Here we go—the last episode of Est.Church. Micah Fries is back for the final one! But the conversation continues…Josh and Sam are migrating the Est.Church conversation to the Rainer on Leadership podcast in January. If you are not subscribed to Rainer on Leadership, you can do so in your favorite podcasting app.

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The post Goodbye: The Last Episode (What’s Next?!) appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam welcome Micah Fries back to the show and reminisce about the early days of this podcast. Micah gives an update on his current ministry. Remember, the Est.Church conversation will move to the Rainer on Leadership podcast in January. If you are not subscribed to Rainer on Leadership, you can do so in your favorite podcasting app.

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The post Micah’s Back! Here’s the Big Update appeared first on Church Answers.

How will preachers study differently in the next few years? Josh and Sam talk about the changes in sermon preparation and delivery. The use of artificial intelligence is a major ethical consideration, but there are other issues at play. The coming shifts are more positive than negative.

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The post The Future of Sermon Preparation and Delivery (The Next Five Years) appeared first on Church Answers.

What changes after leading a church once you hit the nine-year mark? Sam shares his insight about shepherding the same congregation for several years. The issue of trust is settled. The sheep shuffling slows down or stops. Casting a vision becomes more challenging, not easier, because it’s easy to start cruising when a church is stabilized.

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The post The Nine-Year Mark of Tenure as a Pastor (Here’s What I’ve Learned) appeared first on Church Answers.

The first 90 days are critical when making a pastoral transition to a new church. Since he just transitioned to a new church, Josh shares some insight into what to do and what not to do. Slow down, ask questions, prioritize problems, emphasize learning, and listen to all sides.

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The post The Critical First 90 Days at a New Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Leading a church is a grind. The job cycles endlessly, and the only endpoint is Christ’s return. Josh and Sam discuss how to have healthy boundaries in the barrage of ministry. You can find a pace that includes rest and recreation. The cohosts discuss how.

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The post Staying Spiritually Healthy in the Grind of Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss how to say goodbye when people leave the church on good terms. They also discuss the best ways to help church staff transition when called to another ministry. And they have a big announcement, too. Listen to the end!

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The post Necessary Goodbyes (and BIG Announcement) appeared first on Church Answers.

How can you avoid spending too much time preparing sermons and lessons when you have to prepare three or four different ones a week? Josh and Sam reflect on when they had to prepare Sunday morning sermons, Sunday night sermons, Wednesday night teaching sessions, and Sunday school lessons–every week!

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Churchteams is offering a special 30-minute demo of its new user interface to Est.Church listeners on November 7th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The first 15 registrants who attend will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Everyone who attends and starts using Churchteams gets the first three months free. If you have thought about checking out new ChMS software, it doesn’t get better than this! Go to Est. Church to register or use Text-to-Church and send DEMO to (817) 677-9750.

The post Proper Prep Time When Preaching Multiple Sermons or Lessons a Week appeared first on Church Answers.

Many people are intimidated by technology because they don’t know how to use it. Churches and pastors are no exception. Boyd Pelley of Churchteams joins Josh and Sam to discuss ways to overcome this intimidation factor.

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Churchteams was built to unite all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Churchteams is offering a special 30-minute demo of its new user interface to Est.Church listeners on November 7th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The first 15 registrants who attend will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Everyone who attends and starts using Churchteams gets the first three months free. If you have thought about checking out new ChMS software, it doesn’t get better than this! Go to Est. Church to register or use Text-to-Church and send DEMO to (817) 677-9750.

The post Why Technology Can Be Intimidating for Churches and Pastors (And a Solution) appeared first on Church Answers.

Most pastors struggle with insecurities, agitation, stress, and failure. How can you get out of a funk when these problems cause you to have a poor attitude? Josh and Sam discuss how they end up with a poor attitude and what they do to make an adjustment.

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Churchteams is offering a special 30-minute demo of its new user interface to Est.Church listeners on November 7th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The first 15 registrants who attend will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Everyone who attends and starts using Churchteams gets the first three months free. If you have thought about checking out new ChMS software, it doesn’t get better than this! Go to Est. Church to register or use Text-to-Church and send DEMO to (817) 677-9750.

The post When Pastors Need an Attitude Adjustment appeared first on Church Answers.

Every pastor has a list of problems to solve. Josh and Sam talk about what’s on their big board of problems right now. The co-hosts discuss the topics of evangelism, facilities, staff, finances, and legacy.

