RDN SHIFT Groups — Organization Profile
RDN SHIFT Groups are a coaching-based, online community built by the Relational Discipleship Network (RDN), a missions organization focused on helping churches recover and live out disciple-making as Jesus modeled it. SHIFT Groups are designed for pastors and ministry leaders who want practical support as they work to lead cultural change toward relational disciple-making in their churches.
At the core of SHIFT Groups is a simple premise: you’re not meant to do ministry alone, especially when you are trying to shift a church from program-centered activity to relationship-centered disciple-making. RDN describes SHIFT Groups as online groups led by proven disciple-making coaches, where leaders gain practical tools and resources while also building strategic relationships with other leaders.
SHIFT Groups meet in a consistent rhythm that emphasizes peer learning and coached accountability. RDN outlines a coaching format using live, interactive Zoom meetings with small group sizes, typically 4–6 leaders, led by pastors who have already made the “shift” in their own ministry settings. These sessions are structured to help leaders talk through real ministry challenges, share tools, learn best practices, and move from ideas to implementation.
RDN also frames SHIFT Groups as role-specific pathways. In its coaching overview, RDN notes that SHIFT Groups are designed for a range of ministry roles—senior pastors, executive/associate pastors, discipleship and small group leaders, youth and young adult pastors, and other ministry leaders—so the conversations and coaching can be applied directly to the responsibilities leaders carry week to week.
An important part of the SHIFT Groups model is that it is connected to RDN’s broader training ecosystem. RDN notes a prerequisite for joining a SHIFT Group: participants should have attended a DiscipleShift training (or be registered to attend). That link between training and coaching reinforces RDN’s intent to move leaders from an initial learning experience into an ongoing coaching relationship where change can be supported over time.
Because SHIFT Groups operate online, their reach is nationwide, connecting leaders across churches and regions without requiring travel. RDN’s team leadership includes staff members who serve from different locations, and the coaching environment is intentionally built to foster connection across geographic boundaries while keeping the group small enough for trust, transparency, and application.
For churches and leaders who want to engage, SHIFT Groups can be a practical “next step” after training: register for DiscipleShift, join a SHIFT coaching group, and access RDN resources that support disciple-making culture change. Churches can also partner with RDN financially to expand coaching and resourcing for leaders who are working to build relational disciple-making pathways in their contexts.
Key Links
- Website: https://rdn.org/
- SHIFT Membership (overview): https://rdn.org/
- Coaching / SHIFT Groups: https://rdn.org/coaching/
- Next Steps (START & SHIFT): https://rdn.org/next-steps/
- DiscipleShift (training): https://rdn.org/discipleshift/
- Resources: https://rdn.org/resources/
- Podcast: https://rdn.podbean.com/
- Contact: https://rdn.org/contact/
Contact Information
- Email: in**@*dn.org
- Email: li**@*dn.org
Socials
- https://www.facebook.com/rdnnetwork/
- https://www.instagram.com/rdnnetwork/
- https://www.youtube.com/@relationaldiscipleshipnetw6854
Leadership
- Mark “Moose” Bright — RDN Director / Vision & Leadership
- Mark Messick — Connections & Next Steps
- Lisa Bright — Admin & Accounting
- Eddie Bateman — Director of the Men’s Ministry Catalyst
- Jason Tenney — Website & Resources
- Sherri Miles — Communications and Selective National Events Specialist
- Mark Gustafson — Technology Advisor
