Podcasts about church answers

Pastors often look to the book of Nehemiah for practical lessons on leadership. However, in times of rebuilding and revitalization, we should not overlook the book of Ezra, with its story of the rebuilding of the temple. Ken Roach, Vice President of Innovation at Wesley Biblical Seminary, joins Sam to share the three “royal decrees” found there and how they translate into leadership principles every rebuilder needs to consider. The post Unique Church Leadership Lessons from the Book of Ezra You Haven’t Heard appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore how pastors can prepare their churches for one of the most strategic ministry seasons of the year: back-to-school. As families shift routines, students face new pressures, and parents feel the weight of another busy season, churches have a unique opportunity to serve, encourage, and disciple. A strong back-to-school plan is not about adding more activity to the calendar. It is about aligning ministries, equipping volunteers, and intentionally supporting parents as they lead their homes through a demanding season. The post The Back-to-School Checklist for Pastors (Prepping Your Church for Ministry to Parents and School-Age Children) appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom opens with a reality many church leaders are already experiencing: the traditional fully funded pastorate is no longer the norm in many churches. Financial pressures, changing attendance patterns, and shifting expectations are forcing churches to rethink ministry models. But this is not simply a problem to solve—it is an opportunity to steward. In this conversation, Thom talks with Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, about why the co-vocational trend is one of the most important developments in the future of the church and how it can actually strengthen gospel impact. The post Why the Co-vocational Trend Is So Important appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom identifies four signs that indicate a church may be ready to move from decline to renewal. The post Four Signs Your Church Is Ready for a Turnaround appeared first on Church Answers.

The 1990s may have been the most pivotal decade for religious change in modern America. In this episode, we look at Ryan Burge's analysis of young adults and the sharp rise of the religiously unaffiliated during those years. The surprising part of the story is that no single Christian tradition collapsed on its own. Evangelicals, mainline Protestants, Black Protestants, and Catholics all lost ground, while church attendance also weakened. The result was not just a momentary shift but a long-term realignment that still shapes the religious landscape today. The post The Burge Report: Why the 1990s Were the Most Consequential in Modern U.S. Religious History appeared first on Church Answers.

Only 1% of churches have an ongoing emphasis on evangelism. Josh and Sam break down what successful evangelistic churches actually do. The post What Successful Evangelistic Churches Actually Do for Outreach appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom discusses why churches are finding it more difficult to recruit volunteers and what leaders can do to reverse the trend. The post Why Volunteer Recruitment Is Harder Than Ever appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom looks at why many churches are finding people more receptive to the gospel and how churches can take advantage of this opportunity. The post The Return of Evangelism: Why Outreach Is Working Again appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam talks with Mike Stadelmayer at Church Growth Services about the harm a failed campaign can do and how to avoid those failures. The post Dodging Detours: Five Ways a Feasibility Study Protects Your Campaign from Pitfalls appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam tackle a question many pastors quietly wrestle with: Should I respond to that post… or just scroll past it? Social media makes it easy to jump into theological skirmishes and digital debates, but Scripture calls pastors to something higher than winning arguments. Online quarrels often produce more heat than light, drain emotional energy, and distract from the real work of shepherding people face-to-face. While there is a time to contend for the faith, most comment-section fights are poor stewardship and rarely change hearts. Sometimes the most pastoral response is silence... and logging off. The post Should Pastors Engage in Online Fights? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess unveil the 12 categories of the Church Answers Awards. They discuss why these particular categories were chosen. The post The 12 Categories of the Church Answers Awards appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom discuss the inaugural Church Answers Awards and five key reasons the Awards are so important to the health of churches in the United States. The post Why the Church Answers Awards Are So Important appeared first on Church Answers.

