The Build Groups Podcast

Show Summary In this episode of the Build Groups Podcast , host Adam Erlickman interviews Nick Edwards, a seasoned ministry leader and consultant who is newly joining the Build Groups team. The episode explores the unique, often misunderstood role of the Executive Pastor (XP). Drawing parallels to Biblical deacons in Acts 6, they define the XP as the "chief operations officer" of a church. Edwards...

Host Adam Erlichman welcomes small groups expert Bill Donahue to The Build Group podcast, where Bill shares his background from Philadelphia through marketplace work, seminary, and leadership roles including Willow Creek, and his current consulting with churches. They discuss Donahue’s 30th anniversary edition of his small group leader manual, how it originated, and why it has remained widely used...

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Katie Lundgren serves on staff at Compass Church Roanoke, where she works with community groups and leaders to cultivate healthy, life-giving connection. A longtime Marine wife, her leadership has been shaped by seasons of transition and deep community. Katie enjoys walking alongside people with honesty and authenticity, believing God uses real stories—even imperfect ones—to lead us into what’s ne...

Matt Lear serves as the Spiritual Formation Minister at Church at the Cross in Grapevine, TX. Join Matt, Adam, and Matt as they explore launching new groups and determining the direction for a group's ministry. For more resources, visit us at: buildgroups.net

Gary Vaughan serves as the Executive Pastor of Adult Discipleship at Harvest Church in Carmel, IN, where he and his family have served for the past 9 years.  From 1996-2015, Gary served full-time in Southeastern Virginia at Nansemond River Baptist Church, for 12 years in Student Ministry and 7 years as the Pastor of Groups, Discipleship, and Family Ministry.  He is passionate about shepherding lea...

Steve is the Founder and CEO of the Small Group Network. An international, non-denominational network, started in 2007, to help churches Eradicate Loneliness, engage the Bible, and impact the world. Steve also serves as an Elder of Saddleback Church.   He stepped away in August 2025 from local church ministry, where he had been Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church from February 1998 to Augu...

Scott Sullivan is the Discipleship Catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, where he serves hundreds of churches all across the state. Scott and his team take churches through thorough assessments and, focusing on relational disciple-making practices, partner with pastors and leaders to create customized strategies within the context of their churches and communities. You can connect with S...

Joseph surrendered to full-time vocational ministry in 2010. He currently serves as the Adult Pastor at New Vision in Murfreesboro, TN. In 2022, Joseph began serving as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Williamson College in Franklin, TN. Joseph is involved in various networks, including Disciple Leaders Network, where he has served as the Chair of the Board and is now the Co-Executiv...

Rick spent thirteen years as an author, trainer, coach, and consultant at LifeWay Church Resources, three years with NavPress, and five years aiding churches for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Prior to these experiences, he served as a Campus Minister on two campuses, a Teaching and Groups Pastor at a thriving church, and planted The Bridge Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Most recently, Rick s...

Craig Walker is the founder of Craig Walker Coaching, where he helps men struggling with self-doubt discover that God created them as masterpieces. After years of battling self-doubt and shame-based living, Craig discovered freedom by embracing the identity God gave him in Christ and living according to who God says he is, rather than who his doubts told him he was. Craig spent the majority of his...

In this episode, the tables are turned as cohost Matt Moore sits down to interview Adam Erlichman and Sterling Archer to answer the question, "What is a healthy group?" and to ask them about their brand new small group curriculum, Healthy Groups , coming out January 13 on Amazon and the Build Groups website. Matt, Adam, and Sterling start the conversation by talking about what an unhealthy group l...

Bob Pittenger has been in ministry since 1992 as a volunteer missionary to Brazil, youth minister, and senior pastor. He has also used his spiritual gifts to preach and teach at conferences, camps, and retreats. Bob graduated from Florida Baptist Theological College in 1997 and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2018. In January 2015 Bob led Living Oaks Baptist Church to merge with Battl...

