The question of whether a church should have an armed security team is both practical and pastoral. Churches want to be welcoming places of worship, but they also have a responsibility to protect the people gathered on campus. An armed security team may be appropriate in some contexts, but it should never be treated casually. The decision requires clear policies, legal guidance, extensive training, insurance awareness, pastoral wisdom, and a churchwide commitment to safety that goes far beyond firearms.

The right leader. The right church. The right fit.

Most churches are not built to run pastoral searches every day.

Chemistry Staffing gives churches a better way. Their team helps clarify the church profile, define the role, and vet candidates for theology, culture, personality, skill, and overall chemistry before they are presented to the church.

That means churches can spend less time sorting through resumes and more time discerning whether a candidate is truly the right fit for their team, congregation, and future.

The right leader. The right church. The right fit.

Learn more at ChemistryStaffing.com

The post Armed Church Security Teams: Good Idea or Bad Idea? appeared first on Church Answers.

Some denominations and networks seem to have a controversy du jour. Many of them have deep theological implications. Others are distractions to the primary mission of churches. Sam and Thom review five controversies that were once heated but have now faded significantly.

One wrong facility decision can cost a church years of momentum and millions of dollars.

Facility decisions can feel overwhelming, expensive, and risky… Too often, buildings end up working against the ministry instead of for it.

That’s where Brown Church Development Group comes in… They are the Church Facility Experts.

They’ve helped hundreds of churches across the United States find facility solutions that actually fit their ministry style, budget, and long-term plans. From feasibility studies and master planning to architecture and construction, they’re a true one-stop shop for all your church facility needs.

Brown Church Development Group helps churches avoid costly mistakes, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence—without the guesswork.

Whether you’re improving an existing facility or building something new, Brown Church Development Group can help you know exactly what to do next.

Fall Challenge – Upward Running

This fall don’t just watch the seasons change…change with them.

Join Upward Running’s Fall Challenge beginning September 28. No running experience required!

Don’t wait until January to make a change. Build healthy habits now and head into the holidays stronger, healthier, and more confident.

Learn more at www.upwardrunning.com. Training starts September 28.

The post Five Relatively Recent Theological Controversies That Have Faded appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss why many churches have moved away from old-school hymns, not always because they reject them, but because worship culture has changed. Modern worship music is often easier to lead with a band, more familiar to younger generations, and shaped by digital platforms, conferences, and major worship publishers. But the disappearance of hymns can also come at a cost. Hymns often carry theological depth, congregational memory, and a sense of continuity with the broader church. In this episode, we discuss why hymns have faded in many churches and how leaders can reintroduce them wisely without turning worship into a generational battle.

The right leader. The right church. The right fit.

Most churches are not built to run pastoral searches every day.

Chemistry Staffing gives churches a better way. Their team helps clarify the church profile, define the role, and vet candidates for theology, culture, personality, skill, and overall chemistry before they are presented to the church.

That means churches can spend less time sorting through resumes and more time discerning whether a candidate is truly the right fit for their team, congregation, and future.

The right leader. The right church. The right fit.

Learn more at ChemistryStaffing.com

The post Why Don’t Churches Sing Old-School Hymns Anymore? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Sam welcome Chris Brauns, Lead Pastor at The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, IL, to discuss his book, The Way of Repentance.

Pastors wear a lot of hats—preacher, counselor, leader, shepherd. The NLT Pastor’s Bible was created to help you serve well in every role.

Combining the accurate and understandable New Living Translation with practical ministry resources and Filament-enabled digital tools, this Bible is a trusted companion for sermon preparation, pastoral care, special services, and everyday ministry.

Whether you’re preparing a message or walking alongside someone through life’s challenges, the NLT Pastor’s Bible helps equip you for every moment of ministry.

Discover the NLT Pastor’s Bible at Tyndale.life/PastorsBible.

Celebrate Soccer!

Soccer has been on the center stage – an ideal moment to launch your own Upward Sports soccer league.