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Churchteams is offering a special 30-minute demo of its new user interface to Est.Church listeners on November 7th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The first 15 registrants who attend will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Everyone who attends and starts using Churchteams gets the first three months free. If you have thought about checking out new ChMS software, it doesn’t get better than this! Go to Est. Church to register or use Text-to-Church and send DEMO to (817) 677-9750.

The post What’s On Your Big Board Of Problems? appeared first on Church Answers.

Can you be called to a church but not like the job? How do you distinguish between God’s calling and job responsibilities? Josh and Sam discuss how you can juggle the spiritual parts of shepherding with the business of managing church operations.

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The post The Difference Between Pastoral Calling and Just Doing the Job appeared first on Church Answers.

How can you lead a church revitalization when everything is a mismatch? Rob Paul joins Josh and Sam to discuss what it’s like to shepherd a church when you’re a white pastor in a black neighborhood. The story of Huffman Baptist will inspire and encourage you. God has worked a miracle through the congregation and made the church the hub of the community.

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The post White Pastor, Black Neighborhood, and a Church Revitalization appeared first on Church Answers.

Both Josh and Sam have been in ministry for a combined 42 years. Along the way, they’ve learned a few things about extending your mileage as a pastor. What can you do to stay the course for the long term? The co-hosts have some thoughts.

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The post Extending Your Leadership Mileage as a Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.

Some ministry strategies are overrated, but everyone seems to be doing them. Josh and Sam discuss their thoughts on what’s popular but you don’t really need. The co-hosts cover vision statements, one-line sermon summaries, live streaming, and others.

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The post Overrated and Popular Ministry Strategies You Really Don’t Need appeared first on Church Answers.

What is the ideal church size to pastor? Josh and Sam discuss the benefits of several different sizes of churches. They each have a favorite size, but the cohosts also cover why many pastors maximize their leadership ability at mid-size churches.

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The post The Ideal Church Size to Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.

What gets you out of the church office? Josh and Sam talk about key reasons why pastors need to venture out more. It’s good to connect with homebound people, other pastors, and community leaders. But pastors also need to recharge and share their faith.

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The post The Top Five Reasons Pastors Should Get Out of the Church Office appeared first on Church Answers.

Are there offenses that permanently disqualify a pastor from ministry? Josh and Sam cover this controversial question. They discuss the recent rise in scandals and whether or not a fallen pastor should return to ministry. Some sins have deeper consequences than others.

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The post What Permanently Disqualifies a Pastor from Ministry? appeared first on Church Answers.

Most church leaders do not know how many single parents live in the community. Single moms and dads are often underestimated and off the radar. Sam and Josh talk about ways to engage single parents and their children. With some simple changes, your church can make a big difference with this group.

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The post Single Parents and the Future of Children’s Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

Should your church address be permanent? When is it appropriate to relocate an entire church or sell the church campus? Josh and Sam talk about what motivates a church to uproot. You must balance missiology with stewardship, and sometimes, these two objectives are at odds.

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The post When to Relocate or Sell Your Church Campus appeared first on Church Answers.

Some people have strange views about things. Perhaps they are in your church. Josh and Sam discuss what pastors can do when church members approach them with conspiracy theories, fringe theological perspectives, and extreme political views.

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The post How to Handle the Crazy People in Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Compassion fatigue is excessive weariness caused by caring for, listening to, and helping people with emotional and spiritual problems. The issue is more pervasive than most realize because pastors are the first spiritual responders in moments of crisis. Josh and Sam discuss how pastors develop compassion fatigue and what they can do to remedy the problem.

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The post How Church Leaders Overcome Compassion Fatigue appeared first on Church Answers.

Most denominations are in decline, which means the churches within them are decreasing in size. Does the baggage of a name have anything to do with it? Josh and Sam discuss whether having the denomination in your church name is a liability.

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The post Is the Denomination in Your Church Name a Liability? appeared first on Church Answers.

Committees can be an excellent vehicle for change in a church, but they can also put up roadblocks. Josh and Sam discuss how pastors can best utilize committees in change efforts. The cohosts also talk about why generational differences exist and how to build bridges with a committee structure.

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The post How Pastors Can Manage Committees to Change the Status Quo appeared first on Church Answers.

