Shows / The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Answers Podcast with Thom Rainer is fast-paced, to the point, and sometimes witty. It addresses one question about church life and leadership in just ten minutes. Buckle your seatbelt and take a ride into the world of congregational health in a fun and fascinating way.
Episodes
- The Church Answers Podcast
Why Are Free Will Baptist Church Members So Young? An Interview with Dr. Eddie Moody
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Top 10 Immovable Traditions in Many Churches (Part 3)
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Top 10 Immovable Traditions in Many Churches (Part 2)
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Top 10 Immovable Traditions in Many Churches (Part 1)
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Two Denominations That Are Surprisingly Young
In the previous podcast, Jess and Thom examined the aging and dying denominations. In this podcast, they discuss the two youngest denominations. Resources…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Denominations That Are on Red Alert for Rapid Decline
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Creating a Culture of Evangelism in Your Church: An Interview with Jeff Cranston
Thom and Jess interview Pastor Jeff Cranston, Lowcountry Community Church, about creating a culture of evangelism. Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Learn…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Reaching Senior Adults for Christ: An Interview with Jeff Cranston
Thom and Jess welcome Pastor Jeff Cranston from Lowcountry Community Church in South Carolina. Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Learn more about the bridge…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Planned Surgery or Emergency Amputation: Leading with Courage
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Iron Law of Church Growth: No Young Adults, No Future
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
When the Average Age Lies: The Demographic Tipping Point
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
“Gradually… Then Suddenly”: Why Church Decline Is About to Accelerate
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
How Pastors Are Taking Pay Cuts without Taking Pay Cuts
Thom and Jess share how many pastors have lower take-home pay even though their stated pay has not decreased. The ongoing saga of housing allowances Failure to…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Four Real Stories about How Church Bookkeepers Messed Up
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
10 Often Overlooked Questions Churches Should Ask Before Hiring Staff – Part 2
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
10 Often Overlooked Questions Churches Should Ask Before Hiring Staff – Part 1
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The 5 Myths of Church Building (and Why They Cost Churches Millions) – Part 2
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The 5 Myths of Church Building (and Why They Cost Churches Millions) – Part 1
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
From Near Closure to Incredible Growth: The Story of Wesley Biblical Seminary – An Interview with Andy Miller
Dr. Andy Miller joins Thom and Jess to share the story of Wesley Biblical Seminary. Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Learn more about the bridge program at…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Finally! Seminary Training for Co-vocational Church Leaders: An Interview with Andy Miller
Thom and Jess interview Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, about seminary training for co-vocational church leaders. Resources: Wesley…
- The Church Answers Podcast
If Amazon Ran Your Church: What Would Change in 12 Months?
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
How Alpha Is Impacting Churches in the United States
Thom and Jess welcome John Wentz, the president of Alpha USA, to The Church Answers Podcast. Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Learn more about the bridge…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Top Seven Traits of Pastors Who Stay at a Church for at Least 15 Years
Thom and Jess look at seven key traits of long-term pastors. Deep emotional resilience Consistent relational investment in members and leaders Adaptability in…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Top Seven Reasons a Pastor Chooses to Leave a Church
Jess and Thom share the top seven reasons pastors told us they felt led to leave a church. Persistent conflict or toxic leadership culture Loss of alignment…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Top Seven Reasons a Pastor Chooses to Go to a Church
Jess and Thom share the top seven reasons pastors choose to go to a church. Clear sense of calling and alignment with the church’s mission Healthy search…
- The Church Answers Podcast
How Satan Attempts to Hinder Churches from Being Evangelistic
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Quiet Power of the Church Introvert: Why the Most Influential People in Your Church May Be the Least Noticeable
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. Their…
- The Church Answers Podcast
How Churches Can Reach the Largest Unchurched Group in the United States
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Largest Unchurched Group in the U.S. (and You’ve Never Heard of 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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Rainer Scale of Unchurched Receptivity
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Future Church Series – Episode 6: What Is the Size of the Typical Church in the Future?
