the pastor and the podcaster

I am an experienced church leader and have ministered in various congregations.  A question I have consistently been asked over the last 5 years has to do with the emergence of podcasts.  The questions sound a lot like this:

“Why do so many people in my church listen to podcasts now?”

“What do you think of ____?  Their stuff is popular in my church right now, but I have some concerns.”

“Do you know what____ believes?  I’m trying to figure it out, because it is influencing my congregation.”

There are more, but you get the gist.

I should start this conversation by saying there are MANY good podcasts these days, but given the stagerring amount of information out there, this will hopefully help us discern better what we listen to as Christians.

What the numbers say

In our digital age, Christian podcasting has exploded in popularity.   A recent study (Click HERE for study) shows that in 2023, there were over 50 million podcasts, and the number is skyrocketing.  As of 2024, 67% of Americans engaged with a podcast, an increase of 64% from 2023.  It is estimated that by 2026, the number of podcast listeners will have grown worldwide to 619 million.

How much are people engaging with podcasts?  34% of Americans who engaged with a podcast last week listened to an average of 8.3 episodes throughout the week, and 23% spend over 10 hours a week listening to podcast content.  I had no idea it was so high.  It is the second most popular entertainment activity among U.S. adults, listed right after playing video games.

Researchers have found that most podcasts were listened to while doing work around the house (49%), followed by commuting to work (42%).  Women are most likely to listen to episodes while cooking and baking (35%). In comparison, men prefer to listen while playing sports or working out (32%).  93% of those surveyed mentioned they like to listen to content alone, not in groups.     

What interested me is the fact that religious podcasts remain the dominant category, and the growth rate of this genre tends to grow rapidly every year (Click HERE for the article).  It coincides with an overall increased rate of Bible engagement, which is a very good thing, if you ask me.

Clarifying a couple of terms

The word “podcast” is interesting.  From what I could find, the term developed as a blend of two words – “iPod” and “broadcast.”  The iPod was a small media player developed by Apple. The idea of broadcast means to transmit information through a TV or other device.  It’s funny, even though the iPod era has spawned endless ways of engaging content (Apple is now not the only product), the term has stuck.  It’s a bit like calling any soda a “Coke.”

It is also worth mentioning that the word “pastor” these days can mean a couple of different things.  According to scripture, it comes from the Latin word meaning “shepherd.”  It is used interchangeably with elder and overseer, with essential qualifications and responsibilities laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. 

So, the term pastor refers biblically to an elder or overseer. Among other things, they are called to shepherd the church, paying careful attention to guarding sound doctrine, and refuting those who oppose it (false teachings).  What is tricky today is that most people who hear the word pastor think of a church leader or evangelist.  For the sake of this conversation, let’s go with that, mainly because those charged with leading a church of any size acutely feel the biblical mandate to ensure people are rooted in healthy, orthodox teaching, no matter their title.

People With Different Goals

It is my opinion that, for the most part, both Christian podcasters and pastors have the same overall goal – to help people grow spiritually by providing content that strengthens their faith.  I know that’s a general statement that could be disputed. Still, I do believe it’s accurate primarily as an overarching goal.  We have started a Biblically Resilient podcast, and that is our primary objective. You can find our new podcast HERE.

There is another goal, though, that needs to be acknowledged.  Podcasters measure success by the number of listeners and subscribers they attract, with their listenership size akin to the size of their own church.  I know of one situation where a church member followed up with a podcaster for more clarity on a very controversial topic.  When they asked the podcaster why they don’t get more specific about what they believe around that topic, the podcaster responded with “I don’t want to alienate people, but I want to attract more subscribers.”  In other words, if I told people what I really believe about a sensitive topic, many might stop listening.  Seriously? 

Now, imagine if a pastor or church leader said that.  For example, suppose a church leader was asked by a member, “What do you specifically believe about abortion, or transgender issues, or affirmation of the gay lifestyle?”  If the pastor answered with “I don’t want to alienate anyone, and I want to grow the size of my church,” he just created a big ole mess for himself!  That’s not allowed.  A primary goal of a pastor is to teach and equip people toward biblical, healthy doctrine.

We have to admit that people expect specificity from a pastor, but not necessarily from a podcaster.  Man, that’s not fair.  I once found myself cleaning up a mess a podcaster had created for folks in my church.  It was necessary, but it made me look defensive, made him look open-minded and winsome.

I would go a bit further and say this is why pastors and podcasters have a pretty complicated relationship these days.  Pastors often feel trapped, or backed into theological corners by what they consider vague, confusing, or even dangerous content being absorbed by their church members.  On the other hand, podcasters often capitalize on church hurts or sensitive societal discussions that demand doctrinal clarity, which podcasters can be vague about.  In other words, podcasters are given some slack here, but pastors aren’t.

One more thing here.  For whatever reason, there is a level of tolerance for listening to an amount of content that makes pastors scratch their heads.  The average churchgoer now spends over 10 hours a week consuming content before attending church on Sunday, with even more time spent on YouTube and social media videos.  However, there is enormous pressure on pastors these days to keep their sermons short!  I have discovered that a preacher who goes over 35 minutes on a Sunday is probably going to hear a complaint from somebody. 

I understand that the amount of content people consume often leads to shorter attention spans for live teaching, but that is probably a topic for another article.

So what do we do with all of this?

