Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 13

Important! Calling on the Body of Christ to Help Churches Directly Affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

I weep when churches are hurt. I rejoice when the body of Christ comes together to help these churches.

Today, I am prayerfully calling on you to help churches directly affected by two monster hurricanes.

We are still a long way from knowing the extent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. As I write this article, we are waiting for a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area by Hurricane Milton, likely near Bradenton.

Church Answers has three team members who live in or near Bradenton: Sam Rainer, Matt McCraw, and Wes Hamilton. These three men represent two churches, West Bradenton Baptist and First Baptist of Bartow. They are not merely waiting on a hurricane; they are waiting to act as first responders. They are putting their lives on the line to help others.

That is how the body of Christ works.

Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton affected hundreds, if not thousands, of churches. We at Church Answers want to help as many of these churches as possible. I have two specific and bold requests.

A Call to Fervent Prayer

Lives were lost in Hurricane Helene. Churches were devastated. Even now, we don’t know the extent of the fatalities and the damage. 

By the time many of you read this article, Hurricane Milton will be hitting the Tampa Bay area. We will wait to hear the reports later.

And I will wait in earnest prayer for my own son.

Please pray. Please pray fervently for the churches, their leaders, and their members. Pray for God’s intervention and mercy. Start a movement of prayer where you are right now.

Please leave a comment at the end of this article when you pray. Let these churches know we have not forgotten them.

I personally thank you as the CEO of Church Answers and as a dad who loves his son greatly.

A Call to Sacrificial Giving

Many of you might not be aware that local churches are among the first responders. They need immediate funds for chainsaws, tools, wood, generators, and so much more. There will be more needs later, but we know the immediate needs.

Church Answers has set up a hurricane relief fund for churches at our sister not-for-profit organization, Now Go Network. Over 250,000 churches in America contact Church Answers every year. We know the churches. We know how to help the churches. We are ready to help many churches in the paths of two monster hurricanes.

Please consider giving sacrificially to help the churches. Your tax-deductible gift to Now Go Network will go directly to the churches. Here is the link: https://nowgonetwork.org/donate/?donation_term=once

Thank you so very much. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your collective hearts. The body of Christ is absolutely amazing.

Thom

P. S. Please leave a comment letting us know you are praying.

P. P. S. Please send a sacrificial tax-deductible gift to the churches. Here is the link  https://nowgonetwork.org/donate/?donation_term=once.

The post Important! Calling on the Body of Christ to Help Churches Directly Affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton appeared first on Church Answers.

When You’ve (Almost) Lost Hope for Your Unbelieving or Prodigal Loved Ones

I’ve heard the story so many times lately that it seems hardly a week passes by without my hearing about this grief: believing loved ones praying for family members who’ve never followed Christ or who have abandoned the faith of their upbringing. Sometimes it’s parents praying for teen and adult children; at other times, it’s teen and adult children still praying for older parents and grandparents. 

I know this anguish because I prayed for 36 years for my dad and 47 years for my mom before they both became Christ-followers. I would be lying if I said that I never once lost faith or doubted God in the decades that I prayed. I was a pastor for a number of those years, but even I wondered if God were ever going to answer my prayers. It felt like the more I prayed, the worse the situation seemed. 

My wife, Pam,

Already a member? Log in Unlock premium content!

Get access to all Church Answers premium content from our expert contributors plus many other membership benefits.

$9.97 per month

Unlimited access

Join Now

The post When You’ve (Almost) Lost Hope for Your Unbelieving or Prodigal Loved Ones appeared first on Church Answers.

