Podcasts about church answers

Most every church desires to grow with young families. But what do they look for in a church? Josh and Sam discuss a few key ways to attract and retain families with children. The post What Young Families Really Want in a Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom share the story of Sugarloaf Church, an almost deceased church in the Florida Keys. Braydenton McCormick became the lead pastor of the church two years ago. The church was facing insolvency, but last year it reached its budget, even putting away an additional year's worth of funds for rainy days. The church had only seven members, and the pastor's family added five more. The facilities were stale and outdated, but the church had no debt. We will examine ten key ways the church transitioned from near death to hope. The post Ten Ways an Almost Deceased Church in the Florida Keys Is Being Revitalized (Part 1) appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom share the story of Sugarloaf Church, an almost deceased church in the Florida Keys. Braydenton McCormick became the lead pastor of the church two years ago. The church was facing insolvency, but last year it reached its budget, even putting away an additional year's worth of funds for rainy days. The church had only seven members, and the pastor's family added five more. The facilities were stale and outdated, but the church had no debt. We will examine ten key ways the church transitioned from near death to hope. The post Ten Ways an Almost Deceased Church in the Florida Keys Is Being Revitalized (Part 2) appeared first on Church Answers.

Hiring staff can strengthen a church—but not always. In this episode, Thom and Sam discuss seven times when adding staff is a mistake, from removing ministry opportunities from the laity to financial missteps and agenda-driven hires. Learn how to make wise, mission-focused staffing decisions for your church's health. The post Seven Occasions When You Should Not Hire More Church Staff appeared first on Church Answers.

A pastor's salary is determined by several factors, including church size and budget, geographic location, cost of living, education, experience, and responsibilities. While there is no universal answer, Josh and Sam discuss general guidelines and what pastors should expect from their churches. The post How Much Money Should a Pastor Make? appeared first on Church Answers.

A church's growth is the work of the Holy Spirit, but God uses different methodologies for different seasons. Jess and Thom examine four of the most effective actions that growing churches of all sizes are taking today. You probably don't hear much about these four. The post Four Off-the-Wall Actions That Are Highly Effective for Attendance Growth appeared first on Church Answers.

While some churches continue rounds of ungodly worship wars, more churches don't have worship wars because it's difficult to impossible to define a position or style to defend or attack. Jess and Thom examine the reasons behind this blessing. The post Why We Can No Longer Define Worship Styles appeared first on Church Answers.

In this conversation, Greg and Rainer discuss The Anxious Generation Goes to Church. They explore what the research says about what younger generations need (and want) from your church.

Both prophets and conspiracy theorists cater to the human desire to make sense of chaos. This connection sparks compelling questions: Do religious belief and conspiracy thinking go hand in hand, as both involve leaps of imagination? Or does a strong religious framework offer enough structure, reducing the need for conspiracy theories? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss what the hard data reveals. The post The Burge Report: Are Religious People More Prone to Conspiracy Theories? appeared first on Church Answers.

The future of America's largest churches (specifically megachurches—2,000+ weekly attendees) is a complex mix of momentum, innovation, and cultural headwinds. Eric Geiger from Mariners Church joins Sam on the show to discuss the reality facing large churches. Will they keep growing? Some will, but many are plateauing or entering slow decline. The post The Future of America’s Largest Churches: An Interview with Eric Geiger appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom has seen a precipitous decline in the use of offering plates in churches. He joins Jess as they both examine the reasons behind the decline. The post Why has the use of the offering plate declined? appeared first on Church Answers.

The time of offertory is a relatively recent phenomenon in local churches. Thom and Jess take a historical excursion to look at three methods of giving that helped churches raise money. The post How did churches raise money before the introduction of the offertory? appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Sam interviews Michael Kelley, Executive Director for the Rooted Network and a seasoned writer of church small group curriculum. As churches adapt to evolving discipleship needs, small group materials are also transforming. We'll explore what's driving these changes, how new approaches are resonating with different congregations, and practical insights for church leaders who are choosing curriculum in today's landscape. The post The Shifts in How Churches Choose Small Group Curriculum (What You Need to Know): An Interview with Michael Kelley appeared first on Church Answers.

Many people are passionate about Bible translations and have strong opinions about which one is the best. Pastors are no exception. Josh and Sam discuss what translations they believe are best suited for preaching. The post The Best Bible Translation for Preaching appeared first on Church Answers.

Some traditions, particularly among Methodists and Baptists, provided Wednesday night meals with as much fervor as Sunday services. Thom and Jess looked at the origin of the Wednesday night meal in many churches. The post What is the origin of the Wednesday-night meal in many churches? appeared first on Church Answers.

