SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Rick speak with Kirby Holmes, the pastor for small groups at Gateway Church in Austin, Texas. Kirby discusses Gateway’s model for a Sunday worship environment that welcomes those who may live on the fringes of society and feel far from Christ. Kirby discusses issues related to sexual identity and involvement in the church and argues that following Jesus’ model means inviting everyone to belong to our worship community.

In addition, Rick shares insight from Bill Donahue in a blog post entitled Small Group Shut Down as well as Rick’s List for 9 Things to Remember When Discipling Men.

The Groups Matter Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study expert from the Lifeway Groups Ministry Team, and Rick Howerton, the discipleship and small group specialist at Lifeway and author of GUEST: Kirby Holmes lives in the progressive and post-modern city of Austin, Texas. He is currently a Small Groups Pastor at the main campus of Gateway Church. As a ‘No Perfect People Allowed’ church that is effectively reaching people at the crowd’s edge, Kirby often navigates cultural hot topics in his group’s ministry. He is the central Texas huddle leader for the Small Groups Network. Kirby is currently working on his Master of Arts in Global Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. You can follow him on Twitter: @KirbyHolmes.

EPISODE SPONSOR: This week’s episode is sponsored by the Hebrews Initiative, a 12-week campaign in which a coalition of thousands of churches will study the Book of Hebrews simultaneously in churches and small groups. In a post-Christian era, the initiative aims to create a culture of people who believe in superiority of Christ, live in faith for Christ, and are willing to suffer for the cause of Christ, in order to change the world on behalf of Christ. Get more information and register your church at HebrewsInitiative.com.

RESOURCES: If you have a question you’d like discussed on our Groups Matter Podcast, please tweet your question to @BcDaniel or @RickHowerton.