The Church Answers Podcast

In the previous episode, Thom and Jess provided some of the most accurate data on worship attendance trends from 2019, the last pre-COVID year, through today. In this episode, they extrapolate the data to provide projected trends through 2030. You will probably be surprised.

It's hard to get a handle on accurate church attendance trends in America. Examining some of the most reliable sources for church attendance data, including the work of Church Answers, Thom and Jess look at some incredible data that will provide clarity and help your church.

The work of pastoral ministry is joyful but also demanding. Every pastor is on call 24/7, and members' expectations are high and sometimes unreasonable. Pastors are thus expected to “run the race” constantly. But how can they keep up the pace in this marathon of ministry without burning out? How can they remain productive with such demands? Jess and Thom offer ten tips for becoming more productive...

Though we cannot know the will of God for your life, we can share with you the mistakes of many leaders who quit prematurely. Jess and Thom discuss six times when it is likely not the right time to quit. The second reason might surprise you.

Can anyone really provide an update on AI? It is moving too fast for most of us. Jess and Thom try to keep local churches updated on the AI issues that could most affect them.

More churches are leasing parts of their facilities for both ministry and additional income. Likewise, more churches are making big mistakes in the leasing process. Jess and Thom look at 15 of those mistakes. Listening to just a few of these traps could be a game-changer for your congregation.

The demographic and psychographic information about your church is vital to establishing a healthy outreach plan. Jess and Thom show how this plan can be developed for your church.

Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for a new building.

Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for debt reduction.

Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for deferred maintenance.

Jess and Thom look at some of the most common barriers in churches while answering the “why” behind each one. Some of the challenges are the same as in past years, but the reasons behind them are often not.

Thom and Jess revisit one of the most frequently asked questions at Church Answers. Instead of speculating, they share actual stories of churches that are doing just that. This podcast will be incredibly helpful to church leaders.

There are 375,000 churches in America that have approximately 26 million worship services a year. Something unexpected is likely to happen every week. And the unexpected does indeed happen. Jess and Thom share some of those stories and tell how pastors respond (or should respond). At the end of the podcast is their favorite on video.

Thom started noticing a trend several years ago. Many pastors and other church leaders were getting consultation training primarily to help their own churches. Thom and Jess look at this growing trend.

A good worship leader can make an incredible difference in a church. A not-so-good worship leader can really mess things up. Jess and Thom interview Mike Harland to dive deeply into seven characteristics of excellent worship leaders that are often not at the forefront of discussion.

Many church leaders are at least aware that a number of churches write their own curriculum. However, this approach is often considered a luxury option that only large churches can do. Jess and Thom share how churches of all sizes can create a variety of their own resources.

Churches with membership classes were in the minority just ten years ago. Now, six out of ten churches have a regular new members class. Thom and Jess look at seven of the most current trends. In addition, they provide a contemporary history of new member classes in America.

Many churches are located in neighborhoods they are not reaching. Thom highlights two important steps churches can take to act like a neighborhood church.

We at Church Answers hear from church leaders who want to know how to get guests who attend church events assimilated into the church. Thom shares two simple steps that work almost every time. You will be surprised at its simplicity.

Many pastors and church leaders express frustration when Sunday sports have priority over church. Thom shares the simple step many churches have taken to respond positively to this challenge.

In an era where many denominations are known for their controversies and in-fighting, here is a story of a denomination that quietly and methodically demonstrates obedience to the gospel in a positive light for the world to see. Thom and Jess interview Dr. Eddie Moody, the Executive Director of The National Association of Free Will Baptists. Heed his words carefully. We can learn a lot about leade...

Thom and Jess examine the incredible ways pastoring has changed in the past 25 years. Jess offers the current perspective, and Thom looks at the old man's view. You might be surprised at the magnitude of the changes.

Thom has done a few thousand consultations since 1988, with over 600 done on the church site. Jess asks Thom to share some of the most surprising lessons he has learned about churches seeking consultations.

Jess interviews Thom about a church that recently died. All of the facts really took place. It is a fascinating study of how many churches die. Any church leader or church member would benefit greatly from this episode.

Our team at Church Answers frequently examines church budgets. It is common for the pianist to be paid, while other music positions are not. Thom and Jess examine the history and cultural relevance of this reality today.