In this episode, we re-examine a major demographic shift reshaping communities and churches: the decline in mobility across the United States. Americans are moving far less than they did in previous generations, especially millennials. While older generations often relocated for work opportunities or family, today’s younger adults are more likely to stay put. Rising housing costs, tighter job markets, student loan burdens, and a growing preference for stability have all contributed to this trend. For church leaders, this change presents both challenges and opportunities.

• • On one hand, fewer new people moving into a community may mean slower demographic growth, especially in areas outside the Sun Belt.
  • But on the other hand, people who stay are often more open to long-term relationships, deeper discipleship, and lasting involvement in the life of the church.
  • The big reason for families: Two incomes are necessary. Moving means finding two new jobs.
  • Other root causes: housing, debt, family ties.
  • Implications for church outreach and growth.
  • Stability may lead to deeper community connections.
  • Focus shifts: from attractional to relational ministry.
  • Churches should invest in long-termer discipleship strategies.

Resources:

• Rooted

• Upward Sports

• Upward Sports: Pickleball

• Brown Church Development Group

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

• The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…
  • A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose
  • A sustainable way to launch groups
  • An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship
  • An opportunity to change the culture of your church
• Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest.

A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.

Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Millennials Move LESS than Gen X and Boomers (New Implications for Your Church) appeared first on Church Answers.

Pastors are often held to a “higher standard,” but not every expectation placed on them is biblical or even wise. In this episode, Josh and Sam explore which higher standards actually make sense for pastors and why. They cut through unrealistic pressures and focus on the standards that truly align with Scripture and healthy leadership.

• • Decorum in public life, especially with social media
  • Greater knowledge of Scripture and theology
  • Emotional self-control and humility
  • Financial stewardship and transparency
  • Commitment to family and personal health

Resources:

• Smart Church Solutions

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Upward Running

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities?

eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches.

It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place.

You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money.

Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country.

If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE.

Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/.

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

The post Which “Higher Standard” Measures Actually Make Sense for Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam is joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this second episode, they discuss how the Baptist T design still affects churches decades later–often in ways leaders don’t realize. Here are five ways this design limits ministry today and what can be done to use your facility as a tool for mission, not as a monument to the past.

1. 1. Hospitality and connection
   2. Assimilation problems
   3. Discipleship challenges
   4. Volunteer limitations
   5. Passive culture

Resources:

• Brown Church Development Group

• Church Master Planning

• How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: The Baptist T – When Building Design Limits Ministry

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsor:

The post How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: Five Ways the Baptist T Still Shapes (and Limits) Your Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam is joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” The design of your church might be shaping your culture more than you think. Building styles reflect ministry priorities–but if the building doesn’t adapt, those priorities can become limitations. In this first episode, they explore the ‘Baptist T’ (a common church layout from the 1960s to 1980s) and how it was built for a ministry model that no longer fits.

1. 1. The origin of the Baptist T
   2. Why it worked then
   3. Why it doesn’t work now

Resources:

• Brown Church Development Group

• How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: Five Ways the Baptist T Still Shapes (and Limits) Your Ministry

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsor:

The post How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: The Baptist T – When Building Design Limits Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

Studies on the content of sermons exist, and most indicate that pastors include some political topics in their sermons. But which topics? Ryan, Thom, and Sam reveal the answer. When asked about politics and the pulpit, few congregants say their pastors often speak about political issues. But is that really the case?

• • Much depends on the issue. For example, Catholics and evangelicals talk more about abortion.
  • More is said in the pulpit about poverty and racism, though evangelical pastors mention poverty less than mainline pastors.
  • Among evangelicals, just 9% of them think that their congregation is more politically divided now compared to five years prior, while 65% didn’t see it that way.
  • In most churches, 40-50% of people think that their clergy should avoid discussions of political division completely. Then, another 30-40% mostly think that this is a bad idea.
  • The majority of pastors are not preaching politics regularly, and when they touch on anything that may be in the political realm, it’s about topics like racism and income inequality.