As more churches struggle to find qualified pastors, the future of church hiring is changing fast. In this episode, Thom and Sam explore what pastor shortages mean for congregations, why old search processes are becoming less effective, and how churches can adapt with greater clarity, flexibility, and realism. The conversation focuses on practical ways churches can rethink staffing, develop internal leaders, and build healthier expectations for the next generation of pastors. The post The Future of Church Hiring When Pastors Are in Short Supply appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore a subtle but damaging leadership style in the church: the amiable autocrat. These are leaders who are friendly, well-liked, and often effective on the surface, yet they lead primarily through positional authority and leave their teams frustrated. We unpack the paradox of the “nice dictator” and why this leadership style can produce visible ministry success while quietly undermining staff health and long-term effectiveness. The post Amiable Autocrats: Why Some of the Nicest Pastors Make the Worst Bosses appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom examines the common attendance ceiling of around 70 and the leadership, structure, and mindset issues that keep churches from breaking through. The post Why Some Churches Plateau at 70 (and Stay There) appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom discusses the often-overlooked mission field of Sunday workers—and how churches can rethink schedules and structures to engage them. The post How to Reach People Who Work on Sundays appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom and Sam tackle a growing challenge for churches across the country: finding qualified staff. What once seemed routine—posting a position and waiting for candidates—has become far more difficult. This conversation explores why the staffing pipeline has narrowed, how outdated assumptions are exacerbating the problem, and why churches that rethink staffing models and develop leaders internally will be better positioned for the future. The post Why Churches Are Struggling More and More to Find Staff appeared first on Church Answers.

Happy 250th America! Josh and Sam get political on this episode. The post Why Can’t Pastors Talk About Politics? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom identifies clear, measurable indicators that a church is aging—and what leaders can do before it becomes irreversible. The post Five Early Warning Signs Your Church Is Aging Too Fast appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom explores the less obvious barriers to growth—especially internal culture, comfort, and unspoken preferences that quietly resist change. The post The Hidden Reason Most Churches Stop Growing appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Ryan Burge and Sam explore the rise of non-denominational Christianity and ask a provocative question: are non-denoms essentially just Southern Baptists without the label? Drawing on recent survey data, this conversation examines how non-denominational Christians compare to America's largest Christian traditions in age, racial diversity, church attendance, and views of the Bible. The trends suggest that non-denominational churches are not simply a rebranded version of older evangelical traditions. They may represent a significant part of the future of American Protestantism. The post The Burge Report: Are Non-Denominational Churches Just Southern Baptists in Disguise? appeared first on Church Answers.

Many churches are asking the same question: “Where have all the student pastors gone?” In this episode, Josh and Sam explore the ongoing shortage of youth ministers and the structural reasons behind it. The post The Ongoing Shortage of Student Pastors (Where Did They Go?) appeared first on Church Answers.

Most ministry positions are not vulnerable to advancing AI capabilities, especially those that are people-to-people ministries. Thom looks at other aspects of AI influences on the church. The post Five Major Shifts in Churches Influenced By AI appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom welcomes Dr. Chris Lohrstorfer, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Enrollment and Professor of Wesleyan Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary. He talks about how many pastors ascribe to theologically orthodox trinitarianism, but haven't really thought through what it means for their ministry, especially the fullness of the role of the Holy Spirit. As a pastor himself and an educator of pastors, he is seeing the surprising shifts that can happen when the light bulb switches on for leaders about what it means to partner with the Spirit in ministry. The post Why Too Many Pastors Are Not Fully Relying on the Holy Spirit appeared first on Church Answers.

Many pastors feel it every year: “I hate summer attendance!” In this episode, Thom and Sam unpack real-world insights gathered from conversations with pastors across the country about the predictable, and sometimes preventable, summer slump. The post The Church Summer Slump: What Every Pastor Should Know appeared first on Church Answers.

Every church has them—the Sundays when attendance predictably drops. Drawing from feedback from over 400 church leaders, Josh and Sam break down the most common low-attendance days and why they occur. The post The Top Ten Most Common Low Attendance Days in Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Several years ago, Sam Rainer led his church to adopt a struggling church in the same town. He wrote the lessons he learned one year after the adoption. Thom interviews Sam about these lessons that are worth recalling. The post Six Lessons Learned from Adopting a Church (A Real Case Study) appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom is a community group teacher/leader at The Church at Spring Hill, where Jess is pastor. He is leading his group through the book, "Loved and Unashamed," by Sam Rainer. His group has raved about the book and the accompanying video teaching. One participant said he had studied the Bible all of his life, and this is his best study on Romans. The post The Best Overview of Romans for Your Church’s Groups appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam welcomes Dr. Nijay Gupta to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. He is a senior translator for the New Living Translation, a Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, and the author of several academic books including most recently A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies and Tell Her Story. He has a PhD in New Testament from the University of Durham, and co-hosts the Slow Theology podcast with A. J. Swoboda. The post A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Bible Translation Committee (What Really Happens) appeared first on Church Answers.

