The Church Resource

Pastors today face a unique challenge: how do you use social media to advance God's Kingdom without turning ministry into personal branding? In this conversation, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass wrestle honestly with one of the most difficult questions facing church leaders today. They discuss authenticity, the temptation of chasing influence, online criticism, and why every pastor should beg...

In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass tackle one of the most difficult questions pastors and church members face: How do you respond when someone asks about concerns with another church? They discuss how to offer biblical guidance without becoming petty, how to distinguish biblical convictions from personal preferences, and why context matters when evaluating...

The Bible was never meant to be read as disconnected stories. In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass explore the CSB Connecting Scripture New Testament, a unique study resource designed to reveal how the New Testament constantly points back to the Old Testament. They discuss how color-coded quotations and allusions help readers recognize biblical connections,...

Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is gaining momentum around the world—and for good reason. In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass unpack what makes this simple, discussion-based approach so effective for students, new believers, and anyone exploring Scripture. They explain why DBS thrives in narrative passages, why it isn't the right tool for every genre of the Bib...

After spending three weeks serving at youth camp, Lucas Pinckard shares three major trends that every church leader, youth pastor, and parent needs to hear. From the incredible dedication of camp staff to a new generation of worship leaders who are emphasizing theological depth, these observations reveal encouraging signs about where the next generation is headed. The conversation also explores wh...

Every church leader naturally leans toward either process or people—but both extremes can limit effective ministry. In this episode, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass discuss why healthy leadership requires both structure and compassion. Learn how Jesus modeled the perfect balance, why honest self-assessment matters, and how pastors, Bible study leaders, and ministry volunteers can lead people...

How should Christians respond to false teachers without becoming consumed by negativity? In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass discuss the growing influence of "heresy hunter" content on YouTube and social media. While Scripture calls believers to test everything and guard against false teaching, it's also possible to become so focused on exposing error that...

Why do shows like The Righteous Gemstones, comedians like Drewski, and even outlets like The Babylon Bee resonate with so many people? Are they mocking Christianity—or exposing real problems within the church? In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass explore how Christians should respond when the church becomes the target of satire. They discuss the difference b...

What does church outreach actually mean? Is it community events, door-to-door evangelism, serving at local nonprofits, or something more? In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in ministry. They discuss why outreach is more than a single event or checking a box, and how every church must define outreach based on its...

What happens when a pastor wakes up sick on Sunday morning and can't make it to church? In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass discuss how pastors and church leaders can prepare for unexpected absences without leaving their congregation unserved. They share practical strategies for developing leaders within your church, creating an "emergency bullpen" of trust...

In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass tackle one of the most important conversations happening in the church today: faith deconstruction and why so many young people are questioning Christianity. From former pastors and ministry leaders sharing their stories online to the growing influence of social media personalities discussing faith, doubt, and spiritualit...

Why are fewer young people pursuing ministry and church leadership today? In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass dive into one of the biggest challenges facing churches across the country: developing the next generation of leaders. From declining seminary enrollment and growing disinterest in vocational ministry to the cultural pressures surrounding church lea...

How do pastors, church leaders, and busy Christians decide what books are actually worth reading? In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass have an honest conversation about overflowing book stacks, unfinished reads, audiobook habits, spiritual growth, leadership development, and the struggle to make time for personal edification. They discuss guilt, discipline,...

In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass discuss how pastors and church leaders can faithfully navigate today's rapidly changing culture. From AI, social media, and streaming platforms to youth culture, online communities, and modern storytelling, they explore how cultural trends shape the way people think and live. The conversation highlights the importance of...

In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass continue their in-depth discussion on Timothy Keller's book Prayer and explore why it has had such a profound impact on their spiritual lives. They unpack Keller's insights on biblical prayer, meditation, lament, emotional honesty before God, and the balance between reverence and boldness in prayer. Drawing from the examp...

In this episode of The Church Resource, we take an in-depth look at Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller. We discuss who this book is written for, whether it's accessible for everyday believers, and why it stands out from many other books on prayer. From pastors and church leaders to discipleship groups and Christians wanting to grow spiritually, we explore who can trul...

Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass discuss one of the most challenging parts of ministry: evaluating your own preaching. With sermons now regularly livestreamed and recorded, pastors have more opportunities than ever to review their communication and grow in effectiveness. This episode covers practical ways to assess sermons, including clarity, articulation, cadence, pacing, gestures, and overal...

In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass tackle one of the most frustrating challenges in church life: men's ministry. Why do so many men stop showing up? Why do women's Bible studies thrive while men struggle to stay engaged? They unpack the problems with hyper-aggressive, "macho" ministry models and challenge the idea that manhood is about appearances, strengt...

After the excitement of Easter Sunday, many churches face a surprising reality: the "comedown." In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass talk honestly about the emotional, spiritual, and practical challenges that come after a big Sunday. From attendance drops and volunteer fatigue to managing expectations and staying focused on the mission, this conversation off...

In this episode, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass dive into the challenge of filling the pulpit. They discuss why pastors need time off, how to find and prepare guest preachers, and what to do when things don't go as planned—while keeping the focus on faithfully preaching the gospel. If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.co...

In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass share practical insights on how to approach guest preaching with wisdom and humility. From asking the right questions and choosing the right message to understanding church culture and managing expectations, they cover what it takes to serve another congregation well. Whether you're new to guest preaching or have years of...

What does biblical manhood actually look like today? In this episode, Lucas Pinckard and Chris Respass explore Mansfield's Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield, a practical resource for building strong, godly men. They discuss its core principles, the importance of friendship and mentorship, and how it helps redefine masculinity with balance, purpose, and faith. Perfect for fathers, leaders, and...

In this episode of The Church Resource, we discuss the balance between compassion and common sense in ministry. How do you care for people deeply without becoming overwhelmed or ineffective? Through real-life examples, we explore emotional boundaries, wise stewardship, and why sometimes the most compassionate answer is "no." If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass...

In this episode of The Church Resource, we take a deep dive into one of the most powerful and overlooked tools for studying the Psalms: The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon. This isn't your typical commentary. Spurgeon combines detailed exposition, insights from historic theologians, and practical "hints for preachers" to create something far richer—more like an encyclopedia for understanding...

In this episode, we tackle a question every pastor and church leader faces: when is it a "my decision" vs. an "our decision"? From governance structures to real-life leadership challenges, we unpack why involving others in decision-making isn't just helpful—it's essential. We share practical insights from years of ministry experience, including how collaboration builds trust, creates better outcom...