Thursday Mar 05, 2026
149| Grow Wider: Practical Steps to Reach More People and Make Disciples
How does a parish actually grow wider?
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson welcomes back Ed Bradley to take a deep dive into the Grow Wider Anchor - what it means, where parishes often get stuck, and how to start making measurable progress.
If your parish wants to bring people back to church, reach young families, and build a culture of invitation, this conversation will give you both clarity and practical next steps.
And be sure to listen through to the end—Ed shares exactly where he would recommend a parish start in the next 90 days.
Grow Wider Self Evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation
Key Takeaways
- Growing wider starts with a clear burden for those who aren’t coming.
- Define your target audience intentionally - know your mission field.
- Friendly is not the same as strategically welcoming.
- Your digital presence is often your first impression.
- Next-gen ministry can be a powerful growth strategy.
- Parishioners need confidence and tools to invite others.
- Start with intentional hospitality systems, not just good intentions.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to the Grow Wider Anchor
02:00 – Understanding the Four Anchors and Discipleship
07:30 – Where Parishes Commonly Break Down
11:00 – Defining Your Target Audience
16:00 – Friendly vs Strategically Welcoming
20:30 – Weekend Experience and First Impressions
23:30 – Digital Presence as the Front Door
26:00 – Leveraging Next-Gen Ministry
31:30 – Teaching Parishioners to Invite
35:00 – Where to Start in the Next 90 Days
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