Advertise on podcast: Essentials Podcast

It’s been six years that our district team has been walking out this conversation of the Essentials. (Almost five since we released the first episode!) Along the way, Jesus has been teaching us about himself and shaping us as we have sought to lead our district well. In this closing episode of the Essentials Podcast, we revisit some of the big moments along the way and how this journey of transformation to multiplication in the Gospel has shaped us.

Together, we explore why the metrics we celebrate shape everything about our churches - and introduce the DMC Dashboard that's helping our Eastern PA Alliance churches think about the effectiveness of their disciple-making efforts. Special guest Shawn Coleman shares his honest journey from initial hesitance to breakthrough transformation, revealing how asking the right questions with the right people created "footsteps" for discipleship that his congregation could actually follow. Learn why measuring what matters most isn't just about numbers - it's about creating a culture where the gospel goes so deep it naturally multiplies through authentic relationships. This bonus episode will challenge you to examine what your church truly celebrates around disciple-making.

To effectively make disciples, our communities must be led by healthy and courageous leaders. This is an essential part of the community to navigate the challenges of change. In our time together, we talk about what courageous leadership is and how we can grow in courage together as leaders in our churches. In this conversation, we are joined by Adam Eshbaugh, the Lead Pastor of Hope Alliance Church in Bethlehem, PA.

To effectively make disciples, we must equip them to join Jesus in his mission. This isn't an optional part of being a disciple; it's an essential part. Together we discuss on being on mission with Jesus is important for the formation of mature disciples and talk about how are disciple-making communities can help equip people to have natural, spiritual conversations. In this conversations, we are joined by Ashley and Heather Holloman, who are a part of our State College Alliance Church. Ashley serves with Global Service Associates and Heather is a associate teaching professor at Penn State University.

Since transformation happens primarily in disciple-making communities, it is important for us to recognize the role that the community itself plays in shaping our people. Together we look at the elements of community that are needed for our development and growth in Christ and how church leaders are called to be cultivators of that community. In this conversations, we are joined by Shawn Andrews, Co-Lead Pastor from Daybreak Church in Mechanicsburg.

Transformation happens primarily in disciple-making communities. If this is essential in our churches, then we will need to bring definition to what it means to make a disciple. David, Nate, and Alan discuss what they think are the core elements of definition of a disciple and how it impacts the ministries of our church. As a part of this conversation we talk with Brian Kannel, Lead Pastor at York Alliance Church in York, PA.

Building of the previous episode where we discussed how the Gospel transformed us, we pick up with the idea that the other side of that transformation is that it leads to multiplication in our lives. In this way, as the Gospel works in us in naturally changes us to be people that are focused on making disciples of Jesus. As a part of this conversation we talk with Steve Wiggins, Lead Pastor at Immanuel Church in Mechanicsburg, PA.

In our first full-length episode of the season, we revisit the idea that our aim is transformation by unpacking how the Gospel transforms us and what it looks like to live that out in our lives and our churches.

As we kick off our second season, we breakdown why we decided to revisit the essentials by discussing what we have observed and learned since walking through COVID with our churches. From that we find that when something it truly essential, it stays essential.

If whole heart transformation is the essential end and a Gospel-saturated community is the essential means, then what are the tools needed along the way? in this wrap up episode of season 1, we look at the role culture, metrics, and structures have creating means toward the end.

If whole heart transformation is the essential end, what is the way there? What are the necessary ingredients toward that end? In this episode, David, Nate, and Alan, discuss the means toward that end, which becomes a three part conversation about the community of the church. In this third part we talk about the essential nature of leadership that embraces the challenges of change as a part of a community that is saturated by the Gospel.

If whole heart transformation is the essential end, what is the way there? What are the necessary ingredients toward that end? In this episode, David, Nate, and Alan, discuss the means toward that end, which becomes a three part conversation about the community of the church. In this second part we talk about the essential nature of risk and mission as a part of a community that is saturated by the Gospel.

If whole heart transformation is the essential end, what is the way there? What are the necessary ingredients toward that end? In this episode, David, Nate, and Alan, discuss the means toward that end, which becomes a three part conversation about the community of the church.

A Gospel based response is required for whole heart transformation to take place. In this episode, David, Alan, and Nate break down what this means and looks like in our lives and ministry. You will hear us wrestle with a definition of the Gospel, it's implication for all of our lives, and how responding to the truths and promises of Jesus must be the basis for transformational ministry in the local church.

As continue to explore what is essential in church ministry, we begin with discussing the essential end. What is big to Jesus in the lives of our churches? What does it mean to have a Gospel impact?