Rainer on Leadership

Mike Stadelmayer, a generosity and church funding specialist from Church Growth Services, joins to unveil the simplicity behind fostering generosity in churches. He emphasizes the power of communication—expressing gratitude to givers and sharing impactful ministry stories to inspire ongoing support. Personal testimonies of life change are highlighted as vital tools for connecting generosity with spiritual outcomes. Stadelmayer also advocates for grounding messages in Scripture, reminding listeners that a culture of generosity can thrive without complexity.

Unchurched individuals aren't angry at churches; they're simply indifferent. This apathy is an opportunity rather than a challenge. Instead of arguing, disrupt indifference with love and presence. Personal invitations remain the key to boosting attendance, with relationships taking priority over programs. Addressing practical needs and loneliness makes the gospel more relevant. Intentional prayer for spiritual openness can prepare the ground for meaningful connections and outreach.

The podcast highlights a striking trend: the median church attendance in America has plummeted from 137 in 2000 to just 60 by 2023. Delving into the implications, the hosts discuss what this means for church leadership and community engagement. They analyze factors contributing to this decline, including attendance drops and fewer megachurches, while also painting a vivid picture of what a typical 60-person church looks like today. Resources for revitalization efforts are shared, along with insights into the future of congregations.

Tim Kuhl, a facility stewardship expert and founder of Smart Church Solutions, sheds light on the pressing issue of deferred maintenance among North American churches. He reveals how ignoring essential repairs can lead to catastrophic costs, with sticker shock that can weigh heavily on congregations. Tim emphasizes that church buildings are vital assets for ministry and offers practical budgeting strategies. He encourages churches to view facilities as tools for evangelism and to foster ongoing generosity to ensure their longevity.

Sam and Ryan Burge take a deep dive into the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), unpacking the denomination’s unique growth patterns, size distribution, and robust recordkeeping. They explore surprising statistics on membership trends, baptisms, and church finances—revealing why some PCA congregations thrive while others remain stagnant. The co-hosts highlight key takeaways for understanding both the strengths and challenges of one of America’s most data-rich evangelical denominations. High Data Compliance and Transparency – Nearly 90% of PCA churches submitted membership and financial data within the last three years, making their statistics unusually reliable compared to other denominations. Outsized Influence – The PCA has a significant presence on social media and a large-scale influence on evangelical Christians through their pastors and leaders (e.g., Tim Keller). Strong Growth but Uneven Distribution – While the PCA adds 1.5–2% to its membership rolls annually, growth is concentrated in larger churches, with many smaller congregations stagnant or declining. Predominantly Small to Mid-Sized Churches – The median PCA church has 117 members, and roughly 75% have 250 or fewer, mirroring national church size trends. Mixed Baptism Trends – About one-third of PCA churches had zero adult baptisms last year, and nearly half had fewer than three infant baptisms, signaling challenges in evangelism and retention. Financial Realities – Church income strongly correlates with size, averaging about $3,500 in additional annual income per new member, but with notable outliers in both wealth and scarcity. Resources: Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball Life Application Study Bible Church Connect Tyndale House Publishers “A Deep Dive into the Presbyterian Church in America” by Ryan Burge Ryan Burge “The American Religious Landscape” by Ryan Burge (affiliate link) Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs. Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more. Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today. Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.     Experience profound transformation as you encounter God through the pages of the Life Application Study Bible. Bible engagement is not just about knowing Scripture; it’s about living it out! The Life Application Study Bible deepens your connection with God and inspires a transformed life through a growing relationship with Christ. Crafted by dedicated scholars and pastors, the Life Application Study Bible is filled with thousands of study resources that increase understanding so you can experience Scripture’s life-changing power. For readers from nine to ninety and beyond, the Life Application Study Bible is designed to help you find true heart transformation. Learn more here. The post The Burge Report: The Biggest Little Denomination: The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) appeared first on Church Answers.

Julie Masson, a church communications consultant, shares her expertise on optimizing church communication strategies, especially for small teams. She emphasizes focusing on one or two social media platforms, explaining the unique strengths of Facebook and Instagram. Learn how to create a messaging calendar tied to key church events to enhance clarity and engagement. Julie also offers tips on recruiting skilled volunteers for communication roles and the importance of texting for urgent alerts while avoiding over-communication to prevent disengagement.