Summer often exposes a quiet reality in many churches: some members begin shopping for a new congregation. In this episode, Josh and Sam address why this happens and how leaders should respond. If you've faced it, you are not alone. Every long-tenured pastor has. The post The Reality of Church Hoppers: A Pastor’s Honest Perspective appeared first on Church Answers.

Unfortunately, pastoral termination is common. Most people think the most common reason is sexual moral failure. Others think it is doctrinal compromise. Neither of those reasons is in the top five. Jess and Thom look at five common reasons most people never consider. The post Five Unusual Reasons Pastors are Let Go (and How to Avoid Them) appeared first on Church Answers.

The barriers to publishing a book have fallen dramatically. Some pastors are publishing books, but more need to do so. Jess and Thom look at the growth of books published by pastors and the reasons why pastors should consider it. The post Five Reasons Pastors Should Consider Publishing a Book appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom and Sam explore one of the most sobering questions church leaders face: Why do formerly active members quietly disappear for good? After years of research with people who once attended faithfully but haven't returned to any church for at least two years, clear patterns emerge. Most departures aren't dramatic or theological. They're gradual. The post Why Members Leave Their Church and Never Come Back appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore what sets apart pastors who stay at one church for ten, twenty, or even thirty years and still lead with energy and joy. Long-tenured pastors aren't just “hanging on.” They've built habits that sustain both their soul and their ministry. They've weathered criticism, resisted the lure of greener grass, and chosen faithfulness over constant movement. The post Why Some Pastors Stay for Decades (and Thrive in Their Churches) appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess challenge five assumptions that quietly shape how churches approach evangelism. These beliefs often go unspoken, but they influence priorities and outcomes more than leaders realize. The post Five False Assumptions about Evangelism in Churches Today appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom begin with a simple observation: most churches still believe in evangelism—but far fewer are organized around it the way they once were. Programs that were once central have faded, and new approaches have emerged, often without the same clarity or consistency. In this episode, Jess and Thom look at how evangelism ministries have shifted over the past three decades—and what those changes mean for churches that want to reach people effectively today. The post How Evangelism Ministries Have Changed in Churches in 30 Years appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam interviews Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group. A growing number of church leaders, architects, and donors are reconsidering what sacred space should look like. In this episode, we explore the rise of the hyper-traditionalist movement in church architecture—a revival of classical, Gothic, Romanesque, Byzantine, and other historic styles that aim to communicate permanence, beauty, and theological depth. While this movement is still niche in North America, it is more than an aesthetic preference. It reflects a broader conviction that church buildings should feel unmistakably sacred rather than utilitarian or disposable. The post The Hyper-Traditionalist Movement in Church Architecture (Is Anyone Really Building Churches This Way?) appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam use a striking metaphor to talk about church health: fault lines and tsunamis. Just like unseen shifts beneath the ocean floor can trigger devastating waves, hidden weaknesses inside a church can quietly build until the damage is sudden and overwhelming. The good news? Fault lines can be repaired before disaster strikes. The call for leaders is simple: face reality now, simplify ministry, refocus on mission, and deal with issues while they're still manageable. The post The Church “Fault Lines” That Could Become Ministry Tsunamis appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Jess and Thom challenge a common assumption in church leadership: that struggling churches need a better vision. In reality, many churches already have a clear vision—but they lack the systems to follow up with the people God is already sending their way. Jess and Thom walk through how ineffective or inconsistent follow-up is one of the biggest reasons churches fail to retain guests, and they offer simple, practical steps to close that gap immediately. The post Your Church Doesn't Have a Vision Problem—It Has a Follow-Up Problem appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Jess and Thom address one of the most overlooked challenges in the church today: the gap between belief and action when it comes to inviting others. Most church members love their church—but they rarely invite anyone to attend. Jess and Thom explore why this gap exists, what holds people back, and how leaders can create a culture where invitations become natural, consistent, and effective. The post The Invitation Gap: Why Your Members Aren't Inviting Others appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, we break down Ryan Burge's demographic analysis of American Protestant churches and the uncomfortable math behind membership decline. Using age-distribution data across major denominations, Burge argues many churches aren't stable—they're simply being “buoyed by the Baby Boomers.” With modal ages in the late 60s, shrinking numbers of young adults, and fewer children in the pipeline, many groups are approaching a demographic tipping point. Decline won't be gradual; it will feel slow and then sudden. Unless leaders plan now, some denominations could lose 30–50% of their adult members over the next couple of decades. The message is clear: this isn't a theological or programmatic problem. It's an actuarial problem, and the clock is already ticking. The post The Burge Report: Boomers Can't Save Us Forever: The Hard Truth About Church Demographics appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam address a widespread reality in many churches: bloated membership rolls and shrinking attendance. Across North America, millions of names remain on church rolls even though those people haven't attended in months... or years. In some cases, membership lists are four or five times larger than actual weekly worship attendance. The result? Confusion, unhealthy metrics, and weakened accountability. A growing number of congregations are rethinking the issue: clarifying expectations, tightening processes, and distinguishing between truly inactive members and those with legitimate life circumstances. The post What Churches Should Do About Inactive Members appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Jess and Thom take on a topic that may sound counterintuitive: the danger of a big vision. We both believe vision matters—but we've also seen how it can quietly become a distraction. Too many church leaders spend time talking about where they want to go and not enough time taking the next step to get there. We'll walk through how big vision, when not grounded in action, can actually slow a church down—and how to refocus on the simple, practical steps that lead to real progress. The post The Danger of a Big Vision appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom have both seen it again and again: churches that are incredibly busy but not particularly effective. In this episode, we talk candidly about the hidden cost of busyness in the church. Full calendars and constant activity can feel like signs of health, but they often mask deeper issues of focus and clarity. Together, we'll explore why doing more is not the answer—and how simplifying ministry can actually lead to greater impact and renewed energy. The post The Hidden Cost of Busyness in the Church appeared first on Church Answers.

