Thom and Jess open a conversation from their revised book, “The Millennials: How We Missed the Largest Living Generation — and Why It’s Not Late.” This episode unpacks what happens when churches neglect reaching the Millennials.

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

The post What Happens When the Church Overlooks the Millennials appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess draw from the introduction of their revised book, “The Millennials: How We Missed the Largest Living Generation — and Why It’s Not Late,” to set the stage for why Millennials matter. They highlight how this generation compares in size to others and why pastors must pay attention now.

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

The post The Largest Living Generation—Why the Church Can’t Overlook the Millennials appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom looks at one of the surprising findings from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study. The research shows that more than seven out of ten churches share their facilities with other organizations. Thom explores why so many churches are opening their doors, what kinds of groups they are hosting, and how this trend impacts both the church and the community.

This number comes from the 2023 Faith Communities Today (FACT) survey, one of the most comprehensive studies of U.S. congregations, conducted every five years since 2000. The 2023 survey included responses from over 15,000 congregations across denominations and traditions.

The FACT report notes that 70.5% of congregations share their buildings with other groups — including nonprofits, community organizations, government programs, and even other churches.

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest.

A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.

Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Church Number: 70.5% Churches That Share Their Facilities with Other Organizations appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom looks at new data from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study. The research shows that churches with extensive online giving receive 34% more per attender than those with none. Thom unpacks what that number means for church leaders, why it matters, and how congregations can take practical steps to strengthen generosity in a digital age.

This number comes from the 2023 Faith Communities Today (FACT) survey, one of the most comprehensive studies of U.S. congregations, conducted every five years since 2000. FACT 2023 surveyed over 15,000 congregations across various denominations and faith traditions.

Interpretation and insights have also been provided by the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving (Lake Institute, Insights 2023).

Get a diploma plus nine hours credit toward a Master’s degree at Redemption Seminary. Learn more today at https://churchanswers.com/diplomas/

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest.

A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.

Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post The Church Number: 34% How Much More Churches Receive Per Attender If They Have Extensive Online Giving appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom dives into a surprising and encouraging statistic from the 2023 FACT study—79% of church attenders say that church is “very important” in their lives. With so many articles and headlines announcing the decline of religion in America, this number offers a different perspective—one filled with hope, mission, and responsibility.

The data comes from “This Place Means Everything to Me: Key Findings from a National Survey of Church Attenders in Post-Pandemic United States” (2023 FACT study, published by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research). The study is one of the most comprehensive post-pandemic surveys of active churchgoers in the United States.

Get a diploma plus nine hours credit toward a Master’s degree at Redemption Seminary. Learn more today at https://churchanswers.com/diplomas/

Upward Running for Adults: Your Church’s Next Step in Outreach

The post The Church Number: 79% The Number of Church Attenders Who Say Church Is “Very Important” to Their Lives appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom discusses a striking figure from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study: 62% of churchgoers report attending weekly worship services. What does this number really tell us? Is it reliable? And how should pastors respond in a culture where attendance patterns are shifting?

Get a diploma plus nine hours credit toward a Master’s degree at Redemption Seminary. Learn more today at https://churchanswers.com/diplomas/

Upward Running for Adults: Your Church’s Next Step in Outreach

The post The Church Number: 62% The Percentage of Churchgoers Who Attend Weekly appeared first on Church Answers.

It has been several years since the pandemic, but its effects are still lasting. Thom and Jess explore how COVID-19 didn’t just disrupt church attendance for a season — it changed patterns for the long term. They discuss the lasting shifts and how churches can adapt.

Lead Your Church. We’ll Handle the Numbers. 

Stewardship matters. Your time is precious. We help with both. 

Learn more today at chaneyassociates.com/churchanswers

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest.

A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.

Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post How the Pandemic Changed Church Attendance appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess explore why Gen Z’s view of the church differs significantly from that of past generations. They unpack the values, expectations, and skepticism of this connected-yet-cautious generation.

Lead Your Church. We’ll Handle the Numbers. 

Stewardship matters. Your time is precious. We help with both. 

Learn more today at chaneyassociates.com/churchanswers

The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities.

Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest.

A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs.

Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more.

Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today.

Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

The post Why Gen Z Views Church Differently appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss how smartphones have reshaped connection — and disconnection — in the church. From constant distraction to reduced attention spans, they explore how devices affect worship, community, and discipleship.

Lead Your Church. We’ll Handle the Numbers. 

Stewardship matters. Your time is precious. We help with both. 

Learn more today at chaneyassociates.com/churchanswers

Upward Running for Adults: Your Church’s Next Step in Outreach

The post The Smartphone Problem in Your Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Jess discuss how church conflict is often not about the issue on the surface. Many disputes mask deeper spiritual, relational, or personal struggles — and wise leaders learn to look beyond the obvious.

Lead Your Church. We’ll Handle the Numbers. 

Stewardship matters. Your time is precious. We help with both. 

Learn more today at chaneyassociates.com/churchanswers

Upward Running for Adults: Your Church’s Next Step in Outreach

The post Why Conflict in the Church Is Often About Something Else appeared first on Church Answers.