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Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy
Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy
Author: Ken Braddy
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Welcome to the Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy podcast, a conversation with church leaders that focuses on important issues in disciple-making through ongoing Bible study groups. Your host, Ken Braddy, is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, a group leader, author, blogger, and has been a discipleship pastor and 30-year champion of disciple-making through groups in the local church.
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In this episode of the Disciple Making In Community podcast, host Ken Braddy and guest Dr. Todd Tanner discuss the dynamics of normative-sized churches, particularly focusing on the influence of matriarchs and patriarchs. They explore the challenges faced by interim pastors, the importance of discernment in leadership, and strategies for building trust with new leaders. The conversation emphasizes the need for integrity and wisdom in navigating church politics and the significance of fosteri...
In this episode of the Disciple Making In Community podcast, Ken Braddy speaks with Dr. Whit Chapman about the exciting changes at Covenant Baptist Church, including a church name change and a focus on community engagement. They discuss the importance of recognizing and addressing volunteer burnout, creating a sustainable volunteer culture, and the significance of affirming and appreciating volunteers. Whit shares insights on developing new leaders through apprenticeship and fostering inter...
In this episode of the Disciple Making In Community podcast, host Ken Braddy and guest Dr. Ron Brown discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by normative sized churches, particularly in the context of revitalization. Dr. Brown shares his personal journey leading Grace Springs Community Church through significant changes, including a name change, relocation, and a shift in leadership structure. The conversation emphasizes the importance of prayer, honest communication, and the need for ...
The Heart of a Pastor blog Together Study from Ben Mandrell Episode Description In this episode of the Disciple Making in Community podcast, host Ken Braddy sits down with Pastor Steven Ammons to talk about the unique strengths of the normative church—congregations of 50 to 150 members. Together they explore how strong theological teaching, a warm and welcoming environment for families, and authentic church leadership can help smaller churches thrive. The conversation dives into the value of ...
Episode Summary In this episode, Ken Braddy and Mike Taylor discuss the strengths and advantages of normative sized churches, which typically have congregations of 50 to 150 members. They explore relational advantages, decision-making processes, agility in ministry, and effective discipleship practices within these churches. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, flexibility, and the unique dynamics that smaller churches offer, while also providing encouragement for pastors ...
Free Group Essentials Conference Episode Summary In this episode of the Disciple Making in Community podcast, host Ken Braddy chats with Dr. Scott McConnell to explore the unique dynamics of the normative church—those with 50 to 150 in attendance. Drawing on recent Lifeway Research, they share valuable pastor insights on how church size influences discipleship, church leadership, and overall church effectiveness. Listeners will discover practical strategies for strengthening small groups, fos...
Have you ever felt the tension between wanting to start a new small group at your church but not knowing where to begin? Maybe you’ve wrestled with how to find the right leaders, create a welcoming environment, or ensure your group is more than just another meeting on the calendar. In this episode of Disciple-making in Community, Ken Braddy and Keith Lowry dive into these very challenges, offering practical wisdom and biblical insight to help small group leaders foster true discipleship withi...
Welcome back to another season of Disciple-Making Community with Ken Braddy! We believe that the best discipleship happens in small groups and each season we tackle a different topic, from different perspectives. This Season we'll focus on training group leaders, and on today's show, Ken discusses with two friends the importance of training group leaders. Bradley Linkins is the Assistant Director and Discipleshop Strategist for the Nevada Baptist Convention. Bradley has his MDIV from Northw...
Starting new groups in Kids Ministry has always been tough, but since COVID-19 churches across America have struggled more than ever to recruit and retain small group leaders in Kids Ministry. As leaders we know how important it is to the safety and discipleship of kids to have the right volunteers. On today’s episode I sit down with three Kids Ministry experts as we discuss the challenges around recruiting volunteers, starting new groups, and how churches can practically support the Kids Min...