Resources:

• Upward Running

• New Living Translation

• Church Connect

• Tyndale House Publishers

• NLT Large Print Pew Bible

• “Do Church Goers Want To Hear More Politics From the Pews?” by Ryan Burge

• Ryan Burge

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Upward Running for Adults: Your Church’s Next Step in Outreach

• Offer a 5K Challenge: Inspire your congregation and engage your community with a meaningful running ministry. Upward provides:
  • Tailored training plans to help your runner or walkers move from the couch to completing a 5k.
  • Access to the new RunClub app for tracking progress and building community.
  • A fully customizable program that fits your church’s timeline — all led by your run coach who will be fully equipped with the Upward Running materials to lead.
• Simple to Start: With just one passionate leader and no facility needed, your church parking lot can become the starting line for life transformation.
• Build Stronger Connections: Use running to foster relationships, promote healthy habits, and grow spiritually while expanding your church’s impact.
• Upward is Here for You: Ready to bring Upward Running to your church? Visit Upward.org/Runcoach to get started today!

Pastors, when you open God’s Word to teach or preach, you need a Bible that is faithful to the original text and clear for your people to understand.

That is why so many church leaders trust the New Living Translation. The NLT combines accurate scholarship with natural, understandable language, making it ideal for sermon prep, public reading, discipleship, and study.

And because it is crafted to be audibly enjoyable, the NLT connects with listeners in the pews and beyond.

Learn more at NewLivingTranslation.com.

The post The Burge Report: Do Churchgoers Want More or Less Politics in the Pulpit? appeared first on Church Answers.

Too many church leaders shy away from encouraging weekly worship. They don’t want to sound legalistic. But that hesitation is a big mistake. In just 16 years, weekly church attendance has dropped sharply. Sam and Matt McCraw discuss why weekly church attendance is the best practice for everyone.

• • The weekly core has declined from 31% of Americans to 25% between 2008 and 2024. Those who never attend have risen from 20% to 34% during the same time period.
  • The importance of social capital: Churches foster relationships among people who might otherwise never connect. They create networks of mutual support, encourage trust among members, and promote norms like generosity, service, and cooperation.
  • God designed the human community for relational connection. You do not grow disciples in isolation.
  • Parents who come monthly end up with children who come a couple of times a year. Generational “stickiness” requires the discipline of weekly attendance.
  • Biblical knowledge increases over long periods of time via repetition. Churches are filled with largely biblically illiterate people because they do not attend enough to grow their knowledge.

Resources:

• New Living Translation

• Church Connect

• Tyndale House Publishers

• Upward Sports

• Upward Sports: Pickleball

• Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!

• Weekly Church Attendance Patterns by Generation: 2016 to 2024

• Matt McCraw

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Pastors, when you open God’s Word to teach or preach, you need a Bible that is faithful to the original text and clear for your people to understand.

That is why so many church leaders trust the New Living Translation. The NLT combines accurate scholarship with natural, understandable language, making it ideal for sermon prep, public reading, discipleship, and study.

And because it is crafted to be audibly enjoyable, the NLT connects with listeners in the pews and beyond.

Learn more at NewLivingTranslation.com.

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest.

A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.

Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Non-Legalist Reasons for Weekly Church Attendance appeared first on Church Answers.

Scripture gives clear qualifications for the characteristics of pastors. But who in the church should hold pastors accountable to these qualifications? Josh and Sam dive into the best practices for pastoral accountability.

• • Every pastor needs accountability from within the body.
  • Outside governance is ill-advised and dangerous.
  • Do not conflate authority with accountability.
  • You can have authority over a group of people and also be accountable to them.
  • Some denominations have a hierarchical structure that facilitates accountability.
  • Congregational churches need more clarity on accountability.
  • What about deacons? They help with spiritual accountability.
  • What about a personnel committee? This group often helps with HR issues.
  • What about elders? Often, they guard the church’s doctrine.

Resources:

• Smart Church Solutions

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities?

eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches.

It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place.

You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money.

Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country.

If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE.

Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/.

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

The post Who in the Church Should Hold Pastors Accountable? appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Sam and Matt McCraw unpack weekly church attendance trends from 2016 to 2024 across four generations. While Boomers slightly increased from 27% to 28%, Gen X dropped from 24% to 22%, Millennials from 26% to 22%, and Gen Z saw the sharpest decline—from 29% to 24%. What do these shifts mean for the future of church engagement, discipleship, and ministry strategy? We explore the implications for leadership, generational outreach, and the need for intentional connection points that resonate with each group.

WEEKLY church attendance trends 2016 to 2024:

1. 1. Boomers: 27% to 28%
   2. Gen X: 24% to 22%
   3. Millennials: 26% to 22%
   4. Gen Z: 29% to 24%

Source: Ryan Burge, “Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real.” Graphs about Religion. Burge uses the data from The Cooperative Election Study, 2008 to 2024.

