Best Thom Rainer Podcasts (2025)

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Many Churches Face Future Sticker Shock with Deferred Maintenance 24:30

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20h ago24:30

24:30

Sam interviews Tim Cool of Smart Church Solutions to dig into a hidden but pressing crisis facing many North American churches: deferred maintenance. Too often, churches delay costly but necessary facility repairs until the problems become overwhelming. This pattern of neglect can saddle pastors with impossible burdens and even push congregations t…

1
Why the New Hymnal from the Gettys Is So Important: An Interview with Keith Getty (Part 2) 26:58

2d ago26:58

26:58

Keith and Kristyn Getty recently released The Sing! Hymnal. This publication is a major development in worship music and hymnody. Jess and Thom speak with Keith Getty about its creation and importance. Here are some of the questions they asked him. The hymnal includes hundreds of liturgical readings and psalm pairings. Why was it important for you …

1
Why the New Hymnal from the Gettys Is So Important: An Interview with Keith Getty (Part 1) 24:36

2d ago24:36

24:36

Keith and Kristyn Getty recently released The Sing! Hymnal. This publication is a major development in worship music and hymnody. Jess and Thom speak with Keith Getty about its creation and importance. Here are some of the questions they asked him. What has been happening with the Gettys other than the new hymnal? Why did you and Kristyn decide to …

1
The Burge Report: The Biggest Little Denomination: The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) 25:03

4d ago25:03

25:03

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-h…

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The One-Person Church Communication Plan (That Actually Works) 29:01

8d ago29:01

29:01

Many pastors and church leaders face a common challenge: how to develop an effective communications strategy when you don’t have a big team to help you. Julie Masson, church communications expert, joins Sam on the show to discuss a simple, repeatable approach to managing church communications without burning out. You’ll learn how to build a messagi…

1
What Churches Can Learn from Farmers Markets 23:12

9d ago23:12

23:12

Jess and Thom explore how the humble farmers market might hold surprising lessons for church life. In a world drawn to authenticity and community, what if the local church functioned more like a neighborhood market — relational, participatory, and grounded in place? Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball The Hop…

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The Church Number: 46 to 50: The Missing Generation — Why Pastors Ages 46–50 Are Underrepresented 25:46

9d ago25:46

25:46

In this episode, Thom and Jess examine one of the more unusual findings from the 2023 Faith Communities Today (FACT) study. The survey reveals a noticeable gap in pastors aged 46 to 50. We’ll explore why this age bracket is underrepresented, what factors may have shaped this trend, and what it means for the future of pastoral leadership. Resources:…

1
How to Get Families in Your Church to Read the Bible Together 22:16

11d ago22:16

22:16

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 W…

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The Least Appreciated People in Your Church (And What To Do About It) 20:52

15d ago20:52

20:52

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 longt…

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The Church Number: 73.7% — Churches That Have a Positive Outlook on the Future 23:05

16d ago23:05

23:05

In this episode, Thom discusses an encouraging statistic from the 2023 Faith Communities Today (FACT) study. Despite the challenges of shrinking attendance, financial strain, and cultural headwinds, nearly three out of four congregations still report a positive outlook on their future. What fuels this optimism, and what does it mean for church lead…

1
Should a Church Have Debt? An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer 26:13

16d ago26:13

26:13

Thom talks with Mike Stadelmayer at Church Growth Services who offers some fascinating insights about churches and debt. There are definitely some surprises in this interview. Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Upward Sports Church Growth Services Check out this free eBook, “Church Debt, Striking a Balance Between Risk & Reward,” and learn more! S…

1
The Legacy Life with David Green, Founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, and Bill High, CEO of Legacy Stone 27:10

19d ago27:10

27:10

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 C…

1
How We’re Using AI in Sermon Prep Ethically and Efficiently 28:24

23d ago28:24

28:24

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore five practical ways pastors can use AI to improve their sermon prep. How should you balance being efficient with being ethical? If you’ve ever stared at a rough draft and thought, “Something’s off,” this episode will give you new ways to sharpen your message and preach with clarity. Use AI for stylistic feedbac…

1
What Happens When the Church Overlooks the Millennials 23:50

24d ago23:50

23:50

Thom and Jess open a conversation from their revised book, “The Millennials: How We Missed the Largest Living Generation — and Why It’s Not Late.” This episode unpacks what happens when churches neglect reaching the Millennials. Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball “The Millennials: How We Missed the Largest L…

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The Largest Living Generation—Why the Church Can’t Overlook the Millennials 22:41

