Podcasts about 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thom reviews recent data from the Cooperative Election Study and Ryan Burge, focusing on atheists and agnostics. The information raises many questions and provides encouraging opportunities for churches. The post Are Atheists and Agnostics Really Declining in Number in the United States? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom continues to review the data from the Cooperative Election Study and Ryan Burge. There are many surprises, including the trends among the Boomers. The post Are the Boomers Nones No More? appeared first on Church Answers.

While some church power struggles stem from bad actors, a more common cause is blurred lines. In this episode, Thom and Sam tackle one of the most common sources of church dysfunction: confusion between what the board should do and what the staff should do. The post The Best Board and Trustee Structure for Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam have a little fun and pull back the curtain on some personal quirks of pastors. The post Seven Things Pastors Do You Probably Don’t Know About appeared first on Church Answers.

Charles Spurgeon died in 1892, but his influence on churches is still pervasive today. Thom looks at one major aspect of Spurgeon's ministry: his emphasis on evangelism in the local church. He takes two episodes to share Spurgeon's eight convictions. The post Charles Spurgeon: 8 Clear Convictions about Evangelism in the Local Church (Part 1) appeared first on Church Answers.

Charles Spurgeon died in 1892, but his influence on churches is still pervasive today. Thom looks at one major aspect of Spurgeon's ministry: his emphasis on evangelism in the local church. He takes two episodes to share Spurgeon's eight convictions. The post Charles Spurgeon: 8 Clear Convictions about Evangelism in the Local Church (Part 2) appeared first on Church Answers.

Institutional trust has collapsed nationwide across all age groups, but Gen Z is entering adulthood at historically low levels of trust toward institutions and toward other people. Yet there is a surprising glimmer of hope when it comes to religious institutions. Compared to Millennials, Gen Z shows slightly more openness to trusting the church, suggesting the story is not over. On this edition of The Burge Report, we discuss what pastors and churches can do to build bridges with Gen Z. The post The Burge Report: Gen Z and the Church: Lonely, Cautious, Skeptical, But… Open appeared first on Church Answers.

Many Christians feel uneasy simply throwing away a damaged or worn Bible. While there are no official rules, Josh and Sam discuss several thoughtful and reverent ways to handle a copy of Scripture that has served its purpose. The post How to Discard a Worn-Out Bible Properly appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Sam talk with Mike Stadelmayer at Church Growth Services. Church building projects carry tremendous ministry potential—but many stall, scale back, or never happen. The difference between success and frustration often comes down to the following critical factors. The post The Five Reasons Church Building Projects Fail – How to Lead Yours to the Finish Line appeared first on Church Answers.

Our community at Church Answers Central recently discussed their wish list for their churches' facilities. Jess and Sam supplemented the list from our consultations. Here are the wishes in order of frequency. The post A Church Facilities Wish List appeared first on Church Answers.

Ministry today and in the future will necessitate more co-vocational pastors and church leaders. What about full-time pastors who need to supplement their income? A side job may relieve financial pressure, expand skills, and create meaningful community connections outside the church. However, it can also be a distraction and create divided attention. The post Should Full-Time Pastors Have a Side Hustle? appeared first on Church Answers.

On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss some critical functions of their work as pastors that are not included in the typical church job description. The post The Critical Functions of a Pastor Rarely Found in a Church Job Description appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom interviews Dr. Danny Akin, the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, about his new book, Vibrant Church. The post Vibrant Church: Becoming a Healthy Church in the 21st Century – An Interview with Dr. Danny Akin appeared first on Church Answers.

Many factors can affect the pace of change in a church. Thom discusses three of the biggest factors. The post Three Major Factors That Determine How Long It Will Take to Implement Change in Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches rarely maintain success in a single ministry for 25 years, but one church has figured it out. In this episode, Sam sits down with Upward Sports Ambassador Donnie Sisk from First Baptist Church Pelham in Pelham, Alabama. For more than 25 years, Donnie has used sports ministry—especially basketball—to connect with families and share the gospel. His church now hosts a thriving league with over 170 players, creating a strong bridge to the community. Recently, Donnie added pickleball, discovering that its smaller, more relational format opens the door to deeper conversations and intentional discipleship. Donnie shares how recreation can move beyond programs and become a powerful pathway for outreach, relationships, and life change. The post After 25 Years of Consistent Recreation Ministry, This Church Discovered Something… appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam have a personal conversation about the ways they are intentionally working to keep their marriages healthy. The post What We’re Doing as Pastors to Keep Our Marriages Healthy appeared first on Church Answers.