Bill and Kristi Gaultiere are Doctors of Psychology and the founders of Soul Shepherding, a ministry to help pastors, leaders, and churches to thrive with Jesus in emotional and relational health. They lead a Network of Spiritual Directors who offer empathy, guidance, and prayer to help people progress in their discipleship to Jesus. They are also the best-selling authors of a new book, "Journey o...

Dave Bruskas is the Director of Re:generation ministries at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, TX. Previously, Dave served as campus, campus network, executive, discipleship, and church planting pastor roles at the Village Church, Mars Hill Church, and City on a Hill Church. He served as a Regional Executive Director with Acts 29 Church Planting Network. In this episode, Dave discusses the impo...

In this episode, we discuss the vital value of outside eyes on our ministry and how a consulting firm can assist in strengthening your discipleship, groups, and church ministries. Qualitatively, we discuss discipleship measurements. Instead of just asking disciples to do and do more, we ask the question, "What are they becoming?" Replicating groups is a non-negotiable. Replicate ministries help ch...

In this episode, we discuss the Suicide epidemic in America and how small groups can play a role in remedying the situation with expert Jon Noyes from Stand to Reason, who travels the country speaking on this pertinent topic. Jon has worked as a speaker with Stand to Reason since 2019. A former atheist, Jon used to think belief in God was unwarranted and irresponsible. Then, after examining the ev...

Jeremy Herron, founder of Fortified Consulting, is dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in church and ministry settings. In 2019, he was selected for a national panel that created church safety standards, leveraging his extensive experience reshaping kids ministries. Recognizing his impact could extend beyond the local church, Herron's passion inspired him to instill crucial...

Eddie Mosley is a well-known church consultant with extensive experience in expansion and strategic planning. Because of his work with LifeWay Church Resources and his sincere desire to serve communities, he has been able to mentor hundreds of congregations around the country. Eddie's personal life is a reflection of his faith because he and his spouse, Lisa, are involved in their community throug...

In this episode we discuss the barriers to spiritual growth people face in the local church. What barriers are people running into at local churches? How can they be removed to aid in people’s spiritual progress? Listen to this episode for answers to these questions. Joining us is Brian Brunke, Small Group Operations Pastor at Parkway Fellowship since 2013, brings over two decades of ministry expe...

Rick is currently the Central Groups Pastor at Lake Point Church in Rockwall that sees over 30,000 people in attendance weekly to their campuses. He spent 13 years as a small group discipleship specialist at Lifeway Church Resources, three years with NavPress as a small group specialist, five years consulting Kentucky Baptist Churches, planted the Bridge Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee. He's the...

Ken Braddy, also known as "Mr. Sunday School," is an esteemed church leader serving not only in midsize or Sunday school groups but across various other ministries as well. As the Director of Sunday School & Network Partnerships at Lifeway Christian Resources, Ken has earned his nickname through his exceptional dedication to equipping pastors, church staff, and group leaders. With his extensiv...

Anthony Colon oversees small groups, volunteers, and helps people on their spiritual journey as the Pastor of Adult Ministries at Anchor Church in McKinney, TX. With 271 active volunteers and an average attendance of 625 adults, Anthony's leadership in this space was crucial to the church's expansion. His entire family is bought into the mission of the Church. His spouse, Ashley, is in charge of t...

Jeff Scott is a devoted minister with almost 30 years of experience at Heritage Baptist Church. As a discipleship pastor and member of the church for nearly 40 years, Jeff has been instrumental in guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys. He holds multiple master's degrees from Liberty University and earned his doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary. Currently serving as the Pastor of B...

Dave Enns is the lead pastor of Small Groups at North Coast Church since 1990. He oversees a team of 32 staff, 1,500 lay leaders, and over 7,000 group participants. Dave is known for maintaining over 90% adult participation in weekly home groups and helping the church grow from 700 to over 10,000 attendees. He has valuable experience in ministry strategies and is a respected coach and trainer for...