The Resilient Pastor

Send us Fan MailBarna’s newest research reveals a stunning reversal: for the first time in decades, men are attending church more than women. Host Rich Villodas sits down with David Kinnaman and Ashley LaLonde from Barna to unpack what’s driving this shift and what it means for pastors and leaders. From purity culture to politics, Gen Z to single moms, this conversation offers both empathy and practical insight for churches navigating today’s changing spiritual landscape.Episode LinksText BARNA to 55123 to get your free Mission-Based Budgeting guide from BELAY, helping pastors and churches thrive for over 15 years with step-by-step tools to build a budget that fuels your ministry’s mission.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Explore the challenges pastors face in today's polarized landscape. Discover the importance of being a non-anxious presence and the need to listen deeply, especially to diverse traditions. Learn how emotional well-being impacts leadership and the value of balancing sensitivity without spreading anxiety. Gain insights on the principles that guide pastoral care while navigating complex issues and maintaining credibility. The discussion emphasizes collaboration with experts and the core task of comforting with the gospel amid division.

Send us Fan MailSharon Hodde Miller talks with Nona Jones about how rejection can shape your purpose and strengthen your ministry. Drawing from her own experiences in leadership, Nona shares how pastors can process hurt, set healthy expectations in relationships and stay resilient in the face of challenges.Episode LinksDownload Barna's Thriving Church booklet for 15 key dimensions of church health at barna.com/measuring-what-matters.Check out Nona Jones's book, The Gift of Rejection, wherever books are sold.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Send us Fan MailRich Villodas talks with Jackie Hill Perry and Preston Perry about navigating the pull of technology, setting healthy family rhythms and keeping their marriage strong in the midst of ministry demands. They share honest insights on creating space for connection, managing digital distractions and trusting God with the pressures of parenting and leadership.Episode LinksDownload Barna's Thriving Church booklet for 15 key dimensions of church health at Barna.com/measuring-what-matters.Hear more from Jackie & Preston on With The Perrys.Watch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Robby Angle, President and CEO of True Face, shares insights on relational discipleship and nurturing transformation in churches. He discusses the importance of building effective small groups that foster genuine connections and spiritual growth. Emphasizing that meaningful change takes time, he offers practical steps for investing in leaders. The conversation touches on the necessity of embracing diversity within church settings and the power of cultivating trust and love in community to achieve lasting discipleship.

Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church and author focused on prayer and spiritual formation, joins to discuss making space for the Holy Spirit in today's churches. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture where experience precedes explanation, particularly for the spiritually open generation. Tyler shares insights on integrating historical practices with modern ministry, awakening desire through preaching, and creating natural spaces for divine encounters. His journey showcases the blend of spontaneity and structured worship, making room for authentic experiences with God.

Send us Fan MailGlenn Packiam sits down with Dr. Daniel Muvengi (from World Vision International) to discuss the challenges pastors in Kenya are navigating, the pressures of parenting in ministry and how the Church is working to strengthen families. They also explore ways that churches in the West can learn from the resilience and perspectives of the global church. Episode LinksWatch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.Get World Vision’s free resource on parenting: Parenting the Open GenerationView all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

In this enlightening discussion, Lisa Fields, founder of the Jude 3 Project and author of 'When Faith Disappoints,' emphasizes the vital role of pastors in guiding individuals through doubt and deconstruction. She shares actionable insights on fostering spiritual healing and emotional health. Alongside David Kinnaman, they explore the complexities of faith journeys, the significance of empathy in addressing doubt, and the need for safe spaces that encourage hard questions. The conversation highlights how personal narratives can lead to healing within communities, particularly in the context of cultural challenges.

Send us Fan MailRich Villodas sits down with Jennie Allen, founder of IF:Gathering and Gather25, to talk about mobilizing the global church and discipling the next generation. Jennie describes the growing spiritual hunger she’s witnessing across the world, how pastors can help their churches connect with the global movement of God, and why now is the time for believers everywhere to unite in prayer, worship and mission. She also shares the vision behind Gather25, a 25-hour global event that will highlight stories of faith, transformation and evangelism from every continent.Episode LinksWatch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.Learn more about Gather25 at Gather25.com.Explore Barna’s latest research on the next generation at BarnaAccess.com.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Glenn Packiam sits down with Jay Kim, lead pastor of WestGate Church in Silicon Valley, to discuss how to cultivate healthy teams in ministry. Jay shares actionable insights on fostering trust, navigating generational shifts in team dynamics and implementing consistent feedback loops to support growth and alignment for church teams.Episode LinksWatch this episode on Barna’s YouTube Channel.Sign up for the free State of the Church 2025 webcast at StateoftheChurch.com.Learn more about Jay’s books Analog Christian and Analog Church.View all Resilient Pastor podcast episodes on our podcast page.