6 Things that Happen when You Know Prayer Warriors “Have Your Back”—and a Challenge for You

I have several prayer warriors (actually, I have 20 on my list today) who intercede for me regularly. Some pray for me and Pam every day. Others pray when I request it. I know it sounds cliché to say, “Prayer really matters” . . . but, I continue to learn how much it does. In fact, here are some ways the prayers of my support team have changed my life: 

I know every day that I’m not alone. No matter what I face today, I know God is with me – and knowing these friends are praying for me keeps that truth in front of me. My prayer warriors may be all over the world, but still they are with me. They are followers of God who remind me that He is with me.I deal with temptation differently. That is, because I know others have already taken my name to the throne of God before I face temptation, I’m more prepared to deal with it. I realize, then, that if I choose to be disobedient, I’m ignoring the conviction of the Spirit and the prayers of God’s people.I can tackle tough situations more readily. As a seminary dean, I sometimes have to deal with difficult situations. The same is true when I’ve been a pastor or interim pastor. Frankly, I don’t like confrontation. When I know my prayer warriors are with me, though, I’m more willing to do whatever I need to do in these situations.I worry less. I confess that I still carry too many burdens on my own, but here’s the reality: I don’t carry them nearly as long when I remember that I have prayer support. These folks praying for me would want me to leave my burden at Jesus’ feet—and they’re right.I look forward to doing ministry. Every time I speak somewhere, I email my prayer team to let them know. I’m not sure I can put into words how much more I love doing ministry when I know these folks have already been interceding for me. Their prayer ignites my passion and gives me strength for the work.I pray more. When you know the power of prayer because of the persistence of your prayer warriors, you will want to pray more. To be honest, my daily prayer is that God would make me a man of prayer others would turn to in need. I want to be like the several folks who take prayer seriously on my behalf. 

Now, here’s my challenge to you: enlist at least 2-3 prayer warriors who will commit to praying for you regularly. Work with them to determine the process you will follow as a team. If you already have these kinds of prayer warriors who “have your back,” make sure you’re intentionally seeking their support. 

Prayer really, really does matter.

The post 6 Things that Happen when You Know Prayer Warriors “Have Your Back”—and a Challenge for You appeared first on Church Answers.

The Hidden Struggles of Pastor’s Wives: Overcoming Church Hurt

October, a month often dedicated to celebrating pastors, also offers a unique opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable role of their wives. As a pastor’s wife for nearly two decades, I’ve experienced the incredible privilege of witnessing God’s work firsthand. Yet, this privileged position also comes with its share of challenges, including betrayal, loneliness, and even a sense of spiritual warfare.

The term “church hurt” encapsulates the painful experiences that individuals can encounter within a church setting. For pastor’s wives, who are often expected to serve, encourage, and lead, the wounds inflicted can be particularly deep. These experiences, often kept hidden, contribute to the loneliness and discouragement many face during difficult seasons of ministry.

The Invisible Ache

Church hurt for pastor’s wives can manifest in countless ways, often leaving us feeling isolated, undervalued, and betrayed. I’ve personally experienced being ignored, uninvited, talked about behind my back, and constantly feeling like I had to be the bigger person. The sorrow I’ve carried is deep, but it’s also led to a more intimate and profound relationship with Jesus.

Mirroring What We Experience of Jesus

One of the most painful experiences I’ve faced as a pastor’s wife was when a longtime member and friend unexpectedly left our church. Through a series of misunderstandings and unspoken words, it felt like we’d been dropped. The pain was intense, and I questioned everything. I cried out to God, pleading for His intervention, but the situation didn’t unfold as I had hoped. In moments of pain and confusion, the Bible has been my anchor, and even in the midst of pain, God is working redemptively and has a purpose in the journey.

Church Hurt Forces Me to Practice What I Preach

The “one another” passages in Scripture apply to us as well. We can’t bear with one another if we isolate them. We can’t love those who slander us if we respond with harsh words or passive-aggressive behavior. In our hurt, we have the chance to live out the gospel we preach. Just as I need grace, I must extend it to others. Instead of being quick to speak, I must listen, understand, and seek to be right with God rather than with people. I fear that our experiences can lead us to believe God is only for “us” and needs to deal with “them,” but in reality, He’s coming after all of us.

To gain insights into overcoming church hurt, I reached out to pastor’s wives from diverse backgrounds. Their wisdom and experiences offer valuable guidance for those navigating similar challenges. I hope as you read their words you feel seen and know that you aren’t alone in this journey. 