For churches in many traditions, particularly among Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists, Sunday evening services were a staple for decades. Jess and Thom examine the origins of these services. The post What is the origin of the Sunday evening worship services? appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom and Sam explore four types of church leaders who are unlikely to lead effectively in revitalization. The post Four Kinds of Church Leaders Who Will Not Lead in Revitalization appeared first on Church Answers.

One of the most challenging parts of ministry is the rejection of getting fired by a church. Josh and Sam discuss the immediate next steps pastors can take to begin the healing process. The post What Should I Do After Getting Fired from a Church? appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: lack of guest-friendly signage and markers. The post Lack of Guest-Friendly Signage and Markers: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: lack of focus on clean and well-supplied restrooms. The post Lack of Focus on Clean and Well-Supplied Restrooms: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

As soon as I saw the title of the upcoming book by Dr. Thom Rainer, I knew I had to have him on the show. He told me right away to call him Thom and it was easy because he's friendly and down to earth. But his newest book, “The Anxious Generation Goes to Church” is anything but down to earth. It is a compelling, well researched and fascinating look at what our kids are navigating with church involvement while growing up in a tech saturated world. And while it would be easy to believe kids nowadays really aren't interested in church, Thom's research shows something different. He has found that kids today are interested in spiritual things and are longing for a place to belong. Inviting them to church is not something we should be afraid of. Rather, it should be at the top of our list of things to do to reach the hearts of today's youth. And if it's our own kids we're talking about, Thom's advice is that we model showing up for church and actually being involved in church. That is the best way for our kids to care about being part of church—by seeing that we care. You will find this conversation encouraging and hopeful. Thom is a loving father and grandfather and his wisdom and kindness felt like a warm hug to me. I loved having him on the show and you will love hearing him share. Go pre-order his book today so you can read it as soon as it hits the shelves. You won't be disappointed! Where to find Thom: Pre-order Thom's new book here Find Thom's website, Church Answers, here  Where to find Greta: Find Greta's new book here Find Greta's website here Find Greta's other books here and here Find Greta on Instagram here The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

What stops a church from having a breakout? Thom and Sam discuss four primary reasons they often see in their consultations and research. The post Four Common Reasons Most Churches Aren’t Breakout Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam received a message from a friend recently. His question was simple: How many people typically give in a church? Statistically, about 75% of people will give in a typical church. In his case, only 50% of the church was giving regularly. Josh and Sam discuss some ways to teach church members about the importance of tithing. The 10% mark can be controversial, but committing to give regularly should not be. The post Five Key Tips to Teach Your Church to Tithe appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom examines one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: failure to remind people about digital giving. The post Failure to Remind People About Digital Giving: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom examines one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: failure to have a secret guest. The post Failure to Have a Secret Guest: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

No church grows week after week and year after year. Additionally, our spiritual growth has highs and lows. A slump is inevitable in churches and people. Thom and Sam discuss some causes of a ministry slump and what you can do to stop the slide. The post Eight Causes for a Ministry Slump appeared first on Church Answers.

The long, slow death of mainline churches is well documented and goes back to the 1970s. In the mid-twentieth century, approximately half of all Americans were identified as members of one of the seven mainline denominations. Today, it's between 10% and 15%. Not much is said about revitalizing these churches, but there is hope. Josh and Sam interview one mainline Methodist elder, Chad Brooks, who has a plan to solve this problem. The post Is There Any Hope for Revitalizing Mainline Churches? appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: the holy huddle. The post The Holy Huddle: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: zero invitations. The post Zero Invitations: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

Fifty years ago, non-denominational churches were more of an anomaly. Today, they are one of largest religious groups in the United States and one of only a few growing religious groups. Why is this? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss the reasons for growth among non-denominational churches. The post The Burge Report: Why Are Non-Denominational Churches Growing? appeared first on Church Answers.

The co-hosts have noticed something—it seems church members are cussing more these days. But are their anecdotal experiences supported by data? Josh and Sam talk about the expletive problem in churches today. The post Are Church Members Cussing More Today Than in the Past? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess interview Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services. In this episode, they discuss how to reconnect your congregation to the vision through generosity. The post Reconnect Your Congregation to the Vision through Generosity: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess interview Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services. In this episode, they discuss how to grow your congregation in the grace of giving. The post Grow Your Congregation in the Grace of Giving: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches can struggle with seeking outside help, even when it's obvious they need it. Thom and Sam discuss why healthy churches often have outsiders speak into the operations of the church. The post Five Reasons Healthy Churches Seek Outside Help appeared first on Church Answers.

Very few churches are growing, which means most pastors will lead plateaued or declining congregations. Some pastors experience an entire ministry career in no-growth situations. Why does this happen? Josh and Sam discuss several reasons why some pastors never experience church growth. The post Why Some Pastors Never Experience Church Growth appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: failure to have a parking lot greeter. The post Failure to Have a Parking Lot Greeter: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one's own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: the time of worship services on the website is not correct. The post The Time of Worship Services on the Website Is Not Correct: The Unforced Error Series appeared first on Church Answers.

