In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory wrap up their series on the Disciple-Maker Pathway by exploring what is formed in us in the phase of multiplication. They reflect on the surprising mix of joy, loss, and resilience that comes with releasing others, and how multiplication forces a deeper surrender, letting go of control, pride, and the need to be “the one.” Drawing from personal stories, Scripture, and the lived reality of pursuing an audacious vision for citywide gospel flourishing, we highlight how this phase forms a deeper dependence on Jesus, a renewed imagination for what God is doing, and a commitment to keep pressing forward even when growth feels slow or unseen. This conversation invites you to embrace the tension and beauty of multiplication, trusting that as we release, God is forming something far greater than we could build on our own.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore how a global disciple-making movement uses simple, relational Bible studies within families and neighborhoods to drive exponential growth, bypassing traditional church structures. The conversation explores real stories from India, where local believers are creating vibrant, indigenous expressions of church that thrive outside the Western model. The episode also examines the differences between modalic and sodalic church expressions and innovative approaches that empower everyday people to lead in community-based settings.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the power of prayer and worship in global movements to ignite mission and multiplication in local contexts. They discuss how God speaks to send, how radical environments of prayer ignite divine action, and why the Western church needs a fresh encounter with God's holiness to unleash multiplication.

In this episode, Brian and Cory discuss the importance of immersive learning experiences in disciple-making, particularly within global movements. They explore the significance of ordinary disciple makers, the cultural differences in approaches to discipleship, and the necessity of structure and intentionality in building relationships. Part one of this conversation emphasizes the challenges faced in Western contexts and offers practical steps for making disciples through creative and relational methods.

In this episode of the KC Underground Podcast we explore the dynamics of spiritual movements in the UK and beyond. Adam and Matthew share their personal journeys and insights into the challenges and opportunities of fostering discipleship and community in a post-Christian society. Discover how grassroots efforts and a return to fundamental values are reshaping the landscape of faith and mission work.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Cory and Brian interview Taylor Smith to explore the transformative power of community and faith. You’ll hear how Novo, a missionary sending organization, is fostering gospel movements across diverse contexts, from Dallas to Southern Africa. Taylor shares personal insights on spiritual growth, the importance of prayer, and the journey of equipping young believers to become disciple-makers.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the mDNA element of Organic Systems. Organic systems are all about adaptation and reproducibility in cultivating movements. As you think about organic systems, you will discover a need for decentralized decision-making, a permission-giving culture, and the significance of leadership multiplication. This has been the challenge faced in traditional church structures. We advocate for a more flexible, organic approach to disciple-making and community building.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the mDNA element of apostolic environments and APEST. This element is all about the importance of creating environments that equip and send individuals for mission, the role of APEST (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers) in church movements, and the significance of safeguarding the mission while fostering innovation and experimentation. You’ve heard us say it before, but we emphasize the need again for a culture that embraces all five gifts of APEST to ensure healthy growth and multiplication in the church.

In this episode, Cory and Brian explore the mDNA: liminality-commuinitas, two words that definitely sound made up, but aren’t. These two sociological terms describe the work that happens in disciple-making movements when we “leave what we’ve known, enter a difficult new reality in order to arrive in a new space” (liminality) and the deep family bonds we form as we go through these difficult spaces with others (communitas). We emphasize the importance of embracing discomfort, rather than waiting on it and offer a simple practice for disciple-makers and microchurches to consider engaging to more fully embrace liminal spaces in order to receive the great joy of communitas.

In this episode, Cory and Brian explore the mDNA (Movement DNA) of missional-incarnational impulse. This mDNA has been a missing component in the Western Church for too long. We have been called not to missional activity, but to live on mission, embodying the teachings of Jesus in our communities. We include practical examples of missional living, the significance of personal calling, and the practices that shape a missional lifestyle, such as building relationships and creating spaces for community engagement. All of this conversation is rooted in a desire to see gospel flourishing in all aspects of life.

In this episode, Cory and Brian explore the profound implications of the phrase 'Jesus is Lord' within the context of faith and daily living. We emphasize the importance of understanding this concept not just as a belief but as a guiding principle that informs every aspect of life. We look at the significance of surrender, the practice of repentance, and the embodiment of faith in everyday actions. We also leave you with a few questions to begin to consider how you can embody this “Three-word-worldview” in your life.

​​In this episode, Brian and Cory discuss the evolution of the Kansas City Underground, focusing on the six elements of movement DNA (mDNA) that were developed by Alan Hirsch. The mDNA has shaped and guided who we are as a network, though it’s not something we always talk about. We explore the importance of paradigm shifts, the role of community, and the necessity of embodying the principles of disciple-making in everyday life. We take time to give you a high level introduction of (1) Jesus as Lord, (2) the missional incarnational impulse, (3) disciple-making ecosystems, (4) liminality and communitas (5) apostolic environments and (6) the need for organic systems that allow for growth and multiplication within the church.

In this episode, Brian Johnson and Rich Robinson explore the themes of church transformation and unlocking Kingdom potential through Rich's book 'All Change'. We discuss the importance of recognizing and embracing disruption, the four phases of transformation (dream, discover, design, deploy), and the practical steps for disciple makers. Rich shares his journey and insights on how to navigate change within church communities, emphasizing the need for everyday faithfulness and the significance of individual contributions to a larger movement.

In this episode, Brian and Cory discuss the shift from addition to multiplication in disciple-making movements. We emphasize the importance of decentralized leadership, rapid mobilization, and low control with high accountability to be able to make this shift effectively. We get into the biblical foundation for this paradigm shift and we explore practical steps for ordinary disciple makers to create a multiplicative ecosystem. We also highlight how important it is to be patient and trust in the process of multiplication, don’t manufacture it. All of this starts, though, by embracing your unique calling in disciple-making.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the themes of collaboration and community building in our city, drawing parallels to NASA's successful model of teamwork and goal-oriented projects as documented in the monograph "The Flat Org Chart" by Dan Pallotta. This is part tow of the conversation we started last week, talking about the importance of restoring the spiritual soil of cities, overcoming barriers to collaboration, and practical steps for fostering unity among various organizations and individuals. This isn't just for high level leaders. It's also for everyday leaders making disciples and leading microchurches as well. We have to think about collaboration at every level if we're going to see the gospel flourish in our city.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the idea of cultivating kingdom ecosystems. The truth is, this is a random one-off episode that we felt pressed to record after discussing the film The Biggest Little Farm, a documentary about sustainable farming. This film, that was all about the significance of biodiversity in restoration, provided so many affirmations that pursuing the smaller way through disciple-making and microchurches is how Jesus will bring the Kingdom in a city to restore the soil. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed processing this one.