Thomas Costello
REACHRIGHT Podcast
The REACHRIGHT Podcast is dedicated to helping your church reach people the right way. We want to help you see more visitors and grow.
Author
Thomas Costello
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Six Shocking Church Statistics For 2026 15.01.2026 23:32
Every year, we kick off the season with one of our favorite traditions: the stats episode. We go through dozens of recent church statistics, pick the ones that made our jaws drop, and share our top six on the podcast. These stats help church leaders understand the cultural shifts happening right now and how to respond with purpose and strategy. Some are encouraging. Some are convicting. All of the...
The Most Valuable Metrics for Your Church to Measure in 2026 08.01.2026 23:20
Most churches know they should be measuring something. But knowing what to measure and why is an entirely different conversation. It is easy to get caught up in vanity metrics or track data that has little to do with your church’s mission. The truth is, churches that consistently measure the right things are the ones that grow in health, not just size. And in 2026, with better tools and more acces...
How to Reach Gen Alpha in 2026 (What Most Churches Miss) 02.01.2026 25:27
Most churches are still focused on Gen Z. And while that matters, they may be missing the generation that is already sitting in their kids’ ministry, their middle schools, and their youth groups. Gen Alpha is no longer the “next” generation. They are the now generation . And churches that want to stay connected to the future must learn how to reach, disciple, and empower them today. Estimated read...
Ranking Church AI Trends for 2026 26.12.2025 28:13
AI is not just coming for the future of the church. It is already here, bringing with it the promise of transformative potential for ministry and outreach. From sermon prep tools to automated follow-up, artificial intelligence is changing how churches communicate, create, and care for their people. Still, not every trend is worth following blindly. Church leaders need to understand what is useful,...
Why Your Church Newsletter Isn’t Reaching Anyone 11.12.2025 27:51
Church newsletters used to be one of the most reliable ways to communicate with your congregation. Whether it was a printed handout in the Sunday bulletin or an email sent out once a month, it kept people informed, inspired, and involved. But something has changed. Now, church leaders are starting to realize that their monthly newsletter is getting ignored. People do not open it. They do not read...
Should Pastors Be Using ChatGPT for Sermon Prep? 04.12.2025 23:07
AI tools are changing the way people work, think, and communicate. And now they are showing up in the last place many expected: the pulpit. Some pastors are using tools like ChatGPT to help with their sermon writing process. Others are warning that this is the beginning of the end for biblical preaching. So what should church leaders do? Is using AI sermon prep tools a smart way to save time or a...
Ranking the Most Overlooked Digital Tools for Small Churches 27.11.2025 32:46
Big budgets and full-time tech teams may work for megachurches, but most small churches have to get creative. The good news? Some of the most effective church digital tools out there are affordable, simple to use, and often overlooked. These tools are not about replacing ministry. They are about multiplying it. In this article, we are highlighting ten tools that many churches miss. They may not sh...
Why Your Church YouTube Channel Isn’t Growing (And What To Do About It) 20.11.2025 20:49
You’ve uploaded sermons. You’ve got a decent logo. You tell people to subscribe at the end of your videos. But for some reason, your church’s YouTube channel just isn’t growing. No views. No comments. And no momentum. And you’re not alone. Most churches on YouTube are stuck in neutral, wondering what they’re doing wrong, while other channels seem to take off overnight. But the truth is, your churc...
5 Christmas Series Ideas to Wow New Visitors 14.11.2025 17:43
As church leaders, it can be tempting to strive for the newest, hippest Christmas series ideas. But while a fresh approach is always welcome, let’s not forget that people crave comfort and familiarity during the holiday season. When it comes to your Christmas sermon, people expect and want to focus on the “reason for the season” which is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Don’t forget that Chri...
Could AI Actually Help Your Church Growth? 13.11.2025 22:47
Artificial intelligence has entered every area of modern life. From your phone to your fridge, from your inbox to your Sunday sermon slides, AI is now part of the way we live, communicate, and lead. But for many churches, AI adoption still feels like something to avoid. It seems too complicated. Too worldly. Too risky. So instead of experimenting or exploring, many church leaders simply ignore it....
Ranking the Most Powerful Ways to Reach Gen Z in 2026 06.11.2025 35:41
Gen Z isn’t the future of the church. They’re the present. If your strategy for reaching younger generations still relies on methods that worked for millennials or Gen X, it’s time for a serious update. This generation is different. Not just digitally native, but deeply discerning. Not just screen-obsessed, but searching for something real. The good news is that many Gen Z men and women are hungry...
7 Inspiring Church Thanksgiving Service Ideas 30.10.2025 18:35
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all of the blessings in our lives. We all have many things to be grateful for, and these seven Thanksgiving service ideas will help your church members celebrate and find ways to give back to others. In a world that can be divisive, critical, and argumentative, this Thanksgiving season is a time for coming together and remembering all that we have in common and...
Why Your Church Isn’t Showing Up on Google (And How to Fix It) 30.10.2025 24:51
If your church is struggling to show up on Google, you’re not alone. Every week, people in your city are searching for answers, community, and faith. But if your church isn’t visible online, they might never find you. The internet is often the first step someone takes toward discovering a church. And while your church may have powerful preaching, warm community, and great programs, none of that ma...
