Gateway Seminary as well as a Doctorate in Ministry degree.

Kelly shares with us why gender specific groups are important, what to look for in emerging leaders, and how to help guide women in their next best step! Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
Marked Podcast
Seamless by Angie Smith
From Beginning to Forever
When You Pray
Is God Calling Me
Ecclesiastes
Unreasonable Hospitality

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Welcome back to another great episode on Group Answers with Brian Daniels. Today Brian discusses how to manage group time with Haley Malone.

Haley Malone is the managing Director of Adult Groups at First Baptist Church of Orlando in Florida. She grew up in South Florida and attended Florida State University. After a few years in Tallahassee, Haley moved to Orlando and spent 5 years in the classroom and on the volleyball sidelines before stepping into full time student ministry. Most importantly,  Haley is a wife and mom of three and is daily trying to find balance between life, liturgy, and laundry!

Managing group time can take some strategy, but it doesn't have to be impossible. Haley and Brian discuss the benefits of preparing for the small group time, the importance of being aware of body language, and how to set up a warm and inviting environment.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

Show Links:
-Connect with Brian Daniel
-Connect with Haley Malone

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Welcome back to another episode of Group Answers with Brian Daniel. Today on the show we have Joel Polk and Aram Babasin to discuss how to overcome culture in order to disciple. 

Aram Babasin is the small groups pastor of Crossroads Community Church in the Portland Metro Area.  Aram has a history of working in a variety of church settings. He is skilled in teaching, public speaking, coaching, and music. Aram is a graduate of Western Seminary with a Master's Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. 

Aram does a great job in explaining to us the context of discipleship in the Portland Metro area, a predominately post-christian, or non-churched population. You'll hear the wise advice his boss gave him when he came into the role, the freedom they give their leaders to lead, and the opportunities Aram sees everyday to show people the love of Jesus! 

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:

The Nateland Podcast  

Film Spotting  

Political Gabfest  

The Emotionally Healthy Leadership Podcast  

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Welcome back to another episode of Group Answers with Brian Daniel. Today on the show we have Jana Magruder and Chuck Peters to talk about next generation ministry.

Jana Magruder serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway Kids. With a background in education, publishing, and ministry, she loves championing the local church to help families disciple kids of all ages. She is the author of Nothing Less: Engaging Kids in a Lifetime of Faith. Jana and her husband, Michael, are native Texans planted in Tennessee and love to explore both states with their three teenagers.

Chuck Peters is Director of Lifeway Kids. Before his role at Lifeway, Chuck had a prolific career in television and video production. He is a 3-time Emmy Award Winning producer, director, writer and on-screen talent. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck, and his wife, Cris, have served in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years.

For too long we've approached ministry with the same assumptions that we've had from our past. Chuck and Jana challenge us to learn the uniqueness of each generation and lean into adjusting our approaches to be most effective. Through fun, participation, and making kids feel like they belong, they share with us how they've created effective resources to equip leaders to reach the next generations with the truth of Christ.


SHOW LINKS:
Flip the Script
Free Flip the Script Download
Atonement for a Sinless Society
HYFI

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

Most Americans tend to open their garage, drive in, close the garage, and never see their neighbors. Does the "cocooning" nature of our society have an impact on biblical community? How can we care for those around us, our neighbors, coworkers, church members, etc. if we aren't being interntional in our interactions? On today's show Darryl Wilson shares practical aspects to caring for those in our groups and churches, different models and trends in discipleship around the world, and why he is more optimistic than ever before!

As a Belmont alumni, Darryl Wilson has served as a Sunday School and Discipleship Consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention since 1997. He has also served as Minister of Education in Kentucky and South Carolina. Darryl is married with two adult sons and multiple grandchildren.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

Show links:
-Caring: Caring for Members and Friends in Sunday School and Bible Study Groups

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

In a world where men are looking for self-improvement and coaching, is the church the place where they can find that? On today's show Brian and Joel discuss this topic with John Simons. 

John Simons was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Orange County, California. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at California Baptist University (CBU), M.A. Philosophy & M.Div from Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and is a PhD student in Ethics & Public Theology at Southern Seminary. He previously led in Small Group ministry and served as the Men’s Community Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. Currently, John and his family live in Franklin, TN, where he has the privilege of being the Men’s and Sports Pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church. He has been married six years to his wife, Kristen, who he shares two children with. 

John's heart is to help men grow in their relationship with God and be the leader their family and community needs them to be. Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
The Toxic War on Masculinity

CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.