In this special mini-episode, Ed Stetzer shares a brief personal update following an unexpected health issue and surgery over the summer. While he is doing well and making progress in recovery, the official relaunch of the Stetzer Church Leaders podcast is being pushed back by just a couple of weeks to allow for extra healing time. Ed expresses his gratitude for all the support and prayers as he prepares to return with a brand-new season (and YouTube channel) very soon!

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Why do some church members remain deeply committed and generous for years while others quietly drift away from giving? In this episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with Jaclyn Jones, Chief Philanthropic Economist at Masterworks, to unpack the findings of the Faithful Giving Project. Stripping away assumptions about age, income, and education, Jones shares data that reveals a link between a believer’s active spiritual formation and their capacity for sustained generosity.

From analyzing the gaps between casual givers and deeply committed disciples to dismantling the fear pastors often have around discussing money from the pulpit, this conversation provides ministry leaders with a fresh perspective on how to view generosity not as a transactional obligation, but as a vital marker of spiritual discipleship.

Jaclyn Jones serves as Chief Philanthropic Economist at Masterworks. A researcher, speaker, and fundraising strategist, she helps Christian organizations translate donor data into stronger relationships and sustainable revenue growth.

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While data points to an encouraging rise in spiritual interest and openness across the nation, local congregations face a critical bottleneck: spiritual formation is not keeping pace with spiritual curiosity. In this episode of the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast, Ed Stetzer sits down with Brad Hill, Chief Partner Success Officer at Gloo, to explore the latest State of the Church research data and dissect the modern trends that every ministry leader must understand to guide people effectively.

Hill highlights four critical trends reshaping the landscape of ministry, ranging from an unprecedented spiritual vibe shift among Gen Z—particularly young men—to surprising surges in weekly prayer practices. He also addresses the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence within the pews, highlighting data showing that one-third of practicing Christians trust AI tools for spiritual guidance just as much as their local pastor. From exploring redemptive uses of emerging technology to shifting success metrics away from traditional "butts, budgets, and baptisms," this conversation provides church leaders with a practical framework to build discipleship in your church.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Brad Hill has been deeply involved in solving technology challenges for the church for over 25 years. He serves as Chief Partner Success Officer (www.gloo.com), and is responsible for putting their platform capabilities to work for churches, networks, and the expanding portfolio of brands in the Gloo family.

Prior to Gloo, Brad was President at Ministry Brands. As a former church tech founder himself, Brad has the perspective to see and leverage patterns in tech innovation that can help the Church further its mission.

In addition to his experience starting, building and coaching companies for Kingdom and business impact, Brad has also served in lay leadership at several churches across multiple denominations.

Brad lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife and two kids.

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Why are so many ministry leaders struggling with unhappiness, and how can the tools of behavioral science intersect with Christian theology to bring true joy? In this episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with social scientist, Harvard professor, and bestselling author Arthur Brooks to discuss his latest insights on the science of happiness and its profound implications for church leaders.

Brooks unpacks the four pillars of a happy life (faith, family, friendship, and work that serves other people) and addresses why pastors often score low on personal enjoyment despite their high sense of vocational meaning. Tracing the distinctions between worldly pleasure and holy enjoyment, Brooks addresses the reality of spiritual desolation, drawing on the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola to explain why feeling distant from God doesn’t make a leader a fraud. From practical self-management routines to redefining ministry success away from numerical idolatry, this conversation offers pastors a vital roadmap to sustain their inner lives and lead with authentic joy.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Arthur C. Brooks is a social scientist, author, and speaker known for his work on happiness, leadership, meaning, and human flourishing. He serves as a professor at Harvard University, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness.

Brooks previously served as president of the American Enterprise Institute and has written bestselling books including From Strength to Strength and Build the Life You Want, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey. Drawing from research, personal experience, and moral philosophy, Brooks helps audiences think deeply about purpose, relationships, and well-being. He is a sought-after speaker among business, academic, nonprofit, and faith-based audiences.

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What if our common understanding of heaven and the afterlife misses the plot of the biblical narrative? In this episode, Ed Stetzer connects with biblical scholar and theologian N. T. Wright to talk about his book, God’s Homecoming. Wright explains how popular Christian ideas about escaping the physical world to live in a disembodied heaven are rooted more in Platonism than the text of Scripture.

