Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 122
May 10, 2019
What Pastors Need to Do When They Are Deeply Hurt – Rainer on Leadership #535
Podcast Episode #535
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Pastors often are hurt by church members or church circumstances. Today we discuss how to deal with this hurt and why you shouldn’t just throw in the towel at the first sign of hurt.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
The main reason pastors get hurt in the church is from personal attacks by members.
When you’re feeling hurt, time in the Word and in prayer can really help.
Staff meeting exercise: everyone take a blank sheet of paper and write down all the ways they’ve seen God work in the church or in the lives of the members in the last 6-12 months.
Outside perspective is often needed because we are too close to a situation to see a way through it.
The seven ways we discuss for dealing with hurt are:
Give it a few days
Pray
Spend more time in the Word
Focus on thanksgiving
Get physical exercise
Talk to peers
Get an objective perspective
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Church Answers
Church Answers Cohorts
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
Episode Sponsors
Today’s episode is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Midwestern offers more than 25 degrees at both undergraduate and masters level that are fully attainable online. From Business to Bible, Counseling to Christian education, prepare for your future at your own pace and in your own location.
Find out more at mbts.edu/online.
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped thousands of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.
For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.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.
May 9, 2019
Five of the Biggest Disappointments in Church Revitalization & Replanting – Revitalize & Replant #092
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Disappointment plagues many pastors and church leaders. And in revitalizations or replants, it can be an ever bigger issue. Today, we identify five common areas of disappointment and how to deal with them.
Episode Highlights:
Some of your biggest early supporters as a pastor are only doing so because they think they’ll be able to manipulate or influence you for their gain.
Sometimes your church facility will never get to where it needs to be, but you have to be content knowing the Lord can still bless it.
God gives you victories in your life every week, you just have to see them and rejoice in them.
Oddly enough, some church members have more issues with a dying church merging with another than closing the church.
The five areas of disappointment we discuss are:
When your big supporter becomes your big critic.
When the facility is in much worse shape than you thought.
When your support network disappears.
When your church continues to decline despite your best efforts.
When you conclude the church must close.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
ChurchAnswers.com
ChurchReplanters.com
Replanter Assessment
Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.com
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.
May 8, 2019
Six Reasons Prayer Is Moving Hundreds of Churches to Revitalize
I often share with this audience some of the key ways churches are revitalizing and experiencing turnaround. Yet, too often I neglect explicitly giving God credit for the revitalization. Shame on me.
I have heard from countless numbers of leaders how specific prayer efforts have led to revitalization in hundreds of churches. Let me share with you the six most common reasons they articulated why prayer is vital to turnaround.
It recognizes the Source of revitalization. When a church revitalizes, it is depending upon the power of God. He is the only true Source of the turnaround.
It recognizes that revitalization is spiritual warfare. When a church experiences turnaround, people are reached with the gospel. The enemy will do everything in his power to stop those conversions. We must respond with the full armor of God, especially prayer.
It turns people away from self-sufficiency. Attempts at revitalization that are human-powered will fail or be short-lived. Praying people are clearly recognizing they can’t help the church in their own power.
It turns people away from being self-serving. Praying people are obedient to God to reach their communities and serve others. They don’t demand their own preferences and desires.
It unifies the church. One of the keys to revitalization is church unity. Nothing unifies a church more than powerful prayer.
It leads people to discern the will of God. Prayer is a conversation with God. The more we converse with God, the clearer we discern His will. Knowing and obeying the will of God leads to revitalization.
We are excited to offer a five-month live video cohort on revitalization with Chuck Lawless, Mark Clifton, Sam Rainer, and me. It is a perfect place to learn the keys to revitalizing your church. It’s great training for pastors, staff, coaches, consultants, and denominational leaders.
You will love the training, including Dr. Lawless’ teaching on spiritual issues in revitalization. You will hear a lot about prayer.
Have I ever mentioned how important that is?
May 7, 2019
Seven Key Ways to Alleviate the Pain of Low Attendance Days – Rainer on Leadership #534
Podcast Episode #534
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Low attendance days happen in the life of every church. While they are often unavoidable, you can potentially improve them and make them fewer and farther between.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
In your new members class, you need to address the importance of regular worship attendance.
Unexpected low attendance days can be frustrating for church leaders.
Churches might consider adding an alternative worship service on weekends they know will have low attendance.
Groups are the best way to connect people deeply to the life of a church.
The seven keys we discuss are:
Make certain expectations are clear and front-end.
Have a clear understanding of why those low attendance days take place.
Consider an occasional additional service, such as Thursday night.
Consider a permanent additional service.
Consider alternate times for inclement weather.
Keep groups active.
Don’t let the dips stress you out.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Church Answers
Church Answers Cohorts
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
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.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Be sure to check out Midwestern’s Doctorate of Ministry Degree. The D.Min. is an advanced degree preparing students for leadership in local churches and denominational service. It is also fully attainable in hybrid format which means you don’t have to move to pursue the degree.
