The Church Resource

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...

How should pastors and church leaders pray for their congregations—especially when there isn't a specific request? In this episode of The Church Resource, we dive into the practical and biblical side of praying for the people under our care. We discuss the difference between praying for specific needs and praying generally for a congregation, and why both matter. Looking at examples from Scripture...

Are church events really worth it? In this episode of The Church Resource, we have an honest conversation about the role of events in church life. From lock-ins and concerts to conferences and community nights, many churches have built their ministries around events—but are they actually helping people grow, or just burning out volunteers? We talk about the balance between event-driven ministry an...

How to Prepare for Resurrection Sunday | Practical + Spiritual Prep In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass talk about how churches can prepare for Resurrection Sunday — without overcomplicating it. Is there really a difference between practical and spiritual preparation? How much is too much production? Should you preach a special Easter sermon? And why must t...

In this episode of The Church Resource, we tackle the growing interest in the early Church Fathers — the Christian leaders writing in the first few centuries after the apostles. How should we read figures like Augustine of Hippo? Is studying early church history necessary, helpful, or potentially misleading? We discuss why Scripture must remain primary, how doctrine developed over time, common pit...

What do you do when you're serving faithfully… and it feels like nothing is happening? In this episode of The Church Resource Podcast, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass talk honestly about fruitless seasons in ministry — the discouragement, the comparison, and the pressure to measure success by numbers. Lucas shares a personal story of walking through 13 months with no baptisms, followed by an...

What should pastors and church leaders be reading—and does fiction belong on the list? In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Respass talk reading habits, leadership growth, and how both fiction and non-fiction shape preaching and pastoral ministry. From annual must-reads and focused fields of study to award-winning novels and cultural commentary, they explore how storytell...

In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass have a practical, honest conversation about fasting in the life of the church—why we do it, how to plan it wisely, and how to avoid missing the point. As many churches consider beginning-of-the-year fasts, they explore key leadership questions: When should a church fast? How long should it last? How restrictive should it...

What does it really mean for a church to know and serve its community? In this episode of The Church Resource Podcast, Lucas Pinckard—proudly identifying as the "world's okayest pastor"—sits down with Dr. Chris Respass to unpack one of the most practical and often overlooked principles of effective ministry: executing the community. Building on ideas introduced by Mark Clifton, Lucas and Chris exp...