Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 101

Six Indicators a Revitalization Must Become a Replant

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Today’s episode focuses on the characteristics and hangups of churches in need of revitalization and replanting. Kevin and Thom discuss their experiences and observations from churches across North America. Pastors should learn to recognize the signs and influence change.

The Six Indicators a Revitalization Must Become a Replant:

    When the trajectory is obviously moving toward zero
    When deferred maintenance becomes a crisis
    When the church can’t find a pastor
    When no one is leading
    When the church looks nothing like the community
    When silver bullets are seen as the only solution

Other highlights:

When a church is in a steady decline it has become a church that needs revitalization.
If your first thought is a takeover, then you are not ready to lead a revitalization.
When attendance goes below 100 the rate of a church in decline accelerates. 
Churches have got to read the numbers on the wall and make changes before they die.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

Autospy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive
Revitalize and Replant Episode #115
A Case Study of an Established Church Adoptiong a Struggling Church
Cool Solutions











Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.com.
Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.

Chiropractors, Orthodontists, Auto Mechanics… and Pastors?

By Jon Wright, Effective Ministry Strategist with Generis

Whether it’s your car’s steering, your lower back or your kid’s teeth; each of the above professions are trained in the art of alignment.

You hit a pothole, you reach too far into the dryer for that last sock, or simple genetics; we all have need for the occasional alignment.

Our churches are the same.

There are constant shifts in our staff team, our congregation, and our community. We wake up one morning (probably a Monday) and everything just feels “off.”

We need an adjustment.

How do churches get out of alignment?

A few examples: 

Staff: A well-loved staff member retires or takes a new call. The new team member comes with their own experience, style, and vision. They are well intentioned but different in how they think about and “do” ministry. You are out of alignment. 

Congregation: Your vision is to reach people far from God. Your church is now full of people that know God and have strong preferences regarding what the church “should” do for them. Your activities and programs reflect the desires of those already “inside” and your mission to reach those “outside” is compromised. You are out of alignment.

Community: When you arrived, the neighborhood was 60% empty-nesters and single people. That was 20 years ago. The community has turned over and is now full of young families and professionals, but your ministry hasn’t changed. You are out of alignment.

Misalignment undermines staff health, diminishes engagement, and decreases impact and investment. 

Get aligned!

The mechanic employs wrenches, hammers, and brute strength to get a car to drive smoothly down the road. The chiropractor applies a series of quick and forceful snaps to move vertebrae to their proper position. The orthodontist uses less pressure but significantly more time to align the molars and incisors for that perfect smile. 

Similar to our well-trained friends, we need the appropriate tools and strategies to bring about alignment in our churches. The first step is to determine which method will be the most effective. This is not the same as which is least painful.

Alignment examples:

Staff: (Chiro: Quick, forceful snap!) Set aside weekly time (this week!) to study the Word and pray as a team. Unfortunately, many church teams do not read the Word or pray together on a regular basis! “Unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain who try to build it!” Spiritual work requires spiritual resources. Recast mission and vision, listen to what they are seeing and sensing in their areas of ministry, and make the necessary adjustments. Again, make the adjustments, don’t just talk about it.

Congregation: (Ortho: Less pressure, more time) S l o w l y invite and introduce new ministry “ideas and experiments” while decreasing attention on the things “we’ve always done.” New leaders will emerge, new ministries will flourish, new investment will flow. People gravitate toward what you celebrate!

Community: (Mechanic: Wrenches and hammers)  Make some noise, let them know you’re there! It’s likely they don’t! Engage local schools, food shelves, homeless shelters. Offer helpful, practical classes on parenting, finances, and marriage. Start where they are and move them toward the Gospel. This will be messy and uncomfortable. You will get your hands dirty, but it will get you driving straight down the road to life-changing community impact!

Alignment is not a “one and done” activity. It requires constant attention and adjustment, but the benefits are significant. Your staff will be motivated, your congregation will be fully engaged, and your community will be transformed by the power of a church on mission.

As we head into 2020, let’s commit to realigning our churches around God’s priorities, not our preferences, to serve God’s glory, not our goals.

For a free assessment on your church’s effectiveness and alignment, take this quick (and fun) survey: https://generis.com/effective-ministry-assessment

 

Jon Wright has worked as an entrepreneur and Executive Pastor. He brings to the Generis team 30 years experience in innovation and execution in multiple settings; corporate, non-profit, church, and global missions. He is passionate about the local church and serves the to create healthy, dynamic teams that lead growing and effective ministry.