Resources:

• Upward Running

• New Living Translation

• Church Connect

• Tyndale House Publishers

• NLT Large Print Pew Bible

• Brown Church Development Group

• “Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real” by Ryan Burge

• Ryan Burge

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Upward Running for Adults: Your Church’s Next Step in Outreach

• Offer a 5K Challenge: Inspire your congregation and engage your community with a meaningful running ministry. Upward provides:
  • Tailored training plans to help your runner or walkers move from the couch to completing a 5k.
  • Access to the new RunClub app for tracking progress and building community.
  • A fully customizable program that fits your church’s timeline — all led by your run coach who will be fully equipped with the Upward Running materials to lead.
• Simple to Start: With just one passionate leader and no facility needed, your church parking lot can become the starting line for life transformation.
• Build Stronger Connections: Use running to foster relationships, promote healthy habits, and grow spiritually while expanding your church’s impact.
• Upward is Here for You: Ready to bring Upward Running to your church? Visit Upward.org/Runcoach to get started today!

Pastors, when you open God’s Word to teach or preach, you need a Bible that is faithful to the original text and clear for your people to understand.

That is why so many church leaders trust the New Living Translation. The NLT combines accurate scholarship with natural, understandable language, making it ideal for sermon prep, public reading, discipleship, and study.

And because it is crafted to be audibly enjoyable, the NLT connects with listeners in the pews and beyond.

Learn more at NewLivingTranslation.com.

The post Weekly Church Attendance Patterns by Generation: 2016 to 2024 appeared first on Church Answers.

On this episode, Sam and Josh unpack a landmark development for churches: the Internal Revenue Service’s shift on the 1954 Johnson Amendment. In a joint court filing with two Texas churches and the National Religious Broadcasters, the IRS now affirms that clergy can endorse political candidates from the pulpit without risking their tax-exempt status. The IRS reframes such endorsements as comparable to a “private family discussion” within the congregation during worship—with statements made via usual church communication channels not qualifying as political intervention.

1. 1. In practice, enforcement has been mild but still possible.
   2. Advocates: It’s the right legal decision due to the First Amendment.
   3. Critics: The decision threatens campaign finance integrity, potentially opening the door to partisan entanglements and “dark money” funneled through churches.
   4. Practical implications for pastoral speech and endorsements.
   5. Possible influence on voter outreach and church communications.
   6. Church governance and policies: It’s now up to the churches to decide the level of endorsements allowed.
   7. Implications for 2026 elections: Hardly any pastors are mentioning politicians by name in their pulpits, so the most likely outcome is that nothing changes.
   8. Ryan Burge: “How often does the clergy at your church talk about Donald Trump?” Never or rarely: 92%. Sometimes: 7%. Often 1%.
   9. More stats from Dr. Burge in an upcoming episode this month.

Resources:

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Smart Church Solutions

• Ryan Burge

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities?

eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches.

It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place.

You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money.

Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country.

If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE.

Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/.

The post The Johnson Amendment Reversal: Endorsing Political Candidates from the Pulpit appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore a fresh way to approach sermon illustrations. Instead of building a massive database with search tools and tags, consider categorizing your illustrations by type—like recent personal stories, historical examples, and visual aids. The goal isn’t to store every idea, but to know what kind of illustration you’re looking for and then go find it. Plus, we talk about how tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm the right type of illustration for your message.

1. 1. Recent personal stories
   2. Historical examples
   3. Quotations of well-known people
   4. Critiques of culture
   5. Visual aids
   6. Biblical examples

Resources:

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Church Answers Certifications

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

Certifications to Take Your Ministry and Leadership Skills to the Next Level

If you’re passionate about seeing churches make a kingdom impact, or you are passionate about churches transitioning well from pastor to pastor, this program is for you. We provide all the training you need with our self-paced video training modules.

Learn more about certifications.

The post Sermon Illustrations that Connect to the Bible Text (And Your Church!) appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches have long embraced technology to enhance their ministries, but the most successful churches are shifting beyond simply broadcasting information—they’re leveraging technology to create belonging—authentic connections.

In this episode, Thom welcomes Sarah Nashif-Tan from VisitorReach to the podcast for an inside look at their latest innovation: VisitorTap. She is a strategic and passionate leader who blends business and ministry skills to empower local churches for cultural impact. Discover how this easy-to-use tap technology is revolutionizing the way churches engage guests and connect with their congregation.

