The Church Answers Podcast

Scripture offers strength when leaders feel weary. Jess and Sam share a brief biblical devotion.

Jess and Sam share some sobering data on evangelism in local churches. They then look at the most significant challenges. The good news? All of these challenges can be met with a few changes.

Thom continues to review the data from the Cooperative Election Study and Ryan Burge. There are many surprises, including the trends among the Boomers.

Thom reviews recent data from the Cooperative Election Study and Ryan Burge, focusing on atheists and agnostics. The information raises many questions and provides encouraging opportunities for churches.

Charles Spurgeon died in 1892, but his influence on churches is still pervasive today. Thom looks at one major aspect of Spurgeon's ministry: his emphasis on evangelism in the local church. He takes two episodes to share Spurgeon's eight convictions.

Charles Spurgeon died in 1892, but his influence on churches is still pervasive today. Thom looks at one major aspect of Spurgeon's ministry: his emphasis on evangelism in the local church. He takes two episodes to share Spurgeon's eight convictions.

Our community at Church Answers Central recently discussed their wish list for their churches' facilities. Jess and Sam supplemented the list from our consultations. Here are the wishes in order of frequency.

Jess and Sam talk with Mike Stadelmayer at Church Growth Services. Church building projects carry tremendous ministry potential—but many stall, scale back, or never happen. The difference between success and frustration often comes down to the following critical factors.

Thom interviews Dr. Danny Akin, the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, about his new book, Vibrant Church.

Many factors can affect the pace of change in a church. Thom discusses three of the biggest factors.

Do you want to lead change in your church? If you do, you will need to build allies and supporters to work alongside you. Jess and Thom share the five most common sources to build an eager coalition.

Change is a challenge in any organization and especially in churches. Jess and Thom discuss the five types of church members who resist change the most.

It is the outlier denomination. It is the denomination that is young, while the others are decidedly older. Why is this youthfulness taking place? Join Jess and Thom as they talk with Dr. Eddie Moody about this phenomenon. You will be amazed, encouraged. and informed!

Not all traditions are bad, but some can hinder the work of the church. Jess and Thom share the most common church traditions based on an extensive survey, and why they can be difficult to change.

Not all traditions are bad, but some can hinder the work of the church. Jess and Thom share the most common church traditions based on an extensive survey, and why they can be difficult to change.

Not all traditions are bad, but some can hinder the work of the church. Jess and Thom share the most common church traditions based on an extensive survey, and why they can be difficult to change.

In the previous podcast, Jess and Thom examined the aging and dying denominations. In this podcast, they discuss the two youngest denominations.

Using a recent study by Ryan Burge, Jess and Thom examine the sobering reality of demographic decline in two groups: the Southern Baptist Convention and non-denominational evangelical churches.

Thom and Jess interview Pastor Jeff Cranston, Lowcountry Community Church, about creating a culture of evangelism.

Thom and Jess welcome Pastor Jeff Cranston from Lowcountry Community Church in South Carolina.

Why Death Is Coming Soon to Many Churches (and How to Prevent It)Church Answers researcher Ryan Burge recently released a stunning and sobering report on the ages of congregants of various denominations. It's not a pretty picture. Many churches will soon die or become moribund because of one simple factor: their church members are dying and not being replaced. Jess and Thom examine four aspects of this demographic decline and death.

Why Death Is Coming Soon to Many Churches (and How to Prevent It)Church Answers researcher Ryan Burge recently released a stunning and sobering report on the ages of congregants of various denominations. It's not a pretty picture. Many churches will soon die or become moribund because of one simple factor: their church members are dying and not being replaced. Jess and Thom examine four aspects of this demographic decline and death.

Why Death Is Coming Soon to Many Churches (and How to Prevent It)Church Answers researcher Ryan Burge recently released a stunning and sobering report on the ages of congregants of various denominations. It's not a pretty picture. Many churches will soon die or become moribund because of one simple factor: their church members are dying and not being replaced. Jess and Thom examine four aspects of this demographic decline and death.

Why Death Is Coming Soon to Many Churches (and How to Prevent It)Church Answers researcher Ryan Burge recently released a stunning and sobering report on the ages of congregants of various denominations. It's not a pretty picture. Many churches will soon die or become moribund because of one simple factor: their church members are dying and not being replaced. Jess and Thom examine four aspects of this demographic decline and death.

Thom and Jess share how many pastors have lower take-home pay even though their stated pay has not decreased.

For most churches, the position of church bookkeeper or treasurer is a volunteer role. While there are many qualified volunteers, this position is too often held by someone who is not. Thom and Jess share four real-life stories about the problem some bookkeepers have created for churches and pastors.

In part one, Thom and Jess focused on questions that reveal inner wiring and emotional maturity. In part two, the focus shifts to longevity, mission alignment, and team health.These questions don’t just help you hire well. They help you avoid pain—for the church, the staff member, and their family.