With global excitement surrounding the big game, kids are inspired to get on the field, and families are already tuned in. It’s a natural opportunity to turn that energy into meaningful game-day experiences in your community. 

Upward Sports is ready to equip your church to launch a LATE Fall 2026 season – or even plan ahead toward Spring 2027. You’ll receive full support at every step, including communication tools, marketing resources, and high-quality jerseys designed to connect with the moment. 

And to help you get started strong, Upward will provide two free soccer goals when you launch your league.  Don’t wait – connect with the Upward team today to map out the best launch timeline for your church. Learn more at Upward.org/Soccer.

The post An Interview with Chris Brauns on “The Way of Repentance” appeared first on Church Answers.

What should a church do if someone wins the lottery and wants to tithe from the proceeds? The question is more complicated than it first appears. On one hand, churches should teach biblical stewardship and encourage generosity. On the other hand, gambling raises serious concerns about wisdom, exploitation, addiction, and the source of financial gain. In this episode, we discuss how church leaders can think carefully, pastorally, and biblically about whether to accept a tithe from lottery winnings.

The right leader. The right church. The right fit.

Most churches are not built to run pastoral searches every day.

Chemistry Staffing gives churches a better way. Their team helps clarify the church profile, define the role, and vet candidates for theology, culture, personality, skill, and overall chemistry before they are presented to the church.

That means churches can spend less time sorting through resumes and more time discerning whether a candidate is truly the right fit for their team, congregation, and future.

The right leader. The right church. The right fit.

Learn more at ChemistryStaffing.com

The post Should a Church Accept a Tithe from a Lottery Winner? appeared first on Church Answers.

A common argument says immigration could help reverse America’s secular drift because immigrants are assumed to be more religious than native-born Americans. Ryan Burge’s analysis challenges that assumption. Using Cooperative Election Study data, he finds that immigrants are only slightly more religious than Americans whose families have been in the United States for generations—and not nearly enough to shift the country’s overall religious trajectory. The larger story is assimilation: immigrants, like the broader American population, are becoming more secular over time.

Read more.

Sports are one of the easiest ways to connect with families in your community. Upward Sports helps churches turn that connection into an intentional ministry that reaches families both on and off the field or court.

When you partner with Upward Sports, your church will receive:

You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Upward Sports stands ready to partner with your church every step of the way, helping you create a first-class sports experience that builds relationships, engages families, and creates opportunities to share the Gospel.

Take time to learn more at Upward.org/church-leaders.

Pastors wear a lot of hats—preacher, counselor, leader, shepherd. The NLT Pastor’s Bible was created to help you serve well in every role.

Combining the accurate and understandable New Living Translation with practical ministry resources and Filament-enabled digital tools, this Bible is a trusted companion for sermon preparation, pastoral care, special services, and everyday ministry.

Whether you’re preparing a message or walking alongside someone through life’s challenges, the NLT Pastor’s Bible helps equip you for every moment of ministry.

Discover the NLT Pastor’s Bible at Tyndale.life/PastorsBible.

The post The Burge Report: Why Immigration Won’t Reverse America’s Secular Drift appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam have a little fun and talk about the preaching distractions most likely to get the pastor’s attention.

Hiring is harder than churches realize.

Hiring ministry staff is one of the most important decisions a church makes, and one of the easiest to underestimate.

You are not just hiring a resume. You are bringing someone onto a team, into a culture, and into the spiritual life of a congregation. Chemistry Staffing helps churches slow down, get clear, and find candidates who fit their theology, culture, leadership needs, and season of ministry.

Churches consistently describe Chemistry as thorough, relational, responsive, and deeply committed to long-term fit.

Hire with wisdom, not urgency. 

Learn more at ChemistryStaffing.com

The post The Top Preaching Distractions (What Stops Pastors Mid-Sentence in the Pulpit) appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Sam explore why the pastorate remains one of the most secure callings in an AI world. Artificial intelligence can help with research and administrative tasks, but it cannot replace the heart of pastoral ministry: presence, trust, discernment, and shepherding. The more ministry is rooted in real relationships rather than production alone, the more durable it becomes. In many ways, the rise of AI may actually clarify what people need most from pastors in the years ahead.

