

The Resilient Pastor
Barna Group
Join pastors Glenn Packiam, Rich Villodas and Sharon Hodde Miller as they invite leaders to think out loud together about the challenges and opportunities of leading a church in a rapidly changing world. In each episode, they will have a conversation about church leadership and the challenges pastors are facing. Then, they’ll share a conversation with a pastor, church leader, thinker or theologian about the health of the pastor, the state of the church and what it looks like to love well and lead faithfully.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 15, 2026 • 58min
67 | Gabe and Jeanette Salguero on Pastoring Families in a Changing Culture
Send us a text In this episode, Rich Villodas joins pastors Gabe and Jeanette Salguero to discuss what it means to pastor families in today’s church with greater awareness and care. Drawing on decades of pastoral leadership experience and insights from Barna research, the conversation explores the changing realities shaping modern family life. Together, they examine how pastors and church leaders can lead with presence, listen well to families’ needs, and develop family ministries that reflect the lived experiences of the people they serve. Download Parenting the Open Generation at worldvision.org/resilient26Discover how today’s families are changing—and how the church can strengthen family resilience. Download your copy of Barna’s The State of Today’s Family report.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Jan 1, 2026 • 45min
66 | The Relationships of Today’s Pastors with David Kinnaman
David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna, joins the hosts to discuss eye-opening research on pastoral relationships. They dive into the paradox of strong marriages amid widespread loneliness among pastors. The importance of peer friendships and covenant groups for reducing isolation is emphasized. Kinnaman highlights the need for spiritual direction and regular soul care as vital lifelines. They also explore barriers to seeking help, including stigma and cultural pressures. This lively conversation sheds light on the importance of community and connection for pastoral resilience.

5 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 58min
65 | Bryan Loritts on the Future of Preaching
Send us a textSharon Hodde Miller sits down with Bryan Loritts to discuss the future of preaching and why knowing your congregation is essential for faithful communication. They talk about navigating justice topics with biblical grounding, speaking into cultural pressure with integrity, and maintaining credibility in a skeptical age. Bryan also weighs in on the opportunities and limits of AI in sermon preparation.Text BARNA to 55123 to get your free Mission-Based Budgeting guide from BELAY, helping pastors and churches thrive for over 15 years with step-by-step tools to build a budget that fuels your ministry’s mission.Learn more about the services that Brotherhood Mutual offers at BrotherhoodMutual.com.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Nov 27, 2025 • 33min
64 | Discipling Your Church in Generosity
Send us a textGlenn Packiam, Rich Villodas, and Sharon Hodde Miller explore how pastors can disciple their churches toward worshipful, year-round generosity rooted in trust and vision. Framed by Barna research, they discuss how to cultivate healthy giving cultures, build trust with congregants, and wisely guide churches through year-end giving seasons and large capital campaigns.Text BARNA to 55123 to get your free Mission-Based Budgeting guide from BELAY, helping pastors and churches thrive for over 15 years with step-by-step tools to build a budget that fuels your ministry’s mission.Learn more about the services that Brotherhood Mutual offers at BrotherhoodMutual.com.Explore Barna’s latest insights on fostering a culture of giving here: How Churches Can Foster a Culture of Generosity.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Nov 13, 2025 • 1h 5min
63 | Jenni Catron on Leading & Sustaining a Healthy Staff Culture
Jenni Catron, a leadership coach and the founder of The 4Sight Group, shares her expertise in cultivating healthy church staff cultures. She emphasizes the importance of trust built on character and competency, and discusses how clarity systems help integrate new staff. Jenni also addresses generational coaching needs and advocates for structured roles to enhance engagement. By offering practical feedback methods and assessing cultural gaps, she provides actionable insights for leaders seeking to foster a thriving team environment.

Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 2min
62 | The Surprising Shift in Church Attendance – with David Kinnaman & Ashley LaLonde
Send us a textBarna’s newest research reveals a stunning reversal: for the first time in decades, men are attending church more than women. Host Rich Villodas sits down with David Kinnaman and Ashley LaLonde from Barna to unpack what’s driving this shift and what it means for pastors and leaders. From purity culture to politics, Gen Z to single moms, this conversation offers both empathy and practical insight for churches navigating today’s changing spiritual landscape.Episode LinksText BARNA to 55123 to get your free Mission-Based Budgeting guide from BELAY, helping pastors and churches thrive for over 15 years with step-by-step tools to build a budget that fuels your ministry’s mission.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Oct 16, 2025 • 42min
61 | Pastoring in Polarized Times
Explore the challenges pastors face in today's polarized landscape. Discover the importance of being a non-anxious presence and the need to listen deeply, especially to diverse traditions. Learn how emotional well-being impacts leadership and the value of balancing sensitivity without spreading anxiety. Gain insights on the principles that guide pastoral care while navigating complex issues and maintaining credibility. The discussion emphasizes collaboration with experts and the core task of comforting with the gospel amid division.

May 8, 2025 • 47min
60 | Nona Jones on Embracing Rejection & Finding Strength in Ministry
Send us a textSharon Hodde Miller talks with Nona Jones about how rejection can shape your purpose and strengthen your ministry. Drawing from her own experiences in leadership, Nona shares how pastors can process hurt, set healthy expectations in relationships and stay resilient in the face of challenges.Episode LinksDownload Barna's Thriving Church booklet for 15 key dimensions of church health at barna.com/measuring-what-matters.Check out Nona Jones's book, The Gift of Rejection, wherever books are sold.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Apr 24, 2025 • 47min
59 | Jackie Hill Perry & Preston Perry on Screen Time, Family Rhythms & Ministry Life
Send us a textRich Villodas talks with Jackie Hill Perry and Preston Perry about navigating the pull of technology, setting healthy family rhythms and keeping their marriage strong in the midst of ministry demands. They share honest insights on creating space for connection, managing digital distractions and trusting God with the pressures of parenting and leadership.Episode LinksDownload Barna's Thriving Church booklet for 15 key dimensions of church health at Barna.com/measuring-what-matters.Hear more from Jackie & Preston on With The Perrys.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

35 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 45min
58 | Robby Angle on Building Discipleship Cultures, Small Groups & Embracing Slow Growth
Robby Angle, President and CEO of True Face, shares insights on relational discipleship and nurturing transformation in churches. He discusses the importance of building effective small groups that foster genuine connections and spiritual growth. Emphasizing that meaningful change takes time, he offers practical steps for investing in leaders. The conversation touches on the necessity of embracing diversity within church settings and the power of cultivating trust and love in community to achieve lasting discipleship.