Resources:

• VisitorTap

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

The post The Easiest (and Most Incredible) Way to Get Information from Your Guests! appeared first on Church Answers.

New religious data in the United States was released recently, and Ryan Burge joins the show with Sam to discuss the details. In 2024, Gen Z showed relatively strong religious attendance compared to other generations. Twenty-four percent of Gen Z reported attending religious services weekly—two percentage points higher than both Millennials and Gen X. While 53% of Gen Z attend less than once a year, that’s actually the lowest percentage of infrequent attenders among all the generations analyzed.

• • What factors might be contributing to Gen Z’s higher weekly religious attendance compared to Millennials and Gen X?
  • How should churches and faith communities respond to the fact that Gen Z has the lowest percentage of people attending less than once a year?
  • Does Gen Z’s relatively strong attendance indicate a deeper spiritual engagement, or are other motivations at play (e.g., community, tradition, social influence)?

Resources:

• Upward Sports

• Upward Sports: Pickleball

• Rooted

• “Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real” by Ryan Burge

• Ryan Burge

• Rainer on Leadership Podcast: “Five Predictions We Got Wrong about the Future of the Church”

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

• The Power of Partnership
  Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.
• A Variety of Sports for Every Church
  From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.
• Exciting News: Pickleball Has Arrived!
  Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.
• Be the Neighborhood Church
  Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.
• Get Ahead for Fall Sports
  Looking ahead to the fall season? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – Use sports as that invite. Whether it’s soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball or pickleball, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader and Upward will support you with the rest.
• Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

• The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…
  • A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose
  • A sustainable way to launch groups
  • An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship
  • An opportunity to change the culture of your church
• Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

The post The Burge Report: Is Gen Z More Religiously Engaged than Their Parents? appeared first on Church Answers.

Pastors provide spiritual guidance, but there are times when counseling crosses into territory best handled by trained professionals. In this episode, Josh and Sam explore the limits of pastoral care—when ethical, legal, and practical concerns make it necessary to refer someone elsewhere. From mental health crises to marital conflicts beyond a pastor’s expertise, knowing when to step back is crucial for both the pastor and the person seeking help. We’ll discuss red flags, healthy boundaries, and how pastors can support without overstepping.

• • Substance abuse and addiction
  • Children, teens, and other vulnerable people
  • Meeting with one spouse with marital troubles
  • Reporting crimes and other abusive situations
  • People who use regular counseling to feel better without getting better
  • Conflict of interest with church employees

Resources:

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Church Answers Certifications

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

Certifications to Take Your Ministry and Leadership Skills to the Next Level

If you’re passionate about seeing churches make a kingdom impact, or you are passionate about churches transitioning well from pastor to pastor, this program is for you. We provide all the training you need with our self-paced video training modules.

Learn more about certifications.

The post The Limits of Pastoral Care: When Counseling Isn’t Appropriate appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches may be spiritual communities, but they operate in a legal world. And many aren’t prepared. In today’s episode, Sam interviews Ryan June of Castañeda + Heidelman LLP, and we unpack the five most common legal issues churches face: child protection, property disputes, employment law, governance and bylaws, and intellectual property. Ignorance of the law is not a spiritual gift. Whether your church is 50 years old or just starting, these legal risks can’t be ignored.

1. 1. Create and enforce a written child protection policy—it’s your frontline defense against liability.
   2. Keep your property deeds, insurance coverage, and usage agreements up to date and in writing.
   3. Treat staff and volunteers according to federal and state labor laws—intentions don’t override obligations.
   4. Review your bylaws every 3–5 years to ensure clarity and legal alignment with your actual practices.
   5. Consider the need to address content ownership as between the church and the staff, particularly pastors. Failure to have the conversation can lead to disputes. Documenting ownership of content in advance of its creation is important here, too. Otherwise, there is risk of violating IRS rules.

The information contained in this podcast is not legal advice. It is intended as general educational material to help pastors and church leaders. For specific guidance, churches should consult with a qualified attorney familiar with their applicable laws and circumstances.

Resources:

• Rooted

• Upward Sports

• Upward Sports: Pickleball

• Castañeda + Heidelman LLP

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

• The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…
  • A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose
  • A sustainable way to launch groups
  • An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship
  • An opportunity to change the culture of your church
• Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

• The Power of Partnership
  Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.
• A Variety of Sports for Every Church
  From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.
• Exciting News: Pickleball Has Arrived!
  Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.
• Be the Neighborhood Church
  Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.
• Get Ahead for Fall Sports
  Looking ahead to the fall season? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – Use sports as that invite. Whether it’s soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball or pickleball, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader and Upward will support you with the rest.
• Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Top 5 Legal Issues Churches Face Today appeared first on Church Answers.

