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The Church Answers Podcast with Thom Rainer is fast-paced, to the point, and sometimes witty. It addresses one question about church life and leadership in just ten minutes. Buckle your seatbelt and take a ride into the world of congregational health in a fun and fascinating way.
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The No Church Answers! podcast began as Man Up a Spiritual Oasis for Men in 2017, launched by Bill Cox, actor and DJ, and four regulars, Steven Titch, Robert Cocheu, Michael Cropper and Earl Lloyd--all from different faith backgrounds. Our focus is on ways men could use their Christian faith to drive their goals, leadership and action. We feel the faith muscle needs regular exercise. The body is like a barrel. The outside is your education, money and health. The inside is your faith and soul ...
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The work of pastoral ministry is joyful but also demanding. Every pastor is on call 24/7, and members’ expectations are high and sometimes unreasonable. Pastors are thus expected to “run the race” constantly. But how can they keep up the pace in this marathon of ministry without burning out? How can they remain productive with such demands? Jess an…
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Statistics tell us that church net closings in the U.S. reach about 3,000 a year and every year 2.75 million churchgoers fall into inactivity. We look at the reasons for this decline and address the importance of regular church attendance to growth in the faith. The fellows talk about growing up in various denominations, and the changes they have s…
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Though we cannot know the will of God for your life, we can share with you the mistakes of many leaders who quit prematurely. Jess and Thom discuss six times when it is likely not the right time to quit. The second reason might surprise you. When we lack clarity from God. When you haven’t expressed gratitude and joy to God for where you are now. Wh…
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Podcast 350—What if Brian Thompson Was a Member of Your Church? Proverbs 22:16, 28:27; Ezekiel 16:49
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Is there moral equivalency in shooting someone in the street and using AI algorithms to deny medical care to thousands of patients, perhaps leading to untimely death? To start the new year, the fellows take up the topical concept of structural violence, the idea that organizations and institutions, just because of the way they work, can be as much …
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Can anyone really provide an update on AI? It is moving too fast for most of us. Jess and Thom try to keep local churches updated on the AI issues that could most affect them. The evangelistic opportunities using AI are massive. The opportunity for virtual tours of your church facility. The opportunity to demonstrate value in human-to-human connect…
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More churches are leasing parts of their facilities for both ministry and additional income. Likewise, more churches are making big mistakes in the leasing process. Jess and Thom look at 15 of those mistakes. Listening to just a few of these traps could be a game-changer for your congregation. Agreement with a handshake (You need to know why) Failu…
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The demographic and psychographic information about your church is vital to establishing a healthy outreach plan. Jess and Thom show how this plan can be developed for your church. Get a thorough demographic and psychographic report. We offer Know Your Community. If possible, start with a survey of your church. We offer Know Your Church. What are t…
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For our fifth annual Christmas podcast, we look at the Virgin Mary. Beneath the trappings of tradition and legend, we find a Biblical narrative of an ordinary young woman responding to extraordinary circumstances. We look at the arc of Mary's faith, from her skeptical question "How can this be?" to her courageous affirmation of God's promise of sal…
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How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 3: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Building at a Church
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Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for a new building. Resources: Pastor Chris Freeman, City Church Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacit…
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How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 2: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Debt Reduction at a Church
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Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for debt reduction. Resources: Pastor Nathanael Lyon, Hope Community Church Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capac…
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How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 1: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Deferred Maintenance at a Church
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Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for deferred maintenance. Resources: Pastor Bob Beckler, Central Community Church Church Growth Services: Get your free…
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Jess and Thom look at some of the most common barriers in churches while answering the “why” behind each one. Some of the challenges are the same as in past years, but the reasons behind them are often not. Evangelistic apathy Prayer drought Staffing lid Unvalued bride Unit decline Forgotten pathways Community amnesia Resources: Chaney & Associates…
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Scripture exhorts us to be grateful. But can well-meaning Christians apply the message of gratitude the wrong way or in the wrong situations? We discuss the idea of "dark gratitude," which instead of providing support, steers us away from confronting problems, difficulties and outright hardship we need to face. Hat tip to Elizabeth Bernstein, whose…
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How Does a Church Grow When All or Most of Its Members Are Old? A Return to an Often-Asked Question
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Thom and Jess revisit one of the most frequently asked questions at Church Answers. Instead of speculating, they share actual stories of churches that are doing just that. This podcast will be incredibly helpful to church leaders. Resources: Chaney & Associates Know Your Community The Hope Initiative “Pray & Go: Your Invitation to Become a Great Co…
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Woke culture has made diversity a dirty word. Christians can reclaim it by rooting human diversity in the context of God's creation, not racial, ethic or sexual identity. Every human is made in the image of God, which alone confers dignity and value to every human life. Diversity follows, as Paul notes, but we remain united--and equal--by the claim…
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How Do Pastors Recover When Something Unexpected, Funny, or Even Tragic Happens During a Worship Service?