Support and Community:

“I think ensuring you have some kind of support of community outside of the church… This has been immensely helpful to us.”“We need to be willing to seek help personally… either with a trusted mentor and/or through counseling.”“Best advice I was given was to be like a sponge or a rubber ball. Soak up the love and encouragement when it happens and let all the negativity bounce like a rubber ball.”“We need to be willing to seek help personally in order to have a safe place to process hard seasons of ministry, hurtful relationships, unkind words & actions directed towards us, etc. either with a trusted mentor and/or through counseling.”

Perspective and Forgiveness:

“Don’t blame the church as a whole when a few people hurt you.”“In all of our cases of hurt there have been deeper issues. Choosing to pray for those who have hurt us and love them has been hard but worth it.”“Try to take absolutely nothing personal. After all, the church is full of a bunch of sinners.”“Remind yourself to be an example…there is always someone watching who may not know Jesus…and to be like him and love and have compassion…even when (and mostly when) it’s not the easiest thing to do.”“The hardest lesson for me to learn as a young PW was to not expect ‘seasoned’ folks to be saintly. Age/leadership position does not always bring Christlikeness. I had some hard wake-up calls with some in these categories.”“Embrace the sufferings of Jesus. I know that is easy to say but when I found myself betrayed by people in the church I thought were my friends, all I had to cling to was that Jesus went before me and he knew that pain as well as anyone.”“Pray for them and forgive them, same advice Jesus gives us.”“I would say cling to the Word of God, to your Husband and family. Remember, your Husband is leading a church full of all the above and more.”“Sometimes you have to let people be wrong about you. God sees what’s going on. Eyes on Jesus.”“The church at its best is the best the world will ever get.”“Whatever the challenge from people, God’s spirit moving and His word advancing are still the solutions to that problem.”“These people in your church are made in God’s image. God loves them the same way He loves you. Keep your focus on Jesus and His love for the sinners. 

Practical Tips:

“When you go into a difficult meeting, always keep your eyes soft.”“Don’t force yourself or try to make yourself fit in by overdoing it.”“Understanding the limitations of communication and human nature.”

Church hurt is a painful reality for many pastor’s wives. It can lead to feelings of isolation, betrayal, and discouragement. However, it can also be a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual development. By turning to God’s Word, practicing forgiveness, and seeking support, we can overcome church hurt and find healing. Remember, even in the midst of pain, God is working redemptively in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The post The Hidden Struggles of Pastor’s Wives: Overcoming Church Hurt appeared first on Church Answers.

Four Reasons Why “Evangelism” Is Often Misunderstood in Churches

It’s Chuck Lawless’ fault.

Okay, the previous sentence is tongue-in-cheek. My friend and co-laborer in ministry, Chuck Lawless, has cited 2 Corinthians 2:4 so many times that I often get it stuck in my mind.

To be clear, getting it stuck in my mind is a good thing. Look at the verse:

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God (2 Corinthians 2:4, NLT).

This one verse is so rich in its depth that I could spend hours trying to understand its full import. But for simplicity’s sake, we can say unhesitatingly that Satan does not want people to become followers of Christ. He blinds them to the gospel until the Holy Spirit removes the scales from their eyes, often through our personal evangelism.

While I grasp the fundamental issue of Satan blinding unbelievers, I have given my life in ministry to attempt to understand why believers don’t evangelize on a regular basis. Satan is pleased to blind unbelievers, and I know he is pleased when believers don’t evangelize. Concurrently, he is pleased with non-evangelistic churches.

It is that previous sentence that has compelled me to study both evangelistic churches and non-evangelistic churches. Why are some churches evangelistic and others are not?

There are many paths I could take to attempt to answer that question. For now, one of my research-based answers is that many church members are confused about the meaning of church-based evangelism. The confusion often lies in understanding what constitutes an evangelistic ministry in a church. Here are four examples of the confusion.

Misunderstanding #1: Community ministries are not typically evangelistic.

Please hear me clearly. Community ministries are vitally important to the communities churches serve and to the churches themselves. Jesus commands us powerfully and clearly that we are to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, visit those in prisons, provide clothing to those who have none, and care for the sick (Matthew 25: 34-40).

But churches can use their community ministries as a substitute for sharing their faith. Our consulting team at Church Answers frequently hears from members who think their church is evangelistic because it has a food or clothes ministry. For sure, members can share the gospel with those who receive these ministries. But it is rare to hear about a church that actually reports conversions and assimilation into the congregation.