The decision to display the American Flag in church can be contentious. But why? Josh and Sam discuss some of the reasons why Christians have differing perspectives. The cohosts also give some practical tips for pastors on the best way to approach the issue.

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The post The Controversy over Displaying the American Flag in Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Do you use paper notes in the pulpit or digital technology? Which one is best? Josh and Sam discuss the advantages and disadvantages of technology and homiletics. Old school or new school, there are some important considerations before preaching.

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The post What’s Wrong with Using an iPad to Preach? appeared first on Church Answers.

You likely have an untapped source of volunteer power in your church. Don’t miss this opportunity! The Baby Boomer generation is entering retirement and has a ton of job experience. Josh and Sam discuss how Boomers can help guide a church into the next season of growth.

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The post A Realistic Plan for Using Baby Boomers in Non-Paid Staff Roles appeared first on Church Answers.

One of the best ways to engage young families in your community is by starting a weekday preschool at your church. But the reward of this ministry does come with a level of risk. Josh and Sam discuss how to start a preschool or day school without it becoming a drain on the church.

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The post Weekday Preschools at Churches: Good Idea or Bad Idea? appeared first on Church Answers.

Pastors are known to be less tech-savvy. But is this perception true? And what might pastors not know about newer digital resources? Boyd Pelley of Churchteams joins Josh and Sam to discuss the latest technology news that can benefit local churches.

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The post What Most Pastors Miss with Technology appeared first on Church Answers.

Every year, the SBC annual meeting seems to get more contentious. What will happen at this year’s convention? Josh and Sam give their predictions on the upcoming meeting. They also provide insight into the various groups within the SBC and why so many are vying for power.

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The post What To Expect With The 2024 Southern Baptist Convention appeared first on Church Answers.

Some people fade away from the church and stop coming without much thought. Others can feel hurt and believe they are justified in leaving. How should church leaders engage the disengaged? Josh and Sam answer this question and give some practical tips on how to reach out to people.

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The post How to Engage the Disengaged in Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

The typical church will lose about 7% of people each year to transfer. These losses are frustrating, but Sam and Josh discuss why you shouldn’t be angry at people for leaving. In this episode, the cohosts reveal why people exit. Some don’t understand the vision. Others don’t like specific changes. Inevitably, some will have unmet expectations. And, for others, a new life stage prompts a change.

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The post The Hard Reality of Groups That Will Leave Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

An older church is not a lost cause! Josh and Sam discuss how a church filled with senior adults can make the transition and reach young families. A church of predominantly senior adults has unique challenges but also opportunities. These congregations can get younger, and the cohosts discuss some ways this shift to occur.

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The post How Senior Adult Churches Can Reach Young Families appeared first on Church Answers.

Can you shape church culture for the better? Yes! Dr. Justin Irving, a professor of leadership at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, joins Josh and Sam for a special two-part episode and shares how churches can have a thriving culture. Learn more through these self-evaluation questions, which demonstrate how people manage others and lead themselves: SBTS.edu/6questions.

Check out Dr. Irving’s book, Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations.

The post Special Two-Part Series: The Secret Sauce For Creating A Thriving Church Culture — An Interview with Dr. Justin Irving appeared first on Church Answers.

What should you do if you inherit a toxic church situation? How can you remain healthy as a pastor? Dr. Justin Irving, a professor of leadership at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, joins Josh and Sam for a special two-part episode. Learn more through these self-evaluation questions, which demonstrate how people manage others and lead themselves: SBTS.edu/6questions.

Check out Dr. Irving’s book, Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations.

The post Special Two-Part Series: How To Be A Healthy Pastor In A Toxic Church — An Interview with Dr. Justin Irving appeared first on Church Answers.

Words can help establish church culture. Be careful with your vocabulary! Josh and Sam discuss the impact of leadership lingo and how pastors can use language to guide the congregation. Language is an important way to set expectations in the church. Some established church lingo can even hinder growth.

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Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Established Church Lingo that Hinders Growth appeared first on Church Answers.

Many traditional churches have a “look” to the campus. Josh and Sam discuss whether or not it’s a hindrance for guests. Do big columns and a steeple have any impact on the perceptions of people in the neighborhood? They do, but maybe not in the way you think.

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Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Is the Traditional Church Campus a Hurdle for Guests? appeared first on Church Answers.