 

 

 

 

Seven of the Most Fiercely Defended Traditions in the Church

Podcast Episode #596

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Thom and Sam spend today’s episode discussing seven fiercely defended traditions in the church, why these particular traditions are so sensitive to many, and how you can help leaders be agents of positive change within your congregations.

Highlights:

Worship Style
Role of pastor
Worship Time
Specific rooms in the church facility
Order of Worship
One site only
Business and committee structure of the church

Other highlights:

What is the biblical role of the pastor?
What is the “hired man” mentality?
How do the expectations of the pastor create tension?
The changing of service times disrupts people’s lives more than you would think.
Even small changes in the order of worship can create tension because people feel the change. 

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

Putting an End to Worship Wars by Elmer Towns
Autopsy of a Deceased Church
Gen Z Webinar – Seven Critical Ways Gen Z Will Shape the Church in 2020


Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Scrappy Church.

Three Significant Issues for Churches to Reach Gen Z

By Thom S. Rainer

It is way too early to say we know definitive truths and trends for Gen Z.

Though different demographers put their birth years at slightly different points, I have settled for birth dates from 2001 to 2019. That means the oldest Gen Zer is 18 years old, and the youngest will be born in the next few weeks. A lot can change as the Gen Zers get older. We need to hold “facts” about this generation loosely.

I am willing, however, to offer three issues that are likely to be a pervasive reality for churches as they try to connect with Gen Z. My confidence is predicated on interviews we have done with the youngest Millennials (almost the same age as the oldest Gen Z) and some early research on Gen Z.

Churches that are negative and fight often will not even be considered by Gen Z. One of the more significant early studies of this generation is the 2019 Porter Novelli/Cone Gen Z Purpose Study. Nine out of ten Gen Zers in this study said they are sick and tired of the divisiveness of our culture, media, and institutions. That is an overwhelming number! Gen Z will quickly walk away from churches fighting over such trivia as times of worship services, styles of music, and facility preferences. They hate the divisiveness and pettiness they see when church members complain about their pastors. They’ve had enough negativity! They are wondering if any church members really remember the gospel is good news!

Gen Z will strongly prefer churches that are focused and simple. Though the members of this generation are digital natives, they prefer a world and a church that is simple and clear on its purpose. They look at the calendars of churches and wonder how they expect anyone to keep up with all the functions and programs. They detest activity-driven churches. They will not hang around long if you ask them to attend a plethora of events and activities that make no sense to them. The simple church will be the church of choice.

Change-resistant churches will not attract Gen Z. As a redundant reminder, this generation is a generation of digital natives. They understand constant change. They live in a world of technological disruption. Change is their norm. Gen Zers, therefore, have no concept of the pettiness of many church issues. As best I can remember the conversation, these words came straight from the mouth of an 18-year-old Gen Zer. “You won’t believe what happened at a church I visited, Dr. Rainer,” he began. “They had a business meeting right after the worship services. During the meeting, some of the members started fussing about screens in the sanctuary. One of them demanded the church only use hymnals. She called the screens ‘the tool of the devil.’ I promise I’m not making this stuff up,” he said, wondering if I really believed such things happen in churches.

Yes and sadly, I did believe it. The young man insisted he would never set foot in the church again. “They seemed like a church determined to stay in the past and never change,” he told me with incredulity.

The Gen Zers are here. I have many reasons to believe it will be a great opportunity for congregations to reach a new and, possibly, receptive generation.

Stand by for more updates.

If you are interested in learning more about Gen Z, join me for a free webinar, “Seven Critical Ways Gen Z Will Shape the Church in 2020.” Click here to register.

Pray for The Orchard Church

Location: Ellijay, Georgia

Pastor: Steve Dusek

Weekly Worship: Sunday: 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 AM, Eastern

Fast Facts: The Orchard Church started 10 years ago as a mobile church meeting in schools, theaters, and living rooms – growing and thriving with a Simple Church mentality. The church is in a season of stretching their resources to meet the needs of a small member church that has three services to accommodate the people God is sending their way. The growth of the church has stressed their building, their volunteers, their staff, and their leadership, and 2019 has been a turbulent year across the board.

As The Orchard Church prepares for a building campaign to build their future church home, please be in prayer for their leadership as they continue to build the foundation on which their true church will be built. Also pray that God continues to call people to their church body in Gilmer County and equips the members to support them. Pray that Pastor Dusek and the church’s elders will be strengthened and given faithful hearts of courage and wisdom.

Website: OrchardEllijay.com

“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.

If you would like to have your church featured in the “Pray for…” series, fill out this information form..