Misunderstanding #2: Big church events are not typically evangelistic.

Our team hears a similar conversation almost every week when we ask church members what their church does evangelistically. One of the common responses describes their annual Christmas event or production with hundreds, perhaps thousands, attending. To be clear again, a big event can be evangelistic, but that is the exception and not the rule.

Most big events are services and ministries for the community, and many of them are attended by both non-believers and members from other churches. However, very few churches see conversions and assimilation from these events. Sadly, in some churches, the big event provides church members cover or excuses not to be evangelistic themselves.

Misunderstanding #3: Transfer growth is not evangelism.

When we ask church members if their churches are evangelistic, we often get a common response like, “Oh, yes, our church is really growing.” However, most of the growth in churches is transfer growth. The person has moved from another church in the community, so the church has grown by adding Christians at the expense of other churches.

Another example of transfer growth takes place when someone joins a church after they have moved from another location. Sam Rainer calls this growth “demographic growth,” but it is still non-evangelistic growth unless a person has been reached with the gospel and assimilated into the church. I am grateful that my church, The Church at Spring Hill, has grown by many people becoming followers of Christ. But we’ve seen a number of California Christians decide that they wanted to move to the Nashville area. That’s not evangelistic growth, though we love our California (and New York) transplants.

Misunderstanding #4: “Outreach” is not necessarily evangelistic.

Some churches describe their attempts to reach people not currently attending church as “outreach.” While outreach can certainly be evangelistic when it focuses on the unchurched, it usually includes ministries to reach Christians moving to the community and to believers who have been out of church for a while (typically called the dechurched).

Again, the word “outreach” might include church-based evangelism. But many of the church activities might not be evangelistic.

Steps Toward an Understanding of Effective Evangelism

After many years of research and church consultations, our team is getting closer to understanding how effective evangelism can take place in and through a local church. I know that this effective evangelism can neither be created nor contrived. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.

But we can seek to understand how the Holy Spirit works in these churches. If that gets us one step toward obedience to the Great Commission, our efforts will not be in vain.

We hope to unveil this research in 2025. In the meantime, let me know if your church or a church you know is reaching people with the gospel and assimilating them into the life of the church. I can’t wait to hear from you.

The post Four Reasons Why “Evangelism” Is Often Misunderstood in Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Marx Was Wrong: How America’s Elites Are Embracing Religion

Karl Marx is an infamous and polarizing sociologist who still evokes emotions years after his death. Marx was a German author who lived from 1818 to 1883, and he is, of course, most famous for his short pamphlet The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848. The English version of this work runs less than 15,000 words but may be one of the most notorious pieces ever written. It emerged from Marx’s observations about how rapidly the world was changing around him due to the advent of mechanization and the Industrial Revolution. Marx noted how the move from rural subsistence farms to urban factories would have a tremendous impact on many people’s lives.

What stands out most in Marx’s work is his view of religion. He was not a fan of what he saw happening in Germany in the mid-1800s. The factory owners would use the Bible as a way to keep

Already a member? Log in Unlock premium content!

Get access to all Church Answers premium content from our expert contributors plus many other membership benefits.

$9.97 per month

Unlimited access

Join Now

The post Marx Was Wrong: How America’s Elites Are Embracing Religion appeared first on Church Answers.

Getting Your Church Recession Ready Without Killing Your Ministry

I am not an economist.

But I am a pastor who must plan a church budget for 2025. What are the odds of a recession?

J.P. Morgan Research increased the recession probability by year-end 2024 from 25% to 35%. Other economists put the likelihood of a recession by year-end 2025 around 45%.

Here is the bottom line: There is a 50/50 chance you need to budget for a recession in 2025.

I know, that’s not helpful. Basically, the economists are saying anything can happen.

Since 1950, the United States has experienced a recession approximately every 6.5 years on average. These recessions have varied in duration, lasting anywhere from two to 18 months, with the average recession lasting around ten months.

What Happens to Charitable Giving During a Recession?

Historically, the drops are not drastic.

