Relational Discipleship Podcast

From Visitor to Vested: Build a clear plan for the people who visit your church Does Your Church Have a Revolving Door? Do guests know where and how to get connected, or do they come and go without being seen or noticed? Once they are connected, do you have a process to help them mature as disciples? In this episode, Moose and Pastor Gabe Cleave walk through a practical pathway for integration and activation—helping people move from first-time visitors to fully vested participants in the life and mission of the Church. They discuss how churches can create a clear process for connecting people, developing them as disciples, and helping them become actively involved in the mission of the Church.   Host: Mark “Moose” Bright - Director - Relational Discipleship Network Special Guest: Gabe Cleave - Campus Pastor - Real Life Ministries: Hayden Campus - Hayden, ID   Originally Aired: Oct 6, 2026 / 3:00 pm (pst)

We all paid a high price during COVID. The question is: did we learn from it? COVID didn’t just disrupt our churches—it revealed them. In this episode, Moose Bright, Director of the Relational Discipleship Network, sits down with pastors from Red, Blue, and Purple states to reflect on what COVID uncovered about the Church, our communities, and ourselves. Together, they explore the lessons learned, the challenges exposed, and the opportunities ahead as we continue pursuing a healthier, more relational way of making disciples. This isn’t a political conversation—it’s an honest conversation about what COVID revealed, how it shaped the Church, and what we can carry forward so we don’t waste what we went through. Host: Mark “Moose” Bright - Director - Relational Discipleship Network   Special Guest: James Brummett – Journey Christian Church (Midlothian, VA) John Parkey – Church of the Crossroads (Mount Washington, KY) Joel Owen – Grace Fellowship Church (Kingsport, TN) Scott Harris – Orcas Island Community Church (Orcas Island, WA)   Originally Aired: July 8, 2026 / 2:00 pm (pst)

When people start slipping away from church community, they become spiritually vulnerable. But a pastor can’t look after everyone alone. How do you build a ministry where everyone notices who is missing—and steps up to pursue them? In this episode, Moose and Gabe Cleave discuss how to move your church from basic attendance tracking to a deeply personal culture of shepherding. They share practical ways to empower small group leaders, staff, and volunteers to spot the gaps, notice quiet disconnections, and actively bring people back into the fold. Listen in as Moose and Gabe walk through how to implement these leadership guardrails in your own ministry—and what it really looks like to “chase the strays” in a practical, everyday way.   Host: Mark “Moose” Bright - Director - Relational Discipleship Network Special Guest: Gabe Cleave - Campus Pastor - Real Life Ministries: Hayden Campus - Hayden, ID   Originally Aired: June 16, 2026 / 2:00 pm (pst)

In a lead pastor transition, what determines whether a church is handed off smoothly or enters a difficult season? In this follow-up conversation, we focus on the role of the outgoing pastor in setting the next leader—and the church—up for success. In this episode, Mark “Moose” Bright (Director of the Relational Discipleship Network) and Todd Wright (Lead Pastor at Midway Church in Villa Rica, GA) unpack the practical responsibilities of a lead pastor during a transition. They cover the systems that should already be in place, how to prepare elders and staff for change, and how to think through timing and adjustments before the new leader takes the reins. A key part of the conversation centers on alignment—how to connect staff to the incoming pastor, communicate vision during the shift, and lead the congregation through change with clarity and stability. They also explore how to care for the church during the transition, honor the outgoing leader well, and position the next pastor for long-term success.   Host: Mark “Moose” Bright - Director - Relational Discipleship Network   Special Guest: Todd Wright - Lead Pastor - Midway Church - Villa Rica, GA   Originally Aired: June 2, 2026

Church leaders are burning out—exhausted, overextended, and unsure where biblical love ends and unhealthy patterns begin. In this episode, we have an honest, biblical conversation about boundaries, forgiveness, and emotional health in ministry. If you’ve ever questioned whether setting boundaries makes you unloving—or whether forgiveness means allowing someone to hurt you again—this conversation is for you. We tackle the hard questions many leaders quietly wrestle with: Am I called to be a doormat? Why do unhealthy people keep disrupting my ministry? Can I forgive someone I don’t trust? Did Jesus ever step away to protect His peace? This episode is direct, grounded in Scripture, and deeply relevant for pastors and leaders who want to lead with love without losing themselves.   Host: Mark “Moose” Bright - Director of the Relational Discipleship Network Special Guest: Dr. Wes Beavis - Pastor, Clinical Psychologist, and Author   Originally Aired: Dec 9, 2025 - 9:30 AM PST

In heist or escape movies, when are the plans executed? At the changing of the guard, of course. Transitions represent a critical and often vulnerable time for churches. Join us as they discuss this essential yet frequently overlooked topic. Together, they explore insights and strategies to help your church navigate transitions successfully and move from strength to strength, rather than crash and burn.    Host: Mark “Moose” Bright - Director of the Relational Discipleship Network Special Guest: Kevin Rivers - Lead Pastor - Midway Church - Villa Rica, GA   Originally Aired: November 25, 2025 - 10:00 AM PST

Join us for a powerful conversation with author and counselor Dr. Wes Beavis as we explore the impact and emotional weight of ministry on our personal health and well-being.   Host: Mark “Moose” Bright - Director of the Relational Discipleship Network Special Guest: Dr. Wes Beavis - Pastor, Clinical Psychologist, and Author   Originally Aired: July 29, 2025 - 9:15 AM PST   Dr Wes Beavis - Resources - drwesbeavis.com

We had lost our narrative as a church. In our attempt to avoid offending the lost, we inadvertently offended God. This is a story about returning to the Great Commission and fully discipling our church family on all biblical topics, including those that people often suggest we should avoid discussing.   Host: Moose Bright - Director of the Relational Discipleship Network Special Guest: James Brummett - Senior Pastor - Journey Christian Church, Midlothian, VA    Originally Aired: May 21, 2025 - 10:00 AM PST

The holiday season can be a challenging time for many people, and our guest speaker, Counselor Phil Herndon, MA, LPC-MHSP, NCC, will provide insights on how to navigate these challenges. He will delve into topics such as managing difficult family dynamics, things to avoid during the holidays, and why our deepest wounds and hurts seem to come up during this time of the year. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how to stay healthy during the holidays.   Hosted by Mark "Moose" Bright, Director of the Relational Discipleship Network.   Originally Aired: Oct 30, 2024 - 9:00 AM PST

In today's turbulent times, the question arises: Do we speak up or shrink back? Are we mean-spirited or spiritually mature? How should the church handle politics? Now, more than ever, we need to have a Biblical response to the volatile world around us. Join us for an insightful discussion on being proactive, not reactive, as we navigate these challenging times. You won't want to miss this conversation with special guest Jim Putman, Senior Pastor of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, ID, and host Mark "Moose" Bright, Director of the Relational Discipleship Network.