PODCAST

Rainer on Leadership

Church Answers

Your online home for leadership lessons for both the church and the workplace.

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

29:23

The Pastor’s Dilemma: Loving Preaching, Loathing...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/05/01

Do you love to preach but at times loathe sermon prep? Do you find preaching incredibly fulfilling yet preparation frustrating or even overwhelming? If so, you're not alone. Many pastors struggle with the inefficiency of sermon prep—feeling bogged down by research, unsure how to faithfully interpret Scripture, or intimidated by today’s hot-button topics like politics, gender, and race.Dr. Bruce Clark (PhD. in Biblical Studies, University of Cambridge) from Interpret Consulting joins the show to

30:42

Approval Addiction, People Pleasing, and How Pastors...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/29

Most pastors want to be liked and respected by their congregations. This desire is part of the reason they are motivated to serve others. However, approval addiction can become a major barrier to leadership. When people pleasing becomes the priority, pastors often do more harm than good in their congregations. Marty Duren joins Josh and Sam to discuss this important topic.

25:03

The Burge Report: Does Homeschooling Change the...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/25

We've all heard the stereotypes of homeschooled children. But what does the data say? Ryan Burge joins Sam on the show to discuss the facts. The co-hosts also discuss implications for the church.

27:47

A Checklist for Making Your First Hire in the Church

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/22

Most pastors go through the process of hiring someone to help them minister to the church. What should you do for your first hire? Josh and Sam walk through a helpful checklist.

23:12

Um, Uh, and You Know: Killer Fillers in Public Speaking

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/17

Preachers and other public speakers should avoid these fillers in public speaking. Sam and Thom listened to several podcasts and sermons, where they heard these common fillers.

30:02

Going to a Dead Church on Purpose

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/15

No church should die, but some will die. What if God calls you to a church that just isn't going to make it? Josh and Sam discuss how pastors can shepherd dying churches. Miracles still happen! If God can save any person, He can save any church.

24:09

Five Ways to Report Truthful Worship Attendance

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/11

When Sam and Thom research local churches, they inevitably calculate average worship attendance. But how can they tell if it's accurate or not? They share five ways to be certain.

32:38

Young Pastors Are Rare (Here Is What Happened)

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/08

The typical age of a pastor is around 60 years old. Young pastors are becoming increasingly rare. What happened? Josh and Sam discuss some demographic realities with the aging pastorate.

24:17

How Wedding Ceremonies Are Different Than in the...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/03

Wedding ceremonies today are very different from those of the 1990s. Thom and Sam discuss what's changed. What's surprising and what's not?

29:49

Should Churches Share Their Campuses with Other...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/04/01

Many church buildings sit empty for a good portion of the week. What are the pros and cons of sharing the campus with other non-profits? Josh and Sam discuss some items to consider before opening your doors to other groups, churches, and ministries.

31:14

The Burge Report: Everyone Is Having Less Sex (What...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/28

Ryan Burge discusses his most-read research post of the year. Every age group is having less sex than they were a generation ago. Not only has sexual behavior declined among young people, but it has also declined among Evangelicals and other religious groups. What are the implications for the church? How should pastors address this reality, if at all?

27:39

What's Often Missed with Student Ministry Safety in...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/26

Student ministry is often where rules about minors break down in the church. Student ministries don’t need fewer rules than children’s ministries, but they need different rules. Though rebellion seems to be a rite of passage for many teenagers, they are far more receptive to guidance than you might think. Josh and Sam discuss what's often missed in churches.

27:54

Seven Power Groups in Churches (The Good and the Bad)

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/20

Where people organize, power will be present. The church is no exception. Thom and Sam discuss seven common power groups in churches. Hint: They are not all bad. How can you manage power dynamics among congregants in a way that is helpful to the church and glorifying to God?

29:59

The Surprise Benefits of a Culture of Continual...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/18

Continual learning is the philosophy that you keep growing in knowledge over a lifetime. Most of the time, this kind of learning is ongoing and self-motivated. Sam and Josh interview Timothy Paul Jones to discuss what happens when churches have continual education built into their discipleship process.

29:03

What Business Leaders in the Church Want Pastors to...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/13

Thom and Sam interview Steve Graves and discuss how pastors should shepherd business leaders in their churches. Steve has been coaching business leaders for decades and has a deep knowledge of the church. He shares his wisdom in this episode.

30:17

The Ten Commandments of a Pastor's Vacation

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/11

Time away is essential. Every pastor needs it, and every church should give it. Josh and Sam revisit a Church Answers article from a few years ago, and the co-hosts discuss the continued importance of rest and relaxation for pastors.

25:11

The Hidden Opportunity of Hospitality in Churches: An...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/07

Three out of four churches in America have no type of welcome ministry. Why do church leaders fail to see its importance? What are the most significant challenges in starting and maintaining a welcome or guest services ministry? How might hospitality be underutilized in churches? Thom and Sam interview Danny Franks of Summit Church to learn more about this important and often-ignored topic.

24:55

Are Smart Phones Killing Student Ministries in Churches?

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/03/04

Since 2010, depression among teens is up 145% in girls and 161% in boys. During the same time period, anxiety is up 139% in those between the ages of 18 and 25. Josh and Sam discuss the findings from the book The Anxious Generation. Much of the problem stems from the widespread adoption of smartphones. What is the impact on student ministries in churches?

29:12

Why Some of Our Churches Are Not Safe Places

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/02/28

Thom interviews Sam about safe churches. This podcast has vital information about your church. You need to find out if your church is really a safe place.

27:32

Does Divorce Disqualify a Pastor from Ministry?

Rainer on Leadership ·

2025/02/25

Many Christian denominations and networks believe that divorce can affect a person's eligibility for ministry, particularly key roles such as lead pastor. This perspective is rooted in passages such as 1 Timothy 3:2, which states that an overseer must be “above reproach” and “the husband of one wife.” Some interpret this as disqualifying individuals with prior divorces. Josh and Sam discuss their views.

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Rainer on Leadership

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