Are we seeing a decline in future preachers? Join Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael Jackson for a data-driven look at the pulpit.In this episode of Trends with Truth, we examine the current state of church leadership. By looking past assumptions and focusing on real numbers, we analyze how the age of preachers affects local congregations and the future of ministry.This discussion provides a perspective on the generational shifts currently impacting the body of Christ. Whether you are a church leader or a member interested in ministry research, this conversation offers a clear look at the challenges facing the next generation of preachers. We explore how these changing church trends influence the call to service and the growth of our local communities.Subscribe for more weekly ministry insights and let us know in the comments how your congregation is adapting to these changing times.0:00 The Pulpit Age Debate1:07 Why We Survey Preachers2:46 Surprising Survey Results5:34 The Ideal Preacher Profile10:45 Mentorship for Every Generation17:29 The Value of Time-Tested Ministry

Are you a textual preacher or a topical preacher? We asked preachers to describe their preaching in one phrase, and the answers split almost exactly down the middle: "Let's see what this text says" vs. "Let's explore this important topic."

On this episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dale Jenkins (The Jenkins Institute) and Dr. Michael Jackson (President, Heritage Christian University) dig into preaching styles: where the survey came from, the generational trend behind the split (older preachers leaning topical, younger preachers leaning textual and expository), and why Fred Craddock said "the worst kind of preaching is the same kind of preaching."

They also cover:

How mentors and favorite preachers shape your style

How topical preachers can keep every verse in context

Why "creating content" can pull a sermon away from the text

How to keep growing as a preacher, at any age

The feedback that energizes preachers most, and the danger hiding in it

Whether you preach every Sunday, teach a Bible class, or serve as an elder, this conversation will help you think about how you handle God's Word, and how your hearers receive it.

📧 Send us your feedback, questions, and topic ideas: trendswithtruth@gmail.com (and ask for your sticker!)

👍 Like, share, and subscribe for new episodes.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Textual or topical?

1:00 Welcome to Trends with Truth

1:44 Where the preaching survey came from

3:22 Finding your preaching voice

5:56 Describe your preaching in one phrase: a 50/50 split

6:46 The generational trend: topical vs. textual

9:41 "The worst kind of preaching is the same kind of preaching"

11:41 Balancing your style with the congregation's needs

13:21 How mentors shape your preaching style

15:01 Keeping context in topical sermons

16:39 Don't just "create content"

18:54 How preachers keep getting better

19:48 The feedback that energizes preachers

21:30 Closing thoughts

Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ is a production of The Jenkins Institute and Heritage Christian University.

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What should a Christian post online—and when does a “personal” opinion start reflecting on the church?

From politics and public disagreements to preachers, elders, and church Facebook pages, social media has created questions churches can’t afford to ignore.

In this episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dr. Michael D. Jackson and Dale Jenkins look at new survey data surrounding social media use and policies in congregations.

One statistic immediately stands out: 92% of responding churches said they have no social media policy at all.

But does a church actually need one?

Michael and Dale discuss the line between personal expression and Christian influence, why a preacher’s personal social media rarely feels completely “personal,” how political posts can affect relationships within a congregation, and what happens when online disagreements spill over into church life.

They also tackle questions like:

• Should preachers and elders be held to different standards online?

• Does what a minister posts reflect on the congregation?

• When should elders become involved in a member’s social media behavior?

• Are political posts changing minds—or creating more division?

• How should churches handle conflict that begins online?

• Who should control and monitor an official church social media account?

• Would simple guidelines prevent problems before they happen?

The goal isn’t to police every Facebook post. It’s to ask a more important question:

Is what we’re posting helping people see Christ—or getting in the way?

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Should Churches Have Social Media Policies?

01:12 Celebrating Episode 16

02:22 Why Talk About Social Media Now?

03:24 92% of Churches Have No Policy

04:16 Should Churches Review a Preacher’s Social Media?

05:10 Is a Preacher’s Personal Page Really Personal?

05:48 Politics, Opinions & Online Division

06:40 Do Elders and Ministers Have Clear Expectations?

08:28 What Does “Use Good Judgment” Actually Mean?

09:30 Should Elders Be Held to a Higher Standard?

10:49 Has Social Media Caused Church Conflict?

11:54 Why Online Conflict Is Hard to Resolve

13:00 When Public Disagreements Get Bigger

14:14 What Should a Church Social Media Policy Include?

15:28 Clear Rules That Actually Worked

16:25 Harmful Posts vs. Unpopular Opinions

17:42 Rules for Official Church Social Media Accounts

18:50 Moderation, Messages & Missed Opportunities

19:19 Final Thoughts

Trends with Truth looks beyond assumptions and opinions to examine the real trends affecting churches of Christ today.

Like the video, subscribe, and share this episode with elders, ministers, deacons, and church leaders.

Comment below: Should congregations have written social media guidelines?

Want a Trends with Truth sticker? Email trendswithtruth@gmail.com

KEYWORDS

church social media, Christian social media, Christians and social media, church social media policy, churches of Christ, Church of Christ, Christian politics, Christians and politics, social media and the church, preacher social media, minister social media, elders and social media, church leadership, Christian online behavior, church conflict, social media conflict, church communications, Christian witness, Trends with Truth, Heritage Christian University, Dale Jenkins, Michael Jackson HCU

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