Most churches spend weeks crafting job descriptions and reviewing résumés. Very few ask the right questions.Today, Thom and Jess argue that hiring mistakes in churches rarely come from a lack of talent. They come from overlooked questions—questions that reveal heart, alignment, resilience, and long-term fit.This is part one of a two-part conversation on 10 often overlooked questions every church should ask before hiring its next staff member.

Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this two-part series, we discuss the five myths of church building and why they cost churches millions.

Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this two-part series, we discuss the five myths of church building and why they cost churches millions.

Dr. Andy Miller joins Thom and Jess to share the story of Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Thom and Jess interview Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, about seminary training for co-vocational church leaders.

What if a first-time guest experienced your church the way a customer experiences Amazon?No confusion. No friction. No wasted steps. Just clarity, care, and consistency.This episode is not about turning the church into a corporation. It’s about learning from an organization that obsesses over people, removes barriers relentlessly, and improves every system on purpose.Today, Thom and Jess ask a simple but uncomfortable question: If Amazon ran your church for one year, what would actually change?

Thom and Jess welcome John Wentz, the president of Alpha USA, to The Church Answers Podcast.

Thom and Jess look at seven key traits of long-term pastors.

Jess and Thom share the top seven reasons pastors told us they felt led to leave a church.

Jess and Thom share the top seven reasons pastors choose to go to a church.

The Enemy seeks to destroy. He loathes evangelism and will do anything he can to hinder church members from sharing the gospel. Jess and Thom share five of his most common tactics.

Thom knows this person well, because he is one. He and Jess dive into how church leaders can best understand and utilize introverts in the church.

Thom and Jess continue to examine the largest unchurched group in America, the U3s. In this episode, the Rainers provide some highly practical ways to reach them.

There are 30 to 35 million unchurched people in the United States, whom we call “the U3s.” Thom and Jess describe this unreached field and examine its key traits.

The Rainer Scale helps churches understand how open an unchurched person is to the gospel, to spiritual conversation, and to attending church. It is not a judgment of spiritual worth, but a practical tool for identifying likely openness.

Thom and Jess conclude the “Future Church” series with an episode that puts church size into perspective. In an age when many pastors feel pressure to grow larger, the reality is that most congregations are small—and that’s not a problem. This episode explores what the data actually reveals about church attendance, why most churches are smaller than we think, and how leaders can find encouragement no matter the numbers.

Thom and Jess continue the “Future Church” series with an episode on how church staffing is changing in this new era of ministry.Churches are smaller, leaner, and more focused than ever. Budgets are tighter, but opportunities for mission are wider. The result is a new kind of church staff—leaders who serve both inside and outside the church, combining pastoral calling with marketplace skills.In this conversation, Thom and Jess introduce four co-vocational roles that are shaping the staff structure of the future church.

The Rainers continue the 6-part series called “The Future Church.” Over the next episodes, we’ll explore how the landscape of ministry is changing—and how leaders can prepare with wisdom, courage, and hope.Thom and Jess discuss how churches are making evangelism more than a slogan or a sermon topic—how to make it visible, tangible, and celebrated in the life of the congregation. Most believers genuinely want to share their faith, but they often need reminders, encouragement, and creative ways to stay focused on the mission. In this episode, Thom and Jess offer four practical ideas any church can implement to highlight the importance of evangelism every week.

Thom and Jess continue the “Future Church” series with an episode focused on one of the most important—and most misunderstood—topics in today’s congregations: evangelism.The way people come to faith is changing, and so are the methods churches use to share the gospel. Attendance patterns are different. Communities are more skeptical of institutions. And more often than not, the first place someone encounters the church is online, not in person. In this conversation, the Rainers look at how evangelism is evolving, why it still matters deeply, and four major trends shaping how local churches reach people today.

Welcome back to The Church Answers Podcast and to our ongoing series called “The Future Church.” In each episode, Thom and Jess Rainer unpack the shifts shaping tomorrow’s congregations—and how pastors and leaders can prepare today.In this episode, we’re looking at a subject every church feels: money. The financial landscape of ministry is changing rapidly. Attendance patterns have shifted, giving habits have evolved, and the next generation is thinking about generosity in completely new ways.So, what will funding look like for the future church? Thom and Jess explore four emerging models that are helping churches stay healthy and mission-focused in a changing economy.

Welcome to a brand-new series on The Church Answers Podcast called “The Future Church.” Over the next six episodes, we’ll explore how the landscape of ministry is changing—and how leaders can prepare with wisdom, courage, and hope.In this first episode, Thom and Jess begin by looking at one of the most intriguing movements shaping the future: the rise of the microchurch. This small, mission-driven model is gaining traction across the United States and around the world. What exactly is a microchurch, how is it structured, and why is it so different from other forms of church? Let’s find out.

Jess interviews Thom in this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Church Answers. They examine the evolution of resources from the company's inception to the present day.

Jess interviews Thom in this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Church Answers. How did Church Answers begin? What is its primary thrust? Who is a part of Church Answers?