Tracing themes from Genesis to Revelation, Wright highlights God's design for heaven and earth to work together, culminating in a future resurrection and a renewed creation. He discusses the current role of the Holy Spirit in looking after believers between death and the final resurrection, and how the church can act as a local model of this new creation today. For leaders navigating modern ministry, this conversation provides a challenge to align our language, hope, and social action with a historic, biblical framework.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

N. T. Wright is a leading New Testament scholar, theologian, and former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England. He is widely known for his work on the historical Jesus, the Apostle Paul, resurrection theology, and the kingdom of God. Wright has taught at Oxford, Cambridge, and McGill University and currently serves as Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

He has written influential books including Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope, and Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Wright is respected for making complex theology accessible to pastors, students, scholars, and everyday Christians around the world.

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What does it mean to be human in an age that celebrates the destruction of the sacred? In this timely episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with renowned historian and author Carl Trueman to discuss his latest work, The Desecration of Man. Following the success of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Trueman explores how the rejection of external authority and the ascent of "expressive individualism" have led us to a point where we no longer just ignore meaning—we actively delight in smashing it.

From the pervasive influence of technology and AI to the complex ethical landscapes of IVF and surrogacy, Trueman traces the roots of our modern malaise back to thinkers like Rousseau, Freud, and Nietzsche. Together, Ed and Carl wrestle with how the church can offer a "consecrated" alternative, pointing to the Imago Dei as the only stable foundation for human dignity. This is a vital conversation for leaders seeking to navigate a culture that is rapidly reconfiguring the very definition of humanity.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Carl Trueman is a theologian, historian, and author known for his work on church history, theology, culture, and the modern self. He serves as a professor at Grove City College and previously taught at Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Nottingham.

Trueman is widely recognized for his thoughtful analysis of contemporary culture through the lens of historic Christianity. His bestselling book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self has significantly shaped evangelical discussions about identity, expressive individualism, and cultural change. 

A frequent conference speaker and commentator, Trueman combines scholarly depth and cultural insight as he helps Christians think carefully about faithfulness and truth in a rapidly changing world.

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Get notes on this podcast here: 

https://churchleaders.com/news/503438-joby-martin-pastors-understand-grace.html

Joby Martin joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to discuss what happens when a church leader has truly been run over by the "grace train" and understands the profound love and grace of God.

Last week, we ran our second-most listened to episode of the year, with Jennie Allen. Jennie explains why our emotions are good gifts from God and how that truth fits with the command to take every thought captive. Check out our conversation with her here:

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/464670-jennie-allen-church-leaders-emotions.html 

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"Run Over by the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything" by Joby Martin

The Church of Eleven22

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Get notes on this podcast here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/464670-jennie-allen-church-leaders-emotions.html

In our next most listened to episode of 2024, Jennie Allen joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to explain why our emotions are good gifts from God and how that truth fits with the command to take every thought captive. 

Last week, we revisited our conversation with Jon Acuff, who shared why church leaders should wholeheartedly pursue their potential and how they can do so in a way that honors God. Check out our conversation with him here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/466196-jon-acuff-success-without-destroying-church.html

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"Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts" by Jennie Allen

"Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It" by Jennie Allen

IF:Gathering

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Get notes on this podcast here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/466196-jon-acuff-success-without-destroying-church.html

In our top performing episode of 2024, Jon Acuff joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to explain why church leaders should wholeheartedly pursue their potential and how they can do so in a way that honors God.

Last week, Dr. Libin Abraham joined us to share what God has taught him about the calling of a pastor and the importance of focusing on the local church. Check out our conversation with him here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502503-libin-abraham-gods-job-description-pastor.html

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"All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential" by Jon Acuff

"Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking (Overcome Toxic Thought Patterns and Take Control of Your Mindset)" by Jon Acuff

"Stuff Christians Like" by Jon Acuff

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Get notes on this podcast here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502503-libin-abraham-gods-job-description-pastor.html

Dr. Libin Abraham joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to share what God has taught him about the calling of a pastor and the importance of focusing on the local church.

Barna CEO David Kinnaman joined us last week to share what the research shows about how pastors are doing and how they can best disciple their people. Check out our conversation with him here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502143-david-kinnaman-pastors-skill-set-preaching.html 

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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Bent Tree Bible Fellowship

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