The average age of a pastor is 60 years old. The question of retirement is one many pastors are asking. Being a lead pastor comes with unique demands and extra attention. Is there an ideal age to retire? Thom and Sam discuss some guidelines for those who are closer to retirement than not. The post What Is the Right Age to Retire as a Lead Pastor? appeared first on Church Answers.

A generation ago, student ministers would often make the leap to the lead pastor role after a few years. Does this kind of move still happen? If so, is it a good thing or not? Unfortunately, sometimes ministry positions outside of the lead pastor are seen as a lesser role in the life of the church. Josh and Sam break down the good and bad of leaping from student ministry to lead pastor. The post Is Student Ministry Still a Stepping Stone? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this first episode, they discuss five powerful ways “Simple Church” principles can shape not just how we do ministry, but how we build the spaces that facilitate it. The post 5 Ways “Simple Church” Can Apply to Your Church Facility with Brown Church Development Group appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this second episode, they discuss why intentional, purpose-aligned church facility planning is so critical. Smart churches don't just build for growth; they build for purpose. The post Church Facility Growth Strategy: How to Build with Purpose with Brown Church Development Group appeared first on Church Answers.

Do you love to preach but at times loathe sermon prep? Do you find preaching incredibly fulfilling yet preparation frustrating or even overwhelming? If so, you're not alone. Many pastors struggle with the inefficiency of sermon prep—feeling bogged down by research, unsure how to faithfully interpret Scripture, or intimidated by today's hot-button topics like politics, gender, and race. Dr. Bruce Clark (PhD. in Biblical Studies, University of Cambridge) from Interpret Consulting joins the show to discuss the common frustrations of sermon prep and explore practical ways to streamline the process while strengthening your preaching skills. Interpret Consulting aims to come alongside busy faithful pastors (in churches of all sizes and stages) and assist them in sermon preparation by helping them strengthen their exegetical skills and tackle today's seemingly endless sensitive “hot button” issues. The post The Pastor's Dilemma: Loving Preaching, Loathing Sermon Prep appeared first on Church Answers.

Most pastors want to be liked and respected by their congregations. This desire is part of the reason they are motivated to serve others. However, approval addiction can become a major barrier to leadership. When people pleasing becomes the priority, pastors often do more harm than good in their congregations. Marty Duren joins Josh and Sam to discuss this important topic. The post Approval Addiction, People Pleasing, and How Pastors Can Let Go appeared first on Church Answers.

From 2008 to 2014, the Nones (those who have no religious affiliation) were the fastest-growing demographic segment in the nation. They are no longer growing. In fact, they are declining slightly. Here are five major implications for churches. The post The Nones Are Rising No More: 5 Things Church Leaders Need to Know appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss how the total of all Nones is at its lowest level since 2018. The post Where Have All the Atheists and Agnostics Gone? appeared first on Church Answers.

We've all heard the stereotypes of homeschooled children. But what does the data say? Ryan Burge joins Sam on the show to discuss the facts. The co-hosts also discuss implications for the church. The post The Burge Report: Does Homeschooling Change the Political and Religious Views of Children? appeared first on Church Answers.

Most pastors go through the process of hiring someone to help them minister to the church. What should you do for your first hire? Josh and Sam walk through a helpful checklist. The post A Checklist for Making Your First Hire in the Church appeared first on Church Answers.

What can pastors do to affair-proof their marriages? I've had the opportunity to talk with a number of pastors whose marriages seem to be healthy. They are certainly long-lived; the most recently married of the pastors to whom I spoke has been married 31 years. The longest marriage was 41 years in my sample group. From them, I learned some important lessons. We will look at eight ways pastors affair-proof their marriages over two episodes. Here are the second four. The post How Pastors Can Affair-Proof Their Marriages (Part 2) appeared first on Church Answers.

What can pastors do to affair-proof their marriages? I've had the opportunity to talk with a number of pastors whose marriages seem to be healthy. They are certainly long-lived; the most recently married of the pastors to whom I spoke has been married 31 years. The longest marriage was 41 years in my sample group. From them, I learned some important lessons. We will look at eight ways pastors affair-proof their marriages over two episodes. Here are the first four. The post How Pastors Can Affair-Proof Their Marriages (Part 1) appeared first on Church Answers.

Preachers and other public speakers should avoid these fillers in public speaking. Sam and Thom listened to several podcasts and sermons, where they heard these common fillers. The post Um, Uh, and You Know: Killer Fillers in Public Speaking appeared first on Church Answers.