Welcome back to The Church Resource! In this episode, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass dive deep into one of the most joyful—and sometimes most complicated—parts of church life: Christmas music, hymns, and how we disciple our families and congregations through the songs we sing. The conversation starts lightheartedly with Christmas jackets and motorcycle weather before moving into a fun but meaningful question: What are your top three Christmas hymns? Lucas and Chris share their favorites—from "O Come All Ye Faithful" to "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and the rich, haunting beauty of "O Come O Come Emmanuel." They reflect on what makes these hymns so powerful: their deep theology, the sacred way they're written, and the way they invite us to slow down and remember the birth of Christ. From there, the episode explores why Christmas hymns feel so precious. While modern worship often tries to stay relevant, Christmas season pushes us back toward songs that are timeless, sacred, and focused on the incarnation. Lucas wonders aloud what it would look like if churches approached a random Sunday in August with the same reverence they bring to a candlelight service. Chris emphasizes how Christmas hymns point to a single, extraordinary moment in history—the arrival of the Savior. Then things get interesting as the guys shift to the opposite extreme: Which Christmas songs do you absolutely dislike? Whether it's "Santa Baby," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," Paul McCartney's "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time," or the guilt-filled "Do They Know It's Christmas," Lucas and Chris talk candidly about why some songs drain the joy right out of the season. This leads to a deeper, more thoughtful discussion about how the songs we sing shape our families. Lucas shares a moment when he realized he'd been teaching his toddler the lyrics to "O Christmas Tree"… only to discover how much of the song essentially praises the tree itself. Together, they unpack how easy it is for "seasonal" songs to overshadow the Savior—and why parents and church leaders should be intentional about what messages they reinforce through music. Chris encourages parents to curate what's sung at home just as intentionally as what's sung in the church. While not every seasonal song is harmful, some subtly shift the focus from worshiping the Creator to celebrating the creation. They reflect on how maturity, parenting, and spiritual growth naturally make us more discerning about lyrics and their impact on the hearts of our kids and congregations. As the episode closes, Lucas and Chris return to what makes Christmas hymns truly beautiful: they center our worship on Christ, connect us with generations of believers before us, and remind us of the miracle of the incarnation. Whatever you sing this Christmas—at home, at church, or with your family—choose songs that keep the focus where it belongs: on the Savior, not just the season. Have a topic you want us to cover? Email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com

Welcome back to The Church Resource! In today's episode, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass jump into a fun but meaningful conversation about holiday traditions, Advent rhythms, volunteer burnout, and how churches can navigate the busiest season of the year with wisdom and joy. As Christmas approaches, Lucas and Chris take a lighthearted detour—starting with a joking debate on the "real" birthday of Jesus—before diving deep into how churches can better serve their congregations during the holidays. They share their own experiences as pastors, including what they learned the last time Christmas fell on a Sunday and how different churches choose to structure services when family expectations, volunteer fatigue, and tradition all collide. Lucas reflects on a mentor's advice that when Christmas falls on a Sunday, the church family should be celebrated in a big way—not minimized. Chris offers insight into how his congregation at Antioch approaches Advent with flexibility, creativity, and a focus on breathing room instead of burnout. From Christmas plays and concerts to simplified worship gatherings, they talk about how traditions shift as congregations grow, change, and welcome new generations. One major theme in this episode is the overlooked power of building relationships during the holiday season. Whether it's Christmas parties, Sunday school gatherings, or simply inviting fringe members back into the fold, Lucas and Chris highlight the natural opportunities churches have to reconnect with people who may be drifting or overwhelmed. They challenge leaders to think intentionally about hospitality and to leverage the goodwill of the season. Another important topic they unpack is the growing trend of churches canceling the Sunday service between Christmas and New Year's. Lucas expresses concerns about the message that sends to visitors and the community, while Chris emphasizes the importance of keeping the doors open—perhaps with a simplified service—but remaining faithful to the church's mission to preach the gospel. Together, they explore the balance between caring for volunteers and staying committed to congregational worship. The episode also includes practical encouragement for leaders navigating end-of-year exhaustion. The hosts discuss volunteer appreciation events and why holding them off-site can make a significant difference in helping people feel genuinely valued. Whether it's renting a banquet room, hosting a meal, or planning a simple night out, Chris explains how showing intentional appreciation can refresh your core teams heading into a new year. Ultimately, this conversation is all about finding a healthy rhythm that honors your congregation, encourages your people, avoids burnout, and keeps the focus on Christ. Lucas and Chris remind us that shepherding well means loving well—even in the busiest season of ministry. Have a topic you want us to cover? Email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com

Welcome back to The Church Resource, the podcast where we help pastors, church leaders, and everyday believers discover the best tools, ideas, and insights for faithful ministry in today's world. Hosted by Pastor Lucas Pinckard (the self-proclaimed "World's Okayest Pastor") and joined by the ever-insightful Dr. Chris Respass, this week's episode digs deep into one of the most practical and important questions facing church communicators: How do we use secular or contemporary resources responsibly in preaching and teaching—without losing focus on Scripture?

In our last episode, we explored the value of historical resources like Josephus, Herodotus, or ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle—tools that help give context to biblical events while reminding us that the Bible is always the best commentary on itself.

This week, we turn our attention to contemporary secular resources—modern books, statistics, and cultural studies—and discuss how pastors can use them wisely to understand and engage the culture they minister in. Dr. Chris Respass explains how he often uses statistics or articles from sources like Psychology Today or Pew Research as introductions or transitions in sermons, helping listeners connect biblical truth to real-world issues like mental health or anxiety.

But as both Lucas and Chris remind us, there's a fine line between using data to illustrate the truth and letting data replace the truth. Statistics, research, and cultural commentary are helpful tools—but God's Word must always remain the primary authority. Pastor Lucas shares candidly about his own struggle with leaning too heavily on stats to make a sermon point, only to feel the Spirit remind him: "My Word is sufficient."

The two also discuss the danger of misinformation and how easily false "facts" spread online. A simple viral graphic can lead millions astray if not checked against reliable sources. As pastors and teachers, it's vital to vet every source before sharing it from the pulpit.

Later in the episode, the conversation turns practical and philosophical—how do pastors know when it's time to address cultural issues directly, and when to simply preach the Word and trust the Spirit to make the connection? Dr. Chris Respass offers wisdom about knowing the "off-ramp" — the moment when a secular resource should point back to Scripture rather than dominate the sermon.

They also explore examples like Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation—a secular work that inadvertently affirms biblical principles about peace, spiritual practices, and anxiety. Using such resources can illuminate truth for our congregations, but only if we keep the gospel at the center.

In the end, the takeaway is clear: use resources to engage culture, but never replace the Word with the world. Whether you're a new preacher or a seasoned pastor, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you stay grounded, biblical, and effective in today's information-driven age.

If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com