Feed My Sheep: How to Turn Disciple-Making from a Task into Worship

In this month’s episode, Discipleship as Worship, Brian Phipps (Founder of Disciples Made) and Jason Phelps (Houston-based Disciples Made Coach) dive deep into Key #3 to Leaving a Disciple-Making Legacy — remembering that discipleship is worship.

They unpack how Romans 12:1 and John 21 redefine what it means to serve God — not as performance or obligation, but as an act of love and surrender. Drawing from decades of ministry experience, Jason shares why he shifted from leading worship on stage to leading disciples in everyday life, emphasizing that “character is greater than craft.”

Brian follows with a powerful personal story from his seminary years that reshaped his understanding of disciple-making — from duty to devotion. His encounter with John 21 and Jesus’ words to Peter, “Do you love me? Feed my sheep,” re-centered his entire ministry as an overflow of love for Jesus, not merely a job or mission.

Together, they explore how pastors and leaders can keep disciple-making rooted in worship through abiding, accountability, and obedience, ensuring their impact flows from intimacy with Christ rather than burnout.

🧭 Key Insights for Church Leaders

• Discipleship ≠ Duty — It’s the highest expression of worship when it overflows from a life abiding in Jesus.

• Character > Craft — Ministry fruitfulness starts with who you are becoming, not just what you’re producing.

• Abiding Fuels Multiplication — True transformation and generational impact come through spiritual habits that keep leaders connected to Christ.

• Love for Jesus → Love for People — We disciple others not because they’re easy to love, but because we love the One who first loved us.

• Every Disciple Is a Worship Leader — Whether you’re a pastor, parent, or professional, helping others live Fully Alive in Jesus is worship in motion.

💡 Reflection Questions

1. How can I ensure my disciple-making remains an act of worship, not a task list?

2. Where might I be valuing “craft” over “character” in my leadership?

3. Who in my church or network needs to rediscover disciple-making as worship?

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

• Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…”

• John 21:15–17 – “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.”

• Adopt a Church Campaign – Help fund coaching for churches eager to multiply disciples.
  → Learn more or give at disciplesmade.com/give

👥 About the Hosts

Brian Phipps — Founder of Disciples Made, equipping disciple-makers and church leaders to multiply movements of transformation through measurable growth in character and calling.

Jason Phelps — Pastor, coach, and storyteller helping leaders live and lead Fully Alive through intentional disciple-making environments.

🏁 Closing Challenge

Don’t just attend worship — become worship.
Disciple-making is your opportunity to love Jesus back by helping others live Fully Alive in Him.

⏱️ Chapter Markers

• 00:02 – Welcome & Fall Vibes
  Brian opens the November webinar, quick intros and seasonal check-in.

• 00:31 – Houston Weather & Hobbies
  Jason on “does it ever get cold?” and why fall is prime fishing.

• 00:57 – Thanksgiving Traditions
  Backpacking with kids, a pop-up camper, and Brian’s family legacy trip.

• 03:20 – Today’s Focus: Discipleship as Worship
  Setting the frame: why this key sustains a disciple-making legacy (Romans 12:1).

• 05:15 – From Stage to Shepherd
  Jason’s vocational shift: why character > craft and “disciple-maker first.”

• 08:56 – Everyone’s Craft = Disciple-Making
  Reframing roles across the church: worship, kids, tech—start as disciple-makers.

• 09:23 – What Worship Looks Like Daily
  Abiding practices: Bible engagement, accountability, prayer, journaling.

• 10:04 – Keeping Disciple-Making as Worship
  Living sacrifice in real relationships; holy and pleasing rhythms.

• 13:12 – Duty vs. Delight
  When abiding feels like duty—and how community fruit restores delight.

• 15:21 – Measuring What Matters
  You can measure transformation, not the totality of impact.

• 16:21 – Brian’s Reset: John 21
  Russia, discouragement, and Jesus’ question: “Do you love Me?… Feed My sheep.”

• 21:38 – Love for Jesus → Love for People
  Choosing to disciple beyond preference; worship over mere mission.

• 23:11 – Don’t Grow Weary
  Pouring out after Jesus has poured in (Gal. 6 language; perseverance).

• 24:59 – Priesthood of All Believers
  Feeding sheep isn’t just “the pastor’s job”—it’s our shared calling.

• 26:40 – Adopt a Church: Year-End Invitation
  Why coaching accelerates culture change; $1,500 cohort underwriting, $6,500 tailored coaching; closing notes and tech hiccup sign-off. disciplesmade.com/give