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