Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchAfter the Christmas Chaos: The Lightest Work Week of the Year for Pastors
The week after Christmas—those quiet days between December 26 and New Year’s—is often the lightest week of the year for pastors. After weeks of prep…
2 months, 1 week ago
Religious People Are Happier (And the Data Proves It)
Thom and Sam dive into Ryan Burge’s latest analysis of the 2023–2024 Pew Religious Landscape Survey, which asked nearly 37,000 Americans a simple qu…
2 months, 1 week ago
Unbelievable: 72% of Churches Have No Marriage Ministry!
Churches help prepare couples for marriage and rescue them when things fall apart, but what happens in between? That middle space—the “fine zone”—is…
2 months, 2 weeks ago
NEW Research: What Really Matters in Theological Education?
For decades, seminaries have promoted the ideal—full-time, on-campus study in a traditional academic setting. But for most adults pursuing ministry …
2 months, 2 weeks ago
Non-Churchy Looking Churches: The Advantages of Big-Box Church Architecture
In this follow-up episode, we examine the other side of the conversation—the rise of big-box church architecture. Often found in converted retail sp…
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Should Churches Look Churchy? The Advantages of Traditional Architecture
In this episode, we explore why traditional church architecture still resonates deeply with people, even those who rarely attend church. A recent re…
2 months, 3 weeks ago
How to Handle Losing Your Church’s Biggest Financial Supporter
When a major donor or key financial supporter leaves a church, it can feel personal, unsettling, and even threatening to the ministry’s stability. B…
3 months ago
Small-Church Breakout Growth: The Incredible Story of First Baptist Caldwell, NJ
God has done something remarkable at First Baptist Church in Caldwell, NJ. They have limited space and limited parking. However, through Upward Spor…
3 months ago
Why You Should Leave Your Church (A Pastor’s Perspective)
Most of the time, church hopping for convenience (better music, cooler programs, or a coffee bar) reveals more about our consumer culture than about…
3 months, 1 week ago
The Burge Report: How Do Pastors Actually End Up in Ministry?
In this episode, Sam and Ryan Burge discuss how pastors become pastors. Using data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders, the cohosts reveal…
3 months, 1 week ago