Your online home for leadership lessons for both the church and the workplace.
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Thom Rainer Podcasts
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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Is there purpose in your pain? Have you ever thought your life is beyond repair or wondered if God could use your brokenness for good? We all tend to look and search for purpose in our pain and suffering. Depression, anxiety, hurting relationships, and unmet expectations can cause us to question God. In this study, Noe Garcia takes participants on a journey through Romans 8, which many scholars believe is the greatest chapter in the Bible. Noe shares his life story and experiences of abuse, ...
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Your daily dose of leadership. Helping you become the leader others need you to be. The Art of Leadership Daily features highlights of some of the best conversations Carey Nieuwhof has with world-class leaders like Andy Stanley, Simon Sinek, Susan Cain, Craig Groeschel, Adam Grant, Annie F. Downs, Seth Godin and more. Each Monday through Friday, in about ten minutes or less, The Art of Leadership Daily brings you principles to help you grow every day so that you can become the leader others ...
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200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement for Pastors of Small Churches
Jeff Keady and Jonny Craig: Pastors, Leaders, Bloggers, Podcasters, and Encouragers
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Jeff and Jonny are pastors who want to encourage pastors of “smaller” churches. All most pastors see online are the churches that have grown into the thousands in just a few years, the ones that spread out around the city through multiple services and multiple campuses. The ministry leaders with the most influence are the mega church pastors with mega ministries, staffs, and dollars. Praise God for what He is doing in these large and influential churches! We benefit from their vision and inf ...
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No church grows week after week and year after year. Additionally, our spiritual growth has highs and lows. A slump is inevitable in churches and people. Thom and Sam discuss some causes of a ministry slump and what you can do to stop the slide. Failure to spend time in the Word and the Bible. “Anytime I neglect my personal quiet time, my ministry …
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Is There Any Hope for Revitalizing Mainline Churches?
30:54
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The long, slow death of mainline churches is well documented and goes back to the 1970s. In the mid-twentieth century, approximately half of all Americans were identified as members of one of the seven mainline denominations. Today, it’s between 10% and 15%. Not much is said about revitalizing these churches, but there is hope. Josh and Sam intervi…
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Zero Invitations: The Unforced Error Series
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26:01
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An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one’s own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most co…
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The Holy Huddle: The Unforced Error Series
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26:08
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An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one’s own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most co…
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The Burge Report: Why Are Non-Denominational Churches Growing?
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Fifty years ago, non-denominational churches were more of an anomaly. Today, they are one of largest religious groups in the United States and one of only a few growing religious groups. Why is this? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss the reasons for growth among non-denominational churches. The rise in non-denominationalism is due, at least in p…
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Are Church Members Cussing More Today Than in the Past?
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The co-hosts have noticed something—it seems church members are cussing more these days. But are their anecdotal experiences supported by data? Josh and Sam talk about the expletive problem in churches today. All evidence suggests cuss words are far more common today than in the past. Studies on transcripts and books point to an 80% increase in the…
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Grow Your Congregation in the Grace of Giving: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
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Thom and Jess interview Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services. In this episode, they discuss how to grow your congregation in the grace of giving. Increase in Faith Culture Shift Unify Congregation Develop New Volunteers Resources: Chaney & Associates The Church Advisory Podcast Upward Running Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign cap…
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Reconnect Your Congregation to the Vision through Generosity: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
23:20
23:20
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Thom and Jess interview Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services. In this episode, they discuss how to reconnect your congregation to the vision through generosity. Increase Momentum Break Longtime Barriers Increase General Fund Giving Expand Ministry Opportunities Resources: Chaney & Associates The Church Advisory Podcast Upward Running Church G…
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Five Reasons Healthy Churches Seek Outside Help
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Churches can struggle with seeking outside help, even when it’s obvious they need it. Thom and Sam discuss why healthy churches often have outsiders speak into the operations of the church. Healthy churches understand that God’s Kingdom is larger than their particular church. They grasp that they can and will gain valuable insights that they would …
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Why Some Pastors Never Experience Church Growth
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Very few churches are growing, which means most pastors will lead plateaued or declining congregations. Some pastors experience an entire ministry career in no-growth situations. Why does this happen? Josh and Sam discuss several reasons why some pastors never experience church growth. Some pastors are called to difficult churches and are there sim…
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Failure to Have a Parking Lot Greeter: The Unforced Error Series
27:09
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An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one’s own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most co…
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The Time of Worship Services on the Website Is Not Correct: The Unforced Error Series
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An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one’s own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most co…
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What Is the Right Age to Retire as a Lead Pastor?
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The average age of a pastor is 60 years old. The question of retirement is one many pastors are asking. Being a lead pastor comes with unique demands and extra attention. Is there an ideal age to retire? Thom and Sam discuss some guidelines for those who are closer to retirement than not. The strength of your voice (and body) is a factor. It’s unwi…
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Is Student Ministry Still a Stepping Stone?
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A generation ago, student ministers would often make the leap to the lead pastor role after a few years. Does this kind of move still happen? If so, is it a good thing or not? Unfortunately, sometimes ministry positions outside of the lead pastor are seen as a lesser role in the life of the church. Josh and Sam break down the good and bad of leapin…
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Church Facility Growth Strategy: How to Build with Purpose with Brown Church Development Group
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Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this second episode, they discuss why intentional, purpose-aligned church facility planning is so critical. Smart churches don’t just build for growth; they build for purpose. Core Spaces – Necessary for Core Sunday Mi…
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5 Ways “Simple Church” Can Apply to Your Church Facility with Brown Church Development Group
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Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this first episode, they discuss five powerful ways “Simple Church” principles can shape not just how we do ministry, but how we build the spaces that facilitate it. Clarity Is Key Growth Must Be Purposeful The Core Co…
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The Pastor’s Dilemma: Loving Preaching, Loathing Sermon Prep
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Do you love to preach but at times loathe sermon prep? Do you find preaching incredibly fulfilling yet preparation frustrating or even overwhelming? If so, you’re not alone. Many pastors struggle with the inefficiency of sermon prep—feeling bogged down by research, unsure how to faithfully interpret Scripture, or intimidated by today’s hot-button t…
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Approval Addiction, People Pleasing, and How Pastors Can Let Go
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Most pastors want to be liked and respected by their congregations. This desire is part of the reason they are motivated to serve others. However, approval addiction can become a major barrier to leadership. When people pleasing becomes the priority, pastors often do more harm than good in their congregations. Marty Duren joins Josh and Sam to disc…
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Where Have All the Atheists and Agnostics Gone?
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Thom and Jess discuss how the total of all Nones is at its lowest level since 2018. From 2015 to 2024, the number of atheists in America has been consistent at 6% or 7%. From 2015 to 2024, the number of agnostics has stayed at 6% every year. We have good anecdotal data that suggest each category is a revolving door. We also have good anecdotal data…
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The Nones Are Rising No More: 5 Things Church Leaders Need to Know
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From 2008 to 2014, the Nones (those who have no religious affiliation) were the fastest-growing demographic segment in the nation. They are no longer growing. In fact, they are declining slightly. Here are five major implications for churches. The extraordinary fast growth of the Nones (from 2008 to 2014, the Nones portion of the population went fr…
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