Best Thom Rainer Podcasts (2025)

1
Dr. Thom Rainer - Why Gen Z’s are struggling 26:45

12d ago26:45

26:45

Dr. Thom Rainer, author of “The Anxious Generation Goes to Church,” explains why Gen Z’s are struggling and how the church can offer real answers.By theDove

1
NAFWB Partnership With Church Answers – Dr. Thom Rainer 16:15

22d ago16:15

16:15

“The whole purpose of it is what are the key resources that we can provide to help churches without breaking the bank and being the type of servant that we need to be.” Thom Rainer, founder of Church Answers, discusses the partnership that was formed between the NAFWB and Church Answers. Through the partnership, Church Answers provides many of thei…

1
Millennials Move LESS than Gen X and Boomers (New Implications for Your Church) 22:03

1d ago22:03

22:03

In this episode, we re-examine a major demographic shift reshaping communities and churches: the decline in mobility across the United States. Americans are moving far less than they did in previous generations, especially millennials. While older generations often relocated for work opportunities or family, today’s younger adults are more likely t…

1
It’s Been a Wonderful Life – Doug Spillman 17:01

1d ago17:01

17:01

Doug Spillman reflects on a well-lived life as a soldier, Deputy U.S. Marshal, state trooper, and Free Will Baptist deacon. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Christian #Testimony #ServantBy NAFWB

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Bonhoeffer on the Existence of God 25:03

3d ago25:03

25:03

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. In today's episode, I sit down with our good friend Dietrich Bonhoeffer to discuss his views on the existence of God...sorta. The year is 1930, Bonhoeffer is visiting Amierca, and he has some thoughts on how places like Union Seminary is doing theology. This episode brings us back to basics on how Bonhoeffer views …

1
Dr. Robert Jeffress - The Minneapolis school shooting 25:49

5d ago25:49

25:49

Dr. Robert Jeffress, host of Pathway to Victory, discusses how Christians can process tragedies like the Minneapolis school shooting, reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. James Dobson, and unpacks surprising truths about Heaven from his bestselling book “A Place Called Heaven.”By theDove

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Which “Higher Standard” Measures Actually Make Sense for Pastors 23:50

5d ago23:50

23:50

Pastors are often held to a “higher standard,” but not every expectation placed on them is biblical or even wise. In this episode, Josh and Sam explore which higher standards actually make sense for pastors and why. They cut through unrealistic pressures and focus on the standards that truly align with Scripture and healthy leadership. Decorum in p…

1
A Comprehensive Examination of Why the Top 10 Bible Translations Are Popular – Part 2: NIV, KJV, NLT 15:48

6d ago15:48

15:48

Thom and Jess begin ranking the most widely used Bible translations in the U.S., starting with the top three: New International Version (NIV), King James Version (KJV), and New Living Translation (NLT). Resources: Chaney & Associates The Church Advisory Podcast Upward Running A Comprehensive Examination of Why the Top 10 Bible Translations Are Popu…

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A Comprehensive Examination of Why the Top 10 Bible Translations Are Popular – Part 1 16:37

6d ago16:37

16:37

Thom and Jess Rainer introduce a four-part series on the top 10 English Bible translations in America. In this episode, they offer a broad overview of how these translations emerged, the philosophies behind them, and how cultural, theological, and practical factors affect their popularity. History of English Bible translation in America Translation…

1
How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: Five Ways the Baptist T Still Shapes (and Limits) Your Ministry 24:40

6d ago24:40

24:40

Sam is joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this second episode, they discuss how the Baptist T design still affects churches decades later–often in ways leaders don’t realize. Here are five ways this design limits ministry today and what can be done to use your facility a…

1
How Your Building Shapes Your Ministry: The Baptist T – When Building Design Limits Ministry 22:35

6d ago22:35

22:35

Sam is joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” The design of your church might be shaping your culture more than you think. Building styles reflect ministry priorities–but if the building doesn’t adapt, those priorities can become limitations. In this first episode, they explore…

1
Spencer Morrison - Who Pays the Tariff Price? 15:47

8d ago15:47

15:47

Spencer Morrison, author of “Reshore: How Tariffs Will Bring Our Jobs Home and Review the American Dream,” discusses record U.S. tariff revenues, who’s bearing the cost, and how expanded tariffs are reshaping American industry and trade policy.By theDove

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The Burge Report: Do Churchgoers Want More or Less Politics in the Pulpit? 29:37

8d ago29:37

29:37

Studies on the content of sermons exist, and most indicate that pastors include some political topics in their sermons. But which topics? Ryan, Thom, and Sam reveal the answer. When asked about politics and the pulpit, few congregants say their pastors often speak about political issues. But is that really the case? Much depends on the issue. For e…

1
Invite Your One – Matt McCraw 16:13

8d ago16:13

16:13

“It’s a great, easy thing for people to do to get their feet wet with reaching out.” Matt McCraw describes “Invite Your One,” an outreach strategy his church uses to encourage members and regular attenders to invite one person to attend church on a special emphasis Sunday. Matt is senior consultant with Church Answers and pastor of First Baptist Ch…