The Berry Bucket and How It Often Causes Church Conflict

Podcast Episode #595

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What in the world is a Berry Bucket? If you don’t think this is a relevant topic for your church join Thom and Sam as they discuss the Berry Bucket and how it is often the source of church conflict.

Highlights:

Understanding the Concept of the Berry Bucket
Why Years Two and Three Are the Most Common Berry Bucket Conflict Years
The Communication Issues with the Berry Bucket
Surviving the Berry Bucket

Other highlights:

How is the Berry Bucket created?
How are existing church members threatened by the Berry Bucket?
Conflict with the Berry Bucket can depend upon what type of new church member is acquired.
It will benefit the leader to over communicate the wins and advantages of the Berry Bucket.
A pastor can change the pace of change with tenure.
A church may be declining in growth and still experience the difficult challenges of the Berry Bucket.

Resources:

2020 Revitalize Network Convention
Books by Carl F. George
Church Answers
Cyber Week Deals/a>


Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen’s staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen’s Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Becoming a Welcoming Church.

Six Reasons Some Pastors Don’t Desire to Go to a Church Needing Revitalization

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Even with the increased desire of church revitalization from leaders of all generations, Thom and Mark discuss six reasons why some pastors don’t desire to go to a church needing revitalization. 

The 6 reasons some pastors don’t desire to go to a church needing revitalization:

We don’t celebrate the victories of revitalized churches and their pastors.
Church culture is increasingly negative, and many churches needing revitalization have followed this trend.
Some pastors have the “grass is greener” syndrome and move on too quickly.
We have failed to equip many pastors in leadership and relational skills.
There is often a chasm between the expectations of pastors and the expectations of congregations.
The Internet age makes information about “better” jobs readily available.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

Biblical Church Revitalization: Solutions for Dying & Divided Churches (Practical Shepherding)









Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.com.
Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.

What to Expect if You’re a Church’s First Millennial Pastor

By Sam Rainer

 A big wave is coming towards the church. It’s the swell of retiring Boomer pastors. Most Boomer pastors are currently between the ages of 50 and 68. They won’t all retire at once, so this wave won’t crash into the church like a tsunami. However, I don’t believe the North American church is prepared to replace these pastors. Here are a few implications of retiring Boomer pastors:

      There will be more pastoral vacancies than qualified candidates.


      Few churches are giving any thought to pastoral succession.


      There will be an abundance of qualified pastors for interim and bi-vocational positions.


      Some Boomer pastors will stay at their current positions into their late 60s and 70s.


      Some Boomer pastors will lead their churches to merge with another congregation.

I want to focus on what will happen when these pastors are inevitably replaced—more importantly, who will replace them. A new generation of leaders—Millennials—will inherit these church positions. I’m the oldest of the Millennial generation. Most date the birth of Millennials between 1980 and 2000. I barely make the cut as a February 1980 baby, but I connect with Millennials more than any other generation.

As Millennials begin to become senior pastors, their churches will have many Gen Xers, Boomers, and Builders. Of course, the percentages will eventually shift to churches full of older Millennials, but such a shift will take decades.

 I’ve been the first Millennial pastor of churches in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida. After some trials (a few) and errors (many) at these churches, here’s what I’ve discovered: We Millennials think and act quite differently than previous generations. In short, it’s a bit awkward when Millennial pastors lead in churches full of Boomers and Builders, especially the first time it occurs.

While each church is unique and within a specific context, there are generalizations across generations. Generally, what should Millennial pastors expect as they begin to lead established churches?

You are more comfortable with complexity and messiness than older generations. Millennials don’t like labels. Millennials push back on categories. The Boomers did this to a degree, but we’ve taken it to an extreme. For example, even if we associate more with one political party, we don’t admit it. The upside about this generational trait is Millennial pastors are better equipped sociologically to handle complex and messy churches. The downside of this trait is older generations look at us like we’re Jell-O, and we get confused when they try to nail us to the wall. But all generations have something to add. When you combine the dogged clarity of Builders with the adaptability of Millennials, you get something beautiful in the church.


You are less loyal than previous generations. Your grandfathers started working at 16, and they stayed with the company until they retired. My generation is quite the opposite. Ninety-one percent of Millennials expect to stay in a job for less than three years. The upside of this trait is flexibility. Leading while not being chained to a particular place is freeing—unbiased decisions come more easily. The downside of this trait is older generations may not trust Millennials to make these types of decisions due to a perceived lack of loyalty.


