The Church Answers Podcast

Pastors are not clones of one another. On the contrary, their personalities and preferences can be dramatically different. Jess and Thom examine eight different personality styles of pastors and how they affect their ministries. In this episode, they discuss the second four of eight typologies of pastors.

Pastors are not clones of one another. On the contrary, their personalities and preferences can be dramatically different. In this first episode, Jess and Thom examine eight different personality styles of pastors and how they affect their ministries. They discuss the first four of eight typologies of pastors.

While Americans' demographics can't always predict future church commitment, a couple of areas are beginning to show some correlation. Jess and Thom examine these two areas.

Thom and Jess examine factors that predict church member commitment. You might be surprised that one factor predicts commitment more than others.

Since 1970, when Dean Kelley wrote “Why Conservative Churches Are Growing,” many people have assumed that conservative Christians attend church more frequently over 50 years later. Thom and Jess provide the facts about this assumption.

"The Anxious Generation" is written by an atheistic Jew, but it has a powerful message for ministering to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. In this last of three parts, Thom examines how few young people attend church and why Matthew 9 must be our direct response.

"The Anxious Generation" is written by an atheistic Jew, but it has a powerful message for ministering to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. In this second of three parts, Thom looks at the addictive powers of the smartphone and how churches must respond.

"The Anxious Generation" is written by an atheistic Jew, but it has a powerful message for ministering to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. In this first of three parts, Thom reviews the pain this generation currently experiences.

Between 8,000 and 12,000 churches close annually in the United States. Thom examines some of the common excuses we've heard that lead to church death.

Between 8,000 and 12,000 churches close annually in the United States. Thom examines one of the factors in the death of churches: toxic church members.

Between 8,000 and 12,000 churches close annually in the United States. Thom examines one of the leading factors in the death of churches: denial.

It is one of the most painful situations in ministry. A pastor must let a staff member go. Thom and Jess share seven guidelines to walk through this challenging reality.

Burnout is always painful. But it is especially hurtful when you don't have a church that supports you. Thom and Jess discuss the painful realities of these situations.

Every pastor faces the need to change a sermon at some point, even if they have completed it. Thom and Jess share when and why these changes are necessary and how to make them.

Gen Z could represent the first generation to return to church after decades of declining attendance. Thom and Jess look at four areas where local churches can connect with Gen Z in positive ways.

Mental health statistics point to the severe emotional and mental challenges of Gen Z. Church leaders should be aware of the significant reasons why this challenge is taking place.

It is essential for church leaders to understand Gen Z in relation to previous generations. Thom and Jess, a Boomer and Millennial, compare Gen Z to four other generations.

The role of a pastor carries significant challenges. In a three-part series, Thom and Jess look at those challenges pastors have almost every week. In part 3, they consider how pastors deal with interruptions that are normative for church life: members in crisis, those seeking counsel and advice, requests from the community, and others.

The role of a pastor carries significant challenges. In a three-part series, Thom and Jess look at those challenges pastors have almost every week. In part two, they consider how pastors deal with leading a mostly all-volunteer organization.

The role of a pastor carries significant challenges. In a three-part series, Thom and Jess look at those challenges pastors have almost every week. In part one, they consider how pastors deal with the ongoing demand of sermon preparation.

Thom and Jess welcome Kevin Mills, author of “The Day the Church Died.” In this episode, they discuss the differences in writing a fiction book versus a nonfiction book.

Thom and Jess welcome Kevin Mills, author of “The Day the Church Died.” In this episode, they discuss moral failures and what a pastor should do to protect himself.

Thom and Jess welcome Kevin Mills, author of “The Day the Church Died.” In this episode, they discuss how Kevin’s book is based on several realities in churches today.

The purposes of the church originate with the early churches in the New Testament. When Rick Warren wrote "The Purpose Driven Church" in 1995, the purposes became commonplace in conversations in churches around the world. Thom takes a detailed journey about the purposes of the church through nine episodes. Keep all of them together to share with your church leaders and members.

The purposes of the church originate with the early churches in the New Testament. When Rick Warren wrote "The Purpose Driven Church" in 1995, the purposes became commonplace in conversations in churches around the world. Thom takes a detailed journey about the purposes of the church through nine episodes. Keep all of them together to share with your church leaders and members.