The Church Answers Podcast

The Church Answers Podcast
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The Church Answers Podcast

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 take a ride into the world of congregational health in a fun and fascinating way.

  1. 8 HR. AGO

    Beyond the Fiction: What Are the Real Church Attendance Trends in America?

    https://youtu.be/mZ4ajDtqzeA It's hard to get a handle on accurate church attendance trends in America. Examining some of the most reliable sources for church attendance data, including the work of Church Answers, Thom and Jess look at some incredible data that will provide clarity and help your church. 2019 Median Worship Attendance: 120-130 2020 Median Worship Attendance: 75-100 2021 Median Worship Attendance: 55-75 2022 Median Worship Attendance: 55-65 2023 Median Worship Attendance: 50-60 2024 Median Worship Attendance: 45-55 Resources: Chaney & Associates * Upward Running * “Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link) * Church Consultation University (CCU) * Church Revitalization Certification * The Hope Initiative * FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights Episode Sponsor: Lead Your Church. We'll Handle the Numbers.  We have decades of experience serving churches across the country.  We’re church accountants who speak your language and understand your mission. Gain clear financial insights to guide your ministry decisions with confidence.  Tailored solutions for churches of every size and stage.  Smart tools that save time and simplify finances so you can focus on ministry.  Stewardship matters. Your time is precious. We help with both.  Learn more today at chaneyassociates.com/churchanswers           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.

    37 min

  2. JAN 15

    Ten Tips for Becoming a Productive Pastor

    https://youtu.be/yvmt8RVYDjM 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.

    44 min

  3. JAN 8

    When It’s Not Time to Quit

    https://youtu.be/3ts_WhrDaEI 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.

    46 min

  4. JAN 2

    2025 Updates for AI and the Church

    https://youtu.be/OL1Q40ZEfdE 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,

    42 min

  5. 12/26/2024

    15 Traps to Avoid If You Lease a Part of Your Church Facility

    https://youtu.be/xKguGWtllMY 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.

    49 min

  6. 12/19/2024

    How to Develop a Church Outreach Plan from Your Demographic and Psychographic Report

    https://youtu.be/4MdecUYmZn8 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.

    39 min

  7. 12/13/2024

    How God Is Working to Bless Churches Financially in Great Ways – Part 3: God’s Miraculous Work Providing Funding for Building at a Church

    https://youtu.be/FP8DPS3yNTM 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:

    14 min

  8. 12/13/2024

    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

    https://youtu.be/0mT0iP34n_Q 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:

    14 min
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4.8
out of 5
263 Ratings

About

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 take a ride into the world of congregational health in a fun and fascinating way.

Information

  • Creator
    The Church Answers Podcast
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    The Church Answers Podcast

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