23d ago22:41

22:41

Thom and Jess draw from the introduction of their revised book, “The Millennials: How We Missed the Largest Living Generation — and Why It’s Not Late,” to set the stage for why Millennials matter. They highlight how this generation compares in size to others and why pastors must pay attention now. Resources: Wesley Biblical Seminary Upward Sports U…

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The Unknown Connection Most Unchurched Have with the Church 24:03

26d ago24:03

24:03

Most unchurched people have some past connection to church—often from childhood. Our research found that 63% of the unchurched used to attend regularly. Their current indifference isn’t based on ignorance; it’s often rooted in real, past experiences. This means our efforts to reach them aren’t starting from zero. In this episode, Thom and Sam unpac…

1
Six Essential Pastoral Meetings No One is Scheduling For You 25:24

29d ago25:24

25:24

It’s easy to focus on what is right in front of you—the fires, the squeaky wheel, the pop-in visit. However, a pure reactive management style does not help a church move forward. Josh and Sam discuss some meetings that take initiative but will pay many dividends. Work on the work Sermon series overview with your team The low-maintenance influencer …

1
The Church Number: 70.5% Churches That Share Their Facilities with Other Organizations 23:07

1M ago23:07

23:07

In this episode, Thom looks at one of the surprising findings from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study. The research shows that more than seven out of ten churches share their facilities with other organizations. Thom explores why so many churches are opening their doors, what kinds of groups they are hosting, and how this trend impacts b…

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The Church Number: 34% How Much More Churches Receive Per Attender If They Have Extensive Online Giving 19:01

30d ago19:01

19:01

In this episode, Thom looks at new data from the 2023 FACT (Faith Communities Today) study. The research shows that churches with extensive online giving receive 34% more per attender than those with none. Thom unpacks what that number means for church leaders, why it matters, and how congregations can take practical steps to strengthen generosity …

1
The Burge Report: The Kids Aren’t Alright—And Church Student Ministry Might Actually Help 31:14

1M ago31:14

31:14

From diapers to dating, parenting never stops presenting hard questions. But today’s concern is different: Gen Z teens are experiencing a full-blown collapse in social connection. Dating is down. Friend time is down. Jobs are down. According to Monitoring the Future, the percentage of antisocial high school seniors quintupled from 3.5% in 1995 to n…

Thom Rainer Podcasts

1
Rainer on Leadership

Thom Rainer

1
The Church Answers Podcast

The Church Answers Podcast

1
Romans 8: From Broken To Belonging - Noe Garcia

Noe Garcia | Lumivoz

1
The Art of Leadership Daily

The Art of Leadership Network

1
200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement for Pastors of Small Churches

Jeff Keady and Jonny Craig: Pastors, Leaders, Bloggers, Podcasters, and Encouragers

1
Many Churches Face Future Sticker Shock with Deferred Maintenance 24:30

1
Why the New Hymnal from the Gettys Is So Important: An Interview with Keith Getty (Part 2) 26:58

1
Why the New Hymnal from the Gettys Is So Important: An Interview with Keith Getty (Part 1) 24:36

1
The Burge Report: The Biggest Little Denomination: The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) 25:03

1
The One-Person Church Communication Plan (That Actually Works) 29:01

1
What Churches Can Learn from Farmers Markets 23:12

1
The Church Number: 46 to 50: The Missing Generation — Why Pastors Ages 46–50 Are Underrepresented 25:46

1
How to Get Families in Your Church to Read the Bible Together 22:16

1
The Least Appreciated People in Your Church (And What To Do About It) 20:52

1
The Church Number: 73.7% — Churches That Have a Positive Outlook on the Future 23:05

1
Should a Church Have Debt? An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer 26:13

1
The Legacy Life with David Green, Founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, and Bill High, CEO of Legacy Stone 27:10

1
How We’re Using AI in Sermon Prep Ethically and Efficiently 28:24

1
What Happens When the Church Overlooks the Millennials 23:50

1
The Largest Living Generation—Why the Church Can’t Overlook the Millennials 22:41

1
The Unknown Connection Most Unchurched Have with the Church 24:03

1
Six Essential Pastoral Meetings No One is Scheduling For You 25:24

1
The Church Number: 70.5% Churches That Share Their Facilities with Other Organizations 23:07

1
The Church Number: 34% How Much More Churches Receive Per Attender If They Have Extensive Online Giving 19:01

1
The Burge Report: The Kids Aren’t Alright—And Church Student Ministry Might Actually Help 31:14