The headlines say the church in America is in trouble (and some of the data backs that up) but when you step inside the churches people attend, a different story emerges. Which is true?In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Randy Frazee, pastor, author, and one of America's most respected voices on spiritual formation, to dig into what the 2026 State of the Bible data says about church health and what it takes to lead a congregation toward deep spiritual vitality.Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter about church health at stateofthebible.org.

 Most people think of calling as a nice idea. The 2026 State of the Bible research suggests it's a lot more than that and the data might change how you think about the people in your church.In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Dr. Brian Dik, professor of psychology at Colorado State University and one of the world's leading researchers on the psychology of calling and vocation. Together, they discuss how calling is not a single moment we catch or miss, but a lifelong journey. And why a sense of calling is integral to a fulfilling and flourishing life.Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter at stateofthebible.org.

New research from the 2026 State of the Bible report reveals a striking contradiction: Gen Z is the least Bible-engaged adult generation in America and the most likely to turn to AI for biblical insight. But they're also the generation most resistant to seeing that same tool in the hands of their pastor. What does that tell us about authenticity, trust, and spiritual formation in the age of AI?In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Dr. K — AI consultant, ethicist, former US intelligence officer, theologian trained under Dallas Willard, and author of Hope's Horizon: From Chatbots to Jesus Return — to dig into what the data says and what it means for the church.Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter at stateofthebible.org.Chapters:00:30 - Meet Dr. K: AI ethicist, theologian, and former intelligence officer01:46 - Dr. K's journey from Vegas to the CIA to AI ethics08:24 - What the 2026 data says about American attitudes toward AI09:36 - Why AI optimism is growing and what's driving it13:33 - The Gen Z paradox: least Bible-engaged, most likely to use AI for scripture18:03 - Why Gen Z holds their pastor to a higher standard than a chatbot19:24 - Authenticity is the coin of the realm for Gen Z and Gen Alpha20:00 - Who's really using AI for Bible study and why it matters24:08 - This AI moment is a gospel moment28:08 - How the church should respond to the AI age29:46 - Should we benchmark AI models for Christian faithfulness?35:58 - Where AI helps a pastor and where it doesn't40:00 - Dr. Kay's conversion story: saved in a Vegas hair salon43:47 - What would Dallas Willard say about AI?48:11 - The wisdom gap and the church's opportunity50:02 - Hope's Horizon: from chatbots to Jesus' return53:25 - Closing and resources

New research from State of the Bible 2026 reveals a surprising pattern: young parents are significantly more likely to identify as Christian than their non-parenting peers but Bible engagement remains low. In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Kate Watson, publisher at Axis, to unpack what's really driving faith engagement among millennial and Gen Z parents and what pastors and church leaders can do about it. Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter at stateofthebible.org.Chapters:00:29 - Meet Kate Watson of Axis02:02 - What the 2026 data says about young parents and faith03:18 - Does parenthood reopen faith or do faithful people have kids?08:04 - Encouragement for the exhausted mom10:03 - What pastors need to hear about moms in their congregation11:00 - Understanding the Movable Middle parent12:39 - One practical step pastors can take this week 15:34 - Making scripture part of everyday relationship16:20 - Overcoming the fear of giving your teen a Bible18:20 - Why parents pray with kids but don't read the Bible with them20:07 - Letting kids lead their own Bible engagement22:25 - What to do when you don't have all the answers23:15 - The gap after children's Bibles27:45 - What makes Gen Alpha different and why it matters for the church30:08 - The stakes of getting Gen Alpha right32:18 - Closing and resources

After a brief spike in 2025, Bible engagement has dropped back down to 2024 levels. What happened? We explore the growing Movable Middle, Gen Z's surprising reading habits, and the paradox of rising church attendance alongside falling Scripture use to help you close the discipleship gap.

Join host Dr. John Plake, American Bible Society CEO Dr. Jennifer Holleran, and the State of the Bible research team—Dr. Jeff Fulks and Sandra Siggins—as they unpack the 2026 report.

Chapters:

00:00 - The Discipleship Gap in America

01:06 - 2026 Returns to 2024 Levels

04:48 - The Growth of the "Movable Middle"

06:06 - Active vs. Occasional Bible Users

07:54 - Gen Z vs. Millennials

12:15 - Reaching Emerging Adults (Ages 18-35)

15:37 - Regional Shifts

20:00 - The Surprising Rise of Bible Neutrals

26:42 - How Much of the Bible Have Americans Actually Read?

29:28 - Why Print is Still King for Bible Reading

34:02 - Church Attendance Up, Bible Use Down

40:15 - Upcoming State of the Bible Topics

Understand America's relationship with Scripture.

Get your free copy of the data here: https://stateofthebible.org/

Get the spiritual X-ray for your church.

Sign up for a free church assessment here: https://church.nextstep.bible/

It can be hard for pastors to see the invisible spiritual health of their church. In this episode; author, coach, and Reveal study co-author Cally Parkinson explains how church assessments can act as a spiritual X-ray. If you want to move past guesswork and truly measure your church's health, this conversation will show you how.

Chapters:

00:00 - The top problems hiding in your church culture

04:50 - Why a pastor's gut feeling isn't enough to diagnose issues

06:50 - Why church activities don't drive growth

09:55 - How to use assessments as a spiritual X-ray

13:06 - Cally's journey from Allstate Insurance to the Reveal study

22:19 - Preaching vs. leadership

26:12 - Cally's mandate for pastors

Get the spiritual X-ray for your church.

Sign up for a free church assessment here: https://church.nextstep.bible/

How is our relationship with God connected to how we treat others? Dr. Heath Adamson, author of Hope Breaks Through, discusses how we change when we follow Christ's example of loving our neighbors. Don't miss these valuable insights! Subscribe for more State of the Bible Podcast episodes.#americanbiblesociety #heathadamson #bible #faith #relationships #stateofthebible #godsword

How do we build trust in a world shaped by trauma and skepticism? 🤔

Dr. Cloud reveals his 5 Essentials of Trust—understanding, motive, ability, character, and track record—and explains why these are the non-negotiables for healthy connections. #Trust #Forgiveness #Trauma #HenryCloud #Leadership #Faith #Relationships #ChurchLeadership

Join Dr. John Plake and Dr. Arthur Satterwhite as they dive into the complex world of Generation Z and the challenges young adults face in forming a strong sense of identity.In this powerful conversation, they discuss the critical roles of community, faith, and scripture in shaping who we are. They also explore how technology impacts this journey and what we can all do to better support the next generation.

Dr. John Plake sits down with Pastor Peter Englert to discuss the art of living out your faith. As an adult discipleship pastor, Peter is passionate about helping people apply biblical teachings to their daily lives. Tune in for a powerful discussion on faith, discipleship, and practical steps you can take to strengthen your walk with Christ.