For decades, 11:00 a.m. was the “sacred hour” of church life—the assumed, unquestioned start time for Sunday worship. But that era is fading fast. In this episode, Thom and Sam unpack the data and on-the-ground observations showing how churches are rethinking when they gather. From earlier services to multiple options to non-Sunday gatherings, flexibility is replacing tradition. What once served an agrarian culture no longer fits modern family rhythms. Growing churches are adapting their schedules to remove barriers and create more on-ramps for attendance. The post Are Sunday Morning Service Times Changing? What the Data Says About the Future of Church Worship Schedules appeared first on Church Answers.

When a crisis hits a church, the first few hours can either build trust or break it. In this episode, Sam interviews crisis communication expert Amy Whitfield and walks through what to say (and not say) immediately after a church crisis. We talk about the first statement, the first 24 hours, and the common missteps that unintentionally escalate confusion, fear, or anger. Amy offers practical language that pastors and church leaders can actually use, along with guardrails for accuracy and accountability, especially when facts are still developing. The post What to Say (and Not Say) Immediately After a Church Crisis appeared first on Church Answers.

Scripture offers strength when leaders feel weary. Jess and Sam share a brief biblical devotion. The post An Encouraging Word from the Word for Church Leaders appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Sam share some sobering data on evangelism in local churches. They then look at the most significant challenges. The good news? All of these challenges can be met with a few changes. The post Why Evangelism Is Dying in Most American Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches that are laser-focused on these five commitments tend to experience a continuous cycle of healthy church growth, while churches that allow the urgency of the moment to distract them from these commitments tend to experience decline. Thom and Sam discuss the new book, "Crucial Commitments." The post Crucial Commitments: 5 Simple Decisions That Members of Healthy and Growing Churches Make appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss what makes an ideal church member from the pastor's perspective. They pull some descriptions from some of their favorite members and talk about what they love about them. The post How to Become Your Pastor’s Favorite Church Member appeared first on Church Answers.