Not all transfer growth is bad. Not every person is a church hopper, looking for the next best thing. In fact, there are good reasons to transfer to another church, even one right down the road. Josh and Sam unpack five reasons why your church should accept transfer growth. Check out the article mentioned in the episode at Church Answers. 

Episode Sponsors:

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Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Good Reasons Why Your Church Should Accept Transfer Growth appeared first on Church Answers.

Just about every church started live streaming during the pandemic, but views have been down significantly since then. Is live streaming a relic of the pandemic? Is it still worth the time? Josh and Sam talk about their perspectives on the pros and cons of live streaming. There is another digital option that might be better for your church.

Episode Sponsors:

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Does Live Streaming Help or Hurt the Church? appeared first on Church Answers.

Should pastors share the inner workings of the church with their children? Josh and Sam discuss what they do in their homes. As fathers, they want what is best for their children. What should pastors share with their children about sermon preparation, church politics, staff, and people issues? The co-hosts get quite personal on this episode. 

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post What Do Pastors Really Tell Their Kids about the Church? appeared first on Church Answers.

What is a whiteboard session and how can you lead one with your church? Josh and Sam discuss some best practices. The term refers to a meeting in which a group of people collaborates with an open mind. The whiteboard reference implies starting fresh with nothing on the board—a “blank slate” if you’re referencing a chalkboard. The two keys to a whiteboard session are collaboration and creativity. How can you do one successfully at your church? Sam’s article on the subject is found here.

Episode Sponsors:

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post How to Lead a Whiteboard Session with Church Leadership appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam share some of the lessons learned from being new pastors at a church. What are three things you don’t want to do? Don’t attempt to change everything. Don’t start with a heavy or gimmicky sermon series. And don’t “clean house” with the leadership structure. They share why these three items are off-limits early in a pastor’s tenure.

Episode Sponsors:

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Top Three Things NOT to Do as a New Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.

For a season, it seemed like the Christian evangelical world was dominated by celebrity preachers. What happened to this movement? Josh and Sam discuss some reasons why there is less of an emphasis on big names with big platforms. The story is deeper than some of the notorious scandals. Leadership style has a lot to do with it.

Episode Sponsors:

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post What Happened to All the Celebrity Preachers? appeared first on Church Answers.

You’ve likely heard the horror stories of what can happen when a younger pastor goes to an older church. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, Josh and Sam discuss ways this arrangement can work well. The mix of a younger pastor and an older congregation can produce a positive situation in which both thrive.

Episode Sponsors:

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post When You’re a Younger Pastor of an Older Church appeared first on Church Answers.

What gets the process of revitalization started? Momentum has to be built somehow. Josh and Sam talk about comeback churches and what you can do to start making progress. While challenging, there are certain practical steps you can take to build some momentum in your church. And once it gets going, you’re well on your way to a comeback.

Episode Sponsors:

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Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Real Momentum Driving Comeback Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Bonuses can be a positive motivator for church staff. Done poorly, they can be detrimental. Whether you offer merit-based bonuses is a key decision. Josh and Sam discuss the good and bad of offering bonuses and best practices for churches. The cohosts cover the types of bonuses churches can offer, when to offer them, and how to set amounts.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Should Churches Offer Bonuses to Paid Staff? The Pros and Cons appeared first on Church Answers.

Preachers have different personalities and should develop their own voices. However, some styles of preaching are not beneficial. Josh and Sam discuss seven styles of preaching to avoid. They discuss styles like the “look at me” preacher and the “aimless driver” preacher. Thanks go to @lukedsimmons on Twitter for the idea.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Seven Styles of Preaching to Avoid appeared first on Church Answers.

Some old-school habits are worth keeping. Handwritten notes are a quick way to make a significant impact on your congregation. But when should you write these notes? And to whom? Josh and Sam discuss seven opportunities to handwrite a note. The hosts give some advice on what to include in these notes and how often to send them. 

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Seven Handwritten Cards Every Pastor Needs to Write appeared first on Church Answers.

The midweek gathering was once a big part of the church calendar. Josh and Sam discuss what happened to Wednesday nights and whether churches should continue using the time slot as part of the overall strategy. Perhaps it’s dead in your church. Maybe it’s one of your biggest opportunities. Listen to this week’s episode to find out more.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Are Wednesday Nights Dead or Your Biggest Opportunity? appeared first on Church Answers.

