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Notable Voices and the Week in Review: February 9, 2019

From Around the Web:

Ageism: The Real Struggle for Church Staff Close to Retirement — Sam Rainer

Churches will survey the congregation and ask about an ideal age for a new lead pastor. The answers are always the same—somewhere between 38 years-old and 56 years-old. The national median age is 38 years-old, and the median age of a churchgoer in most denominations is someone in their mid-to-late 50s, so it’s no surprise the church would say, “I want a pastor who is like me!” For those who are older on your church staff, what can be done? How can a church move away from the blatant ageism that seems to be so rampant in congregations?

What do Millennials Actually Believe About Evangelism? — Facts & Trends

Millennials have been blamed for killing everything in our culture from the hotel industry to canned tuna. Is evangelism next on their hit list? Probably not. In a recent study from Barna, almost half of practicing millennial Christians (47 percent) say it is “wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.” This caused many loud laments on social media from Christian leaders about the faith of millennials and some pessimistic declarations about the future of Christianity in America. However, the rest of Barna’s findings along with other research presents a more nuanced picture of millennials’ relationship with evangelism.

When a Church’s Committees are out of Control — Chuck Lawless

Many churches have committees, but some of them are out of control. Here’s how you might know:

3 Ways to Misunderstand the Trinity — Brandon Smith

There are many ways to understand the Trinity more deeply. I would start by reading helpful books like On God and Christ by Gregory of Nazianzus or Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves. But first, it’s important to restart your framework. You need to undo your own Trinitarian theology before learning how to do Trinitarian theology. So, how can we misunderstand the Trinity? Here are three foundational ways. Each point will setup and flow into the next one.

This Week at ThomRainer.com:





















The Five Hour Challenge: Turning Your Church Outwardly Focused

I have to challenge pastors and church leaders. In recent years I have noticed a precipitous decline in the amount of time church leaders spend doing evangelism or doing activities that have an outward focus…READ MORE

Seven Warning Signs of Inward Focus in a Church

There are very few attempts to minister to those in the community.
Church business meetings become arguments over preferences and desires.
Members in the congregation are openly critical of the pastor, other church leaders in the church.
Any change necessary to become a Great Commission church is met with anger and resistance.
The past becomes the hero.
Culture is seen as the enemy instead of an opportunity for believers to become salt and light.
Pastors and other leaders in the church become discouraged and withdraw from effective leadership.
















Six Major Areas Where Pastors Want to Reset Their Ministries

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership

http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode508.mp3








Five Reasons Your Church Should Have a Virtual Facility Assessment Immediately

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership

http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode509.mp3








Choosing Relocation as a Revitalization Alternative

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant

http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode079.mp3

Five Reasons Your Church Should Have a Virtual Facility Assessment Immediately – Rainer on Leadership #509

Podcast Episode #509

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

Church facilities can cost churches more than they ever imagined. Without continuous assessments and upkeep, facilities can eat up funds that would be best used for ministry. Today, we feature a resource that can help.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

The majority of churches in need of a facility assessment don’t realize their need for it.
By lowering your church facility expenses, you can provide more money for ministry.
When the church facility is everyone’s responsibility, they get neglected because they are no one’s responsibility.
Outside eyes are often necessary to notice needed facility improvements.

The five reasons we discuss are:

You will have more funds for ministry.
It is very affordable.
It is a needed wake-up call for many churches.
In many churches, there are facility crises about to happen.
Facilities are often neglected because they are on one’s responsibility

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Revitalize Network
Virtual Facility Request – Cool Solutions
Envelope3.com

Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network

Episode Sponsors

The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical training is more necessary than ever. It’s time to get your Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div —Midwestern Seminary’s flagship degree program — is the primary track for ministry preparation. At just 81 hours, the Midwestern M.Div offers a complete foundation for full-time ministry leaders, offering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Join other students in vibrant Kansas City as you train in a unique collaborative environment focused on the local church or study online in your current ministry context. Midwestern Seminary is developing a discipleship culture devoted to the local church and committed to God’s unchanging Word. Why not start your training today?

Find out more at mbts.edu/mdiv.

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.

Choosing Relocation as a Revitalization Alternative – Revitalize & Replant #079

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Relocation is often considered a magic bullet for revitalization. Today, we discuss why it’s not the case and what to consider then making the decision to relocate.

Today’s Listener Question from Carter:

The church I pastor needs revitalization. We are in an economically depressed area and many of our members drive in. Would it be better for us to explore relocation vs. trying to grow where we currently are?

