A Conversation with Steve Bragg

"What would you do in your church if they told you they wouldn’t pay you? I think it would make you think differently about your call, your programs, your strategy, and your tactics." In today's episode of The City Network Podcast, Dave Ferguson talks with Robert on escaping the paradigms of large scale church planting, in order to live into Jesus' "radical genius." They talk about what it looks like to revamp evangelism, Dave's work with Exponential and New Thing Network, and the 4 R's of church planting: relationship, reproducing, residency and resources. The conversation covers church planting in the context of reaching the next generation, church health, and warning signs to pay attention to when planting a church. Dave Ferguson is the lead pastor of Community Christian Church, a multi-expression missional community that is passionate about “helping people find their way back to God.” Community has grown from a few college friends to reaching thousands of people in Chicagoland and around the world. Dave also provides visionary leadership for the international church-planting movement NewThing and is the CEO of the Exponential conference. He is an award-winning author of books that include The Big Idea, Exponential, On The Verge, Finding Your Way Back To God, Starting Over, Hero Maker and most recently B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World. Dave and his best friend Sue have three terrific adult kids - Amy, Josh and Caleb. Feel free to email him with questions, ideas, feedback or introductions at daveferguson@exponential.org Find more from Dave on his website: daveferguson.org, or on twitter: @daveferguson and instagram: @fergusondave. Find more from The City Network at thecitynetwork.org, or follow us on Instagram @thecitynetwork, and Facebook at City Network. Here are some resources and references mentioned in the episode: On the Verge, Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson New Thing Network The Movement System A Non-Anxious Presence, Mark Sayers

"I am so excited about the kind of church Gen Z will lead us into if we let them," says Hannah in her conversation with Josh and Robert. They chat about Hannah's journey to starting the nonprofit Generation Distinct, pouring into the next generation through multiplication in the way of Jesus, discipleship, and the future of the Church. Hannah emphasizes the importance of asking Gen Z questions, leaving them room to doubt, inviting them into rooms where their leadership is necessary and welcomed, and cultivating a spirit of curiosity by engaging with them in the conversations they are already having. Hannah Gronowski Barnett, Founder and CEO of Generation Distinct, has always been wired to abolish cultural complacency, unleash lasting justice, and equip others to discover the wrong they were born to make right. A sought after speaker at Leadership Conferences, Churches, College Campuses and Youth Events around the globe, Hannah is also a content and communication coach through The Women’s Speaker Collective, Host of The Generation Distinct Podcast and Next Generation Director for Leadership Network. Since founding Generation Distinct in 2017, Hannah has scaled the organization to reach leaders around the globe through her vision to use conversations around passion, purpose & justice to bring the next generation into conversations around Jesus, the Gospel & the Great Commission. Under Hannah’s leadership, Generation Distinct has scaled to reach Young adults in 7 different countries. This 6-month Virtual Program helps leaders take their vision for a better world and turn it into a step-by-step reality, empowering them to create lasting change in their communities. Hannah’s latest book is Generation Distinct: Discover the Wrong You Were Born to Make Right. You can find more from Hannah at hannah@generationdistinct.com, @hannahgbarnett on instagram, or at hannahgronowski.com.

BONUS EPISODE: Future Church, a gathering for young people in the church, with Hannah Gronowksi Barnett As Founder and CEO of Generation Distinct, Speaker and Author, Hannah has always been wired to abolish cultural complacency, unleash lasting justice, and join the wild adventure Jesus invites us all to live.

BONUS EPISODE: The Next Generation Is Looking For Hope with Robert Frazier A speaker, church planter, and entrepenuer, Robert serves as lead pastor of Redemption Hill in Boise, Idaho and co-founder of The City Network. Find more from Robert on instagram @bobbycfrazier.

"A Gen Z in the wild," Christian and Josh talk about the heart behind the question: why did he stick around Jesus when so many of his Gen Z friends did not, and why does he continue to do so? Christian talks about the pivotal role intentional discipleship played in his life, as well as his experience with mission (to this day!), the life changing opportunities to practice and learn what it means to live out his faith. Christian is a mobilization coach in the Treasure Valley with a vision to send Workers to the plentiful Harvest. He has a heart for the 3.35 billion unreached people in the world who will never have a chance to hear the Good News. It is from this conviction that Christian invites the Church to ask the question: What must be done to bring the Gospel to the Lost? To connect to with Christian, please reach out to admin@thecitynetwork.org.

BONUS EPISODE: The Next Generation Is Looking For Hope with Michelle Harvey Michelle is the Area Director for West Ada Young Life, a para church organization with a mission to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. Find more from Michelle on instagram @mharvey2.

BONUS EPISODE: The Next Generation Is Won With Missionaries Not Programs Currently serving as the Family Pastor at Hill City Church, Andrew has over a decade of expereince in leading the next generation in successful discipleship. This content is from our first City Network Conference in 2022. Join us in just a few months for the second annual conference, which will be taking place on February 6-7, 2023 in Boise, Idaho. Find out more information here!

BONUS EPISODE: The Next Generation Is Won With Missionaries Not Programs with Ron Price A well known business man, Ron Price serves as President and CEO of Price Associates and President of TTI Success Insights. Find more from Ron at price-associates.com.

BONUS EPISODE: The Next Generation Needs Clarity Not Confusion with Josh Branham Serving as Lead Pastor at Hill City Church in downtown Boise, Josh has a passion for church revitlization and a decade of expereince working with the next generation.

Josh talks with Alice Matagora about the transformational effect of discipleship on her story, her work with the Navigators, and the difference between accidental and intentional discipleship in ministry and relational contexts. She also provides suggestions and encouragements for church leaders looking to cultivate a culture of discipleship in their communities. Alice lives in Southern California with her husband RJ, her children Regi and Clementine, and her Daisy dog. She has worked with The Navigators in various ministry contexts for nearly twenty years, including collegiate ministry, cultural competency training, and her current role within The Navigators in leader development. Combining her professional experience, both in ministry and as a licensed marriage and family therapist, and her passion for disciple making, Alice's first book, How to Save the World: Disciplemaking Made Simple seeks to equip and empower everyday people to make disciples of Jesus wherever they live, work, and play. You can find her book wherever you buy your books! Find more from Alice on instagram @alicematagora, or at alicematagora.com