Why Churches Are Struggling More and More to Find Staff

In this episode, Thom and Sam tackle a growing challenge for churches across the country: finding qualified staff. What once seemed routine—posting a position and waiting for candidates—has become far more difficult. This conversation explores why the staffing pipeline has narrowed, how outdated assumptions are exacerbating the problem, and why churches that rethink staffing models and develop leaders internally will be better positioned for the future. 1. The traditional training pipeline for local church ministry has shrunk, leaving churches with fewer qualified candidates. 2. Many churches unnecessarily limit their options by overlooking co-vocational staff as a viable long-term solution. 3. Geography has become a primary barrier. Housing affordability, cost of living, quality of schools, healthcare access, and employment opportunities for spouses all factor heavily into whether a move is feasible. 4. Outdated staffing paradigms and unrealistic expectations are driving potential leaders away from church roles. 5. Churches that neglect internal leadership development will continue to struggle, while those that adapt can move from staffing anxiety to new opportunity. ⭐️ Helpful Resources ⭐️ ➡️ Brown Church Development Group - http://churchfacilityexpert.com/ ➡️ Upward Sports - https://www.upward.org/ChurchAnswers/ ➡️ Church Equip - http://www.churchequip.com ➡️ Wesley Biblical Seminary, Master of Ministry - https://wbs.edu/mm ➡️ Church Answers University - https://wbs.edu/cau ➡️ The Hope Initiative - http://www.hopeinitiative.com/ ➡️ Church Answers Platinum Membership - https://churchanswers.com/join/ ➡️ FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights - https://churchanswers.com/new-surpris...