Good question.  I’m positive neither pastors nor podcasters are bad people, with exceptions, of course.  I also believe that both will remain relevant for some time, playing a key role in the lives of Christians.  Here are just a few (I know there are many more) observations and gentle pieces of advice for pastors, podcasters, and church members:

experience spiritual meaning and growth within the church community

One of the most alarming things I noticed in all the statistics is that most people prefer to listen to podcasts alone, including me!  There is nothing wrong with that, unless it slowly creates an individualistic, privatized faith.  If that happens, spiritual growth can be measured mainly by how a person feels and believes they are doing.  Again, there isn’t anything inherently wrong about that. Still, growth, progress, and meaning can be highly subjective, fueled by the pervasive narrative of expressive individualism that runs through society.  If I buy into that, I become the authority for all things around my faith.  I would also be a bit prickly if others had an outside observation about me or my Christian walk. 

It’s not healthy.

The church community is never perfect (it wasn’t in the Bible). Still, by being around other believers, loving and being loved, we learn the value of community and family.  The church needs me to be in it, and it involves others that God has put in my life for a reason.  In other words, I need them for my spiritual growth to be complete, they need me.  The local church is a biblical mandate, as messy as it is.

I also think we need to expect podcasters to be faithful members of a church, especially if we let them influence our spirituality.  Do they have their own church hurt or trauma? Do they say which church they belong to?  Who holds them accountable?  Who speaks into their life and doctrine?  If the answer is nobody, or just themselves, I would stop listening. 

Scriptures to meditate on:  1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 2:19-22, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25

expect doctrinal clarity from both

These days, it’s essential to know what someone believes about crucial doctrinal issues – salvation, sin, judgment, grace, and redemption.  And of course, there are biblical issues that speak to theological commitments, like abortion, sexual ethics, homosexuality, and transgenderism.  If you allow someone to influence your walk with God, I believe it is imperative to try to understand where they stand on these things.  Do we have to agree on everything?  Of course not, but do a person’s beliefs about these things influence how they view so many other areas of doctrine?  Absolutely.

In one sense, a podcaster may be the only biblical teacher these days who can get away with being vague or elusive about doctrine.  Pastors and teachers in a local congregation cannot.  Most are rightly compelled to be very clear about what they believe, and I agree with that.  Suppose a pastor is asked to clarify beliefs on essential issues and refuses - rethink attending their church.  In the same way, if a podcaster won’t clarify things, stop listening to them.  In a very confusing culture, both owe it to their listeners to be clear.

One more thing.  It’s become theologically fashionable these days to be vague.  Many preachers and teachers suggest that writing down statements of beliefs closes doors, upholds certainty, or doesn’t invite dialogue or new discoveries. I respect those who feel this way, but in 2025, in a post-Christian society,  I could not disagree more.  A leader can be very clear about where they stand on biblical issues AND foster a culture of curiosity, openness, and community collaboration.  At least when we’re clear about the essential things (especially the ones the Bible itself says are certain), people understand where the boundaries of these conversations lie.  If people insist on not being clear, it’s normal to wonder if they are interested in moving or changing the boundaries.

We don’t want to be hypocritical here, so here is the statement of faith for Biblically Resilient: Click HERE.

Scriptures to meditate on:  2 Timothy 4:2-5, Titus 1:9, 1 Timothy 4:16, Titus 2:1, 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Romans 16:17

Teach Christians to think critically

In the book of Acts, the Bereans were considered noble because they not only heard the message preached but also examined the scriptures to see if the message they were hearing was accurate (Acts 17:10-12).  They didn’t just accept Paul’s words, but thought critically about them.  We are told that as a result, many people came to faith.

People today are hearing voices from a MULTITUDE of places, and many are not accurate.  A pastor and a podcaster can sound so good, so right, so smooth, so relevant, and could be so wrong.  We do not have the luxury today of assuming Christians are asking the right questions of teachers. 

The good news about the latest podcast research is that it shows a lot of the Christian material is causing people to engage more with scripture.  That is such good news!  However, parents and leaders still need to help people think critically about how they engage. 

Scriptures to meditate on:  Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Matthew 22:37, Hebrews 5:13-14

Judge the effectiveness of content by the fruit of people’s lives

Jesus taught that teachers will be proven legit or false mainly based on the fruit of their lives (Matthew 7:15-20).  In the same way, I believe the fruit of someone’s teaching can be seen primarily in the lives of those who absorb it.  In other words, do the lives of those who buy into the teaching of a certain podcaster bear good fruit?

Here are some good questions to ask:  As a result of a podcast, are you more in love with Jesus than before you started listening?  Are you more excited about the mission?  Are you more in love with people, or have you become more private and individualistic?  Are you more motivated to serve in your local church?  Are you eager to engage with leaders, or more suspicious?  In general, is it making you a better and more faithful Christian, or is it causing you to doubt more? 

To be fair, we should expect the same of pastors.  Too many people in the evangelical world find themselves stuck under a pastor with no vision, harsh leadership, a lack of tolerance for doubt, or rigid legalism.  Those do not produce good fruit; instead, they actually work to push people toward online content so they can survive.

Both pastors and podcasters must be trying their best to help people move to a healthier and more robust spiritual place. 

Scriptures to meditate on:  John 15:5-8, Matthew 7:17-20, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 1:10, Titus 3:14

I hope these thoughts have helped you.  They are not meant to be exhaustive, or the last word.  They are intended to help us all think carefully about belief in an age increasingly devoted to muddying the biblical and theological waters.

God bless and keep you,

Daren

Daren Overstreet is a Senior Leader at

Anchor Point Church in Tampa, Florida.  He has been in ministry for nearly 30 years, and holds a Master’s Degree in Missional Theology

You can contact him at

daren@anchorpointtampa.org