Do you want to lead change in your church? If you do, you will need to build allies and supporters to work alongside you. Jess and Thom share the five most common sources to build an eager coalition. The post How to Build an Eager Coalition for Change in Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Change is a challenge in any organization and especially in churches. Jess and Thom discuss the five types of church members who resist change the most. The post Five Types of Unmovable Church Members appeared first on Church Answers.

Though there have certainly been more difficult times in the course of church history for pastors, leading a church today is much tougher than it was 20 and 30 years ago. There have been some demographic and cultural shifts that reflect this reality. But some of the challenges can only be understood in the context of spiritual warfare. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss six reasons why pastors must be more courageous today. The post Six Reasons Pastors Must Be More Courageous Today appeared first on Church Answers.

In this tongue-in-cheek episode, Josh and Sam discuss their top annoyances as pastors. Everyone has their pet peeves, and the co-hosts share theirs. The post The Top Ways to Annoy Your Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.

It is the outlier denomination. It is the denomination that is young, while the others are decidedly older. Why is this youthfulness taking place? Join Jess and Thom as they talk with Dr. Eddie Moody, Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, about this phenomenon. You will be amazed, encouraged. and informed! The post Why Are Free Will Baptist Church Members So Young? An Interview with Dr. Eddie Moody appeared first on Church Answers.

Not all traditions are bad, but some can hinder the work of the church. Jess and Thom share the most common church traditions based on an extensive survey, and why they can be difficult to change. The post The Top 10 Immovable Traditions in Many Churches (Part 3) appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Ryan Burge and Sam examine newly released national survey data that reveal a significant shift in how young adults understand and report gender identity. Drawing on high-quality data from the Cooperative Election Study, the research shows a clear and statistically meaningful decline in the share of 18–22-year-olds identifying as transgender since 2020, with similar downward trends appearing across older age cohorts as well. The post The Burge Report: The Latest Data on Transgender Young Adults and the Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Lead pastors often provide management oversight of staff. But should they know what church staff give to the church? Josh and Sam break down the arguments on both sides, examine potential safeguards, and discuss how church culture and pastoral character shape the best approach. The post Tithing Or Not: Should Lead Pastors Know What Church Staff Give? appeared first on Church Answers.

Not all traditions are bad, but some can hinder the work of the church. Jess and Thom share the most common church traditions based on an extensive survey, and why they can be difficult to change. The post The Top 10 Immovable Traditions in Many Churches (Part 1) appeared first on Church Answers.

Not all traditions are bad, but some can hinder the work of the church. Jess and Thom share the most common church traditions based on an extensive survey, and why they can be difficult to change. The post The Top 10 Immovable Traditions in Many Churches (Part 2) appeared first on Church Answers.

How does a church grow without relying on people transferring from other congregations? Thom and Sam take a dive into this topic. The post What Growing Churches Actually Do to Reach and Keep People appeared first on Church Answers.

One of the biggest mistakes church leaders can make is assuming that abuse won't happen in their churches. The belief that “it can't happen here” is dangerously naïve. Any organization that works with children and other vulnerable individuals can be a target for predators. Satan specifically aims to attack churches and seeks to harm children and vulnerable people. Josh and Sam discuss this very important topic of safety. The post Churches Are Targets for Predators (Here’s Why) appeared first on Church Answers.

If your church cares about reaching the next generation, there's an upstream strategy that strengthens every part of ministry: investing in marriages. Children's and youth ministries matter deeply, but without discipling the parents who shape the spiritual culture of the home, churches often work harder than they need to. When marriages grow in grace, stability fills the home, volunteers serve with joy, teens show up more open, and the entire church experiences deeper unity. Brad Rhoads of Grace Marriage joins Sam on this episode. They explore why marriage discipleship isn't just another ministry. It's the source that feeds every other stream of church life, creating a generational ripple effect of gospel impact. The post Marriage Discipleship Is the Missing Piece in Family Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.