Rainer on Leadership

How does a church grow without relying on people transferring from other congregations? Thom and Sam take a dive into this topic.

If your church cares about reaching the next generation, there’s an upstream strategy that strengthens every part of ministry: investing in marriages. Children’s and youth ministries matter deeply, but without discipling the parents who shape the spiritual culture of the home, churches often work harder than they need to. When marriages grow in grace, stability fills the home, volunteers serve with joy, teens show up more open, and the entire church experiences deeper unity. Brad Rhoads of Grace Marriage joins Sam on this episode. They explore why marriage discipleship isn’t just another ministry. It’s the source that feeds every other stream of church life, creating a generational ripple effect of gospel impact.

Big events can be a way for churches to reach people, but they often fail to draw people back once the event is done. Thom and Sam unpack what it actually takes to turn community events into gospel opportunities.

While big cities often dominate attention and resources, it is the small towns and rural communities where congregations are disappearing fastest and where the church’s presence is most at risk. Thom and Sam explore why revitalizing and supporting small churches is essential for the future of Christian witness and how these congregations uniquely embody relational, community-anchoring ministry that larger models simply cannot replicate.

Only one denomination in the United States has grown consistently. Drawing from nearly fifty years of data, Ryan Burge’s analysis shows a denomination that has not only maintained stability but also demonstrated resilience, growth, and demographic vitality. From membership and attendance trends to conversion inflows and racial diversity, the Assemblies of God presents a statistical profile that is almost entirely positive, even after the shock of COVID-19. While many traditions wrestle with long-term decline, the Assemblies of God appears poised for continued strength.

Thom and Sam interview Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, to explore what every potential seminary student needs to consider before enrolling. While seminary can provide clarity and theological depth, it is not a magic formula for ministry success. This discussion breaks down the practical steps every prospective student should consider.