The Church Answers Podcast

By The Church Answers PodcastReligion & Spirituality Christianity

The Church Answers Podcast episodes

January 15, 2025Ten Tips for Becoming a Productive Pastor
The work of pastoral ministry is joyful but also demanding. Every pastor is on call 24/7, and members’ expectations are high and sometimes unreasonable.
Pastors are thus expected to “run the race” constantly. But how can they keep up the pace in this marathon of ministry without burning out? How can they remain productive with such demands? Jess and Thom offer ten tips for becoming more productive pastors.
Be spiritually disciplined.
Pray for the day ahead.
Be physically disciplined.
Get sufficient sleep.
Make appointments for sermon preparation.
Determine one to three priorities you will accomplish for the day.
Make appointments on your calendar for strategic vision.
Laugh and have fun.
Have the right attitude.
Work hard; rest intentionally.
Resources:
Chaney & Associates
Upward Sports
“Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald S. Whitney (affiliate link)
“Eating the Elephant: Leading the Established Church to Growth” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
“To Dream Again: How to Help Your Church Come Alive” by Robert Dale (affiliate link)
“The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up” by Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher (affiliate link)
The Hope Initiative
FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
The Everything Church Resource Directory
Episode Sponsor:
Focus on your ministry, we’ll focus on the finances.
Chaney & Associates — The accounting firm for the Church.
Stop stressing about the state of your church’s finances and start feeling confident knowing you’ve hired an accounting team you can trust.
At Chaney & Associates, we understand the weight you carry stewarding tithe money which is why we’ve helped over 1,100 churches with accounting & payroll services for over 21 years.
Save time with our cloud-based software. Access reports in real time. And feel confident knowing you’re working with software that’s the best in class.
From church plants to megachurches, we’ve got you covered.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA): Visit chaneyassociates.com today to get started.

Who is Upward Sports?
Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community.
Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering.
When partnering with Upward Sports, your church can reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel.
Upward Sports will customize your sports outreach strategy to support your church budget and community needs. We know one size does not fit all.
Start the year off right by using sports as part of your outreach ministry!
Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Consider adding sports ministry in 2025. If you have a gym, field space, or even access to a facility consider Upward Sports. Upward Sports stands ready to support your church in creating a first-class, organized, intentional outreach ministry… that tells families, “you are welcome here!”
Whether you already have your own sports ministry at your church, looking to start sports ministry for the first time, check out Upward Sports. It’s the game changing outreach ministry in this new year!
Schedule Your call today – www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers
The post Ten Tips for Becoming a Productive Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.
44 min
January 08, 2025When It’s Not Time to Quit
Though we cannot know the will of God for your life, we can share with you the mistakes of many leaders who quit prematurely. Jess and Thom discuss six times when it is likely not the right time to quit. The second reason might surprise you.
When we lack clarity from God.
When you haven’t expressed gratitude and joy to God for where you are now.
When it’s just about a few critics.
When it’s a season of discouragement or difficulty.
When the job is not done.
When a commitment has been made.
Resources:
Chaney & Associates
Upward Running
The Hope Initiative
FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
The Everything Church Resource Directory
Episode Sponsor:
Focus on your ministry, we’ll focus on the finances.
Chaney & Associates — The accounting firm for the Church.
Stop stressing about the state of your church’s finances and start feeling confident knowing you’ve hired an accounting team you can trust.
At Chaney & Associates, we understand the weight you carry stewarding tithe money which is why we’ve helped over 1,100 churches with accounting & payroll services for over 21 years.
Save time with our cloud-based software. Access reports in real time. And feel confident knowing you’re working with software that’s the best in class.
From church plants to megachurches, we’ve got you covered.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA): Visit chaneyassociates.com today to get started.

Upward Running for adults
We’re excited to introduce Upward Running for adults, a brand-new offering from Upward Sports!
Here are two ways you can get involved:
Bring Upward Running to your church by hosting a 5K Challenge or starting a Training Group. With just one passionate leader, Upward provides everything you need to make it happen.
Join the Upward Running community through the new RunClub app! Whether you’re tackling a 5K, 10K, or marathon, you’ll find everything you need: proven training plans, run tracking, info on how to start or improve in the sport, great ministry content, and connection with like-minded runners and walkers through community groups.
It’s fresh, exciting, and ready for you! Visit UpwardRunning.com today to get started.
The post When It’s Not Time to Quit appeared first on Church Answers.
47 min
January 02, 20252025 Updates for AI and the Church
Can anyone really provide an update on AI? It is moving too fast for most of us. Jess and Thom try to keep local churches updated on the AI issues that could most affect them.
The evangelistic opportunities using AI are massive.
The opportunity for virtual tours of your church facility.
The opportunity to demonstrate value in human-to-human connections.
The opportunity to remind people of the true Power.
There are seemingly unlimited AI-powered resources for greater church efficiencies, education, and administration.
AI plagiarism is becoming an increasingly problematic issue.
Resources:
Chaney & Associates
Upward Sports
AI and Church Answers: Full Disclosure
VisitorReach
Church Answers Central Membership
“The Anxious Generation Goes to Church” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
“Bowling Alone” by Robert Putnam (affiliate link)
The Hope Initiative
FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
The Everything Church Resource Directory
Episode Sponsor:
Focus on your ministry, we’ll focus on the finances.
Chaney & Associates — The accounting firm for the Church.
Stop stressing about the state of your church’s finances and start feeling confident knowing you’ve hired an accounting team you can trust.
At Chaney & Associates, we understand the weight you carry stewarding tithe money which is why we’ve helped over 1,100 churches with accounting & payroll services for over 21 years.
Save time with our cloud-based software. Access reports in real time. And feel confident knowing you’re working with software that’s the best in class.
From church plants to megachurches, we’ve got you covered.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA): Visit chaneyassociates.com today to get started.

