Creating an Environment for Discipleship to Thrive and Multiply, with Bryan Sims (Ep 108)

Discipleship doesn't happen by mistake. There must be a plan with clearly-defined goals. But every church can do it well.

July 31, 2025

by Karl Vaters

Discipleship is a core element of a healthy, thriving church. But few churches do it as well as we’d like to.

In this interview with Bryan Sims we talk about creating an environment for discipleship to thrive, from his book, Creating Space: Cultivating Environments for Disciples of Jesus to Thrive and Multiply (co-written with Craig Robertson).

In the first half of the book, and of our conversation, we talk about the importance of creating PSDs (Passionate Spiritual Disciples) and how the church needs to get better at creating space for it to happen among our church members.

Then in the second half, we get practical, talking about four tools to help this happen in your church. Plus, Bryan addresses the five characteristics of healthy disciple-making environments, and more.

Bonus Content

The 4 Stages of Disciple-making Environments, with Bryan Sims

Check out my subscribers-only interview with Bryan Sims about the 4 different types of environments that are needed for varying stages of spiritual growth. From his book, Creating Space: Cultivating Environments for Disciples of Jesus to Thrive and Multiply (co-written with Craig Robertson).

Stage 1: Engage and Befriend
Stage 2: Relate and Connect
Stage 3: Equip and Grow
Stage 4: Become and Send

All Bonus Content is available on our YouTube channel for financial partners and newsletter subscribers. Click either button to get started.

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Credits

Producer: Veronica Beaver

Editor: Phil Vaters

Music: Composed and performed by Jack Wilkins

Logo: by Solomon Joy

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Author

Karl Vaters

Karl Vaters produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com.

He's the author of five books on church leadership, including his newest, De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next. His other books include The Grasshopper Myth and Small Church Essentials.

Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry, featuring in-depth interviews about topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context. He has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience.

You can follow Karl on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn, or Contact Karl to inquire about speaking, writing, and consultation.

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