Some highlights from today’s episode:

Relocation in revitalization should be the exception, not the norm.
The cost of relocation is often high and not all the costs will appear on a balance sheet.
When a church moves locations, the DNA of the church is often altered.
In oder to better reach your community, you need to know the demographics and psychographics of the community.

The seven points that we discuss are:

It is usually not a good first choice
Are there groups in the community that would use the facility more effectively?
Know the costs of relocation
Understand where your current members live
The “DNA transplant” problem
Know the details of the new location’s demographics
Get help!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Cosco & Associates
ChurchAnswers.com/percept
Church Answers Consulting
Revitalize Network
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 Scrappy Church and Reclaiming Glory.

Seven Warning Signs of Inward Focus in a Church

Seven Warning Signs of Inward Focus in a Church

There are very few attempts to minister to those in the community.
Church business meetings become arguments over preferences and desires.
Members in the congregation are openly critical of the pastor, other church leaders in the church.
Any change necessary to become a Great Commission church is met with anger and resistance.
The past becomes the hero.
Culture is seen as the enemy instead of an opportunity for believers to become salt and light.
Pastors and other leaders in the church become discouraged and withdraw from effective leadership.

Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:

God gave your church its address for a reason.
I abhor the words “I love you pastor, but…”
When the past becomes the hero, your future becomes irrelevant.
Many churches are fighting culture so much that they fail to live out the Great Commission.

Six Major Areas Where Pastors Want to Reset Their Ministries – Rainer on Leadership #508

Podcast Episode #508

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

Ministry routines and rhythms can get out of balance at times. Today we discuss what areas are commonly most in need of a reset for pastors.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

When you get busy as a pastor, one of the first areas that gets neglected is outward focus.
Don’t let the tyranny of the urgent compromise your fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Whatever time you allocate for a meeting will likely get filled.
What would change if you could cut church staff meetings in half and turn that time into evangelism and outreach?

The five things former pastors tell us they miss most about pastoring are:

Evangelism and outreach: “I must do more!”
Pastoral visitation: “I must equip others!”
Meetings: “I must say ‘no’ more readily!”
Family: “I must make them my first ministry!”
Counseling: “I must be more careful!”
Prayer: “I must calendar it to be a priority!”

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Church Answers

Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network

Episode Sponsors

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.

The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical training is more necessary than ever. It’s time to get your Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div —Midwestern Seminary’s flagship degree program — is the primary track for ministry preparation. At just 81 hours, the Midwestern M.Div offers a complete foundation for full-time ministry leaders, offering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Join other students in vibrant Kansas City as you train in a unique collaborative environment focused on the local church or study online in your current ministry context. Midwestern Seminary is developing a discipleship culture devoted to the local church and committed to God’s unchanging Word. Why not start your training today?

Find out more at mbts.edu/mdiv.

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.

The Five Hour Challenge: Turning Your Church Outwardly Focused

I was hesitant to write this post.

Indeed, I could see church members using this post to advocate that the pastor needs to do more of the work of ministry like evangelism. I’ve heard similar words many times: “After all, that’s what we pay the pastor to do.”

Such words are shameful. Such words are unbiblical.

But I do have to challenge pastors and church leaders. In recent years I have noticed a precipitous decline in the amount of time church leaders spend doing evangelism or doing activities that have an outward focus.

And here is the reality: If the pastors and church leaders are not serious about reaching people with the gospel, you can’t expect the members to do so. Most pastors are spending less than two hours a week in outwardly-focused ministries, specifically evangelism. They have become so busy doing good things they neglect obedience to the Great Commission.

Here is my simple challenge: Commit at least five hours a week to evangelism and outwardly-focused ministries. Mark those five hours on your calendar like any other appointment. Make those five hours a priority. Do not come up with busyness and excuses that keep you from fulfilling your challenge.

This challenge should apply to all vocational ministers on staff. If you are full-time, commit five hours. If you are half-time, commit three hours (yeah, I rounded up).

Here are some suggestions for your five hours each week:

Take a non-Christian or unchurched person to lunch.
Write five handwritten notes to people who do not have a church home and have visited your church.
Email or text 20 people who are looking for a church home.
Take two hours to walk and pray for homes in your community.
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel every day.
Find a person in need in your community. Help them. Let them know you are doing it as an ambassador for Christ.
Start a Bible class that meets every week for eight weeks. Advertise on Facebook that the class will give you a basic overview of the entire Bible. Meet no more than one hour a week. You might be surprised how many non-Christians show up.
Have a 15-minute stand-up meeting with your staff each week. Ask them how they spend their five hours.

You readers are very creative. I know you can share with us many other ways to be outwardly focused. Let us know some of your ideas. Let us know what you are currently doing.

