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 years

AI 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 Conversation

00:57 — Welcome to Trends with Truth

02:42 — When Did We First Start Using AI?

05:19 — Is AI Just Another Tool?

06:19 — Churches Have Been Here Before

08:15 — How Are Ministers Actually Using AI?

09:51 — The #1 Use of AI by Preachers

12:17 — Using AI for Bible Study and Research

14:15 — AI Assistance vs. AI-Written Sermons

15:43 — When Does the Tool Become the Boss?

17:29 — Why AI Sermons Still Feel Different

18:28 — The Human Element AI Cannot Replace

19:31 — Graphics and Social Media

20:17 — Where Ministry AI Is Headed Next

21:49 — Should Church Members Be Concerned?

23:01 — AI Adoption Has Happened Fast

24:01 — What Would Past Preachers Have Done With AI?

KEYWORDS:

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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 schedules

Why written policies can help—but cannot replace trust

How flexibility can become confusion when communication breaks down

Why elders should initiate difficult conversations before frustration builds

How one critical church member can damage trust between leadership and a minister

Why young ministers need clear expectations from the beginning

Why ministers should discuss comp time before accepting a position

The long-term danger of sacrificing your spouse and children for ministry

Why rest is not simply about the minister—it may be something his family desperately needs

One 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 Different

01:46 What Is a Qualitative Survey?

02:09 Asking Youth Ministers About Comp Time

04:14 When Ministry Becomes Unsustainable

06:12 Why Rest Matters in Ministry

06:50 Why Youth Ministry Is Different

07:21 How Youth Ministry Has Changed

08:06 A Four-Day Trip Isn’t a 9-to-5 Job

09:04 How Should Churches Handle Comp Time?

09:32 Nearly Two-Thirds Have No Clear Policy

10:06 Why Churches Often Have No Policy

10:26 Comp Time Comes Down to Trust

11:23 Policy vs. Flexibility

12:32 When Flexibility Becomes a Problem

13:40 When Policy Becomes Control

14:18 Why Elders Should Start the Conversation

15:03 Building Trust Between Elders and Ministers

16:26 Don’t Let One Member Destroy the Relationship

17:30 The Sign That Trust Is Breaking Down

18:21 Why Elders and Ministers See Things Differently

19:34 Ministry Is a Calling—but It Is Also a Job

20:49 A Smart Habit for Young Ministers

21:51 Discuss Comp Time Before Taking the Job

23:02 Why Ministers Feel Guilty Taking Time Off

23:22 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 families

This 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 Truth
00:39 — Welcome & Introduction
01:23 — One of the Biggest Questions Ministers Ask
03:05 — Why Insurance Affects Staying in Ministry
04:22 — Should Churches Be Providing Insurance?
05:26 — Only 17 of 240 Ministers Receive Church-Provided Insurance
06:24 — When a Spouse Has to Provide the Insurance
07:23 — Ministers Taking Second Jobs for Benefits
08:47 — Do Churches Simply Not Realize the Problem?
09:52 — Why Providing Insurance Can Be Complicated
11:13 — The Impact on Ministers’ Wives and Families
12:11 — Churches Can Figure Out Hard Problems
14:14 — Could There Be an Insurance Program for Ministers?
15:00 — Don’t Make Ministers Feel Guilty for Asking
15:59 — Why Ministry Gets Treated Differently Than Other Jobs
17:25 — Taking Care of Ministers Makes Churches Stronger
17:46 — One Medical Crisis Can Change Everything
18:59 — Insurance Is a Major Financial Concern
19:41 — Have Ministers Simply Learned to Live With It?
20:04 — Insurance as Ministry Support, Not Just Compensation
20:56 — Elders: Revisit Your Minister’s Benefits
22:06 — Rising Deductibles and Hidden Costs
22:54 — The Bottom Line

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Are Churches of Christ losing confidence in the Bible?

You may hear that Christianity is declining, younger ministers are abandoning biblical authority, or churches no longer believe Scripture is truly inspired.

But what does the data actually say?

In this episode of Trends with Truth, Dr. Michael Jackson, Dale Jenkins, and Jeff Jenkins examine new survey results from ministers and preachers in Churches of Christ—and the findings challenge some of the loudest narratives being repeated today.

Among survey respondents:

• 94.4% affirmed the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God and fully authoritative.
• Among preachers, that number rose to 95.7%.
• 93% affirmed that Scripture is without error in all that it affirms.
• Nearly 95% said they are very confident in their belief in biblical inspiration.

