#86 - Why Churches Are Dying (And How to Bring Them Back to Life) with Pastor Josh Musgrave

#86 - Why Churches Are Dying (And How to Bring Them Back to Life) with Pastor Josh Musgrave

Author: Jeff Musgrave & George Binoka April 22, 2026 Duration: 28:20

Every Sunday, 17 Southern Baptist churches close their doors—and that number may be even higher across all denominations. In this urgent and eye-opening episode of Gospel Talks, George Binoka sits down with pastor and Exchange trainer Josh Musgrave to tackle a growing crisis in the American church.

What’s the difference between a church revitalization and a replant? Why do churches plateau—and what causes them to decline? More importantly, how can a church rediscover its mission and begin reaching its community again?

Josh shares real-life insight from nearly two decades of ministry, explaining how gospel-centered discipleship, a culture shaped by God’s holiness, justice, love, and grace, and a commitment to prayer can transform even the most struggling church.

If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or church member burdened by what you see happening in churches today, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and hope.


Hosted by Jeff Musgrave and George Binoka, Gospel Talks Podcast is a conversation rooted in practical faith. It moves beyond theory to focus on the everyday realities of sharing and living out one’s beliefs. The discussions here are built on the foundation of The Exchange, a ministry dedicated to training Christians and churches in relational evangelism and discipleship. You’ll hear from Jeff, the founder and author of resources like the Exchange Bible Study, as well as from George, as they explore how these principles translate into genuine conversations with neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Each episode aims to equip you with thoughtful perspectives and actionable ideas, making the core of the gospel feel accessible in your daily interactions. This isn’t about formulas, but about fostering a natural, confident faith that connects with people where they are. Tune in for a podcast that feels like a thoughtful dialogue with mentors who are invested in seeing your faith become both deeper and more outwardly focused.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Gospel Talks Podcast
Podcast Episodes
#78 - Outrageous Love: The Most Powerful Moment in The Exchange [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
Why is chapter three of The Exchange Bible Study the one people never forget?In this powerful episode, George Binoka and Jeff Musgrave unpack what may be the most life-changing truth in all of Scripture: the outrageous l…
#77 - Be A Barnabas: Connecting People For The Sake of Christ. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:49
In Acts, Barnabas does something simple but decisive: he brings Saul to the apostles. Before Paul becomes the missionary we know, someone was willing to stand beside him, believe in him, and connect him to the body of Ch…
#75 - The Power of Words in Evangelism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:19
In this episode of Gospel Talks, hosts George Binoka and Jeff Musgrave discuss the importance of relational evangelism and the balance between living out the gospel and verbally proclaiming it. They emphasize that while…
#74 - Kindness: The First Gift That Opens the Door to the Gospel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:04
What if the most powerful way to share the gospel in 2026 isn’t louder arguments or sharper answers—but genuine kindness?In this episode of Gospel Talks, George Binoka and Jeff Musgrave explore kindness not as a marketin…
#73 - What If Your Church Had a New Year’s Resolution? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:26
As a new year approaches, many Christians think about personal goals—but what about goals for the local church? In this episode, George Binoka and Jeff Musgrave challenge listeners to rethink New Year’s resolutions throu…
#72 - Christmas is an open door: Using the season God gave us! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:46
Christmas is a season God has already prepared. The culture slows. Doors open. People are more willing to be invited, more willing to listen, more willing to step into conversations they usually avoid. The question is no…
#70 - Should you immediately share the gospel in every conversation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:42
In this Thanksgiving-week episode of Gospel Talks, George Binoka and Jeff Musgrave celebrate key podcast milestones and dive into a crucial and often misunderstood topic: the balance between evangelistic responsibility a…
#69 - Do You Need the Bible to Evangelize? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
In this episode of Gospel Talks, George and Jeff tackle one of the most foundational questions in evangelism: Is the Bible necessary when sharing Christ? Can someone be led to Jesus through relationship alone, emotional…