In this episode, Jeff Vanderstelt and John Mark Comer discuss what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. True discipleship of Jesus is a relational process of deep, loving attachment with God and others. People can tend to emphasize one aspect of being a disciple, whether that is correct theology, spiritual practices, small groups, or church attendance, but at its most basic level, it's about being formed through deep relational connection with God and healthy, meaningful, vulnerable relationships.

In this episode, Jeff Vanderstelt and Hugh Halter discuss Brave Cities, a way of being the Church in a small, covenant community of friends who live in close proximity, who build works of justice, and whose businesses bless the city they are in. The conversation centers around what it means to build a kingdom ecosystem rather than Sunday-centric, formulaic versions of church. They emphasize the importance of understanding the context, cultivating relationships, and organically developing structures over time. 

In this episode, Daniel Yang and Jeff Vanderstelt discuss the need for the Church to make shifts in light of changing demographics and the unique needs of younger generations. Daniel believes that the traditional approach to church planting, while effective in the past, may no longer be sufficient to reach the next generation. They talk about the importance of embracing new models and perspectives, with emphasis on attachment and connection. Daniel Yang's new book, Becoming a Future-Ready Church, can serve as a guide for leaders seeking to equip and empower the next generation with wisdom and hope.

In this episode, Jeff Vanderstelt talks with Sharon Hamill about the story of Pray Seattle, a movement that seeks to transform the heart of the city through prayer. Sharon describes how they've seen God leading and going before them, uniting the Church in the city through times of prayer, and moving in beautiful and unexpected ways.

In this episode, Jeff Vanderstelt and Nic Harding, Director of Kairos Connexion City Reaching, a network in the UK, discuss the importance of unified gospel city movements and explore how churches can work together to reach every person in their communities with the gospel. Nic also shares his personal experience establishing a church in Liverpool, where he saw the vital role of missional communities in fostering community and living on mission. Ultimately, Nic encourages us to believe in the possibility of completing the Great Commission through intentional collaboration and shared vision, highlighting the importance of humility, honesty, and a shared passion for the gospel. 

What does it look like to create simple, Kingdom expressions of Jesus that form into disciple-making microchurches? How do we lead people to be on mission in their unique context? How can you create space at your table for people to meet Jesus in community? Steven Barr was led by Jesus to help Disney cast members around the globe develop Kingdom expressions where people get to meet Jesus in the context of their everyday life. In this episode, join Jeff Vanderstelt and Steven Barr down imagination lane. What might Jesus be calling you to discover right where you live, work, learn, or play? 

Paul instructed Timothy to keep a close watch on his life and doctrine so that he would save both he and his hearers. Today we are seeing both a growing awareness and openness from leaders to care for their own soul. In this episode, Jason Kovacs, Executive Director and Counselor with the Gospel Care Collective, shares with Jeff Vanderstelt some very helpful and practical processes. He uses these to engage with leaders and churches to help them both care for their own soul and create cultures of care in the church, centered on Jesus.

Has the mission of Jesus ever felt more like striving and less like thriving? The culture we create is connected to the kinds of leaders we are. If we are not emotionally and relationally healthy, we will make disciples who are emotionally and relationally unhealthy as well. In this last episode of the 180 Series, Jeff Vanderstelt shares some of his own personal journey toward emotional and relational health with the hope that you will take your journey seriously as well.

Have you ever found yourself getting worn out and weary trying to live out the mission of Jesus? Continuing with our 180 Series, one of the shifts we need to make back to disciple-making is from striving to thriving. In this episode, Jeff Vanderstelt considers how this involves moving from flesh to Spirit, from working with only our power and skills to living from the power of the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

Disciples become like those they are following. As we make disciples of Jesus, the ones we lead can take on our character and practices, which is a key reason why a leader's journey toward spiritual and emotional health matters. In this episode, David Achata shares with Jeff Vanderstelt his journey of heart transformation and its significant impact on the key relationships around him. Listen to this episode and consider your journey: are you taking steps for your own spiritual and emotional health?

In order to return to disciple-making, we must make a shift from merely attending events and programs, to attaching to God, self, and others through our disciple-making spaces. This requires mindfully engaging in spiritual practices with the goal of lovingly attaching. During this episode, Jeff Vanderstelt describes practical ways to engage several spiritual practices that invite attachment.