We all have our quirks, but churches can be especially weird. Josh and Sam delve into these eccentricities with some humor. Sharing some of their most amusing anecdotes, they embrace and celebrate the unique, often awkward, aspects of ministry.

Episode Sponsors:

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Why Pastoring a Church Is One of the Weirdest Jobs appeared first on Church Answers.

Every season has its end, and this includes church programs and events. When the moment arrives for them to go, the question arises. How should a pastor gracefully navigate ending them? Terminating a program or event is not always straightforward and may often lead to tensions within the church. In this week’s episode, Josh and Sam explore various pastoral strategies to address these challenges effectively.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post How to Kill Programs and Events without Hurting Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

When you leave a church, what should you say as you exit? There is a time to speak up. And there is a time to shut up. But how can you discern? Josh and Sam discuss the ways you can leave a church without burning it down on this week’s episode.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

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Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post How to Leave a Church without Burning It Down appeared first on Church Answers.

Children’s ministry has changed rapidly in the last few years, especially at small and mid-size churches. Curriculum choices are becoming more important. Volunteer needs are creating new stress points. Anxiety among children is on the rise. And hiring is shifting as churches select internal candidates. Jenny Smith, Awana’s lead curriculum developer, joins the show with Josh and Sam to discuss these developments. See her work at BriteCurriculum.com.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Future of KidMin for Small and Mid-Size Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Almost every church wants to focus more on outreach. Recreation ministry is a great way to connect with the neighborhood around your church. Unfortunately, many churches overlook the power of sports, even though the popularity of sports is overwhelming. Josh and Sam interview Kevin Drake, Executive Director of Upward Sports, to discuss how churches can use sports outreach to invite families in.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post How Your Church Can Use Sports Outreach to Invite Families In appeared first on Church Answers.

Most every church has expectations with giving records. Who can know what and when? Smaller churches can be even more challenging, especially if a couple of families are giving the majority of funds. What should you do if you are the pastor? What should you do if you are the key giver?

Episode Sponsors:

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Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Who Should Know What about Top Church Givers? appeared first on Church Answers.

The upcoming year could prove pivotal for many churches. Josh and Sam discuss what they expect to happen in churches in 2024. Trends in giving are changing. The roles of women in leadership could reach a boiling point in some tribes. The megachurch movement will continue to fade. And seminary education will start to shift in favor of shorter programs.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post What We Expect to Happen in Churches in 2024 appeared first on Church Answers.

Recreation ministry is one of the biggest opportunities for churches right now. It’s a great way to connect spiritual health with physical health. Josh and Sam interview Drew Provence, the Director of Partner Engagement at Upward Sports. The three of them discuss how every church can utilize recreation ministry. Visit Upward.org/ChurchAnswers. 

• • Why is now the right time for churches to consider recreation ministry?
  • What does a successful recreation ministry look like?
  • Is recreation ministry only for large suburban churches? 
  • What about rural churches or smaller churches?

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Why Now Is the Time Every Church Should Consider Recreation Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

The month of December is a chaotic mess of busyness for most pastors. Josh and Sam discuss why in this episode. The co-hosts give some practical tips on how to manage the stress of December and have a little fun. 

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.

Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Making the Most of a Very Busy December appeared first on Church Answers.

There is a growing trend of pastors seeking a marketplace job outside of ministry. What’s happening? Eric Hoke joins Josh and Sam to discuss the implications. More pastors are finding it difficult to make ends meet financially, while at the same time, ministry is becoming more stressful. You can learn more about some of Eric’s solutions at ihelppastorsgetjobs.com.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings. At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Why Pastors Consider Leaving Churches for a Marketplace Job appeared first on Church Answers.

Does a pastor’s salary matter? If so, to what degree? Art Rainer, president of Christian Money Solutions, joins Sam on this week’s episode. They discuss the sensitive subject of money. Ministry can be tough for a variety of reasons, but financial frustrations are often at the top of the list. You can learn more at ChristianMoneySolutions.com.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free at EST.church!

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings. At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Should Pastors Care About Making More Money? appeared first on Church Answers.

What’s the best way to use technology to communicate with your church? Boyd Pelley, co-founder of Churchteams, joins Sam on the show to discuss how churches use different systems to communicate with people throughout the assimilation process. When should you use texting? And when should you use a church app? We have some specific and practical answers to these questions. You can learn more at Churchteams.com.

