Faithfulness Over Greatness: Daniel Im on Healing, Discipleship, and Rethinking Church Growth

What if the true measure of ministry isn’t size or success—but simple faithfulness to Jesus?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Daniel Im—author, pastor, and disciple-maker—shares his powerful journey from disillusionment in ministry to a renewed vision for the local church. He opens up about his own season of pain and healing, challenges traditional church growth models, and invites us to embrace the call of making disciples who make disciples. This conversation is both deeply pastoral and profoundly practical for anyone passionate about the Great Commission.

Main Points

Faithfulness Over Greatness – Why doing things for a great God matters more than striving for great things.
Healing from Disillusionment – Daniel’s 14-year journey of pain, surrender, and renewed calling.
Rethinking Church Growth – Moving beyond numbers and attractional models to Spirit-led ministry.
A Framework for Discipleship – Four simple practices: gather, grow, give, and go together.
The Lausanne Vision – How disciple-making churches can awaken cities and nations to King Jesus.

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Guests in This Episode

Daniel Im

Daniel Im is the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta, a Bible teacher on 100 Huntley Street, and the author of several books including The Discipleship Opportunity: Leading a Great-Commission Church in a Post-Everything World, No Silver Bullets, Planting Missional Churches, and You Are What You Do. He has served in churches ranging from 100 to 50,000 people across Canada, Korea, and the U.S., and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience from Western Theological Seminary. Daniel has co-hosted podcasts with over 3 million downloads and now co-hosts the IMbetween Podcast with his wife, Christina, equipping couples to build marriages and families they love. Married since 2006, Daniel and Christina have three children and speak together at FamilyLife Canada’s Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference.