The Church Answers Podcast

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.

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 affa...

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 affa...

In many (if not most) of the growing churches that are reaching their communities, Church Answers hears a repeated theme in our consultations. These churches are growing through sports ministries. Thom interviews Kevin Drake, Executive Director of Upward Sports, to get a "behind the scenes" perspective of this incredible growing ministry.

Church Answers continues to hear stories about churches reaching their communities through sports. Jess and Thom interview Chris “Tiny” Seely, the children’s pastor of Woodbridge Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas. His church has some amazing stories about how it has used sports to reach people in their community.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Protestantism the Past 25 Years In an unusual departure from the style of this podcast, Thom and Jess look at American Protestantism in the 21st century, highlighting 10 amazing contributions and 10 abject failures. For number 21, the Rainers give American Christianity a “grade” they believe is objective based on the past 25 years. They will take four po...

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Protestantism the Past 25 Years In an unusual departure from the style of this podcast, Thom and Jess look at American Protestantism in the 21st century, highlighting 10 amazing contributions and 10 abject failures. For number 21, the Rainers give American Christianity a “grade” they believe is objective based on the past 25 years. They will take four po...

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Protestantism the Past 25 Years In an unusual departure from the style of this podcast, Thom and Jess look at American Protestantism in the 21st century, highlighting 10 amazing contributions and 10 abject failures. For number 21, the Rainers give American Christianity a “grade” they believe is objective based on the past 25 years. They will take four po...

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Protestantism the Past 25 Years In an unusual departure from the style of this podcast, Thom and Jess look at American Protestantism in the 21st century, highlighting 10 amazing contributions and 10 abject failures. For number 21, the Rainers give American Christianity a “grade” they believe is objective based on the past 25 years. They will take four po...

Listen to the previous podcast where Jess and Thom review the six reasons you should change the name of your church. In this podcast, they look at the 15 most common church names.

Yes, there are times when you should consider changing your church's name. Jess and Thom review six of them. Look at our other podcast this week, where we review the top 15 most common church names.

Thom and Jess look at some of the most common issues and questions you have about church revitalization. Your questions have directed us in our research and writings, and they will continue to do so. Though there were several hundred questions you submitted, we selected 23 most common questions about revitalizing churches. Because of the number, we cover the questions in four consecutive podcasts....

Thom and Jess look at some of the most common issues and questions you have about church revitalization. Your questions have directed us in our research and writings, and they will continue to do so. Though there were several hundred questions you submitted, we selected 23 most common questions about revitalizing churches. Because of the number, we cover the questions in four consecutive podcasts....

Thom and Jess look at some of the most common issues and questions you have about church revitalization. Your questions have directed us in our research and writings, and they will continue to do so. Though there were several hundred questions you submitted, we selected 23 most common questions about revitalizing churches. Because of the number, we cover the questions in four consecutive podcasts....

Thom and Jess look at some of the most common issues and questions you have about church revitalization. Your questions have directed us in our research and writings, and they will continue to do so. Though there were several hundred questions you submitted, we selected 23 most common questions about revitalizing churches. Because of the number, we cover the questions in four consecutive podcasts.

Church Answers surveyed over 100 pastors and asked them what caused them the greatest pain. Thom and Jess identify five of the most frequent responses.

Jess and Thom discuss seven ways you can develop thicker skin in ministry.

Jess and Thom will answer listener questions at various points throughout the year. This week, we will answer several questions on two of our podcasts.

Jess and Thom will answer listener questions at various points throughout the year. This week, we will answer several questions on two of our podcasts.

The story is remarkable in any town of any size. But First Baptist Church of Okeechobee, Florida, is reaching more people than churches in major cities. You will be amazed by the insights as Thom interviews Pastor Mark McCarter of First Baptist Church, Okeechobee, Florida.

Non-denominational churches are among the fastest (and only?) major categories of growing churches in the United States. Sadly, though, most of them are growing from transfer growth. Low Country Community Church in South Carolina is an exception. Thom interviews Pastor Jeff Cranston about the church's amazing conversion growth.

Flirting dangerously with sexual boundaries. By the time the physical sexual affair takes place, the pastor has already crossed several sexual boundaries. There is no such thing as a harmless flirtatious comment or text to someone of the opposite gender who is not your spouse. Pornography is not a lone act that hurts no one else. Ongoing counseling that hints of meeting each other’s needs is never...

Initially, when you ask church guests what they like about a pastor, they will respond with a comment about the pastor’s preaching. But if you go just one more level in the conversation, these church guests will also talk about the favorable personality traits of the pastor.

Thom and Jess interview Steve Chaney, founder and CEO of Chaney and Associates, the premier CPA firm for churches of all sizes. In this episode, they discuss how churches can streamline their bookkeeping processes to focus more on ministry and growth.

Thom and Jess interview Steve Chaney, founder and CEO of Chaney and Associates, the premier CPA firm for churches of all sizes. In this episode, they discuss how transparent and accurate bookkeeping builds trust and stewardship in churches.