Even more encouraging: these convictions remain strong across generations, including younger ministers.

The conversation goes beyond the numbers to ask a much bigger question:

What happens to the church when confidence in Scripture begins to erode?

Because our beliefs about baptism, worship, church leadership, doctrine, and Christian living ultimately come back to one foundational issue:

What do we believe about the authority of the Bible?

This episode offers a hopeful—and data-driven—look at the state of biblical conviction among Churches of Christ today.

If you value thoughtful conversations about the church grounded in real data rather than anecdotes, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome to Trends with Truth
02:13 — Is Christianity Really Dying?
03:42 — What Do Ministers Believe About Scripture?
04:33 — Why This Survey Matters
05:16 — Biblical Authority in American Christianity
07:00 — What Churches of Christ Ministers Said
07:22 — 94.4% Affirm Biblical Inspiration
08:12 — 95.7% of Preachers Affirm Biblical Authority
08:39 — Are Negative Narratives Misleading Us?
10:33 — Is the Bible Without Error?
10:59 — Original Manuscripts vs. Translations
11:42 — Confidence in Biblical Inspiration
13:18 — Do Preachers Address Challenges to Scripture?
14:21 — Doctrine and the Authority of Scripture
15:41 — Why These Results Give Hope
16:39 — The Danger of Losing Confidence in Scripture
17:03 — What Younger Preachers Believe
18:30 — Some Convictions Should Not Change
19:06 — Teaching Biblical Authority to the Next Generation
20:08 — Will Preachers Still Believe This 100 Years From Now?
20:56 — Closing Thoughts

KEYWORDS

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HASHTAGS

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Are Churches of Christ abandoning the belief that baptism is essential for salvation? The perception may be widespread—but the actual data tells a very different story.In this episode of Trends with Truth, Dr. Michael D. Jackson joins Dale Jenkins and Jeff Jenkins to examine survey results showing that 93% of respondents believe baptism is absolutely essential for salvation.The conversation goes beyond the headline number to explore an important distinction: Has the theology really changed, or have congregations simply changed the way they communicate the gospel and invite people to respond?Michael, Dale, and Jeff discuss:• Why the loudest voices do not always represent the majority• Whether Churches of Christ are truly becoming divided over baptism• Why some congregations no longer extend a traditional invitation at every service• The difference between changing the gospel and changing our methods• Creative ways churches are giving people opportunities to respond• Why many baptisms now happen outside regular worship assemblies• The growth of personal Bible studies, friendship evangelism, camps, and small groups• What elders should consider when discussing invitations with their ministers• Why baptism must continue to be emphasized even when methods changeThe numbers reveal remarkable agreement across Churches of Christ—but they also raise a serious warning: what congregations fail to emphasize today may no longer be practiced tomorrow.Trends with Truth examines the real beliefs, challenges, and ministry practices found throughout Churches of Christ. Rather than relying on assumptions, anecdotes, or the loudest voices online, the program follows the evidence and asks what the findings mean for congregations, ministers, elders, and Christians.Hosted by Dr. Michael D. Jackson with Dale Jenkins and Jeff Jenkins.Subscribe, share this episode, and join the conversation:Do you believe Churches of Christ are preaching and teaching enough about baptism today? Has the message changed—or only the method?CHAPTERS:00:00 – Trends with Truth Opening00:29 – Welcome with Michael Jackson, Dale Jenkins, and Jeff Jenkins00:57 – How the Jenkins Institute Surveys Began02:34 – Why the Surveys Remain Open03:15 – Survey Data Versus False Narratives04:59 – Are Churches of Christ Moving Away from Baptism?05:59 – 93% Say Baptism Is Absolutely Essential06:26 – Why the Perception Is Different from the Reality08:41 – What the Results Reveal About Unity09:48 – Has the Theology Changed—or Just the Language?10:58 – Is an Invitation Offered at Every Worship Service?12:42 – Changing the Method Without Changing the Message15:16 – When a Gospel Invitation Is Especially Important16:26 – Creative Ways to Invite People to Respond17:23 – What Elders Should Consider18:47 – Text Responses and Alternative Invitation Methods19:21 – Why Baptisms Are Happening Outside Worship Services20:40 – Personal Bible Studies and Friendship Evangelism21:43 – What We Emphasize Will Be Practiced22:41 – Gen Z, Privacy, and Future Conversations23:16 – Closing ThoughtsKEYWORDS:Churches of Christ baptism, Church of Christ baptism, baptism essential for salvation, is baptism necessary for salvation, baptism and salvation, Christian baptism, plan of salvation, gospel invitation, invitation song, Churches of Christ beliefs, Church of Christ doctrine, baptism survey, church trends, Christian research, religious survey, baptism in the Bible, biblical baptism, Acts 2 38, Mark 16 16, elders and ministers, personal evangelism, one on one Bible study, friendship evangelism, church leadership, Jenkins Institute, Heritage Christian University, Michael Jackson HCU, Dale Jenkins, Jeff Jenkins, Trends with Truth podcastHASHTAGS:#ChurchesOfChrist #Baptism #ChristianPodcast #ChurchLeadership #BiblicalTruth #TrendsWithTruth

