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The Church Answers Podcast

The Church Answers Podcast
Evangelism
Wesley Biblical Seminary
Church Leadership
Community Engagement
Upward Sports
Church Attendance
Church Revitalization
Church Growth
Community Outreach
Generation Z
Gen Z
Discipleship
Social Media
Thomas Edison
Church Facilities
Leadership
Gen Alpha
Church Decline
Pastoral Care
Median Worship Attendance

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes243Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Church Answers Podcast

Latest Episodes

Jess and Thom discuss the downsides of high personnel expenses that approach or exceed 60–65% of the budget.

• Little money remains for ministry expansion.

• Facility maintenance gets deferred.

• Missions giving may stagnate.

• Innovation bec... more

YouTube

Jess and Thom discuss the often-asked question about personnel costs in churches. Though there are guidelines, there is no simple answer.

• It depends.

• 50% is a good starting point, but not necessarily the ending point.

• A general rule of t... more

YouTube

Thom and Jess discuss what research reveals about the unchurched and why many churches misunderstand the people living around them.

• What the unchurched really think

• Why relationships matter most

• How churches can reach receptive people

R... more

YouTube

Jess and Thom explore why some churches consistently reach new people while others struggle to do so.

• The culture of inviting

• The practice of consistency

• The experience of first-time guests

• Barriers that prevent growth

Resources:

... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Matt Steen
Co-founder of Chemistry Staffing
Chemistry Staffing
Episode: What You Need to Know about Staffing Your Church
Andy Miller
President of Wesley Biblical Seminary
Wesley Biblical Seminary
Episode: Why the Co-vocational Trend Is So Important
Chris Lohrstorfer
Academic Vice President; Professor of Wesleyan Theology
Wesley Biblical Seminary
Episode: Why Too Many Pastors Are Not Fully Relying on the Holy Spirit
Sam Rainer
Pastor and co-host coming on the podcast for this episode
Church Answers / West Bradenton
Episode: A Church Facilities Wish List
Dr. Danny Akin
President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Episode: Vibrant Church: Becoming a Healthy Church in the 21st Century – An Interview with Dr. Danny Akin
Jeff Cranston
Pastor of Lowcountry Community Church
Lowcountry Community Church
Episode: Reaching Senior Adults for Christ: An Interview with Jeff Cranston
John Wentz
US president of Alpha
Alpha
Episode: How Alpha Is Impacting Churches in the United States
Art Rainer
Stewardship expert and Christian Financial Consultant
Christian Money Solutions
Episode: Jumpstart Your Stewardship: An Interview with Art Rainer
Keith Getty
Hymn writer and composer known for contemporary hymns.
Episode: Why the New Hymnal from the Gettys Is So Important: An Interview with Keith Getty (Part 2)

Hosts

Jess Rainer
Co-host and speaker; long-time host focused on church health and revitalization messaging.
Thom Rainer
Co-host/Founder; prominent voice on church health, leadership, and evangelism with a practical, actionable approach.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 304 ratings
  • Experienced and Practical

    Thom has become one of my all-time favorite people to listen to talk about ministry and the local church — hope to meet him one day. This podcast is awesome!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mfrank2025
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great church leadership resource

    Biblical, practical, and very useful information regarding church leadership.

    The podcast also offer a fresh perspective on topics and questions that I had not considered before, but that will be a blessing to our church.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steve W Lou Ky
    United Statesa month ago
  • Rainer money-grab

    Thom, go away. You've stacked plenty in cash and prizes. Now, take the deeds to your multiple homes and go read some classic literature. May I suggest John Bunyan? Seriously, it's time to stop taking a salary in the name of Jesus. I hope the institutional church is listening: WE WILL NO LONGER ALLOW THE PERVERSION OF THE GOSPEL. TIME IS UP.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    bgyvju7osdn5cqz1wp4k6xt80f3i2a
    United Statesa year ago
  • “Good Gravy”

    “Most pastors are not smart enough…”

    You really said that on a podcast for ministry leaders. “Good gravy,” Thom.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    j48howard
    United States2 years ago
  • Thankful

    Excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jersarver
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate actionable strategies and real-world examples shared by Thom and Jess.
There are some criticisms that newer formats lean too promotional with sponsor mentions.
Audience members frequently value the Brotherhood of leadership insight and education pathways offered through partnerships.
Overall, listeners praise the show's practical, gospel-centered guidance for pastors navigating church revitalization.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What You Need to Know about Staffing Your Church
Q: What are the two main audiences for Chemistry Staffing?
The two main audiences are churches seeking staff and individuals seeking new positions within churches.
The Five Reasons Church Building Projects Fail – How to Lead Yours to the Finish Line
Q: What role does teamwork play in project success?
A coordinated team with church-building experience prevents costly mistakes, ensures proper design alignment, and accelerates decision-making.
The Five Reasons Church Building Projects Fail – How to Lead Yours to the Finish Line
Q: Why is financial clarity crucial, and how do you ensure it?
Without clear budget and debt parameters, plans never get built; use a structured financial analysis and phased approaches to keep plans affordable and accountable.
The Five Reasons Church Building Projects Fail – How to Lead Yours to the Finish Line
Q: What is the first reason church building projects fail, and how can it be addressed?
Unrealistic timelines; address by setting a realistic schedule early, educating leadership, and aligning expectations across ministry, facilities, and finances.
Why Are Free Will Baptist Church Members So Young? An Interview with Dr. Eddie Moody
Q: How much of this is a trickle-down effect?
Dr. Moody notes that the effect is more of a trickle-up phenomenon driven by local-level youth involvement; when kids participate in church activities and leadership roles, they influence their peers and families, ultimately seeding broader engagement without relying solely on centralized programs.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Church Answers Podcast

What is The Church Answers Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on church life, leadership, and healthy congregational practices, offering practical frameworks for improving outreach, guest follow-up, evangelism, and change management within local churches. Episodes frequently blend actionable tactics (invitation culture, guest follow-up, stewardship of volunteer time) with biblically grounded leadership wisdom, stories from pastors, and partnerships with theological educators. A notable through-line is turning big visions into tangible steps, while maintaining pastoral care, gospel clarity, and community impact. The format tends to be concise, often with sponsor mentions, and aims to equip church leaders—pastors, staff, and lay volunteers—with usable tools and educational pathways.

Ex... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Church Answers Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Church Answers Podcast:

1. Rainer on Leadership
2. Pastor Well with Hershael York
3. The Briefing with Albert Mohler
4. Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks
5. The Unstuck Church Podcast

How many episodes of The Church Answers Podcast are there?

The Church Answers Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 243 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Church Answers Podcast?

Recent guests on The Church Answers Podcast include:

1. Matt Steen
2. Andy Miller
3. Chris Lohrstorfer
4. Sam Rainer
5. Dr. Danny Akin
6. Jeff Cranston
7. John Wentz
8. Art Rainer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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