What does it really mean for a church to know and serve its community? In this episode of The Church Resource Podcast, Lucas Pinckard—proudly identifying as the "world's okayest pastor"—sits down with Dr. Chris Respass to unpack one of the most practical and often overlooked principles of effective ministry: executing the community. Building on ideas introduced by Mark Clifton, Lucas and Chris explore how easy it is for pastors and church leaders to become immersed in church culture while unintentionally losing touch with the people right outside their doors. Church growth books, conferences, and email newsletters often assume a metropolitan, walkable, high-density context—but most churches don't fit that mold. When leaders fail to account for their unique setting, even well-intentioned strategies can miss the mark. Executing the community means paying close attention to where God has placed your church. It's understanding demographics like age, ethnicity, income, education, and family structure, but it also goes deeper—recognizing housing trends, school locations, emerging needs, and even who isn't represented in the community. Chris explains how ministry effectiveness increases when churches stop forcing models that don't fit and start responding to what's actually happening around them. Throughout the episode, the hosts share real-life examples of how executing the community shapes ministry decisions. From deciding whether a church should be an "oasis" for insiders or an "outpost" for the kingdom, to choosing not to duplicate services already provided by schools or local organizations, the conversation emphasizes stewardship, humility, and collaboration. Rather than reinventing the wheel, healthy churches partner with community groups already doing good work and ask a simple but powerful question: How can we help? The discussion also highlights how understanding the community impacts everything from outreach to preaching. Chris shares how adapting sermon illustrations, references, and communication styles helped bridge generational gaps within the congregation. Small touches—cultural references, shared experiences, or even a familiar TV theme song—can go a long way in helping people feel seen, understood, and connected to one another. Lucas and Chris also address the pastoral responsibility of shepherding individuals and families by staying informed about real challenges in the community. Whether it's substance abuse, mental health struggles, parenting concerns, or aging-related issues, churches can create safe spaces for conversations, education, and care. Often, meeting practical needs opens doors for deeper trust, discipleship, and gospel conversations. At the heart of the episode is a call to intentional presence. Executing the community isn't about chasing trends or responding to every headline—it's about prayerfully paying attention, using church resources wisely, and showing up consistently. When churches do this well, they not only serve their neighbors more effectively, they become places people trust and invite others into. If you're a pastor, ministry leader, or church volunteer wondering how to make your church more connected to its surroundings, this episode offers practical wisdom, honest reflection, and a compelling reminder: the mission field is often right across the street. If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com

As the Christmas season winds down and a new year approaches, pastors and church leaders everywhere feel the familiar pressure to answer a big question: What's the vision for next year? In this episode of The Church Resource Podcast, hosts Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass have an honest, thoughtful, and occasionally humorous conversation about vision casting, goal setting, and why the church may not need another "new thing" after all. Lucas and Chris begin by acknowledging a reality many leaders quietly live with—most churches aren't planning years in advance. While large publishing organizations may have multi-year calendars mapped out, many pastors are navigating vision closer to the turn of the year, often guided by budget timelines and real-life ministry demands. And that's not a failure—it's normal. From there, the conversation shifts to the tension churches feel between novelty and faithfulness. Why do people expect a new theme, a fresh slogan, or a "word of the year" every January? And what happens when that excitement fades as quickly as it arrives? Drawing from Scripture, pastoral experience, and insights on church growth, Chris explains that churches don't plateau because they lack creativity, but because they drift away from two foundational commitments: faithful preaching of the gospel and clear, consistent vision. Rather than advocating for flashy programs or personality-driven momentum, the hosts emphasize resetting the church's vision—reminding people who they are, why they exist, and what God has already called them to do. Preach the gospel. Love one another. Do good works. Make disciples. These practices may not feel exciting, but they are powerful when done with discipline and intentionality. The episode also explores the role of goals in ministry. Using baptism as an example, Chris explains that setting goals isn't about manipulating outcomes or putting limits on the Holy Spirit. Instead, goals help leaders work backward to identify faithful actions—prayer, relationship-building, and gospel conversations—that create space for God to work. The metric isn't the mission; it's a tool for clarity. Lucas and Chris also discuss the dangers of consumerism in church culture, especially in metropolitan areas where people have endless options. When churches compete to appear innovative, they risk neglecting the slow, relational work that actually leads to lasting growth. As they note, spiritual formation is a marathon, not a sprint—and progress often becomes visible only over time. The episode closes with practical wisdom for young pastors preparing to preach vision-focused sermons at the beginning of the year. Chris offers straightforward counsel: pray, immerse yourself in Scripture, take inventory of past challenges and missed opportunities, communicate clearly and simply, and don't feel pressured to reinvent the vision every January. Sometimes God's plan extends well beyond a single year. If you're a pastor, church leader, or ministry volunteer feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to innovate, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: faithfulness, clarity, and discipline still matter—and they still work. Have a topic you want us to cover? Email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com

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