Do preachers really only work one or two days a week?In Episode 5 of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dr. Michael D. Jackson and Dale Jenkins welcome Jeff Jenkins to examine what the numbers reveal about the real workload of ministers.Based on survey responses from approximately 250 ministers, the results challenge several common assumptions about preaching and ministry.About one in five full-time ministers reported working a second job. Many said they work more than 40 hours each week in ministry, while others reported working 50 hours or more—before considering hospital visits, emergencies, counseling, funerals, family crises, and the reality of always being on call.The conversation also explores an important tension: ministry can be demanding and deeply fulfilling, but busyness is not the same thing as faithfulness.The hosts discuss:• How many hours ministers actually work• Why some full-time preachers need second jobs• The growing burden of health insurance• Why ministry rarely follows a predictable schedule• The difference between hard work and unhealthy overwork• Minister burnout and emotional exhaustion• The importance of protecting marriage and family• How elders can better understand and support ministers• Why ministers must continually reevaluate their responsibilitiesWhether you are a preacher, elder, ministry student, church leader, or member of a local congregation, this episode offers an honest look behind the sermon and into the daily realities of ministry.Every number has a name.Every church has a story.This is Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ.Subscribe for new episodes examining the trends, challenges, and realities shaping Churches of Christ today.Chapters:00:00 – Every Number Has a Name00:33 – Welcome to Episode 500:59 – A Special Guinness World Records Gift01:21 – Introducing Jeff Jenkins02:09 – What the Minister Survey Revealed02:41 – “Preachers Only Work Two Days a Week”04:10 – Misconceptions About a Minister’s Schedule04:36 – Why Preachers Need Vacations Too04:52 – Ministers Working Second Jobs05:24 – Working 20–50 Additional Hours06:22 – Why Some Preachers Are Bivocational06:53 – Insurance and Financial Pressure07:25 – How Many Hours Do Ministers Work?08:21 – The Reality of Being Always on Call09:31 – Are Ministers Happy in Their Work?10:23 – The Missing Data Behind the Happiness Statistic11:26 – Most Ministers Are Hardworking11:58 – What Does “Full-Time Minister” Mean?12:41 – Ministry Is a Job of Interruptions13:18 – Why Every Day in Ministry Is Different14:13 – Unexpected Responsibilities of Preachers15:16 – When the Preacher Also Cuts the Grass15:58 – Learning to Be Flexible in Ministry16:48 – When Emergencies Interrupt Sermon Preparation17:24 – The Senator and the Toilet Paper Delivery18:18 – Busyness Is Not Faithfulness18:54 – Should We Be Concerned About Burnout?19:46 – When Ministry Hurts Marriage and Family20:17 – A Minister’s First Responsibility20:47 – Loving the Work Without Worshiping Work21:28 – What Ministers Should Stop and Start Doing22:14 – How Elders Can Better Support Preachers22:57 – Final Thoughts

