Hosted by Church Answers
Episodes
1000
Latest episode
Nov 2026
Language
EN
Your online home for leadership lessons for both the church and the workplace.
Small churches must be better than large churches at hospitality. Why? Thom and Sam discuss how new visitors feel instantly exposed in a small room. Unlike megachurches where guests expect helpful anonymity, a visitor in a small congregation stands out immediately. If nobody speaks to them, a small room feels intensely lonely, whereas a large crowd just feels busy.
Most pastors do not take enough vacation time. Josh and Sam talk about how much time away pastors really need. One-third of the pastors say they always take fewer vacation days than the church permits.
Most pastors assume the sermons they pray over, study for, write, and preach belong to them. Legally, that assumption is often wrong. Because of a doctrine called "work made for hire," the church—not the pastor—may hold the copyright by default. Sam and Thom explain how sermon ownership actually works, why silence in an employment agreement gets expensive, and how to fix it before conflict ever arises.
What sins, if any, permanently disqualify a pastor? Josh and Sam discuss their perspectives on this sensitive topic. While one would hope this issue wouldn't be a problem, the reality is reports of church scandals are on the rise. The co-hosts focus on the lead pastor position and give their take.
Most pastors never receive formal training in clergy tax law. Seminaries focus on biblical languages, theology, and preaching but rarely on housing allowances, self-employment tax, or payroll classification. The result is that well-meaning ministers stumble into mistakes that can trigger audits, penalties, and years of back taxes. Thom and Sam discuss the common mistakes you can avoid.
You can do your job well without loving it. However, for pastors, the calling often goes beyond mere duty. It encompasses a passion for serving and guiding their flocks. What distinguishes pastors who love their jobs from those who do their jobs? Josh and Sam discuss on today's episode.
America’s largest churches are becoming significantly larger. A decade of Outreach 100 data shows that megachurch growth is increasingly concentrated among a relatively small group of established, evangelical, multisite congregations. Yet the picture is more complex than explosive growth alone: many longtime megachurches have grown only incrementally, many have declined, and the pandemic reshaped attendance in uneven and lasting ways.
Halloween often creates unnecessary tension among Christians. Some avoid it because of its association with spiritual darkness and the occult, while others view it as a harmless cultural tradition centered on costumes, candy, and neighborhood fun. Josh and Sam discuss how churches do not need to retreat from their communities during Halloween.
Sam welcomes Susan K. Pitts and Becky Thompson to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. They are a mother-daughter team who have built their lives around encouraging moms right in the middle of everyday life. Susan has spent over forty years in ministry, walking alongside women and families with wisdom and compassion. She is the prayer director for the Midnight Mom Devotional and co-author of the Midnight Mom Devotional books. Becky has spent the last decade creating resources to equip and encourage the heart of the momma. They are both bestselling authors and Becky is a national speaker who speaks honestly about faith and family. They are the authors of two devotional books, "Tonight We Pray for the Momma" and "Midnight Mom Devotional" and are the content writers for the devotional content in the "Midnight Mom Devotional Bible." In addition, they have a vibrant social media community on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok where they lead over 2 million mommas in nightly prayer.
Sam interviews David Graham of Five Loaves Marketing, and they talk about the best ways for churches to utilize marketing resources.
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Ann Carden
Holly Jean Jackson
Dr. Allen Lycka