Many of the disruptions in local church life are widely known. For example, most congregants and church leaders can clearly see the impact of COVID several years ago. But there have been a number of “quiet” disruptions that don’t get much attention. Thom and Sam look at ten of them over two episodes.

6. Mobility rates of younger families and neighborhood churches.

7. Greater awareness of mental health issues.

8. Greater access to theological education.

9. Data-driven ministry changes the landscape of practical ministry.

10. Decentralization of communication.

Resources:

• Rooted

• Upward Running

• Brown Church Development Group

• The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Churchteams

• VisitorReach

• Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 1)

• “The Anxious Generation Goes to Church” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

• “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt (affiliate link)

• Church Answers University

• Church Equip

• Know Your Community

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

• The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…
  • A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose
  • A sustainable way to launch groups
  • An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship
  • An opportunity to change the culture of your church
• Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

• Introducing Upward Running! Upward Sports’ first step into adult sports is here — and running has never been easier to get “up and running.”
• Offer a 5K Challenge: Inspire your congregation and engage your community with a meaningful running ministry. Upward provides:
  • Tailored training plans to help your runner or walkers move from the couch to completing a 5k.
  • Access to the new RunClub app for tracking progress and building community.
  • A fully customizable program that fits your church’s timeline — all led by your run coach who will be fully equipped with the Upward Running materials to lead.
• Simple to Start: With just one passionate leader and no facility needed, your church parking lot can become the starting line for life transformation.
• Build Stronger Connections: Use running to foster relationships, promote healthy habits, and grow spiritually while expanding your church’s impact.
• Upward is Here for You: Ready to bring Upward Running to your church? Visit Upward.org/Runcoach to get started today!

The post Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 2) appeared first on Church Answers.

Many of the disruptions in local church life are widely known. For example, most congregants and church leaders can clearly see the impact of COVID several years ago. But there have been a number of “quiet” disruptions that don’t get much attention. Thom and Sam look at ten of them over two episodes.

1. Evolving expectations for spiritual authority.

2. Blurring the lines between personal and private faith.

3. Digital natives redefine community.

4. Micro-communities become a greater influence.

5. Donation dynamics change.

Resources:

• Upward Sports

• Upward Sports: Pickleball

• Rooted

• Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!

• Churchteams

• Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 2)

• “The Anxious Generation Goes to Church” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

• The Power of Partnership
  Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.
• A Variety of Sports for Every Church
  From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.
• Exciting News: Pickleball Has Arrived!
  Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.
• Be the Neighborhood Church
  Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.
• Get Ahead for Fall Sports
  Looking ahead to the fall season? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – Use sports as that invite. Whether it’s soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball or pickleball, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader and Upward will support you with the rest.
• Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

• The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…
  • A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose
  • A sustainable way to launch groups
  • An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship
  • An opportunity to change the culture of your church
• Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

The post Ten Quiet Disrupters in American Church Life (Part 1) appeared first on Church Answers.

Most every church desires to grow with young families. But what do they look for in a church? Josh and Sam discuss a few key ways to attract and retain families with children.

• • An indicator of health: 25% of Sunday morning attendance should be 18 and under.
  • An indicator of investment: The children’s and student ministry budgets should be more than the worship ministry budget.
  • Clear policies and procedures that prioritize child safety.
  • Family-friendly service start times (9:30 or 10:00 a.m.) and service length (one hour).
  • Age-segmented discipleship programs for children, students, and adults.
  • Full programming for the entire family.
  • Worship styles, preaching philosophy, and specific programs can be important to some but are less important overall.

Resources:

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Churchteams

• Church Answers Certifications

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

• You see the need for systems to follow up on guests, volunteers, pastoral care; but right now that is really sporadic and siloed. Each person doing their own thing and people falling through the cracks. Churchteams will help you build and implement the system you need.
• Tired of not being able to get the help you need for your software? Churchteams support staff have all served on Church staff. They know the software and they know how churches work. Call, text, set up free support appointments.
• Integrated. How many different software systems are you using that require sharing people’s data? If 2 or more, you know the challenge and limitations of data in different systems that don’t play well together. Churchteams has all your people data in one place, including your communication data (email, texts, workflows).
• Ease of use. Do you feel like you should be getting more from your church software, but just can’t get people to use it? Churchteams makes it easy for guests, members, volunteers, and leaders to do everything they need to do including giving without having to create an account. Check it out to learn how.
• Reports. Are you getting the feedback on your ministry that you need from your database when you need it? Churchteams reports are extremely customizable. Let each staff save the ones they use on their dashboard. Or, schedule it to show up in their inbox.
• Learn more at Churchteams.