One study found that charitable giving is more sensitive to economic upturns than economic downturns, meaning economic booms were more likely to increase donations than recessions were likely to reduce them.

But is this trend changing? Maybe. Charitable giving declined by 11% ($59B) in 2022. It was the biggest annual decline on record, surpassing the drop of the Great Recession from 2008 and 2009. Then charitable giving increased by 11% in 2023 ($58B) but is still just short of the all-time high of $558B in 2021.

Are we at an inflection point with a potential downward trend in our future? Or will the upward trend of charitable giving continue? It’s anyone’s guess.

It’s important to note the difference between charitable giving and donations to churches. For decades, the church has lost ground with overall charitable giving.

Giving to churches has dropped even though giving to non-profits is up.In the early 1980s, churches received over half of all charitable giving.Today, churches receive less than a third of all charitable giving.

Charitable giving is on the rise in the United States, but churches are receiving a smaller and smaller portion. People who give see the church as merely one option among many places to give.

The Real Culprit: Inflation!

Charities are encountering increasing costs, and as the economy deteriorates, many will experience a surge in demand for their services. Although recessions don’t always result in a drop in donations, the actual value of funds available to charities is diminishing due to increased expenses caused by inflation.

Personnel costs are up.Operating expenses are up.Deferred maintenance is getting more expensive.Mission partners need more funds.

While revenue is up for some churches, it’s often not keeping pace with increasing expenses. For example, income is up in many homes, but not at the same pace as the increasing costs to feed and care for children—a common theme found across the United States with many families.

How You Can Prepare for a Potential Recession

What should you do? Even if we don’t experience a technical recession, inflationary pressures remain. Your church could feel the pinch of the devaluation of the dollar.

Be willing to stretch your personnel costs slightly beyond the 45% to 55% range. The longtime rule of thumb is 50% of a church’s budget should be dedicated to personnel. This rule still holds true generally, but you might need to stretch an extra percentage or two in order to accommodate the cost-of-living increases among church staff.Limit any new debt or personnel costs and wait until rates drop more. For churches already feeling the pressure of inflation, now is not the time to roll the dice with additional debt or place stress on the personnel budget with an extra hire.Do not count on significant increases in giving. Budget your revenue from 2024. Unless your church shows signs of substantial growth, I would be more conservative with budget increases.For cash flow purposes, ensure you understand the timing of your expenses. At my church, our giving dips slightly in the summer while expenses go up with camps, VBS, and neighborhood ministry. We know in advance that a slight cushion is needed by spring to cash flow in the summer.Challenge your people more, not less, during a recession. Remember, silence about giving will lead to apathy about giving. You don’t get unless you ask. Spiritual warfare starts in the bank account. Congregants often stop giving first before other areas of faithfulness begin to slip.Downsize or eliminate luxuries that deplete cash flow. You may need to cut that weeklong staff retreat or the expensive, big-name conference speaker.Build a reserve line item into your budget. Many churches do not have a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses. A church should have about three months of expenses set aside for emergencies. Start building this fund through your operating budget. In essence, you pay yourself with this tactic. As funds come into the operating budget, a portion is set aside for the contingency fund.

You can plan wisely without sacrificing the heart of your ministry. Your church can weather a potential recession while fulfilling its mission and serving your community faithfully.

The post Getting Your Church Recession Ready Without Killing Your Ministry appeared first on Church Answers.

The Real Reasons the Unchurched Do Not Attend (What Your Church Can Do About It)

Do people who attend church regularly have different perceptions of the church than those who do not attend regularly? We wanted to know how both the churched and the unchurched feel about the church.

The Church Answers Research team conducted a large, national study. After comparing the church with the unchurched, we found new, surprising insights.

The unchurched don’t attend mainly because of indifference and not because of busyness or antagonism.

We asked the unchurched why they do not attend church regularly. As expected, a variety of answers surfaced. However, clear themes emerged. They are not upset with the church or too busy for the church. They are mainly indifferent about the church.

On the survey, the unchurched could select up to three reasons why they do not attend church regularly. Their answers are sorted from most common to least common.