Find out more at mbts.edu/dmin.
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.
May 6, 2019
Seven Most Common Questions about Revitalization
We are encouraged in the midst of bad news.
I know. The statement sounds contradictory. Let me explain.
The bad news is that somewhere between 70% and 90% of churches need revitalization. That’s a wide range, but revitalization does not always have a precise definition. Regardless, there are a lot of churches needing revitalization.
The good news is there is a greater acceptance and a greater awareness of the need. With that acceptance and awareness comes a greater willingness to do something about it.
We are totally committed to helping churches revitalize. Through our two organizations, Church Answers and Revitalize Network, we are ready to help as many churches as possible. As the awareness of our resources has become widely disseminated, we get a lot of questions about revitalization. I thought you might enjoy seeing the seven most frequently asked questions. It will give you an idea where both the pain and hope reside.
Is my church situation hopeless? Sure, we’ve seen many churches close their doors. But we’ve also seen God’s hand work in miraculous ways in many churches. I do not believe any situation has to be hopeless.
What do I do if my members do not want to change? I have rarely known a church of any size that did not have a couple of members willing to walk alongside a pastor to move a church to revitalization. True revitalization often begins with the few, not the masses.
Does revitalization cost a lot of money? The statement, “We don’t have enough money for revitalization” is one of the greatest fallacies in these efforts. Churches don’t need more money; they need members with greater obedience.
What do I do if my pastor doesn’t want to lead our church in revitalization? Admittedly, revitalization is very difficult if the pastor is not leading the effort. But, before you assume your pastor is in that category, offer to walk alongside him to help reach the community. You might be surprised at his response.
What do we do if our denomination doesn’t want to help our church revitalize? That question is a copout. It presumes a church needs the resources of a denomination to move forward. Humbug! God has given every church all the resources she needs. Don’t make the denomination the scapegoat.
How will we know if our church is really revitalizing? You will know.
Where do I begin to get help for revitalization? That question can be answered in a number of ways. There are plenty of resources available. We have a new resource noted below.
Church Answers is offering one of the best guides on revitalization available. It is called “Leading a Church to Start a Fresh Revitalization.” We will offer a five-month coaching cohort for leaders who want to see their churches revitalize, and for consultants, denominational leaders, and others who want to help them revitalize. Join Chuck Lawless, Mark Clifton, Sam Rainer, and me as we lead you on this five-month journey.
The Revitalization Cohort has a limited number of openings. Tune in to my webinar tomorrow for details on registration. It might just be the best five months you spend in ministry.
May 5, 2019
Pray for Ridgeview Baptist Church
Location: Church Hill, Tennessee
Pastor: Jon Rogers
Weekly Worship: 10:30 AM, Eastern
Fast Facts: Ridgeview celebrated its 25th anniversary at the beginning of this year. Ridgeview began as a mission of a sister church—Oak Grove Baptist in Mount Carmel, TN. In January 1994, it was officially constituted as a church with 136 charter members. Ridgeview focuses on its sending capacity rather than its seating capacity—seeking to look outwardly instead of inwardly. They do this by planting churches and focusing on community outreach events to spread the gospel. They are currently praying for and seeking out their next Family Pastor. Please pray for the search team and the person God will be sending to the church to fill that position.
Website: RidgeviewBaptist.org
“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..
May 4, 2019
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: May 4, 2019
From Around the Web:
5 Signs Your Church Has an Unhealthy Preaching Culture — Thomas Hwang
How do you know if your church is developing unhealthy preaching culture? Sure, there are obvious signs such as people falling asleep, playing games, or roaming the hallways during the sermon. But I think at that point, your church is just spiritually dead. There are subtle warning signs that I think churches should spot as signs of unhealthiness. What are those signs? Here are five.
11 Suggestions for Your Summer Reading List — Facts & Trends
Sunshine, free time, and a good book. Those three ingredients make for a pretty solid summer day. Often the hardest part is deciding what to read. Fiction? Classics? Theology? Biography? There are so many choices and the decision can become overwhelming. In an effort to make your decision easier, we asked Facts & Trends readers what they would suggest for a summer reading list. Looking at the responses, here are 11 recently-released books with a quick description and a link to easily add them your summer reading library.
7 Times when Pastors Become Blasphemous — Chuck Lawless
Sometimes even we pastors lack a sincere reverence for God. We may speak otherwise, but our actions suggest that we don’t really see God as God. In fact, sometimes we act as if we’re God—and thus become blasphemous:
How Does Jesus Respond to Your Doubt? — Michael Kelley
We hoped. We believed. But then “it” happened. The disease. The job loss. The depression. The change in circumstances. And now here we are, wondering if we have been duped. Feeling foolish for putting our stock in an old story and a hilariously impossible Savior. So what would Jesus do with that doubt?