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Future Church Series – Episode 5: The Rise of Four New Co-Vocational Church Staff
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Future Church Series – Episode 4: Making Evangelism Visible
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Future Church Series – Episode 3: Trends in Evangelism in the Local Church
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Future Church Series – Episode 2: The Economics of the Future Church
Welcome back to The Church Answers Podcast and to our ongoing series called “The Future Church.” In each episode, Thom and Jess unpack the shifts shaping…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Future Church Series – Episode 1: The Microchurch
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
What in the World Does Church Answers Really Do? Part 2: The Local Church Partner Grows
Jess interviews Thom in this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Church Answers. They examine the evolution of resources from the company’s inception…
- The Church Answers Podcast
What in the World Does Church Answers Really Do? Part 1: The Consultation Foundation
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…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Financial Counseling for Your Church Members: An Interview with Art Rainer
It would not be a surprise if over one-half of your church members need personal financial counseling. Jess and Thom interview Art Rainer, president of…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Jumpstart Your Stewardship: An Interview with Art Rainer
How can I lead my church toward greater generosity? We hear that question often. Thom and Jess interview Art Rainer, president of Christian Money Solutions, to…
- The Church Answers Podcast
When the Digital World Forgets You — Building Ministry That Outlasts the Algorithm
In this conversation, Jess and Thom discuss the fleeting nature of digital influence. Algorithms shift, platforms fade, and online visibility is temporary…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Death of the Middle — How Polarization Is Reshaping Church Leadership
Thom and Jess tackle the growing challenge of polarization inside and outside the church. As cultural extremes grow louder, pastors often find themselves…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Why the New Hymnal from the Gettys Is So Important: An Interview with Keith Getty (Part 2)
Keith and Kristyn Getty recently released "The Sing! Hymnal." This publication is a major development in worship music and hymnody. Jess and Thom speak with…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Why the New Hymnal from the Gettys Is So Important: An Interview with Keith Getty (Part 1)
Keith and Kristyn Getty recently released "The Sing! Hymnal." This publication is a major development in worship music and hymnody. Jess and Thom speak with…
- The Church Answers Podcast
What Churches Can Learn from Farmers Markets
Jess and Thom explore how the humble farmers market might hold surprising lessons for church life. In a world drawn to authenticity and community, what if the…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Number: 46 to 50: The Missing Generation — Why Pastors Ages 46–50 Are Underrepresented
In this episode, Thom and Jess examine one of the more unusual findings from the 2023 Faith Communities Today (FACT) study. The survey reveals a noticeable gap…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Number: 73.7% — Churches That Have a Positive Outlook on the Future
In this episode, Thom discusses an encouraging statistic from the 2023 Faith Communities Today (FACT) study. Despite the challenges of shrinking attendance…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Should a Church Have Debt? An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
Thom talks with Mike Stadelmayer at Church Growth Services who offers some fascinating insights about churches and debt. There are definitely some surprises in…
- The Church Answers Podcast
What Happens When the Church Overlooks the Millennials
Thom and Jess open a conversation from their revised book, “The Millennials: How We Missed the Largest Living Generation -- and Why It's Not Late.” This…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Largest Living Generation—Why the Church Can’t Overlook the Millennials
Thom and Jess draw from the introduction of their revised book, “The Millennials: How We Missed the Largest Living Generation -- and Why It's Not Late,” to set…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Number: 70.5% Churches That Share Their Facilities with Other Organizations
In this episode, Thom looks at one of the surprising findings from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study. The research shows that more than seven out…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Number: 34% How Much More Churches Receive Per Attender If They Have Extensive Online Giving
In this episode, Thom looks at new data from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study. The research shows that churches with extensive online giving…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Number: 79% The Number of Church Attenders Who Say Church Is “Very Important” to Their Lives
In this episode, Thom dives into a surprising and encouraging statistic from the 2023 FACT study—79% of church attenders say that church is “very important” in…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Church Number: 62% The Percentage of Churchgoers Who Attend Weekly
In this episode, Thom discusses a striking figure from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study: 62% of churchgoers report attending weekly worship…
- The Church Answers Podcast
How the Pandemic Changed Church Attendance
It has been several years since the pandemic, but its effects are still lasting. Thom and Jess explore how COVID-19 didn’t just disrupt church attendance for a…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Why Gen Z Views Church Differently
Thom and Jess explore why Gen Z’s view of the church differs significantly from that of past generations. They unpack the values, expectations, and skepticism…
- The Church Answers Podcast
The Smartphone Problem in Your Church
Thom and Jess discuss how smartphones have reshaped connection — and disconnection — in the church. From constant distraction to reduced attention spans, they…
- The Church Answers Podcast
Why Conflict in the Church Is Often About Something Else
Thom and Jess discuss how church conflict is often not about the issue on the surface. Many disputes mask deeper spiritual, relational, or personal struggles —…
- The Church Answers Podcast
A Comprehensive Examination of Why the Top 10 Bible Translations Are Popular – Part 4: NASB, NRSV, RSV, LSB
In the final part of the series, Thom and Jess examine four additional translations that remain popular within more specific theological, academic, or…
- The Church Answers Podcast
A Comprehensive Examination of Why the Top 10 Bible Translations Are Popular – Part 3: ESV, CSB, NJKV
The series continues as Thom and Jess explore the next three popular translations: English Standard Version (ESV), Christian Standard Bible (CSB), and New King…