Trends with Truth In Churches of Christ

Are Churches of Christ paying preachers and youth ministers fairly?In this special bonus episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dr. Michael Jackson and Dale Jenkins review the findings from the previous Churches of Christ salary survey—and explain what those numbers reveal about ministry compensation, church priorities, small congregations, bi-vocational preaching, and the future of youth ministry.The newest salary survey is now open, and your participation will help provide better information for churches, elders, ministers, and ministry families.📊 TAKE THE NEW SALARY SURVEY:https://www.thejenkinsinstitute.com/salarysurveyThe more ministers and churches participate, the more useful the data becomes.In this episode, we discuss:• What the previous salary survey revealed• How ministry compensation changed from 2019 to 2024• Why preacher salaries have increased• The significant pay gap between small and large congregations• Whether smaller churches can realistically afford full-time ministers• The growing importance of bi-vocational ministry• Why youth ministry compensation has risen• The importance of retaining qualified youth ministers• What elders should learn from salary data• What ministers should consider when discussing compensation• Why church members should take ministry compensation seriously• How fair pay helps ministers support their families and serve effectivelyThis episode does not present the results of the newest survey. Instead, it reviews the previous survey and invites you to participate in the new one now available through The Jenkins Institute.The survey is about more than money. It is about how churches value ministry, support ministers, care for their families, and prepare for the future.If you are an elder, preacher, youth minister, church member, or ministry student, this is a conversation you need to hear—and the new survey is one you should take.Subscribe to Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ for thoughtful conversations about ministry, church life, leadership, culture, and the future of the church.CHAPTERS:00:00 Every number has a name00:52 Welcome to Trends with Truth01:28 Why the salary survey was created03:26 This is about more than money04:22 Dale’s first ministry salary06:16 The newest salary survey is now open07:20 How the ChurchPay tool works08:00 What the previous survey revealed10:02 Are churches supporting ministers better?12:41 The pay gap between small and large churches14:14 What small churches should consider15:15 The future of bi-vocational ministry16:37 Youth ministry compensation18:40 The importance of retaining youth ministers20:01 What elders should learn20:51 What youth ministers should learn21:48 What church members should understand23:03 Supporting ministers and their families23:25 Take the new surveyKEYWORDS:Churches of Christ salary survey, new preacher salary survey, preacher salary, minister salary, youth minister salary, church salary survey, how much should a preacher make, preacher compensation, ministry compensation, church finances, church leadership, elders and ministers, bi-vocational preacher, small church ministry, youth ministry Churches of Christ, preacher pay, minister benefits, church staff compensation, Trends with Truth, The Jenkins Institute, Dale Jenkins, Michael Jackson, Churches of Christ ministryHASHTAGS:#ChurchesOfChrist #PreacherSalary #MinistryCompensation #YouthMinistry #TrendsWithTruth

For years, a troubling claim has circulated in Churches of Christ: “We’re losing hundreds of preachers every year.”But is it actually true?In this bonus episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael D. Jackson dig beneath the alarming statistics and ask a much bigger question:Do Churches of Christ really have a preacher shortage—or has the ministry landscape simply changed?They discuss why congregations are taking longer to hire ministers, why fewer ministry graduates are choosing traditional pulpit roles, how increased church staffing may actually be creating greater demand, and why better compensation and longer minister tenures could be contributing to the appearance of a shortage.The conversation also turns toward the future: Where will the next generation of gospel preachers come from?Dale and Michael argue that developing ministers cannot simply be left to universities and preaching schools. It begins in local congregations—with parents, elders, preachers, and churches encouraging young men to see ministry as meaningful, joyful, and worth pursuing.This episode challenges assumptions, questions statistics, and offers a more hopeful picture of what may actually be happening in ministry today.00:00 The claim that Churches of Christ are losing 600 preachers a year00:56 Welcome to Trends with Truth01:38 Where did the preacher-shortage statistic come from?03:10 How statistics become accepted church narratives04:21 Are churches actually struggling to find preachers?06:20 Why churches are taking longer to hire ministers08:19 Finding the right personality and congregational fit09:15 Better preacher salaries may be changing the market10:45 How the pandemic affected churches and minister compensation11:22 More ministry positions means greater demand12:08 Why fewer ministry graduates enter pulpit ministry13:00 The growth of youth and associate ministry positions13:58 Are more preachers retiring?14:22 Why this may actually be an optimistic problem15:19 Are we training more ministers than ever before?16:06 Why younger ministers are changing careers17:21 Who is responsible for training future preachers?18:02 Why ministry recruitment should begin in middle school19:24 Give young men opportunities to preach and lead19:44 Make ministry look worth pursuing20:17 Final thoughtspreacher shortage, preacher shortage Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ preachers, church of Christ preacher shortage, ministry shortage, minister shortage, Churches of Christ ministry, gospel preacher, preaching ministry, pulpit minister, Christian ministry, ministry recruitment, preacher training, Heritage Christian University, Dale Jenkins, Michael D Jackson, Dr Michael Jackson, Jenkins Institute, Trends with Truth, Trends with Truth Churches of Christ, church statistics, church trends, ministry statistics, preacher jobs, church of Christ jobs, ministers leaving ministry, future of ministry, training young preachers, pulpit ministry, church leadership, youth ministry, ministry graduates#ChurchesOfChrist #Preaching #Ministry #ChurchLeadership #GospelPreaching #ChristianMinistry #TrendsWithTruthCHAPTERSKEYWORDS

