S6E6: From Assimilation to Disciple Multiplication — Part 2 | Equipping People to Develop Others

Are you developing disciples—or simply filling volunteer roles? When someone is ready to grow, the next step can be more than another assignment. It can be an opportunity to practice their calling and help someone else follow Jesus. In this episode of the Disciples Made podcast, Jason Phelps and Brian Phipps explore how church leaders can build that development into the pathways and ministries they already have. You’ll hear how Ephesians 4 shapes the role of leaders, why obedience helps people develop competence, and how Explore, Develop, Influence works alongside worship, connection, and serving. The conversation also examines the shift from managing volunteer positions to stewarding people—even when someone’s calling takes them beyond their current role. In this episode: Equip people for ministry and help them take initiative. Create supported opportunities to practice and learn. Look beyond attendance and serving to growth in character and calling. Choose one gap in your church’s pathway to address. Take the Disciple Multiplication Capacity Assessment: https://www.disciplesmade.com/assessm... Try this with your team: Draw your current pathway from someone’s first contact with your church to its endpoint. Ask what development happens next, then choose one gap to address through an existing ministry or relationship. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:42 What leaders communicate about ministry 01:43 Equipping God’s people: Ephesians 4 03:13 How Jesus developed disciples 04:14 Obedience and competence 07:52 Dependence, maturity, and initiative 12:14 Explore, Develop, Influence 17:04 From managing roles to stewarding people 20:14 Putting an intentional pathway into practice 23:30 Choose one gap and take the assessment 24:16 Equip and release Join the conversation: Where does your church’s pathway end—and what happens next?