Who is Upward Sports?
Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community.
Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering.
When partnering with Upward Sports, your church can reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel.
Upward Sports will customize your sports outreach strategy to support your church budget and community needs. We know one size does not fit all.
Start the year off right by using sports as part of your outreach ministry!
Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Consider adding sports ministry in 2025. If you have a gym, field space, or even access to a facility consider Upward Sports. Upward Sports stands ready to support your church in creating a first-class, organized, intentional outreach ministry… that tells families, “you are welcome here!”
Whether you already have your own sports ministry at your church, looking to start sports ministry for the first time, check out Upward Sports. It’s the game changing outreach ministry in this new year!
Schedule Your call today – www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers
The post 2025 Updates for AI and the Church appeared first on Church Answers.
43 min
December 26, 202415 Traps to Avoid If You Lease a Part of Your Church Facility
More churches are leasing parts of their facilities for both ministry and additional income. Likewise, more churches are making big mistakes in the leasing process. Jess and Thom look at 15 of those mistakes. Listening to just a few of these traps could be a game-changer for your congregation.
Agreement with a handshake (You need to know why)
Failure to include a mutual termination clause for both parties
Failure to put in writing “priority access” space
Charging too little (Yes, even Christian organizations)
Failure to check if the lessees will violate zoning or land use regulations
Jeopardizing tax-exempt status (your UBIT matters)
Poor tenant screening
Overlooking maintenance and utility costs
Failure to require the tenant to get liability insurance
Overlooking security and access control
Mission drift
Financial dependency
Failure to communicate to the congregation
Failure to have a strategic plan for your facilities
Failure to consider the neighborhood implications
Resources:
Chaney & Associates
Brown Church Development Group
The Hope Initiative
FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
The Everything Church Resource Directory
Church Answers Central Membership
Episode Sponsor:
Focus on your ministry, we’ll focus on the finances.
Chaney & Associates — The accounting firm for the Church.
Stop stressing about the state of your church’s finances and start feeling confident knowing you’ve hired an accounting team you can trust.
At Chaney & Associates, we understand the weight you carry stewarding tithe money which is why we’ve helped over 1,100 churches with accounting & payroll services for over 21 years.
Save time with our cloud-based software. Access reports in real time. And feel confident knowing you’re working with software that’s the best in class.
From church plants to megachurches, we’ve got you covered.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA): Visit chaneyassociates.com today to get started.
The post 15 Traps to Avoid If You Lease a Part of Your Church Facility appeared first on Church Answers.
49 min
December 19, 2024How to Develop a Church Outreach Plan from Your Demographic and Psychographic Report
The demographic and psychographic information about your church is vital to establishing a healthy outreach plan. Jess and Thom show how this plan can be developed for your church.
Get a thorough demographic and psychographic report. We offer Know Your Community.
If possible, start with a survey of your church. We offer Know Your Church.
What are tapestry segments, and why are they so important?
Check the age and ethnic differences between your church and your community.
Get your members in the community with the Good News Neighbor Toolkit.
Change the culture with The Hope Initiative.
Provide at least one emphasis on creating an inviting culture.
Resources:
Chaney & Associates
The Church Answers Podcast #245 “The Most Common Barriers to Growth in Churches Today”
“The Millennials” by Thom S. Rainer and Jess W. Rainer (affiliate link)
Know Your Community
Know Your Church
Know Your Beliefs
Good News Neighbor Toolkit
The Hope Initiative
Invite Your One
FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
The Everything Church Resource Directory
Church Answers Central Membership
Episode Sponsor:
Focus on your ministry, we’ll focus on the finances.
Chaney & Associates — The accounting firm for the Church.
Stop stressing about the state of your church’s finances and start feeling confident knowing you’ve hired an accounting team you can trust.
At Chaney & Associates, we understand the weight you carry stewarding tithe money which is why we’ve helped over 1,100 churches with accounting & payroll services for over 21 years.
Save time with our cloud-based software. Access reports in real time. And feel confident knowing you’re working with software that’s the best in class.
From church plants to megachurches, we’ve got you covered.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA): Visit chaneyassociates.com today to get started.
The post How to Develop a Church Outreach Plan from Your Demographic and Psychographic Report appeared first on Church Answers.
39 min
December 13, 2024How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 3: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Building at a Church
Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for a new building.
Resources:
Pastor Chris Freeman, City Church
Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!
Church Growth Services
Part 1: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Deferred Maintenance at a Church
