Podcast Episodes
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Religious People Are Happier (And the Data Proves It)
Episode 987
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 que…
9 months ago
Unbelievable: 72% of Churches Have No Marriage Ministry!
Episode 986
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 …
9 months, 1 week ago
NEW Research: What Really Matters in Theological Education?
Episode 985
For decades, seminaries have promoted the ideal—full-time, on-campus study in a traditional academic setting. But for most adults pursuing ministry t…
9 months, 1 week ago
Non-Churchy Looking Churches: The Advantages of Big-Box Church Architecture
Episode 984
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 spa…
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Should Churches Look Churchy? The Advantages of Traditional Architecture
Episode 982
In this episode, we explore why traditional church architecture still resonates deeply with people, even those who rarely attend church. A recent res…
9 months, 2 weeks ago
How to Handle Losing Your Church's Biggest Financial Supporter
Episode 982
When a major donor or key financial supporter leaves a church, it can feel personal, unsettling, and even threatening to the ministry’s stability. Bu…
9 months, 3 weeks ago
Small-Church Breakout Growth: The Incredible Story of First Baptist Caldwell, NJ
Episode 981
God has done something remarkable at First Baptist Church in Caldwell, NJ. They have limited space and limited parking. However, through Upward Sport…
9 months, 4 weeks ago
Why You Should Leave Your Church (A Pastor's Perspective)
Episode 980
Most of the time, church hopping for convenience (better music, cooler programs, or a coffee bar) reveals more about our consumer culture than about …
10 months ago
The Burge Report: How Do Pastors Actually End Up in Ministry?
Episode 979
In this episode, Sam and Ryan Burge discuss how pastors become pastors. Using data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders, the cohosts reveal …
10 months ago
The Top Reasons Why It's Painful for Pastors to Lose Church Members
Episode 978
One of the more painful aspects of ministry is losing church members. Sometimes these departures are for good reasons, like moving to another town or…
10 months ago