Is Your Church Still the Right Soil for Your Family's Faith?

The soil you plant your family’s faith in matters more than we often realize. It’s not just about where you go on Sunday—it’s about the spiritual environment shaping your children’s hearts every single week. And sometimes, the signs that something’s off are easy to miss… until it’s almost too late.

In this eye-opening episode, Catherine gets real about a question that many Christian parents quietly wrestle with:

“How do I know if it’s time to find a new church home?”

Drawing from her own family’s deeply personal (and painful) church transition, Catherine walks through six red flags that might mean your current church isn’t cultivating the spiritual growth your family needs.

They are:
When churches skip parts of the Bible.
If whole books or tough topics are off the table, your kids won’t get the full truth they need to stand firm in their faith.
When the flesh goes unchallenged.
A feel-good message might draw a crowd, but if no one’s being stretched or sanctified, something’s missing.
When there’s a disconnect between evangelism and discipleship.
Getting people in the door is important—but so is growing deep roots. If your church leans too hard one way, it leaves gaps that can stunt faith.
When charisma outweighs character.
A church built around a magnetic personality rather than godly integrity can quickly become a breeding ground for spiritual fallout.
When the Holy Spirit has no room to move.
Programs and polish are fine—but without the Spirit’s power, real transformation doesn’t happen.
When the youth group is spiritually flat.
If the next generation isn’t fired up for Jesus, it’s time to ask some hard questions about what seeds are (or aren’t) being sown.

With honesty, compassion, and hard-won wisdom, she shines a light on issues that are often ignored—but have huge consequences.

This isn’t about being picky—it’s about being purposeful. Catherine reminds us that the stakes are high when it comes to our kids’ spiritual formation. The cost of change can be steep, but the fruit of a thriving, Spirit-led church family is worth every step.

In this episode, you’ll also learn:
Why glossing over hard truths sets kids up for weak faith
How to spot signs of spiritual stagnation in your home
The warning signs of a numbers-driven, personality-centered church culture
What to look for in a youth group that truly disciples your kids
Encouragement for parents facing tough church decisions

Mentioned Resources:
✨ Catherine’s free Prodigal Bundle: Hope-filled tools, Scripture lists, and encouragement for parents of prodigals → Download it here
📖 The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun – a powerful testimony of bold, persecuted faith

Is Your Church Still the Right Soil for Your Family's Faith?
The soil you plant your family&rsquo;s faith in matters more than we often realize. It&rsquo;s not just about where you go on Sunday&mdash;it&rsquo;s about the spiritual environment shaping your children&rsquo;s hearts every single week. And sometimes, the signs that something&rsquo;s off are easy to miss&hellip; until it&rsquo;s almost too late.
In this eye-opening episode, Catherine gets real about a question that many Christian parents quietly wrestle with:
&ldquo;How do I know if it&rsquo;s time to find a new church home?&rdquo;
Drawing from her own family&rsquo;s deeply personal (and painful) church transition, Catherine walks through six red flags that might mean your current church isn&rsquo;t cultivating the spiritual growth your family needs.
They are:
<ol>
<li data-start="1039" data-end="1211">When churches skip parts of the Bible. If whole books or tough topics are off the table, your kids won&rsquo;t get the full truth they need to stand firm in their faith.</li>
<li data-start="1216" data-end="1366">When the flesh goes unchallenged. A feel-good message might draw a crowd, but if no one&rsquo;s being stretched or sanctified, something&rsquo;s missing.</li>
<li data-start="1371" data-end="1588">When there&rsquo;s a disconnect between evangelism and discipleship. Getting people in the door is important&mdash;but so is growing deep roots. If your church leans too hard one way, it leaves gaps that can stunt faith.</li>
<li data-start="1593" data-end="1769">When charisma outweighs character. A church built around a magnetic personality rather than godly integrity can quickly become a breeding ground for spiritual fallout.</li>
<li data-start="1774" data-end="1921">When the Holy Spirit has no room to move. Programs and polish are fine&mdash;but without the Spirit&rsquo;s power, real transformation doesn&rsquo;t happen.</li>
<li data-start="1926" data-end="2107">When the youth group is spiritually flat. If the next generation isn&rsquo;t fired up for Jesus, it&rsquo;s time to ask some hard questions about what seeds are (or aren&rsquo;t) being sown.</li>
</ol>
With honesty, compassion, and hard-won wisdom, she shines a light on issues that are often ignored&mdash;but have huge consequences.
This isn&rsquo;t about being picky&mdash;it&rsquo;s about being purposeful. Catherine reminds us that the stakes are high when it comes to our kids&rsquo; spiritual formation. The cost of change can be steep, but the fruit of a thriving, Spirit-led church family is worth every step.
In this episode, you&rsquo;ll also learn:
<ul>
<li data-start="2416" data-end="2473">Why glossing over hard truths sets kids up for weak faith</li>
<li data-start="2476" data-end="2530">How to spot signs of spiritual stagnation in your home</li>
<li data-start="2533" data-end="2607">The warning signs of a numbers-driven, personality-centered church culture</li>
<li data-start="2610" data-end="2674">What to look for in a youth group that truly disciples your kids</li>
<li data-start="2677" data-end="2732">Encouragement for parents facing tough church decisions</li>
</ul>
Mentioned Resources:
<ul>
<li data-start="2761" data-end="2937">✨ Catherine&rsquo;s free Prodigal Bundle: Hope-filled tools, Scripture lists, and encouragement for parents of prodigals &rarr; <a href="https://catherinesegars.com/resources" data-start="2880" data-end="2937">Download it here</a></li>
<li data-start="2940" data-end="3025">📖 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Man-Brother-Yun/dp/0825446775/ref=asc_df_0825446775?mcid=a3d4cd9f613d32f49d0333bf18b6425f&amp;hvocijid=958060424952501494-0825446775-&amp;hvexpln=73&amp;tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=721245378154&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=958060424952501494&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9012507&amp;hvtargid=pla-2281435175938&amp;psc=1">The Heavenly Man</a> by Brother Yun &ndash; a powerful testimony of bold, persecuted faith</li>
</ul>

The Christian Parent, Crazy World podcast with Catherine Segars equips moms and dads to be godly parents in a world that often opposes their faith. As a passionate apologist and seasoned communicator, Catherine unpacks the tough cultural issues facing families today, offering insightful, biblically grounded guidance. Each episode helps parents understand the challenges of our times and respond with wisdom, confidence, and grace.

Topics covered on this podcast include:
What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith
Can Our Words Change the Future?
Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?
13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year
5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z
What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?
How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview 
Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children

Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

The Christian Parent, Crazy World&nbsp;podcast with Catherine Segars equips moms and dads to be godly parents in a world that often opposes their faith. As a passionate apologist and seasoned communicator, Catherine unpacks the tough cultural issues facing families today, offering insightful, biblically grounded guidance. Each episode helps parents understand the challenges of our times and respond with wisdom, confidence, and grace.
Topics covered on this podcast include:
<ul>
<li>What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith</li>
<li>Can Our Words Change the Future?</li>
<li>Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?</li>
<li>13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year</li>
<li>5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z</li>
<li>What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?</li>
<li>How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview&nbsp;</li>
<li>Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children</li>
</ul>
Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

Christian Parent, Crazy World is a podcast dedicated to helping you be a godly parent in an ungodly world.