Episode Sponsors:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

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Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings. At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Best Technology to Encourage Church Communication appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches should provide basic tools for pastors and staff to accomplish their jobs. Josh and Sam discuss the best practices for providing church staff with technology needs. They share how to set up the budget and what accountability should be in place to avoid abuses of the system.

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Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings. At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Should Every Church Staff Person Get a Computer, Cell Phone, and Other Tech Needs? appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh proposes what he believes is a secret weapon for church leaders. Ad Hoc committees are used to make specific decisions within a determined timeframe. Sam counters with why he believes standing committees are also important. When should you use each one? The co-hosts debate the issue.

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Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings. At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Debate Over Ad Hoc Committees vs. Standing Committees appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam moved his office to the third floor of the church’s education building. Josh moved his entire team to an offsite office building two miles from the church campus. Who made the best move and why? In this episode, the cohosts discuss the benefits and downsides of office arrangements. People can have an emotional connection to the church building, and there is a sociological benefit to office space. Josh and Sam go at it with two different perspectives.

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The post Should Pastors Office Onsite or Offsite? appeared first on Church Answers.

Many churches killed their worship bulletins during the pandemic. Are they totally dead? No, and they are beginning to make a comeback. Josh and Sam discuss their perspective on how churches can use print media in strategic ways. What should the print bulletin contain now? And how should it differ from your digital communication?

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The post Is the Bulletin and Print Communication Finally Dead in Churches? appeared first on Church Answers.

Current and accurate megachurch stats are hard to find. While there are still many megachurches in the United States, the movement is beginning to wane. What was a Baby Boomer movement is not energizing younger generations in the same way. What does the future hold? Josh and Sam take a deeper dive into the current impact of megachurches and speculate some about the future direction of these churches.

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The post What’s Really Happening Now at U.S. Megachurches? appeared first on Church Answers.

Talk is cheap, but encouragement is worth its weight in gold. Why do pastors need encouragement? And how can lay people in the church help pastors by being more encouraging? Josh and Sam interview Joe Humphries of jhgroup.pro. Joe is a longtime executive leadership coach and believes encouragement is one of the greatest ways to fill up pastors and keep them in a safe place for ministry.

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The post How Encouragement from Lay People Helps Keep Pastors in a Safe Place appeared first on Church Answers.

Every church leader should work to minimize hurt and maximize unity among the congregation. Sometimes the church hurts the pastor. Sometimes the pastor hurts the church. Josh and Sam discuss the difference between trauma and church hurt. In this episode, they cover forms of church hurt and some practical ways to help others heal.

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The post Recovering from Ministry Trauma and Church Hurt appeared first on Church Answers.

There is a looming deferred maintenance crisis coming for churches. Big facility costs can be challenging. Josh and Sam talk about the situation at West Bradenton with the failing air conditioning system. What can churches do to minimize the risk of surprising facility expenses? On this episode, the two co-hosts discuss some practical ways to lower the pain level of large capital expenses.

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The post Our A/C Blew Up and Now It Costs $2M to Fix It appeared first on Church Answers.

Guess what? Your community is changing whether you realize it or not. Demographics are shifting just about everywhere in the United States. What should the church do? Josh and Sam get feisty in this episode with some differing views. They talk about strategies for today and some history involving the church growth movement.

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The post Why Every Church’s Demographics Are Shifting (And What You Must Do) appeared first on Church Answers.

You will not lead a comfortable life when you do ministry with conviction. What constitutes a “big risk” in ministry? Josh and Sam interview Scott Pattison of the Global Methodist Church. Scott took a significant risk later in his ministry career, leaving behind a safety net. In this interview, Scott discusses how you can deal with the unknown.

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The post Taking a Big Risk When Making a Ministry Transition appeared first on Church Answers.

Search committees can be strange creatures. Josh and Sam talk about the church search process from the perspective of the pastor. It seems there are few standards among search committees. They all act differently. Additionally, many churches are searching for unicorn candidates and silver-bullet solutions. What does this mean for the way churches conduct pastoral searches right now?

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The post Why The Church Search Process Is Getting Weird appeared first on Church Answers.

What are pastors in their 30s and 40s saying right now? Josh and Sam discuss a few items they are hearing at ground level. With the average age of a pastor being around 60 years old, there are far fewer younger pastors than in the past. Those who are in ministry, however, have a lot of hope for the church, especially smaller congregations. The co-hosts discuss why Millennial pastors have less of a desire to go to a megachurch and why they are more disenfranchised with networks and denominations.