Pastors wear a lot of hats—preacher, counselor, leader, shepherd. The NLT Pastor’s Bible was created to help you serve well in every role.

Combining the accurate and understandable New Living Translation with practical ministry resources and Filament-enabled digital tools, this Bible is a trusted companion for sermon preparation, pastoral care, special services, and everyday ministry.

Whether you’re preparing a message or walking alongside someone through life’s challenges, the NLT Pastor’s Bible helps equip you for every moment of ministry.

Discover the NLT Pastor’s Bible at Tyndale.life/PastorsBible.

Celebrate Soccer!

Soccer has been on the center stage – an ideal moment to launch your own Upward Sports soccer league.

With global excitement surrounding the big game, kids are inspired to get on the field, and families are already tuned in. It’s a natural opportunity to turn that energy into meaningful game-day experiences in your community. 

Upward Sports is ready to equip your church to launch a LATE Fall 2026 season – or even plan ahead toward Spring 2027. You’ll receive full support at every step, including communication tools, marketing resources, and high-quality jerseys designed to connect with the moment. 

And to help you get started strong, Upward will provide two free soccer goals when you launch your league.  Don’t wait – connect with the Upward team today to map out the best launch timeline for your church. Learn more at Upward.org/Soccer.

The post Why the Pastorate Is One of the Highest Security Jobs in an AI World appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss a scenario that is more common than most realize: when a key donor or two are the only ones keeping the church afloat.

Hiring is harder than churches realize.

Hiring ministry staff is one of the most important decisions a church makes, and one of the easiest to underestimate.

You are not just hiring a resume. You are bringing someone onto a team, into a culture, and into the spiritual life of a congregation. Chemistry Staffing helps churches slow down, get clear, and find candidates who fit their theology, culture, leadership needs, and season of ministry.

Churches consistently describe Chemistry as thorough, relational, responsive, and deeply committed to long-term fit.

Hire with wisdom, not urgency. 

Learn more at ChemistryStaffing.com

The post What Should a Pastor Do When One or Two Key Donors Keep the Church Doors Open appeared first on Church Answers.

To help raise well-rounded young men and women who know they are loved by God, one church has created a focus on MASS: Mental, Athletic, Spiritual, and Social. Brian Kelly from Northside Church in Liverpool, NY joins Sam on the show to discuss how his church has used MASS to engage families in their community.

Celebrate Soccer!

Soccer has been on the center stage – an ideal moment to launch your own Upward Sports soccer league.

With global excitement surrounding the big game, kids are inspired to get on the field, and families are already tuned in. It’s a natural opportunity to turn that energy into meaningful game-day experiences in your community. 

Upward Sports is ready to equip your church to launch a LATE Fall 2026 season – or even plan ahead toward Spring 2027. You’ll receive full support at every step, including communication tools, marketing resources, and high-quality jerseys designed to connect with the moment. 

And to help you get started strong, Upward will provide two free soccer goals when you launch your league.  Don’t wait – connect with the Upward team today to map out the best launch timeline for your church. Learn more at Upward.org/Soccer.

Pastors wear a lot of hats—preacher, counselor, leader, shepherd. The NLT Pastor’s Bible was created to help you serve well in every role.

Combining the accurate and understandable New Living Translation with practical ministry resources and Filament-enabled digital tools, this Bible is a trusted companion for sermon preparation, pastoral care, special services, and everyday ministry.

Whether you’re preparing a message or walking alongside someone through life’s challenges, the NLT Pastor’s Bible helps equip you for every moment of ministry.

Discover the NLT Pastor’s Bible at Tyndale.life/PastorsBible.

The post The Four Domains of Successful Outreach to Families with Children appeared first on Church Answers.