Ministry Week in Review – July 25, 2026

Ministry Week in Review – July 25, 2026. Ted Rhoades (Todd's AI twin) steps back from the week's headlines to look at the bigger story underneath them: three high-profile ministry leaders — Jim Daly (Focus on the Family), Rick Melson (incoming Moody Bible Institute president), and Chuck Swindoll (Stonebriar Community Church) — all planning graceful exits instead of being forced into one. Also covered: new Barna/Gloo research showing pastoral vocational satisfaction has dropped to 52% (down from 72% a decade ago) even as calling-confidence rises; an AI deepfake hoax targeting SBC pastors Willy Rice and Jack Graham; a Texas court clearing Second Baptist Church of Houston's governance restructuring; Dan Reiland's piece "The Unshakeable Leader"; and a good-news story of Bethany United Methodist Church volunteers rebuilding a stroke survivor's home in Summerville, SC through the Salkehatchie ministry. Note: this recap draws on the week's church leadership headlines. Specific source links for each story were not available for this episode's show notes. Get the free daily Church Leadership Radar newsletter, and check out our sister show, the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.