How will AI in ministry change the landscape of our churches? Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael Jackson analyze emerging trends.In this episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael Jackson dig into survey results of church technology revealing how ministers are incorporating AI into their work. The #1 answer may surprise you: sermon preparation and research.But where is the line between using AI as a tool and allowing it to replace the preacher’s own study, thinking, creativity, and ministry?Dale and Michael discuss the opportunities, the dangers, and what AI can—and cannot—do for those preaching and serving in the local church.They also explore:• Why sermon preparation is currently the leading use of AI among ministers• How AI is changing Bible research and sermon development• The danger of letting AI become a substitute for personal study• Why AI-generated sermons still struggle to sound truly human• How ministers are using AI for graphics and social media• Why ministry relationships can never be automated• What churches should understand about ministers using AI• How dramatically ministry technology could change over the next few yearsAI may help a preacher become more efficient, creative, and prepared—but can it ever replace the human element of ministry?That may be the most important question of all.If you enjoy honest conversations about the trends shaping churches of Christ, subscribe, like, and share Trends with Truth.CHAPTERS:00:00 — AI Has Taken Over the Conversation00:57 — Welcome to Trends with Truth02:42 — When Did We First Start Using AI?05:19 — Is AI Just Another Tool?06:19 — Churches Have Been Here Before08:15 — How Are Ministers Actually Using AI?09:51 — The #1 Use of AI by Preachers12:17 — Using AI for Bible Study and Research14:15 — AI Assistance vs. AI-Written Sermons15:43 — When Does the Tool Become the Boss?17:29 — Why AI Sermons Still Feel Different18:28 — The Human Element AI Cannot Replace19:31 — Graphics and Social Media20:17 — Where Ministry AI Is Headed Next21:49 — Should Church Members Be Concerned?23:01 — AI Adoption Has Happened Fast24:01 — What Would Past Preachers Have Done With AI?KEYWORDS:AI in ministry, artificial intelligence in ministry, AI and preaching, AI sermon preparation, preachers using AI, ministers using AI, ChatGPT for pastors, ChatGPT for preachers, ChatGPT sermon preparation, AI Bible study, AI Bible research, artificial intelligence church, church technology, churches of Christ, Church of Christ preaching, Church of Christ ministry, sermon preparation, preacher resources, ministry technology, Christian artificial intelligence, AI generated sermons, AI sermon writing, ethics of AI in ministry, technology and the church, trends in churches of Christ, Trends with Truth, Dale Jenkins, Michael Jackson, Heritage Christian University, Ministry League#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Preaching #SermonPreparation #Ministry #ChurchTechnology #ChurchesOfChrist #BibleStudy #ChristianMinistry #ChatGPT #TrendsWithTruth

Youth ministry doesn’t fit neatly into a 40-hour workweek.Camps. Retreats. Mission trips. Conferences. Late nights. Weekends away. Constant responsibility for other people’s children.So what happens when a youth minister works four straight days away from home—or loses 10, 12, even more weekends in a year?In this episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael Jackson examine a qualitative survey on comp time for youth ministers. But the conversation quickly reveals that this issue is about much more than days off.It’s about trust between elders and ministers, communication, family, expectations, burnout, and whether ministry is sustainable for the long haul.The survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents reported having no clear policy regarding compensatory time. Many simply take time when they need it. Others rarely take it at all—and some admitted feeling guilty when they do.Dale and Michael discuss:Why youth ministry schedules are fundamentally different from traditional work schedulesWhy written policies can help—but cannot replace trustHow flexibility can become confusion when communication breaks downWhy elders should initiate difficult conversations before frustration buildsHow one critical church member can damage trust between leadership and a ministerWhy young ministers need clear expectations from the beginningWhy ministers should discuss comp time before accepting a positionThe long-term danger of sacrificing your spouse and children for ministryWhy rest is not simply about the minister—it may be something his family desperately needsOne of the most important observations in the episode:You may know trust is beginning to break down when you keep putting off a conversation that needs to happen.This conversation should be heard by elders, youth ministers, preachers, ministry leaders, and anyone involved in hiring or supervising church staff.If churches want ministers who remain healthy, effective, and faithful for decades, then conversations about workload, expectations, rest, and family cannot be ignored.Subscribe to Heritage Christian University and follow Trends with Truth for honest conversations about what is actually happening in Churches of Christ.Chapters:00:00 Why This Survey Is Different01:46 What Is a Qualitative Survey?02:09 Asking Youth Ministers About Comp Time04:14 When Ministry Becomes Unsustainable06:12 Why Rest Matters in Ministry06:50 Why Youth Ministry Is Different07:21 How Youth Ministry Has Changed08:06 A Four-Day Trip Isn’t a 9-to-5 Job09:04 How Should Churches Handle Comp Time?09:32 Nearly Two-Thirds Have No Clear Policy10:06 Why Churches Often Have No Policy10:26 Comp Time Comes Down to Trust11:23 Policy vs. Flexibility12:32 When Flexibility Becomes a Problem13:40 When Policy Becomes Control14:18 Why Elders Should Start the Conversation15:03 Building Trust Between Elders and Ministers16:26 Don’t Let One Member Destroy the Relationship17:30 The Sign That Trust Is Breaking Down18:21 Why Elders and Ministers See Things Differently19:34 Ministry Is a Calling—but It Is Also a Job20:49 A Smart Habit for Young Ministers21:51 Discuss Comp Time Before Taking the Job23:02 Why Ministers Feel Guilty Taking Time Off23:22 Your Family May Need the Time More Than You Do