The top two answers point to a level of indifference. Non-attendees do not view church as necessary, or they simply got out of the habit of going. The third reason is expected. A portion of non-attendees have different beliefs than those of the Christian church. However, the fourth reason returns to the theme seen in the first two answers: They are indifferent to issues of faith.

Notice the lower percentages for previous bad church experiences (16%), being too busy (15%), or not feeling welcome (11%). What some may believe are hurdles are not that much of an issue. The unchurched don’t think they are too busy, and they are not antagonistic towards the church. Issues like divorce (5%) and poor health (4%) hardly register on the survey.

The catalyst for the unchurched to start attending church is both a spiritual and personal connection.

What is the prompt? What causes someone to start attending church? The answer to indifference is intentionality. The unchurched start attending to grow spiritually and because someone invited them. It’s the combination of spiritual and personal connections.

The survey asked the unchurched why they would start attending church regularly. They could select up to three answers.

The themes in the data are clear. The unchurched start attending regularly because of spiritual prompts: growing spiritually (32%) and God told me to go (20%). The spiritual prompt is coupled with the personal prompt. The unchurched also start attending regularly because someone invited them (22%) and a spouse wants them to go (17%).

As we have seen throughout several decades of research, it’s not good music or charismatic preaching that draws the unchurched. Those factors tend to enhance transfer growth (as seen in the subsequent finding). What the unchurched need is guidance by the Holy Spirit and a personal invitation. While the former is only a work of God, the latter is easily accomplished by any size church in any location in the United States.

Churched people tend to care more about worship style, programming, and denominational preferences than the unchurched, but the top reason churched people attend a particular church is because someone invited them.

The church and unchurched alike attend a particular congregation primarily because someone invited them.

While worship style, location, programming, denominational preferences, and preaching quality have great impact on a churched person’s decision to select a congregation, the top of the list is a personal invitation.

This new data supports our research findings from the last twenty-five years. A personal invitation is the most impactful way to motivate someone to start attending church.

Click here to download the entire report for FREE!

The post The Real Reasons the Unchurched Do Not Attend (What Your Church Can Do About It) appeared first on Church Answers.

The One Thing We Don’t Hear about Multisite Churches

The multisite strategy is ingrained in the American church culture. While the majority of churches will never use a multisite strategy, they are no longer perceived as aberrations and outliers. But something has been taking place steadily that engenders few, if any, conversations. 

Before we look at that “one thing,” let me clarify my understanding of multisite churches. I include the classic definition of a church meeting in more than one physical location. But my definition makes room for “multi-venue” (meeting in more than one place on the same campus). A multi-venue church might have one service meeting in the worship center while another service meets in another place on the same campus. A multi-venue church could also have a service on the same campus on a different day of the week. 

I have not yet included multi-services in my definition of multisite. Still, these additional services on the same site in consecutive time slots do indeed have most of the characteristics of a multisite church. To avoid confusion, for now, I will exclude the multi-service church in my definition. 

Back to my original thesis. What is the one thing we don’t hear about multisite churches? It is obvious, but its implications are hardly ever mentioned. 

The One Thing 

The one thing we never hear about multisite churches is that their creation and implementation can have two significantly different motives. Some churches move to a multisite model to accommodate “overflow” growth. But most churches today move to a multisite model to reignite growth that has stalled or declined. 

My data and numbers are anecdotal, but I have confidence in their trajectory. 

The Two Models of Multisite 

From a strategic perspective, we see clearly how these models are different. The Overflow model is just what it sounds like. The church has run out of room in its worship space, parking, or groups. It has to start a new venue to keep growing. Again, the venue could be a new campus, a different room in the same facility, or a different day, to name a few. 

The Reignite model means that the church has declined or, at the very least, stalled in its growth. The new site becomes a strategy to restart growth. 

We contend that the motive for starting a new site has changed dramatically in the past twenty years. Here are our estimates:Twenty years ago, three-fourths of churches that moved to a multisite model did so to accommodate growth. These churches were almost assured that the new site would start healthy and grow healthy because of pent-up demand for space.

The motive for starting a new site reached an inflection point in 2015. As we move into 2025, we estimate that three-fourths of the multisite efforts will be to restart or reignite growth. The implications for this massive shift are significant. 