Part 2: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Debt Reduction at a Church
Episode Sponsor:
The post How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 3: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Building at a Church appeared first on Church Answers.
15 min
December 13, 2024How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 2: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Debt Reduction at a Church
Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for debt reduction.
Resources:
Pastor Nathanael Lyon, Hope Community Church
Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!
Church Growth Services
The Hope Initiative
Part 1: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Deferred Maintenance at a Church
Part 3: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Building at a Church
Episode Sponsor:
The post How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 2: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Debt Reduction at a Church appeared first on Church Answers.
15 min
December 13, 2024How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 1: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Deferred Maintenance at a Church
Thom interviews Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services, who provides three incredible stories about how God works to bless churches financially. In this episode, Mike shares the story of a church that raised funds miraculously for deferred maintenance.
Resources:
Pastor Bob Beckler, Central Community Church
Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!
Church Growth Services
Part 2: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Debt Reduction at a Church
Part 3: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Building at a Church
Episode Sponsor:
The post How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 1: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Deferred Maintenance at a Church appeared first on Church Answers.
15 min
December 12, 2024The Most Common Barriers to Growth in Churches Today
Jess and Thom look at some of the most common barriers in churches while answering the “why” behind each one. Some of the challenges are the same as in past years, but the reasons behind them are often not.
Evangelistic apathy
Prayer drought
Staffing lid
Unvalued bride
Unit decline
Forgotten pathways
Community amnesia
Resources:
Chaney & Associates
“Effective Evangelistic Churches” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
The Hope Initiative
“Pray & Go: Your Invitation to Become a Great Commission Christian” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
My Church Staff
“I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
“How to Lead a Healthy Small Group: A Practical and Easy-to-Use Guide” by Kevin Mills (affiliate link)
How to Lead a Healthy Small Group
“The Pursuit of God” by Aiden Wilson Tozer (affiliate link)
Know Your Community
FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
The Everything Church Resource Directory
Church Answers Central Membership
Episode Sponsor:
Focus on your ministry, we’ll focus on the finances.
Chaney & Associates — The accounting firm for the Church.
Stop stressing about the state of your church’s finances and start feeling confident knowing you’ve hired an accounting team you can trust.
At Chaney & Associates, we understand the weight you carry stewarding tithe money which is why we’ve helped over 1,100 churches with accounting & payroll services for over 21 years.
Save time with our cloud-based software. Access reports in real time. And feel confident knowing you’re working with software that’s the best in class.
From church plants to megachurches, we’ve got you covered.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA): Visit chaneyassociates.com today to get started.
The post The Most Common Barriers to Growth in Churches Today appeared first on Church Answers.
44 min
December 05, 2024How Does a Church Grow When All or Most of Its Members Are Old? A Return to an Often-Asked Question
Thom and Jess revisit one of the most frequently asked questions at Church Answers. Instead of speculating, they share actual stories of churches that are doing just that. This podcast will be incredibly helpful to church leaders.
Resources:
Chaney & Associates
Know Your Community
The Hope Initiative
“Pray & Go: Your Invitation to Become a Great Commission Christian” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
“The Anxious Generation Goes to Church” by Thom S. Rainer – coming in 2025!
FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
The Everything Church Resource Directory
Church Answers Central Membership
Episode Sponsor:
Focus on your ministry, we’ll focus on the finances.
Chaney & Associates — The accounting firm for the Church.
Stop stressing about the state of your church’s finances and start feeling confident knowing you’ve hired an accounting team you can trust.
At Chaney & Associates, we understand the weight you carry stewarding tithe money which is why we’ve helped over 1,100 churches with accounting & payroll services for over 21 years.
Save time with our cloud-based software. Access reports in real time. And feel confident knowing you’re working with software that’s the best in class.
From church plants to megachurches, we’ve got you covered.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA): Visit chaneyassociates.com today to get started.
The post How Does a Church Grow When All or Most of Its Members Are Old? A Return to an Often-Asked Question appeared first on Church Answers.
40 min

About The Church Answers Podcast

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The Church Answers Podcast with Thom Rainer is fast-paced, to the point, and sometimes witty. It addresses one question about church life and leadership in just ten minutes. Buckle your seatbelt and…