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There are 375,000 churches in America that have approximately 26 million worship services a year. Something unexpected is likely to happen every week. And the unexpected does indeed happen. Jess and Thom share some of those stories and tell how pastors respond (or should respond). At the end of the podcast is their favorite on video. Resources: Cha…
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Thom started noticing a trend several years ago. Many pastors and other church leaders were getting consultation training primarily to help their own churches. Thom and Jess look at this growing trend. The origins of church consultation. The origins of church consultation training. Is there a biblical basis for church consultation? What Thom learne…
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What is the Christian idea of a flourishing, abundant life? Can the Bible's metaphorical green pastures measure up to a 10.000-acre Texas ranch? And can people flourish in exile, as Jeremiah urges? Download and listen before you buy that next graduation card! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Seven Characteristics of Excellent Worship Leaders That Are Often Forgotten: An Interview with Mike Harland
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A good worship leader can make an incredible difference in a church. A not-so-good worship leader can really mess things up. Jess and Thom interview Mike Harland to dive deeply into seven characteristics of excellent worship leaders that are often not at the forefront of discussion. An obvious walk with God. A joyous desire to work with and under t…
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We wrap up our study of Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option debating the author's contentious view of the Internet, social media and the accompanying cultural message to envelope oneself in a virtual world to escape the real one. We add a discussion of AI, which has exploded since Dreher published, and what ethical questions it raises for Christians. …
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Many church leaders are at least aware that a number of churches write their own curriculum. However, this approach is often considered a luxury option that only large churches can do. Jess and Thom share how churches of all sizes can create a variety of their own resources. WHAT Types of Curriculum or Resources Can You Create? New member class Chi…
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"To reduce Christian teaching about sex and sexuality to bare, boring, thou-shalt-not moralism is a failure of imagination," Rod Dreher writes in the The Benedict Option. Instead, Churches should strongly proclaim the stability Christian sexual ethics offer men and women who seek true intimacy, romance and fulfilling partnerships in their love rela…
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Churches with membership classes were in the minority just ten years ago. Now, six out of ten churches have a regular new members class. Thom and Jess look at seven of the most current trends. In addition, they provide a contemporary history of new member classes in America. How membership classes moved into the mainstream. Why membership classes w…
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It's Halloween, so the fellows discuss what Bible authors might have meant when they condemned witchcraft and sorcery. Rather than supernatural black magic, were they pointing to talented manipulators whom today we would call narcissists and psychopaths--persons who know there is no greater human flaw than the ability to fool oneself? Jeffrey Epste…
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Many churches are located in neighborhoods they are not reaching. Thom highlights two important steps churches can take to act like a neighborhood church. Resources: Upward Sports Know Your Community Know Your Community Politics “The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church: Discover How Your Church Is Primed to Reach Your Neighbors” by Sam Rai…
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We at Church Answers hear from church leaders who want to know how to get guests who attend church events assimilated into the church. Thom shares two simple steps that work almost every time. You will be surprised at its simplicity. Resources: Upward Sports The Everything Church Resource Directory The Hope Initiative Church Answers Central Members…
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Many pastors and church leaders express frustration when Sunday sports have priority over church. Thom shares the simple step many churches have taken to respond positively to this challenge. Resources: Upward Sports “Where Have All the Church Members Gone?” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link) The Everything Church Resource Directory The Hope Initia…
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In an era where many denominations are known for their controversies and in-fighting, here is a story of a denomination that quietly and methodically demonstrates obedience to the gospel in a positive light for the world to see. Thom and Jess interview Dr. Eddie Moody, the Executive Director of The National Association of Free Will Baptists. Heed h…
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Podcast 342 -- When the Gender Reveal Party Is For Your 23-Year-Old Co-Worker Colossians 3:23-24
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Trigger warning! The fellows discuss the challenges of the new woke workplace, and whether Christians should react to corporate pronoun policies with principled resistance, silent acknowledgement or suppressed laughter when any of these three could lead to termination. Join us for an oft-times politically incorrect podcast as we discuss the importa…
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Thom and Jess examine the incredible ways pastoring has changed in the past 25 years. Jess offers the current perspective, and Thom looks at the old man’s view. You might be surprised at the magnitude of the changes. Resources: Chaney & Associates “The Anxious Generation Goes To Church” by Thom S. Rainer – Coming in 2025! “Make My Church Safe: A Gu…
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As we continue our look at Rod Dreher’s The Benedict Option, we generally agree American culture lost something valuable when colleges and universities abandoned classical education models, study of the humanities and their respect for the history of Western Civilization. But are Dreher’s suggestions realistic? We debate his call for Christians to …
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