Seven Implications of This Shift 

Since most of the multisite efforts shift toward the Reignite model, we must realize that there are several issues we must address. Though not an exhaustive list, here are seven key implications: 

Change will be more challenging. Most church members will understand the need for the Overflow model. The mindset of church members in the Reignite model will typically be more resistant. There is rarely easy growth. The Overflow model has church members and guests ready to move to another site. If nothing else, they are glad to have some space. That is obviously not the case with the Reignite model. The move to another site may prove to be a relocation. If the original site is dying, it might eventually close. The new site will thus be a de facto relocation even if it was not planned to be.There is a greater likelihood of jealousy about the new site. It is common for members of the original site to feel like the new site is getting all the attention. While their motive is self-serving, it is nevertheless a real challenge. Demographic growth is still viable with the Reignite model. If the new site is in an area of rapid demographic growth, there is a good possibility that it will grow. One church I observed found that one-third of their community works at least one Sunday a month. They started a Thursday evening service and reached many successfully. They had more demographic opportunities even though they used the same facility.The leadership skillsets needed for each of the two models are likely different. Though this issue might be a challenge, I have worked with church leaders who have been able to meet this challenge. Indeed, their willingness to start a new site is indicative of a growth mindset they might not have used with the original site.Usually, the timeline for the Reignite model is longer than that of the Overflow model. Several factors could affect the timeline, but it is not unusual for the Reignite model to require a longer period of buy-in. 

Is the Reignite Model Worth It? 

The seven implications above are weighted more toward the negative. For certain, there are likely more challenges with the Reignite model versus the Overflow model. However, I am still hopeful for those churches that use the Reignite model. Frankly, it is often the best step a church can take to move from decline to growth. 

We will gather hard data about these models in the future. We are happy to share any new information with you. 

What do you think about these models? I would love to hear your perspective.

 

P. S. My friend, Tony Morgan, died on September 4, 2024, after suffering a heart attack. Tony and his organization, the Unstuck Group, have been a great resource to local churches, including those who are moving to a multisite model. Please remember his widow, Emily, and their three grown children in your prayers. Remember the Unstuck Group as well as they move into a new era without Tony.

The post The One Thing We Don’t Hear about Multisite Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

The Shift in Churches Caused by 9/11

The events of September 11, 2001 marked a profound and sad moment in American history, influencing almost every aspect of society in the short term. The immediate aftermath saw a noticeable increase in religious observance, but the long-term impact on churches and religious communities was less pronounced.

Where Were You During the Attacks?

I was walking to my Tuesday banking class on the University of South Carolina campus. As I entered the Darla Moore School of Business, I could tell a major event was occurring. People were crowded around televisions. The silence was eerie. I went to class.

I’ll never forget the words from our professor that morning in a half-full classroom: “Something is obviously happening in New York City, but we must stay focused on our assignments.”

About halfway through the 9:00 a.m. class, someone walked briskly into the class and whispered a few words to our professor.

He turned to us, “All of you may leave, and I recommend pulling as much cash out of your bank accounts as possible.”

We now know how perilously close our banking system came to an utter collapse due to liquidity shortfalls. I remember the tough decision of deciding how much to withdraw as I walked to the ATM. Should I pull out all $300? It was a lot of money to me as a 21-year-old back then.

The Immediate Religious Response

The financial impact of 9/11 is well documented. Thankfully, researchers at the time also noted the impact on churches. In November 2001, Barna completed a study comparing pre-attack and post-attack religious beliefs and behaviors.

In the wake of the attacks, there was a significant, albeit temporary, surge in religious participation. Church attendance shot up 25% but returned to normal by the end of 2001. Bible sales also spiked but then quickly returned to typical sales patterns. Many Americans turned to churches and other religious institutions seeking comfort, community, and meaning amidst the chaos and fear. But it was not long-lasting. The moment of comfort did not translate into transformational spiritual change.

