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

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

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

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

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

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

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

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

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

Both prophets and conspiracy theorists cater to the human desire to make sense of chaos. This connection sparks compelling questions: Do religious belief and conspiracy thinking go hand in hand, as both involve leaps of imagination? Or does a strong religious framework offer enough structure, reducing the need for conspiracy theories? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss what the hard data reveals.

The post The Burge Report: Are Religious People More Prone to Conspiracy Theories? appeared first on Church Answers.

The future of America’s largest churches (specifically megachurches—2,000+ weekly attendees) is a complex mix of momentum, innovation, and cultural headwinds. Eric Geiger from Mariners Church joins Sam on the show to discuss the reality facing large churches. Will they keep growing? Some will, but many are plateauing or entering slow decline.

The post The Future of America’s Largest Churches: An Interview with Eric Geiger appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Sam interviews Michael Kelley, Executive Director for the Rooted Network and a seasoned writer of church small group curriculum. As churches adapt to evolving discipleship needs, small group materials are also transforming. We’ll explore what’s driving these changes, how new approaches are resonating with different congregations, and practical insights for church leaders who are choosing curriculum in today’s landscape.

The post The Shifts in How Churches Choose Small Group Curriculum (What You Need to Know): An Interview with Michael Kelley appeared first on Church Answers.

Many people are passionate about Bible translations and have strong opinions about which one is the best. Pastors are no exception. Josh and Sam discuss what translations they believe are best suited for preaching.

The post The Best Bible Translation for Preaching appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom and Sam explore four types of church leaders who are unlikely to lead effectively in revitalization:

Each of these leadership postures hinders momentum, blocks vision, and stalls renewal. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward raising courageous, honest, and mission-focused leaders who can guide the church forward.

The post Four Kinds of Church Leaders Who Will Not Lead in Revitalization appeared first on Church Answers.

One of the most challenging parts of ministry is the rejection of getting fired by a church. Josh and Sam discuss the immediate next steps pastors can take to begin the healing process.

The post What Should I Do After Getting Fired from a Church? appeared first on Church Answers.

What stops a church from having a breakout? Thom and Sam discuss four primary reasons they often see in their consultations and research.

The post Four Common Reasons Most Churches Aren’t Breakout Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam received a message from a friend recently. His question was simple: How many people typically give in a church? Statistically, about 75% of people will give in a typical church. In his case, only 50% of the church was giving regularly. Josh and Sam discuss some ways to teach church members about the importance of tithing. The 10% mark can be controversial, but committing to give regularly should not be.

The post Five Key Tips to Teach Your Church to Tithe appeared first on Church Answers.