Only 17 out of 240 ministers surveyed said their congregation provides their health insurance.That number stopped us in our tracks.In this episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dale Jenkins, Dr. Michael Jackson, and Jeff Jenkins tackle an issue that rarely gets discussed openly: health insurance for ministers—and what happens when churches don’t provide it.This conversation goes far beyond insurance premiums.When a minister has to rely on a spouse’s job for coverage, take a second job, accept an enormous deductible, or go without insurance altogether, the consequences can affect his family, stress level, effectiveness, and even whether he stays in ministry.The question for church leaders is bigger than, “Do we provide insurance?”It is:Are we creating a situation where our ministers can realistically afford to stay in ministry?In this episode, we discuss:• Why only about 7% of surveyed ministers reported receiving church-provided insurance• Why so many ministry families depend on a spouse’s employer for coverage• Ministers taking second jobs simply to afford healthcare• Why insurance should be viewed as ministry support, not just compensation• The financial pressure that can drive good ministers out of ministry• Why elders should regularly reevaluate salary, insurance, deductibles, and benefits• The difficulty churches face trying to establish health insurance plans• Why ministers should never be made to feel guilty for trying to protect their familiesThis is an especially important conversation for elders, church leaders, ministers, search committees, and anyone involved in determining minister compensation.A church may say it wants to keep a good minister for twenty years—but the way it structures compensation and benefits may make that impossible.Every number has a name.Every church has a story.Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ looks beneath the statistics to understand what is actually happening in ministry and congregational life.00:00 — Trends with Truth00:39 — Welcome & Introduction01:23 — One of the Biggest Questions Ministers Ask03:05 — Why Insurance Affects Staying in Ministry04:22 — Should Churches Be Providing Insurance?05:26 — Only 17 of 240 Ministers Receive Church-Provided Insurance06:24 — When a Spouse Has to Provide the Insurance07:23 — Ministers Taking Second Jobs for Benefits08:47 — Do Churches Simply Not Realize the Problem?09:52 — Why Providing Insurance Can Be Complicated11:13 — The Impact on Ministers’ Wives and Families12:11 — Churches Can Figure Out Hard Problems14:14 — Could There Be an Insurance Program for Ministers?15:00 — Don’t Make Ministers Feel Guilty for Asking15:59 — Why Ministry Gets Treated Differently Than Other Jobs17:25 — Taking Care of Ministers Makes Churches Stronger17:46 — One Medical Crisis Can Change Everything18:59 — Insurance Is a Major Financial Concern19:41 — Have Ministers Simply Learned to Live With It?20:04 — Insurance as Ministry Support, Not Just Compensation20:56 — Elders: Revisit Your Minister’s Benefits22:06 — Rising Deductibles and Hidden Costs22:54 — The Bottom Linechurches of Christ, Church of Christ, churches of Christ ministers, preacher health insurance, minister health insurance, preacher salary, minister compensation, church employee benefits, church leadership, elders Church of Christ, preacher compensation, preacher benefits, ministry burnout, ministers leaving ministry, ministry retention, preacher family, church staffing, church finances, church budget, elder leadership, congregational leadership, Jenkins Institute, Heritage Christian University, Trends with Truth, Dale Jenkins, Jeff Jenkins, Michael Jackson Heritage Christian University,#ChurchesOfChrist #ChurchLeadership #Ministry #Preachers #ChurchOfChrist #Elders #MinistryLeadership #ChurchGrowth #PreacherLife #MinistryMatters #TrendsWithTruth #JenkinsInstitute #HeritageChristianUniversity