1
ReOrientation through God's Unexpected Ways 24:47

10d ago24:47

24:47

Welcome back to My Seminary Life. We are picking things up after the break with ReOrientation; the special where we strip everything down and get back to basics, our pursuit of Jesus. For this year's edition, I sit down to look at Judges 3:12-31 at how Ehud delivered Israel from Moab and from it I challenge the common said phrase that "God works in…

1
Chris Mitchell - An update from Israel 19:11

11d ago19:11

19:11

Chris Mitchell, CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief, gives an update from Israel.By theDove

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Dom Justo Takayam was a Samurai...and a Future Catholic Saint? - Kung Fu Pizza Party 27:41

11d ago27:41

27:41

"O GOD, in Your Wonderful Providence, You have chosen Justus Takayama Ukon to be a singular promoter of Your Kingdom, and an undaunted witness to the Catholic Faith —REWARD, we beseech You, his zeal for Your Glory..." Welcome to my dojo, this is Kung Fu Pizza Party. Today, we keep the samurai talks going as I walk through a brief history of Dom Jus…

1
The Loneliness Epidemic Among Pastors 30:43

12d ago30:43

30:43

Research from Barna reveals the top two reasons pastors consider quitting are stress and loneliness. This same study demonstrated an increase in pastoral loneliness—from 42% of pastors saying they felt frequently or sometimes lonely in 2015 to 65% of pastors in 2023. The church is supposed to be a place of belonging and hope, but many church leader…

1
Mark Meckler - Latest headlines 26:16

13d ago26:16

26:16

Mark Meckler, President of Convention of States, discusses the latest headlines.By theDove

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Autopsy of a Deceased Church in 2025 – Part 2 24:55

13d ago24:55

24:55

In the conclusion of this two-part series, Thom and Jess Rainer share four more reasons churches are dying in 2025. The challenges are real—but so are the opportunities to respond with courage and clarity. 5. Failure to move from a denominational paradigm 6. Failure to see the promising world of co-vocational 7. Deferred maintenance comes due 8. Th…

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Autopsy of a Deceased Church in 2025 – Part 1 24:51

13d ago24:51

24:51

Thom and Jess Rainer revisit the insights from Thom’s 2016 bestseller “Autopsy of a Deceased Church” and provide a sobering update for today’s church landscape. In this episode, they begin unpacking the eight new signs that a church is nearing its end in 2025. 1. Loss of hope 2. Looking for transfer growth 3. No evangelistic outreach 4. Thinking th…

1
Todd Friel - Recovering the full gospel 23:08

15d ago23:08

23:08

Todd Friel, executive director of Fortis Institute, discusses why the church is losing the next generation and how recovering the full gospel is key to restoring authentic faith.By theDove

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The Non-Legalist Reasons for Weekly Church Attendance 25:06

15d ago25:06

25:06

Too many church leaders shy away from encouraging weekly worship. They don’t want to sound legalistic. But that hesitation is a big mistake. In just 16 years, weekly church attendance has dropped sharply. Sam and Matt McCraw discuss why weekly church attendance is the best practice for everyone. The weekly core has declined from 31% of Americans to…

1
Following God to Unusual Places - Mike Corley 30:06

15d ago30:06

30:06

How do you end up on the mission field, and of all places, Russia? “Well…it certainly wasn’t my design.” Mike Corley describes his journey from Army basic training to various points in his ministry career (some he can’t talk about), leading him to places and positions he never would have imagined. Mike is pastor of First FWB Baptist Church of Jones…

1
Kenneth Abramowitz - The Trump-Putin Summit 29:58

18d ago29:58

29:58

Kenneth Abramowitz, author of The Multifront War, discusses the rising global movement to recognize a Palestinian state and the potential consequences for Israel and the U.S.By theDove

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Who in the Church Should Hold Pastors Accountable? 29:13

19d ago29:13

29:13

Scripture gives clear qualifications for the characteristics of pastors. But who in the church should hold pastors accountable to these qualifications? Josh and Sam dive into the best practices for pastoral accountability. Every pastor needs accountability from within the body. Outside governance is ill-advised and dangerous. Do not conflate author…

1
Dr. Timothy Jones - Defending faith in a secular world 21:54

19d ago21:54

21:54

Dr. Timothy Jones, author of “Understanding Christian Apologetics,” discusses how the methods of the early church can equip believers today to confidently defend their faith in a secular world.By theDove

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Geoffrey Gilson - Alaska Summit, Trump, Putin, and Zelensky 16:56

20d ago16:56

16:56

Geoffrey Gilson, retired lawyer, development consultant and political strategist, previews the upcoming Alaska Summit and offers insight into geopolitical maneuvering taking place behind the scenes between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky.By theDove

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8 Reasons Most Churches Do Not Do Outreach – Part 2 25:01

20d ago25:01

25:01

Thom and Jess Rainer continue their honest conversation about why outreach has dropped off the radar in many churches. The second half of the list offers insight into theological drift and misplaced priorities. 5. Heavy inward focus 6. Weak theology of evangelism 7. Failure to understand “seed planting time” 8. Failure to emphasize outreach as a pr…

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