The Church Answers Podcast

Jess Rainer knows how to start a new church or new site. He has done it three times. In this episode, he shares some invaluable “how-to’s” for starting a new site or church. We will also talk about his new book, How to Launch a New Church Site: Ten Questions Every Leader (and Member) Must Answer. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Product…

Jess Rainer knows the rewards of starting new churches or sites. He has done it three times. In this episode, he shares some incredibly rewarding times of starting a church or a site. We will also discuss his new book, How to Launch a New Church Site: Ten Questions Every Leader (and Member) Must Answer. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of …

Jess Rainer knows the challenges of starting new churches or sites. He has done it three times. In this episode, he shares some surprising challenges you might not have considered. We will also discuss his new book, How to Launch a New Church Site: Ten Questions Every Leader (and Member) Must Answer. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Pro…

I bet you’ve never heard of this person. But you should. And that person can help move your church members and your church toward greater financial health. Come meet that mystery person. We also look at Art’s new book, Money in the Light of Eternity: What the Bible Says about Your Financial Purpose. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Prod…

The Money Challenge is an incredible way to get your church members financially healthy and living according to God’s plan. Art Rainer shares how it can be transformative for your church. We also look at two of Art’s books: The Money Challenge and his newest book, Money in the Light of Eternity: What the Bible Says about Your Financial Purpose. Res…

If you are a church leader, do you dread talking about money in church? If the answer is “yes,” you are among the great majority who feel that way. Art Rainer shares how you can get your church members to see money in a new light where they will strongly desire to bless the church financially. We also look at Art’s new book, Money in the Light of E…

You will be amazed at what God has done through this church in Iowa and her pastor. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. Pat Nemmers “Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation” by Pat Nemmers The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Ch…

Thom interviews Pat about the loss of his wife at a young age, and how the pastor learns to be served by his church. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. Pat Nemmers “Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation” by Pat Nemmers The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Chu…

Thom and Pat reflect on some really stupid things they have done as pastors. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. Pat Nemmers “Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation” by Pat Nemmers The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out…

The Church Answers consulting team recently worked with a church that is doing pastoral succession well. He shares what the team learned from this church. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Churc…

Thom continues to give periodic updates on how churches and pastors are responding to the ubiquitous presence of AI. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out…

All pastors have strengths and weaknesses and favorite and least favorite ministry activities. Thom exhorts pastors to consider strongly three aspects of their least favorite activities. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! A…

Thom looks at the often misunderstood Church Growth Movement and its critics. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “Bridges of God: A Study in the Strategy of Missions” by Donald A. McGavran “Effective Evangelism: A Theological Mandate” by Donald A. McGavran “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Ho…

If you’ve never heard of saturation evangelism, you have a lot of company. Thom not only defines it, but he shares why it is often effective. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. The Church That Could in a Town of 714 People “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! …

Some churches are generous to their pastors. Others are not. Thom looks at some of the common reasons for less-generous churches. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Members…

Though there continue to be a wide range of sermon length, Thom looks at the most common range. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out the Church Answers C…

Though it’s not yet a huge number, Thom looks at the reasons some dechurched members are returning. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out the Church Answe…

One of the most common questions we get from members of Church Answers is: How do I get younger people in my church? Thom looks at two ways that have been successful. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. Know Your Community “When the People Pray” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! A…

More churches have interim pastors than any point we can recall. With this new normal, how long should an interim pastor stay at a church? Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. Interim Pastor Certification. SPECIAL OFFER: (10) 50% scholarships (a value of $925). DISCOUNT CODE: IPUSCHOLAR50 (*This code only…

It’s usually one of the most hurtful conversations a pastor has. Thom shares with you what he has heard from hundreds of pastors. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out the Church Answers Christia…

For three decades, spiritual gifts were a common subject of conversation and discipleship in many churches. Thom looks at why this emphasis has waned. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out the Ch…

Pastors who retire must make a decision about where they will attend church. It’s not an easy decision. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out the Church Answers Christian bookstore! Shop curated,…

Many pastors have entered the retirement phase of their lives. Thom examines the sources of their income at this point in their lives. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. Christian Money Solutions The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check …

Thom returns to a study he did on how many hours a week pastors typically work. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them” by Thom S. Rainer The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membersh…

The majority of pastors are not trained in finance, but there are four key questions where they should get answers on a regular basis. Resources: Belay’s FREE eBook, “The Power of Productivity” – Text THOM to 55123. The Hope Initiative Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Church Answers Central Membership Check out the Church Answers Chr…