Major update to Carey's 2025 church trends with stunning new data. Gen Z church attendance has quadrupled (4% to 16%), with young men leading at 21%. US data shows similar revival patterns.

Meanwhile, AI therapy/companionship has become the #1 use for ChatGPT, potentially worsening the mental health crisis.

In this episode, Carey shares updates on the 2025 disruptive church trends and what it means for your church.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

GLOO+

Gloo+ gives you 15,000 texting credits every month—yep, every month—so you can show up consistently without breaking the bank.

If meaningful connection matters to you (and I know it does), Gloo+ is your next best step. Head over to gloo.com/plus and start leading with clarity today.

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network

Max Lucado talks about his new role at Gateway Church, how to carry the trauma and disappointment of a congregation after the senior pastor has breached trust, how to know if and when you've crossed a moral line that requires resignation, and how to tame your thought life.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

Spire Conference

SpireConference is a transformative event tailored to empower and encourage leaders like you—through inspiring speakers—such as Max Lucado and Kyle Idleman—practical content, topical breakout sessions, meaningful connections, and more!

Use code CAREY for $50 off each ticket.

http://spireconference.gloo.com/

Subsplash

Never miss an opportunity to engage your community instantly—with Subsplash Tap—now a part of the only integrated platform designed to simplify next steps.

Go to subsplash.com/carey to save $500 when you sign up.

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network

What if our culture’s biggest crisis isn’t political, but spiritual and relational?

New York Times columnist, bestselling author, and Atlantic columnist David Brooks talks about how American culture has changed in our lifetime and why he thinks it's overpoliticized and undermoralized.

Plus, he shares how he became a Christian, his friendship with Tim Keller, and why he writes for 5 hours to get 1200 words each day.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

CHURCH PULSE

Church Pulse is free, and gives pastors real-time insight into the hearts and habits of their congregation—how people are feeling, what they're struggling with, and what they’re looking for from their church right now.

http://stateofthechurch.com/

The Summit, happening August 7-8, delivers two powerful days with world-class faculty speaking into the real challenges you face as a church leader.

Head to globalleadership.org/summit and enter GLS25CAREY at checkout for 10% off.

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network

There's nothing like honesty when it comes to hearing people's stories. CCV Lead Pastor Ashley Wooldridge returns to the podcast with his wife, Jaime.

In a raw conversation, they open up about their first decade of marriage in corporate life, how that almost did them in as a couple, and how a journey into radical generosity transformed their marriage and their ministry at CCV.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

COMPASSION

Visit my friends at Compassion International to learn how you can grow YOUR compassion today. Find out more at www.compassion.com/carey.

SPIRE CONFERENCE

Give your church staff a place to learn, grow, and build momentum together as you hear from inspiring speakers—like Max Lucado and Kyle Idleman, hold intentional conversations, and discover practical insights.

Spire Conference is happening in Louisville, Kentucky this September.

Use code CAREY for $50 off each ticket at spireconference.gloo.com

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network

Lessons from one of America's fastest-growing and largest churches, Christ Church of the Valley (CCV). Senior Pastor Ashley Wooldridge talks about lessons he learned from a decade at Intel before working at a church, how teamwork trumps talent, EQ as a key to success, and why the pastor can't be the product.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

GLOO+

With the New Movers Program, Gloo+ makes it easy to send up to 50 personalized postcards each month to families who’ve just moved nearby.

Activate your New Movers Program today by signing up for Gloo+ at gloo.com/glooplus.

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

The Summit, happening August 7-8, delivers two powerful days with world-class faculty speaking into the real challenges you face as a church leader.

Head to globalleadership.org/summit and enter GLS25CAREY at checkout for 10% off.

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network

Derwin Gray talks about toxic masculinity and how it plays out in the NFL, the culture, and the church.

Plus, insights on using ministry to heal childhood wounds and the challenge of finding the right staff in a growing church.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

STATE OF THE CHURCH

From mental health, to Gen Z, to new apologetics, learn more about the research coming out of The State of the Church.

BELAY

Download BELAY’s free guide today: 5 Blind Spots That Sink Your Leadership. With this resource, you’ll learn how to navigate these leadership landmines with strength and confidence.

Upward Sports

Get your church outside its walls and into real connection with people. Right now is the perfect time to start thinking about a winter sport or planning for 2026. Learn more about what Upward sports has to offer at Upward.org/carey

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network

Fact: Many churches with facilities and money lack people, while churches with people often lack facilities and funds. In this episode, Carey Nieuwhof argues why dying churches should transfer their buildings to growing congregations.

He addresses the 5 key objections to this transition and demonstrates why overcoming these barriers creates a win for everyone involved in advancing the Kingdom's mission.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

GLOO WORKFLOWS

Workflows let you automate messages so you can stay connected without doing everything manually.

And the best part? It’s free! Yep—10,000 texts every month, no cost.

Sign up today at gloo.com/messaging and start communicating with ease through automation!

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network

Imagine if your biggest question was, why did our church grow so fast? Jason Mitchell, Lead Pastor of LCBC, talks about what you need to do to see a 280% greater spike in first-time visitors returning to your church, what's changing in preaching, and the emotion of succession.

🔗 Show Notes

📩 On The Rise Newsletter

🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Follow @careynieuwhof

Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork

❗️Connect with other podcast listeners about each episode of my podcast, including me. You'll get exclusive insights by asking questions, sharing insights, and learning how others are applying the content in real life.

Join for free: https://careynieuwhof.com/shownotes

SUBSPLASH

With Subsplash, move from scattered to streamlined—media, giving, apps, messaging, event management—in one platform built for the Church.

Go to subsplash.com/carey to save $500 when you sign up.

Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network