You care more about vision and less about tactics. Millennials are quick to talk with grandness about the potential for change. Perhaps it’s due to us being the youngest adult generation. We still have some maturing to do. Regardless, we love big vision. But what older generations want to know is how we are going to achieve it. One of the best bridges a Millennial pastor can build to Boomers and Builders is allowing them to handle the tactics of vision. They’ve been there, done that. And, for the most part, they are better at it.


You communicate differently. Very differently. So differently that you might as well speak in another language. The rotary dial generation is passing the baton to the Wikipedia generation. And Millennials need to be more courteous when communicating with older generations. While we might forgive each other for talking and swiping smartphones at the same time, Boomers and Builders believe it’s rude. If you talk with a Boomer while also checking your phone, then they will just turn on anger, tune in frustration, and drop out of listening to you.

The wave of Millennials becoming leaders in established churches is just beginning. In 10 years, major shifts will occur. Soon many churches will hire a Millennial senior pastor for the first time. Millennials, it’s on you to work with older generations, not against them. Leadership is a gift, not a right. If older generations are going to give you this gift, then treat it well.  

What Church Leaders Must Know for 2020 – An Interview with Dave Travis of Generis

Podcast Episode #594

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Wouldn’t you like to know what the future holds for your church? Special guest Dave Travis from Generis joins Thom and Sam as they jump in their time machine and discuss issues and trends church leaders must know for 2020.

Highlights:

What are some demographic issues facing churches in 2020?
Does church attendance matter?
What is meant by “more compact facilities”?
What is the future of smaller churches?
What is the trend in video-based churches versus live preaching?

Other highlights:

What can church leaders learn from the long-story of demographics?
Where will millennials and future generations live and how does it impact church growth?
What tools can be used to engage church members beyond Sunday?
What is the new dream for church growth and facility usage?
The 4 story process explained.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

What’s Next 2020
Generis
Cyber Week Deal


Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Scrappy Church.

Six Reasons the Multi-Venue Church Model Will Experience Rapid Growth

By Thom S. Rainer

The trends are fascinating.

About 50 years ago, many congregations in the United States began adopting the “multi” model. This first phase of the multi-model was primarily multiple worship services on Sunday morning. To be certain, it was controversial. You heard cries of, “We’ve never done it that way before” and “You will not be able to know other people in the church.”

The controversies quieted for the most part. Then the multi-site model began to gain momentum about two decades ago. Again, similar objections were raised. I was an early adopter of this model as a pastor in 1995, and I experienced firsthand the challenges of leading such a congregation to start a second site for our church.

The multi-venue model is not new, but it is gaining momentum. I define multi-venue as worship gatherings at the same site beyond the Sunday morning services or beyond the same worship center or sanctuary. For example, a church may start a service for college students on Tuesday evening. Or it may have a Korean service meeting in another part of the church facilities concurrent with an English-speaking service.

Though the model is not new, there seems to be a perfect storm accelerating the growth of the multi-venue approach. Here are six components moving the model forward.

Multiplication is a proven model. The New Testament is clear about multiplication. The purpose of Paul’s missionary journeys was to take the gospel and to start, or multiply churches. We have seen the efficacy of the multiplication model in groups, Sunday school classes, ministries, church plants, and new church sites.

Church leaders realize more than ever how underutilized their church facilities are. As a consequence, these leaders are looking at opportunities to start new services, for example, in times and places they did not consider in earlier years. I worked with one church that welcomed a Chinese congregation on Sunday afternoons and utilized its fellowship hall for a more contemporary service concurrent with other services on Sunday morning.

Many churches do not have facilities. They often have to pay for expensive lease space. Or they have to move from school to school as they grow, or as the schools decide the church can no longer rent their facilities on Sunday. These churches would love to be in a place with a greater sense of security and permanence. They are often finding the perfect solution by sharing a facility with another church.

Non-Sunday worship services will increase in number. Many church leaders are taking the leap and leading their congregations to offer at least one service other than Sunday morning. This move allows the church to reach more people without building or buying expensive facilities.

Multi-venue is a great way to reach ethnic and language groups. These congregations are able to share facilities instead of the expensive path of owning or leasing multiple facilities.

There will continue to be challenges for many churches that want to expand their facilities. Those challenges may come as a result of having insufficient acreage to build. Or they may be the result of a municipality or other approval authority denying a church permission to build. I have been involved in several legal consultations where the latter took place. Multi-venue services become a solution to this challenge as well.

For certain, multi-venue services are not new. They have been around for quite a while. But, for the reasons noted in this article, we will see a rapid expansion of this approach in the years ahead.

Let me hear your thoughts on this development.