Thom and Jess discuss the challenges if personnel costs fall below about 40%.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post When Personnel Costs Are Too Low appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess welcome Eric Geiger to The Church Answers Podcast. In his new book, “The Rooted Leader: Seven Rhythms of Leaders Who Bear Fruit That Lasts” (Tyndale Momentum, August 2026), Eric provides practical guidance for leaders in any area of life, helping them grow in influence and impact. Drawing from the biblical story of Nehemiah, often called history’s first leadership book, he introduces seven intermingling rhythms that result in the fruit all leaders desire: vision, conviction, servanthood, perseverance, credibility, transformation, and resolve.

Eric serves as senior pastor of Mariners Church in Irvine, California, and has been heavily involved in the Rooted Network, a discipleship program impacting thousands of churches nationwide.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post The Rooted Leader: An Interview with Eric Geiger appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom discuss the downsides of high personnel expenses that approach or exceed 60–65% of the budget.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post When Personnel Costs Are Too High appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom discuss the often-asked question about personnel costs in churches. Though there are guidelines, there is no simple answer.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post What Percent of a Church Budget Should Personnel Costs Be? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss what research reveals about the unchurched and why many churches misunderstand the people living around them.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post What the Unchurched Really Think About Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom explore why some churches consistently reach new people while others struggle to do so.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post Why Some Churches Reach New People and Others Don’t appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss why so many church volunteers are burned out and how leaders can better care for them.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post The Great Volunteer Burnout Problem appeared first on Church Answers.

Jess and Thom welcome Matt Steen, Co-Founder of Chemistry Staffing, to The Church Answers Podcast.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post What You Need to Know about Staffing Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom identifies four signs that indicate a church may be ready to move from decline to renewal.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post Four Signs Your Church Is Ready for a Turnaround appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom opens with a reality many church leaders are already experiencing: the traditional fully funded pastorate is no longer the norm in many churches. Financial pressures, changing attendance patterns, and shifting expectations are forcing churches to rethink ministry models.

But this is not simply a problem to solve—it is an opportunity to steward. In this conversation, Thom talks with Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, about why the co-vocational trend is one of the most important developments in the future of the church and how it can actually strengthen gospel impact.

Ready to take the next step in your ministry calling but don’t want to spend the next five years in school?

At Wesley Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about our new Master of Ministry, a 37-credit-hour graduate degree for pastors and Christian leaders that provides a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies and can be completed in as little as two years.

Want to save even more time and money?

Right now, you can get nine hours of credit towards the Master of Ministry for any Church Answers University certificate program that you complete—a savings of $4,500. Learn more at wbs.edu/cau.

The post Why the Co-vocational Trend Is So Important appeared first on Church Answers.