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The post What We’re Hearing at Ground Level from 30-Something and 40-Something Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.

For decades, the pattern for most pastors was to “climb the ladder” from a small church to a mid-size church, then land at a large church. What if bigger is not better? Josh and Sam discuss why some pastors may decide to go to a smaller church. They cover issues of personal fit, season of ministry, financial considerations, geography, culture, and community.

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The post Why Bigger Is Not Better (Going to a Smaller Church) appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss a recent survey that reveals where people pray. Far fewer people pray in the church building than they thought. How can congregations teach corporate prayer and encourage people to pray more? This episode covers best practices for pastors and church leaders.

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The post Corporate Prayer Has Left the Church Building appeared first on Church Answers.

The advice is almost cliche. Pastors should lead by example. But how? In this episode, Josh and Sam tackle several categories. They discuss spiritual health, physical health, emotional health, financial health, and relational health. Pastors can, and should, lead by example in these areas.

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The post What Does Leading by Example Really Look Like? appeared first on Church Answers.

Amazingly, 82% of congregants have an optimistic perspective about their churches, while only 16% have a pessimistic outlook. Josh and Sam break down the reasons why this optimism exists. The positive view of a specific local church can be detached from an overall negative view of churches. Additionally, many churches lost people on the periphery in the last three years, but those in the core who stayed are more likely to believe in the direction of their church. Sam mentioned this Bible in the show. And here is a link to an article about the study.

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The post The Surprise Optimism in American Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Some pastors love meetings. Others hate them. Josh and Sam discuss why. Fatigue starts when meetings become unproductive. Listen to this episode to maximize the meetings you need and reduce the ones you do not need.

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The post Meeting Fatigue and Death by Committee appeared first on Church Answers.

For the July 4th episode of Est.Church, Josh and Sam discuss patriotic services, whether or not pastors should tell their congregation how to vote, and how involved the church should be in local politics. Grab a hot dog, roast a marshmallow, and listen to this week’s discussion on the church and politics.

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The post Patriotism, Elections, and All the Controversial Political Stuff appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches are not typically early adopters of technology. Boyd Pelley from Church Teams joins Josh and Sam to discuss how your church can get ahead of the tech curve. The co-hosts also discuss privacy concerns with church management software and what your church can do for security.

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The post Why Churches Lag Behind with Technology (and How You Can Get Ahead) appeared first on Church Answers.

Accountability is the acceptance of responsibility for your actions. But what does this acceptance look like with paid church staff? In any work environment, including the church, you must codify expectations. These formal guidelines should be consistent, ethical, and reasonable. How should lead pastors hold staff accountable? Josh and Sam discuss some best practices, including five essential standards that will work for most churches.

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The post Best Practices for Holding Church Staff Accountable appeared first on Church Answers.

Summer is in full swing, which means VBS, church picnics, camps, and mission trips. Josh and Sam discuss some good strategies for keeping your church engaged during the summer months. You don’t need to break your rhythms! Summer can be a good time to focus on equipping existing members, reaching new residents, and training volunteers.

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The post What Should Churches Do in the Dog Days of Summer? appeared first on Church Answers.

Are sabbaticals for pastors a solution in search of a problem? Or are they helpful tools to refresh your ministry? Josh and Sam have very different takes on this subject. They discuss the difference between sabbaticals and vacations, as well as the suggested length and purpose of sabbaticals.

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The post The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Ministry Sabbaticals for Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.

Levity is a powerful tool. Using humor in your sermons can disarm people and help communicate difficult topics in a way that resonates with people. But how much is too much? And when should you use humor? Tim Boyd joins the show with Josh and Sam to discuss the use of humor in sermons. Tim is a comedian and a pastor. You can find him at TimBoydComedy.com.

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The post Humor in the Pulpit: How Much Is Too Much? appeared first on Church Answers.

Worship attendance is still the metric of success in churches. Josh and Sam cover why churches count, and they offer practical advice on how to make the practice beneficial to the spiritual health of the congregation. Included in this episode is a discussion about the connection between small groups and congregants attending worship more often.

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The post Counting Sheep and Why Church Attendance Is Stalling (Again) appeared first on Church Answers.

