Podcasts about church answers

What should a church do if someone wins the lottery and wants to tithe from the proceeds? The question is more complicated than it first appears. On one hand, churches should teach biblical stewardship and encourage generosity. On the other hand, gambling raises serious concerns about wisdom, exploitation, addiction, and the source of financial gain. In this episode, we discuss how church leaders can think carefully, pastorally, and biblically about whether to accept a tithe from lottery winnings. The post Should a Church Accept a Tithe from a Lottery Winner? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess welcome Eric Geiger to The Church Answers Podcast. In his new book, “The Rooted Leader: Seven Rhythms of Leaders Who Bear Fruit That Lasts” (Tyndale Momentum, August 2026), Eric provides practical guidance for leaders in any area of life, helping them grow in influence and impact. Drawing from the biblical story of Nehemiah, often called history's first leadership book, he introduces seven intermingling rhythms that result in the fruit all leaders desire: vision, conviction, servanthood, perseverance, credibility, transformation, and resolve. Eric serves as senior pastor of Mariners Church in Irvine, California, and has been heavily involved in the Rooted Network, a discipleship program impacting thousands of churches nationwide. The post The Rooted Leader: An Interview with Eric Geiger appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss the challenges if personnel costs fall below about 40%. The post When Personnel Costs Are Too Low appeared first on Church Answers.

A common argument says immigration could help reverse America's secular drift because immigrants are assumed to be more religious than native-born Americans. Ryan Burge's analysis challenges that assumption. Using Cooperative Election Study data, he finds that immigrants are only slightly more religious than Americans whose families have been in the United States for generations—and not nearly enough to shift the country's overall religious trajectory. The larger story is assimilation: immigrants, like the broader American population, are becoming more secular over time. The post The Burge Report: Why Immigration Won’t Reverse America’s Secular Drift appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam have a little fun and talk about the preaching distractions most likely to get the pastor's attention. The post The Top Preaching Distractions (What Stops Pastors Mid-Sentence in the Pulpit) appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom discuss the often-asked question about personnel costs in churches. Though there are guidelines, there is no simple answer. The post What Percent of a Church Budget Should Personnel Costs Be? appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom discuss the downsides of high personnel expenses that approach or exceed 60–65% of the budget. The post When Personnel Costs Are Too High appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Sam explore why the pastorate remains one of the most secure callings in an AI world. Artificial intelligence can help with research and administrative tasks, but it cannot replace the heart of pastoral ministry: presence, trust, discernment, and shepherding. The more ministry is rooted in real relationships rather than production alone, the more durable it becomes. In many ways, the rise of AI may actually clarify what people need most from pastors in the years ahead. The post Why the Pastorate Is One of the Highest Security Jobs in an AI World appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss a scenario that is more common than most realize: when a key donor or two are the only ones keeping the church afloat. The post What Should a Pastor Do When One or Two Key Donors Keep the Church Doors Open appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss what research reveals about the unchurched and why many churches misunderstand the people living around them. The post What the Unchurched Really Think About Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom explore why some churches consistently reach new people while others struggle to do so. The post Why Some Churches Reach New People and Others Don’t appeared first on Church Answers.

To help raise well-rounded young men and women who know they are loved by God, one church has created a focus on MASS: Mental, Athletic, Spiritual, and Social. Brian Kelly from Northside Church in Liverpool, NY joins Sam on the show to discuss how his church has used MASS to engage families in their community. The post The Four Domains of Successful Outreach to Families with Children appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss why churches should still believe in short-term mission trips when they are approached with the right biblical purpose and practical care. While these trips are sometimes criticized for being expensive, shallow, or more about the travelers than the mission field, they can still be powerful tools for gospel partnership, spiritual growth, and leadership development. When done well, short-term trips do not replace long-term missions. They support and strengthen missions, and help churches cultivate a deeper heart for the nations. The post Why We Still Believe in Short-Term Mission Trips for Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom welcome Matt Steen, Co-Founder of Chemistry Staffing, to The Church Answers Podcast. The post What You Need to Know about Staffing Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss why so many church volunteers are burned out and how leaders can better care for them. The post The Great Volunteer Burnout Problem appeared first on 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.