More surprisingly, there was a drop in the belief of absolute moral truth at the end of 2001. At the start of the year 2000, almost four out of ten adults (38%) believed there are absolute moral truths that do not change according to circumstances. As reported in the Barna study, this belief in absolute moral truth dropped to just two out of ten adults (22%) shortly after the September 11 attacks. It seems people had increasing doubts about truth, came to the church for help, and then returned to their daily lives.

An Opportunity Lost

Despite the initial uptick in religious involvement, the long-term effects on church attendance and religious commitment were less pronounced. While there was a temporary rise in church attendance, the numbers soon returned to pre-9/11 levels. The immediate increase in attendance did not translate into a sustained commitment to religious practices or beliefs. Many of the unchurched who attended worship services in the aftermath of 9/11 did not maintain their engagement over the following months​.

This pattern suggests that while the attacks temporarily prompted many to seek religious comfort, it did not lead to a lasting revival in religious commitment. The expected long-term increase in religiosity did not materialize, as many people who turned to religion for comfort did not find the experience compelling enough to continue regular religious participation.

A longitudinal study conducted in 2008 revealed the short-lived impact on young adult religiosity and spirituality. According to these findings, no remarkable religious revival occurred among young adults after the events of September 11. While many expected a prolonged uptick in religious beliefs due to the terrorist attacks, it never happened. In fact, in some ways, the opposite followed.

Long-Term Shifts in Religious Beliefs and Views

The events of 9/11 had a complex impact on Americans’ long-term views on moral matters. Contrary to the expectations of many religious leaders, there was a significant decline in the belief in absolute moral truths, with fewer people adhering to the premise of unchanging moral principles. This shift suggests a move towards a more relativistic or situational view of morality, possibly influenced by the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the attacks and their aftermath​.

While church attendance patterns did not shift much following September 11, other changes in beliefs did occur. Two years after 9/11, Gallup did a study and found some attitudinal and behavioral changes were sticking more than others. Most evident was the increase in American patriotism, a significant rise in people believing terrorism is a major problem, and lower support for immigration. Two decades later, defending the country from terrorist attacks has been at the top of the public’s policy priorities since 2002. Immigration remains a contentious issue.

Additionally, the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror contributed to changes in attitudes towards Muslims and Islam in the United States. Initially, there was a rise in favorable views towards Muslim Americans as the country rallied together in the face of a common enemy. However, over time, this unity faded, and suspicions of Muslims increased.

In a series of Pew Research Center surveys conducted in 2014, 2017, and 2019, Americans were asked to rate various religious groups on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represented the most negative perception and 100 the most positive. Across these surveys, Muslims and atheists were consistently rated among the lowest, indicating cooler attitudes towards these groups.

The Role of Religious Institutions Post-9/11

The role of religious institutions in the aftermath of 9/11 was multifaceted. While they provided immediate emotional and spiritual support, many struggled to maintain the engagement of new congregants in the long term. According to Mark Chaves, a sociologist at Duke University, the spike in church attendance was short-lived, and the overall trend in American religiosity continued its gradual decline, which had begun in the 1970s. This decline is characterized by fewer people claiming religious affiliations, attending services regularly, or professing belief in God​.

The fleeting nature of the post-9/11 church attendance bump highlights a broader trend in American society: the growing individualization of religious and spiritual beliefs. More people began to identify as “spiritual but not religious,” seeking personal spiritual experiences outside traditional religious institutions. This shift has been particularly pronounced among younger generations, who are less likely to attend church or adhere to organized religion compared to older generations​​.

The impact of 9/11 on American churches and religious life is a story of initial reaction followed by a return to pre-existing trends. While the attacks prompted a temporary increase in religious activity and a brief sense of national unity, these effects—unfortunately—were not sustained. The lesson for churches today is simple. Even the most dramatic, fear-inducing phenomenon is not enough to sway the public to attend church for a sustained period. We eventually revert to previous patterns and behaviors, as evidenced more recently by the 2020 pandemic. We tend to remember the events and the emotional impact on us at the time, but these events alone are not enough to change behavior in the long run. 

This premium research article is available only to Church Answers members. We are unlocking it for 48 hours only. If you want to become a member and have access to all premium research articles, click here .

The post The Shift in Churches Caused by 9/11 appeared first on Church Answers.