Are church members requesting more counseling from their pastors? Yes! Josh and Sam talk about some of the reasons and how pastors can handle these requests. They cover the difference between spiritual shepherding and professional counseling. In addition, the co-hosts discuss some ways pastors can give people hard advice in a loving way.

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The post How to Handle Increased Pastoral Counseling Requests appeared first on Church Answers.

We’re removed from the crisis moment of the pandemic, but some of the effects still linger. Has trust with pastors broken down? Josh and Sam discuss their perspectives on what’s happening in the church. More reshuffling of pastors is likely to occur in the near future.

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The post Did Covid Permanently Change Trust in Church Leadership? appeared first on Church Answers.

Rob Paul from Huffman Baptist joins the show with Josh and Sam to discuss an amazing turnaround story. How do you lead an established church out of a death spiral? Rob shares how Huffman’s campus shifted from albatross to asset while also becoming a multi-ethnic congregation. You can connect with him at RobPaul.net.

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The post An Example of a Church that Refused to Die appeared first on Church Answers.

Boyd Pelley joins the show with Sam to discuss how churches can help older members adopt new technology. Churches should value generational diversity, and technology can actually build a bridge between generations. This show covers the difference between digital natives and digital immigrants. If you had to select one technology tool to help your older members adopt, what would it be? Boyd shares his perspective as a technology provider.

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The post Closing the Technology Gap with Your Older Church Members appeared first on Church Answers.

According to a recent Barna study, job satisfaction among pastors is down 20 percentage points. Why? Josh and Sam give their reasons why they think the drop is occurring.

• • Church growth is harder now than in the past.
  • People can be hyper-critical while at the same time being hyper-connected.
  • The pastoral job description has greatly expanded.
  • Networks and denominations are weaker than they used to be.

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The post The Decline of Job Satisfaction Among Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.

Barnabas Piper joins Sam and Josh on the show. They discuss the different ways churches utilize deacons. Should you rotate deacons or not? What should smaller churches with one or two deacons do?

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The post What Do You Use Your Deacons For? appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam comment on a study from Lifeway Research. What are the best ways to make guests feel at home? The study revealed how churches welcome guests:

• • Meet the pastor (96%)
  • Greeters at entrances (95%)
  • Guest cards (83%)
  • Centrally located information desk (78%)
  • Meet and greet during the services (69%)
  • Info session about the church (65%)
  • Gifts for guests (42%)
  • Ask guests to stand in the service (17%)

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The post The Best Way To Welcome Guests To Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Nine out of ten churches in North America are 250 people and under. How can a normal-sized church do a pastoral transition in a healthy way? Josh and Sam talk about the role of search teams and personnel teams.

• Move quickly, not slowly.
• Communicate well with both the church and the candidates.
• Don’t hold a beauty contest!
• You don’t need to be unanimous to make a decision.

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The post How Normal-Sized Churches Do Pastoral Transitions Correctly appeared first on Church Answers.

1. Purchase a Bible.

2. Record a video of your child’s testimony.

3. Write a handwritten note to your child.

4. Seek pastoral counsel.

5. Pray every day with your child.

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The post The First Five Things to Do When a Child Accepts Christ appeared first on Church Answers.

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The post Why We Love Gen X Church Members appeared first on Church Answers.

1. Confusion in the parking lot
2. Unfriendliness in the foyer
3. Dirty kids’ areas
4. Bad website
5. Boring, bad, or dated sermons
6. Sitting alone
7. Ineffective follow-up

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The post The Top Seven Ways Churches Drive Away Guests appeared first on Church Answers.

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The post Do You Really Know the Community Around Your Church? Often-Missed Demographics appeared first on Church Answers.

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The post An Open and Frank Discussion About Pastor Succession Planning appeared first on Church Answers.

Episode Sponsor:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Check out Churchteams.com.

The post The Neglected Responsibility of Pastoral Hospitality appeared first on Church Answers.

Episode Sponsor:

Are you tired of multiple applications for church check-in, giving, membership, and scheduling?

Churchteams was built to bring together all your people and data under one umbrella with best-in-class quality features.

Get value without compromise. Pricing is simple and based on the number of people in the database. This includes all the essential features so that you can grow into using more without having to pay more. Plans start at $37 per month for churches under 200 people. Get two months free here!

The post Funerals Are Better Today Than in the Past appeared first on Church Answers.