In Episode 5 of The Imperfect Pastor, we build on last week’s conversation about revitalizing our calling by diving into one of the core responsibilities of pastoral ministry: making disciples. Before we can develop leaders who help lead the church in its mission, we must first grapple with the question, “What is our true priority as pastors?”

With some humor along the way, we explore the idea that pastors must be disciples first, before they can effectively disciple others. Drawing from Matthew 4:19 and Luke 6:40, we unpack what it really means to follow Jesus—letting Him transform us before we try to “fish for men.” Using Jim Putman’s “Head, Heart, Hands” framework, we highlight Christlikeness—not just being “right”—as the standard for true discipleship, where spiritual fruit and spiritual gifts go hand-in-hand.

We contrast church membership and attendance with authentic discipleship, addressing how cultural Christianity, tradition, and consumerism can undermine a disciple-making culture. As Nate humorously notes, “In some churches, Satan would qualify as a member” because the standard has been reduced to mere belief.

This episode also gets practical. We discuss how churches can create pathways for discipleship by modeling it, investing in teachable people, and providing opportunities for growth through worship, service, and spiritual engagement. We tackle the challenge of fitting discipleship into an already crowded pastoral schedule, emphasizing the importance of discipling and supporting leaders who, in turn, disciple others. Chad shares his own approach to discipling his leaders, showing that it’s possible to shift a church’s culture toward true disciple-making without burning out.