Sam welcomes Amanda Jass to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Amanda serves as the general editor for the NLT GO Bible and is a gifted writer, editor, illustrator, and encourager. She has a passion for creating content for all ages, with a special focus on resources for kids and families. Why is it important for multiple generations to read God’s Word together? In a time when generations often seem at odds, how can churches model a better way? How can the New Living Translation and resources like the GO Bible help foster multigenerational relationships? Children’s ministry is sometimes viewed as “less than” or simply something we have to do. How can we change that perception—and why does it matter? Why is it important to model Bible reading and study for kids, and what are the benefits of doing it in community? Resources: Kids GO Bible Amanda Jass Life Application Study Bible Church Connect Tyndale House Publishers Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Experience profound transformation as you encounter God through the pages of the Life Application Study Bible. Bible engagement is not just about knowing Scripture; it’s about living it out! The Life Application Study Bible deepens your connection with God and inspires a transformed life through a growing relationship with Christ. Crafted by dedicated scholars and pastors, the Life Application Study Bible is filled with thousands of study resources that increase understanding so you can experience Scripture’s life-changing power. For readers from nine to ninety and beyond, the Life Application Study Bible is designed to help you find true heart transformation. Learn more here.   Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest. A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs. Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more. Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today. Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers. The post How to Get Families in Your Church to Read the Bible Together appeared first on Church Answers.

There are many underappreciated people in your church. If you are in leadership, you must ensure they receive the proper recognition, encouragement, and resources. Josh and Sam discuss several groups that fly under the radar but are critical to everyday ministry. Nursery workers People rolling off of teams or committees First-time givers (and longtime faith givers) Custodians and those who help clean the facility Small group leaders Staff spouses Resources: Doctor of Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Smart Church Solutions FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: The Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary is designed to strengthen both you and your church. You’ll bring a real challenge from your ministry into the program—and through trusted faculty mentorship and applied theological study, you’ll develop a biblically grounded, practical plan that equips you to implement lasting change in your church. This is theological scholarship applied where it matters most: your local ministry. Study under faculty mentors who are both scholars and seasoned ministry leaders. Sharpen your thinking, deepen your theology, and lead with clarity. Build a network of peers who share your calling and understand your challenges. Learn how at sbts.edu/dmin.     Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities? eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches. It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place. You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money. Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country. If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE. Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/. The post The Least Appreciated People in Your Church (And What To Do About It) appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Sam welcome David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, and Bill High, CEO of Legacy Stone, to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Hobby Lobby employs 50,000 people at 1,000 stores in 48 states and grosses nearly $8 billion a year. Author of The Legacy Life, Leadership Not by the Book, and The Leader’s Devotional, Green received the World Changer award and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. David, his wife, Barbara, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all live in Oklahoma City. Legacy Stone is a ministry dedicated to helping families thrive today and for generations to come. A former attorney, Bill also founded one of the largest charitable foundations in the country where they facilitated more than $6 billion in gifts. He has consulted with families on a global basis on the subject of family legacy. A recognized speaker and teacher, he is the author and coauthor of several books, including Leadership Not by the Book. He lives with his wife, Brooke, in the Kansas City area. Resources: “The Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity” by David Green and Bill High (affiliate link) “Leadership Not by the Book: 12 Unconventional Principles to Drive Incredible Results” by David Green and Bill High (affiliate link) “The Leader’s Devotional: 90 Days of Biblical Wisdom for Honoring God in All You Do” by David Green and Bill High (affiliate link) Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball Life Application Study Bible Church Connect Tyndale House Publishers Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs. Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more. Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today. Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.     Experience profound transformation as you encounter God through the pages of the Life Application Study Bible. Bible engagement is not just about knowing Scripture; it’s about living it out! The Life Application Study Bible deepens your connection with God and inspires a transformed life through a growing relationship with Christ. Crafted by dedicated scholars and pastors, the Life Application Study Bible is filled with thousands of study resources that increase understanding so you can experience Scripture’s life-changing power. For readers from nine to ninety and beyond, the Life Application Study Bible is designed to help you find true heart transformation. Learn more here. The post The Legacy Life with David Green, Founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, and Bill High, CEO of Legacy Stone appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam discuss innovative ways pastors can ethically use AI for sermon preparation. They share tips for stylistic feedback and refining complex theological points. The hosts highlight how AI can help shorten sermons and improve overall pacing, while also checking tone to avoid misinterpretations. They emphasize the importance of identifying potentially controversial phrases and brainstorming illustrations. Ultimately, they stress using AI as a helpful editing tool rather than a content creator.