From Moses to Jesus we see life happening in small groups all throughout the pages of scripture. Starting new groups are crucial and beneficial to the overall health and growth of the church. On today’s episode I discuss with Dr. Dwayne Parker and Daniel Edmonds 6 major benefits to starting new groups. After years of experience on the pastoral level at youth, education, and missions, Dr. Dwayne Parker now serves as the director of the Discipleship/Sunday School Department at the Mississippi ...
One of the most strategic things a leader can do is to invest in future leaders. Whether your church’s primary discipleship model is Sunday Schools or small groups, raising up apprentices can be a determining factor in a church’s ability to multiply additional classes or groups. I’m joined today by two men who have served “in the trenches” of discipleship and leadership development. Dr. Todd Tanner is a graduate of Texas A&M University. He has a Masters in Christian Education from Southw...
As critical as starting new groups is to a church’s discipleship mission, pastors across the country still find groups and leaders resisting multiplying and starting new groups. On today’s show Dr. PJ Dunn and Ray Sullivan join me in a conversation about the complexities of this issue. With over 15 years of local church service, PJ now Dr. PJ Dunn serves as a Discipleship Consultant in North Georgia with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, helping churches make disciples and reach their...
While starting new groups can be an exciting time in a church, it can also prove to be a huge task! Arthur Flake’s five step process, KEEP, is critical in starting the right groups for the right people. In today’s episode Phil Todd and Dr. Doug Matlock join me to discuss the 5 step process in effectively starting new groups: Know your people Enlarge the organization Enlist and train the workers Provide space and resources Go after the people P...
There are at least five times in a given year when churches are best positioned to launch new small groups. While some of these are related to calendar rhythms, others include capitalizing on opportunities that exist within a church’s unique framework. In today’s podcast I sit down with two individuals with experience “in the trenches” of launching and leading healthy small groups. Bobby Howard is the Director of South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Generations Group and Adult Dis...
Studies show that new groups are the lifeblood of any church’s group ministry, yet too often churches aren’t starting new groups on a regular basis. On today’s episode I sit down with two brilliant discipleship strategists, Sean Keith and Dr. Scott Sullivan. Sean Keith is the Sunday School/Discipleship Strategist for Louisiana Baptist. He has been in ministry for almost 40 years and served in denominational roles in the local church in Youth Ministry, Education and Outreach Ministry, and as ...
Welcome to the Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy podcast, an ongoing conversation with church leaders that focuses on important issues in disciple-making through ongoing Bible study groups. Your host, Ken Braddy is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, a group leader, author, blogger, and has been a discipleship pastor and 30-year champion of disciple-making through ongoing groups in the local church. Today Ken welcomes Alan Raughton and Jon Huff to discuss best practices for ...
Welcome to the Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy podcast, an ongoing conversation with church leaders that focuses on important issues in disciple-making through ongoing Bible study groups. Your host, Ken Braddy is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, a group leader, author, blogger, and has been a discipleship pastor and 30-year champion of disciple-making through ongoing groups in the local church. Today Ken welcomes Bruce Raley and Peter Burmeister to offer 13 places we ca...
Welcome to the Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy podcast, an ongoing conversation with church leaders that focuses on important issues in disciple-making through ongoing Bible study groups. Your host, Ken Braddy is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, a group leader, author, blogger, and has been a discipleship pastor and 30-year champion of disciple-making through ongoing groups in the local church. Today Ken welcomes Allan Taylor and Chris Surratt to brainstorm ways to help...
Welcome to the Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy podcast, an ongoing conversation with church leaders that focuses on important issues in disciple-making through ongoing Bible study groups. Your host, Ken Braddy is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, a group leader, author, blogger, and has been a discipleship pastor and 30-year champion of disciple-making through ongoing groups in the local church. Today Ken welcomes Brian Gass, Ron Brown, Chris Johnson, and Tod Tanner to d...
Welcome to the Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy podcast, an ongoing conversation with church leaders that focuses on important issues in disciple-making through ongoing Bible study groups. Your host, Ken Braddy is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, a group leader, author, blogger, and has been a discipleship pastor and 30-year champion of disciple-making through ongoing groups in the local church. Today Ken welcomes Carrie Burrows, Jay Gordon, and Joseph Brasher to discuss...