Why does someone decide to become a preacher—and why are fewer young men choosing ministry today?In Episode 3 of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael Jackson examine the results of a 2026 survey asking ministers one important question: Why did you enter ministry?The answers reveal some surprising trends.A love for Scripture ranked higher than a sense of “calling.” Mentors had more influence than parents. And for many ministers, preaching wasn’t part of the original plan at all—doors simply kept opening.This conversation goes beyond statistics. Dale and Michael discuss the growing shortage of preachers, the importance of recognizing spiritual gifts, the powerful influence of mentors, and what churches can do right now to encourage the next generation of ministers.They also address whether artificial intelligence could ever replace the role of a preacher—and why ministry will always require a real person who can listen, teach, encourage, counsel, and walk alongside others.Every preacher has a story. The question is: Who encouraged them to begin?Subscribe to Trends with Truth for honest conversations, meaningful data, and thoughtful analysis about the present and future of churches of Christ.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction00:43 Why do people enter ministry?01:31 Dale Jenkins’ call to preach03:10 Michael Jackson’s path into ministry05:06 Why churches need more preachers07:22 Can AI replace preachers?08:21 The number-one reason ministers begin09:56 Can you preach without loving Scripture?12:03 What elders should ask ministers12:53 Is a preacher really “called”?15:30 Recognizing and developing spiritual gifts17:40 Why mentors matter more than parents19:29 Mentors who keep ministers going21:32 When ministry wasn’t part of the plan22:55 Final challenge to churches23:13 ClosingKEYWORDS:why men become preachers, preacher shortage, churches of Christ ministry, Trends with Truth, Dale Jenkins, Michael Jackson, Heritage Christian University, The Jenkins Institute, ministry survey 2026, calling to ministry, how to become a preacher, preacher mentorship, Christian ministry, church leadership, future of churches of Christ, training young preachers, encouraging young men to preach, love for Scripture, spiritual gifts, ministry careers, preacher development, church statistics, churches of Christ podcast, Christian podcast, Bible ministry, AI and preachingHASHTAGS:#TrendsWithTruth #ChurchesOfChrist #Preaching #ChristianMinistry #ChurchLeadership #BibleStudy #MinistryMentorship #FutureOfTheChurch #HeritageChristianUniversity #TheJenkinsInstitute

Are churches of Christ really losing 85% of their young people? Are three congregations closing every week? Are hundreds of preachers leaving ministry every year?Those statistics are repeated frequently—but are they accurate, properly understood, or even applicable to churches of Christ?In Episode 2 of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, hosts Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael Jackson examine how statistics can help church leaders make wiser decisions—and how misleading numbers can create fear, discouragement, and false assumptions.They discuss the unique challenge of gathering data from autonomous congregations, why denominational statistics cannot automatically be applied to churches of Christ, how survey fatigue affects results, and how artificial intelligence is changing data analysis.You will also hear why statistics should be descriptive rather than prescriptive, why good intentions do not justify bad data, and why elders and ministry leaders need to make data-informed—not data-driven—decisions.Every number represents a person. Every congregation has its own story. The goal is not to manipulate the statistics, but to understand the truth behind them.In this episode::• Are churches of Christ actually declining?• Are we really losing 85% of our young people?• How church statistics become distorted• Why congregational autonomy matters• The danger of statistics driven by an agenda• What congregation closures really mean• Claims about preachers leaving ministry• How many survey responses are enough?• The difference between academic research and actionable church research• How statistics can help elders, ministers, and congregationsWhat church statistic have you heard repeated but never seen properly documented? Share it in the comments. It may become the subject of a future episode.Subscribe for future conversations examining church growth, ministry trends, preacher compensation, congregational health, leadership, and the realities facing churches of Christ.Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ is hosted by Dale Jenkins and Dr. Michael Jackson.CHAPTERS:00:00 Every Number Has a Name00:33 Welcome to Trends with Truth01:21 Why Statistics Matter02:11 Survey Fatigue and Bad Survey Design04:08 How AI Is Changing Data Analysis05:05 Statistics, Agendas, and Partial Truths05:49 Are We Losing 85% of Our Young People?07:17 Why Congregational Autonomy Changes the Data08:08 Why Churches Lose Younger Generations09:11 Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Statistics09:34 Are Three Congregations Closing Every Week?11:04 Are We Losing 300 Preachers Every Year?12:55 Good Intentions Do Not Excuse Bad Data13:17 How Statistics Can Help Churches13:49 What Should Churches Pay Ministers and Speakers?15:09 What Numbers Cannot Do16:38 How Many Survey Responses Are Enough?18:14 Actionable Research vs. Academic Research19:14 Who Is Represented in Church Surveys?20:50 What Is Coming in the Next Episode?KEYWORDS:Trends with Truth, Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ, church of Christ podcast, churches of Christ statistics, churches of Christ decline, church decline, church growth, church statistics, religious statistics, young people leaving church, youth leaving the church, preacher shortage, ministers leaving ministry, church closures, congregational autonomy, autonomous congregations, Christian leadership, church leadership, eldership, church elders, ministry trends, preacher salary, minister compensation, church surveys, survey fatigue, artificial intelligence data analysis, AI and statistics, data-informed leadership, Dale Jenkins, Dr. Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson Heritage Christian University, The Jenkins Institute, Heritage Christian University, church health, future of the churchHASHTAGS:#TrendsWithTruth #ChurchesOfChrist #ChurchLeadership #ChurchGrowth #ChristianPodcast