How to Use AI in Your Church Without Compromising Your Faith (REACHRIGHT Mailbag Episode) 30.10.2025 23:40
In this edition of ReachRight Mailbag, we’re tackling one of the boldest questions in church circles today: Are we heading toward a future where the church exists entirely online and physical gatherings disappear? As digital tools reshape how we connect, teach, and worship, this is a question church leaders can’t ignore. Some see the rise of online ministry as a natural next step. Others are worri...
How the Top 1% of Growing Churches Use Digital Marketing (Do This Now) 23.10.2025 28:52
Most churches have some kind of digital presence. A Facebook page. A website. Maybe even a YouTube channel or email newsletter. But while nearly every church is online, very few are actually using digital marketing to drive real church growth . Then there’s the top 1 percent . These are the churches that are consistently reaching new people, connecting with first-time guests, and staying visible i...
Why Your AI Prompts Suck (And How to Fix Them) 09.10.2025 24:12
AI tools are everywhere. Whether you’re using platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or another generative AI system, you’ve probably seen firsthand how powerful these tools can be. They can write articles, generate captions, outline emails, analyze data, and even brainstorm ideas faster than most people can open a blank Google Doc. But here’s the problem. Most people are not getting the results...
What Pastors Really Want for Pastor Appreciation Month 02.10.2025 24:25
October is Pastor Appreciation Month , and many churches are already brainstorming ways to honor their leaders. Maybe your team has a few gift ideas floating around, or you’re planning to recognize your pastor during a Sunday service with a bouquet and a few nice words. That’s a great start. But let’s be honest. Most pastors have received their fair share of mugs, bookstore gift cards, and framed...
The Best (And Worst) Ways Church AI is Being Used 25.09.2025 28:33
Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. In homes, in offices, and increasingly, in ministry. From generating graphics to writing devotionals, AI tools have made their way into the daily life of many churches. Adopting technology like AI should be a strategic process that aligns with the church’s mission and values. For some, this shift is exciting. For others, it raises concerns. Church l...
10 Do’s and Don’ts For Brainstorming Sermon Topic Ideas 18.09.2025 23:52
When it comes to preaching, many pastors feel at a loss for what to talk about week after week. It can be tough to come up with sermon topic ideas that are both interesting and applicable to modern-day life. But if you’re feeling burnout or lost, never fear! In this article and podcast, we’ll talk about the do’s and don’ts to help you develop sermon topic ideas to take you 52 weeks and beyond. Let...
Why Your Church Marketing Isn’t Working (And How the Pros Fix It) 18.09.2025 30:29
You’ve spent hours designing flyers, running Facebook ads, posting sermon clips, and tweaking your church website. But here’s the honest truth: for many, a church’s marketing is a key area where churches struggle to see real results. Your church marketing still isn’t working the way you hoped. You’re not alone. Across the country, church leaders are investing time, energy, and budget into marketin...
Church First Time Guests Aren’t the Same Anymore… Here’s What Churches Must Know 11.09.2025 27:24
If your church’s first-time guests are anything like they were twenty years ago, you might be in for a surprise. The truth is, church visitors today don’t look for the same things they did in 2005. Their expectations, their comfort levels, even the way they decide to visit your church have all changed. And if your church’s welcome process hasn’t kept up, you may be missing the chance to connect wi...
5 AI Tools Every Church Should Be Using Right Now 04.09.2025 30:38
Artificial intelligence isn’t just knocking on the doors of the church; it’s already in the sanctuary. Church leaders everywhere are beginning to realize that AI isn’t some futuristic trend—it’s today’s ministry multiplier. From video editing to teaching biblical truths to enhancing communication with church members, AI tools are transforming how churches serve, share, and steward their time. AI i...
Is It Wrong for Churches to Want Growth? (REACHRIGHT Mailbag Episode) 28.08.2025 27:05
In this edition of ReachRight Mailbag, we’re digging into one of the most debated questions in ministry today: Should churches really want to grow? Is growth biblical—or are we just chasing numbers? Plus, we’ll tackle some other great listener questions—from generational gaps in online giving to small church websites, managing the Google Ad Grant, and whether Spotify is secretly your next best soc...
Visitors Aren’t Finding Your Church Like They Used To… Here’s Why 21.08.2025 27:22
If it feels like fewer church visitors are walking through your doors these days, you’re not imagining things. It’s not that people aren’t searching for hope, truth, or a deeper sense of community—they are. It’s just that the way they find a church has completely changed. Twenty years ago, a church visit often started with a friend’s invitation, a sign on the street, or maybe even the Yellow Pages...
8 Inspiring Ideas for Church Anniversary Celebrations 14.08.2025 18:10
Celebrating a church anniversary is a significant event, marking not just years of existence but also the impact and growth of a spiritual community. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and looking forward to the future. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Planning a memorable church anniversary celebration can be both exciting and challenging. As your congregation marks another milestone i...
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