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Who Are the Outcasts in (Some) Churches?
The church is supposed to be a place of welcome and refuge. But, for far too many people, it is a place of judgment and alienation. May God break our hearts with the things and people who break His heart…READ MORE
Five Reasons It’s Okay to Borrow Another Church’s Vision Statement
Many church leaders will admit the vision statement they use was adapted from another church. They often wonder if it is lazy and unethical to do so. I don’t think so…READ MORE
Understanding the Nominally Churched
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/rainerpodcast/Rainer-on-Leadership/Episode532.mp3
Reaching the Nominally Churched
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/rainerpodcast/Rainer-on-Leadership/Episode533.mp3
Worship Planning and Revitalization
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/rainerpodcast/Revitalize-and-Replant/RR-Episode091.mp3
May 3, 2019
Reaching the Nominally Churched – Rainer on Leadership #533
Podcast Episode #533
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After discussing who the nominally churched are in the last episode, today we focus on how to reach them.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
It’s hard to know how often people truly connect with a church if they aren’t in a group.
There’s a real need to reach the nominally churched because many of them need to be evangelized.
Group involvement creates personal relationships in the church. Ministry involvement creates personal responsibility in the church.
Hurt looks backward. Hope looks forward.
The eight points that we discuss are:
Who are they?
They need to know they are missed
Many need to be evangelized
Movement to groups often the most effective strategy
Movement to ministry the second most effective strategy
Acknowledge hurt but focus on future
Churches are missing reaching this group often more than the inactive and the unchurched
Part of the attendance frequency problem and opportunity
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Church Answers
Episode 532 – Understanding the Nominally Churched
Daily Discipleship Guide
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
Episode Sponsors
Today’s episode is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Midwestern offers more than 25 degrees at both undergraduate and masters level that are fully attainable online. From Business to Bible, Counseling to Christian education, prepare for your future at your own pace and in your own location.
Find out more at mbts.edu/online.
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped thousands of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.
For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.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.
May 2, 2019
Worship Planning and Revitalization – Revitalize & Replant #091
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Tim Cool and Tom Metz from Cool Solutions Group join us today to discuss worship planning and its role in the revitalization of a church as well as some tools for revitalization related to worship planning.
Episode Highlights:
Regardless of the size of your church, you need to be planning your worship services well.
More people than just the pastor and music leader are involved in planning a worship service.
Your church building should help your church better fulfill its mission of making disciples.
Regardless of the size of your building or congregation, planning is necessary.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Cool Solutions Group
Worship Planning
ChurchAnswers.com
Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.com
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.
May 1, 2019
Five Reasons It’s Okay to Borrow Another Church’s Vision Statement
Whenever I write about vision statements, I tend to get some visceral reactions. Some people simply abhor the idea of a church having a vision statement. For them, it’s total compromise with the secular culture. It’s treating the church like a business instead of the body of Christ.
Another group responds with intense enthusiasm. They absolutely love the clarity and energy a vision statement can bring. They can’t imagine a church without one.
I tend to see more positives than negatives with a vision statement. For certain, it can be used for the wrong reasons. But it also can bring focus and clarity to what a church should be doing. It can be a healthy and biblical guide to keep a church on track.
Many church leaders will admit the vision statement they use was adapted from another church. They often wonder if it is lazy and unethical to do so. I don’t think so. Indeed, it is really a common practice for many common-sense reasons. Here are five of them.
Churches have similar purposes; they, therefore often have similar vision statements. The biblical purposes of a church are consistent: prayer, evangelism, corporate worship, discipleship, fellowship, and ministry in the community and beyond. It only makes sense that those purposes become common language in many church’s vision statements.
Churches contextualize their vision statements for their specific situations. So, even if vision statements sound similar, their application is different for every congregation. A statement borrowed freely from another church often is very different when it is specifically applied in another context.
Too many church leaders spend inordinate amounts of time wording a vision statement when a borrowed statement will suffice. Not every leader is a clever wordsmith. I have seen pastors and other leaders agonize over minutia in a vision statement when they don’t have to do so.
The application of a vision statement is more important than its wording. I am not concerned about borrowed vision statements. I am concerned about ineffective and unapplied vision statements. Too many times, church leaders will spend countless hours wording a statement and then doing nothing with it. The vision statement becomes nothing more than a cute saying on the church website and publications.
Some of the most powerful vision statements are the result of taking the best from other vision statements. I did a consultation with a church where the vision was known and applied by most members. That reality does not often take place. When I asked the pastor how he derived the vision, he shared that the statement was really the combination of the best of several other church vision statements. He was able to take those parts he felt best fit the context of his church.
To be clear, I am not advocating plagiarism. I would certainly get permission before using a vision statement of another church in its identical or near identical form. But neither would I fret if I researched other vision statements to derive the vision statement for my church.
There is really nothing new under the sun.