The post What Young Families Really Want in a Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Hiring staff can strengthen a church—but not always. In this episode, Thom and Sam discuss seven times when adding staff is a mistake, from removing ministry opportunities from the laity to financial missteps and agenda-driven hires. Learn how to make wise, mission-focused staffing decisions for your church’s health.

1. 1. When it takes ministry away from the laity.
   2. When you add staff according to the way you’ve always done it.
   3. When it’s not a smart financial decision.
   4. When a particular group in the church pushes its own agenda.
   5. When a friend needs a job.
   6. When it’s just a copy of another church.
   7. When you are unwilling to deal with a current ineffective staff member.

Resources:

• Rooted

• Upward Running

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

• The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…
  • A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose
  • A sustainable way to launch groups
  • An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship
  • An opportunity to change the culture of your church
• Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

• Introducing Upward Running! Upward Sports’ first step into adult sports is here — and running has never been easier to get “up and running.”
• Offer a 5K Challenge: Inspire your congregation and engage your community with a meaningful running ministry. Upward provides:
  • Tailored training plans to help your runner or walkers move from the couch to completing a 5k.
  • Access to the new RunClub app for tracking progress and building community.
  • A fully customizable program that fits your church’s timeline — all led by your run coach who will be fully equipped with the Upward Running materials to lead.
• Simple to Start: With just one passionate leader and no facility needed, your church parking lot can become the starting line for life transformation.
• Build Stronger Connections: Use running to foster relationships, promote healthy habits, and grow spiritually while expanding your church’s impact.
• Upward is Here for You: Ready to bring Upward Running to your church? Visit Upward.org/Runcoach to get started today!

The post Seven Occasions When You Should Not Hire More Church Staff appeared first on Church Answers.

A pastor’s salary is determined by several factors, including church size and budget, geographic location, cost of living, education, experience, and responsibilities. While there is no universal answer, Josh and Sam discuss general guidelines and what pastors should expect from their churches.

• • Remember, everything is negotiable on the front end. Don’t go to a church and negotiate after you accept the position.
  • Some denominations are known to pay better than others.
  • Most pastors are underpaid, but few get paid far too much.
  • The median household income of a community is typically not where pastors should be given their experience, education, and responsibilities. A small school superintendent is a better comparison point for a full-time pastor at a mid-size to large church.
  • Rent x 3 is a good rule of thumb.
  • For churches with budgets between $600,000 and $2,000,000, 10% of the income received is typical for a compensation package of a lead pastor.
  • Remember, you must consider salary, housing, benefits, and social security exemption.
  • Should churches pay for half of FICA if a pastor has opted into social security? Many churches do not realize that Section 3121(b)(8)(A) prevents them from withholding Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) from a minister’s wages. Instead, ministers are responsible for paying Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) tax on their salary and housing allowance—unless they have obtained an approved exemption.

Resources:

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Churchteams

• Church Answers Certifications

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

• You see the need for systems to follow up on guests, volunteers, pastoral care; but right now that is really sporadic and siloed. Each person doing their own thing and people falling through the cracks. Churchteams will help you build and implement the system you need.
• Tired of not being able to get the help you need for your software? Churchteams support staff have all served on Church staff. They know the software and they know how churches work. Call, text, set up free support appointments.
• Integrated. How many different software systems are you using that require sharing people’s data? If 2 or more, you know the challenge and limitations of data in different systems that don’t play well together. Churchteams has all your people data in one place, including your communication data (email, texts, workflows).
• Ease of use. Do you feel like you should be getting more from your church software, but just can’t get people to use it? Churchteams makes it easy for guests, members, volunteers, and leaders to do everything they need to do including giving without having to create an account. Check it out to learn how.
• Reports. Are you getting the feedback on your ministry that you need from your database when you need it? Churchteams reports are extremely customizable. Let each staff save the ones they use on their dashboard. Or, schedule it to show up in their inbox.
• Learn more at Churchteams.

The post How Much Money Should a Pastor Make? appeared first on Church Answers.