Don’t expect your members to be evangelistic unless you are evangelistic.

Consider taking the five-hour challenge.

Pray for First Baptist Church of Carmi

Location: Carmi, Illinois

Pastor: Drake Caudill

Weekly Worship: 10:10 AM, Central

Fast Facts: In April of 1884, First Baptist Church of Carmi, Illinois, was formed. Over the years, many mission opportunities and programs have been started by FBC Carmi. For example, the Illinois Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services was started in 1918 and the pastor and deacons of FBC Carmi led the way to raise the funds. Numerous mission trips to Mexico and other outreach/mission opportunities over the years have led to the church becoming a church focused on missions and outreach. In 2019, FBC Carmi will be seeking to ‘love their city for the glory of God’ as it seeks to be more involved in the town of Carmi so that they may share the love of Christ with those in the town. As a congregation, they are praying for an increase in salvations and baptisms in 2019. Please pray that the congregation will have more opportunities to share the gospel with those in Carmi. Also pray for three special programs designed in 2019 to minister to their community: Easter Sunday services, Vacation Bible School and Christmas Eve services.

Website: Facebook.com/firstbaptistcarmi

“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..

Notable Voices and the Week in Review: February 2, 2019

From Around the Web:

Five Strategies for Being a More Approachable Pastor on Sunday Morning — Sam Rainer

If you are a lead pastor, there will be many wrong perceptions about you. It’s impossible to stop. People will formulate ideas about who you are, often pulling from ideals and experiences—good or bad— with previous pastors. These perceptions will be corrected over time as you interact with people and as church members communicate with other church members about your true personality. I certainly haven’t mastered the art, but I make an intentional effort on Sundays. Here are some things to consider.

Four Things to Love About the New CSB Study App — Facts & Trends

There’s a new app you need to download on your beloved smartphone, and no, I’m not referring to the latest Angry Birds offering. (Even if that is an excellent distraction when you’re killing time between hospital visits.) No, I’m talking about the new and improved CSB Study App which you can get for free here for iOS or Android.

Should a Church Membership Class be Required? — Chuck Lawless

More and more churches now expect new church members to complete a membership class, but the debate about whether these classes should be REQUIRED is still an ongoing one. Here are some of the arguments I’ve heard from both sides, and I’d love to hear your opinion. Help all of us consider this important issue.

4 Common Evangelism Mistakes and Why They Shouldn’t Stop You — D. Scott Hildreth

Though we value evangelism, very few of us are actually doing it. According to recent research, 61% of Christians have not shared Christ in the past six months, and 25% have only shared with 1-2 people. I have spent the majority of my ministry teaching Christians how to be more evangelistic. In this post, I want to highlight 4 mistakes most Christians make in evangelism and why we need to stop making them.

This Week at ThomRainer.com:





















Mega Pastoral Vacancies in Megachurches

Boomer megachurch pastors are retiring. The number grows every month. And churches are having difficulty finding successors…READ MORE

When You’re Called to Ministry Later in Life: Six Questions

It is an exciting time to be called into vocational ministry. It is an especially exciting time when it happens later in life…READ MORE

What Former Pastors Miss Most about Pastoring

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership

http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode506.mp3








What Former Pastors Don’t Miss about Pastoring

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership

http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode507.mp3








The Unique Challenges of Revitalization in the Bible Belt

by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant

http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode078.mp3

What Former Pastors Don’t Miss about Pastoring – Rainer on Leadership #507

Podcast Episode #507

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

In episode 506, we discussed things former pastors missed from their time as a pastor. Today, we look at the other side of the coin and discuss things pastors don’t miss.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

Trying to meet unrealistic expectations placed on you as a pastor is a pathway to burnout.
Evaluate your weekly meetings. Many of them could be shortened or even eliminated.
Congregational pressure is an acute pressure on pastors.
You’re not effectively ministering if you’re neglecting your family.

The seven things we discuss are:

The critics, bullies, and power groups
The stress of unrealistic expectations
Meetings
Being on call 24/7
Stress placed on their families
Dealing with church decline
Administration and leadership

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Church Answers
Interim Pastor University
Church Consultation University


Episode Sponsors

The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical training is more necessary than ever. It’s time to get your Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div —Midwestern Seminary’s flagship degree program — is the primary track for ministry preparation. At just 81 hours, the Midwestern M.Div offers a complete foundation for full-time ministry leaders, offering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Join other students in vibrant Kansas City as you train in a unique collaborative environment focused on the local church or study online in your current ministry context. Midwestern Seminary is developing a discipleship culture devoted to the local church and committed to God’s unchanging Word. Why not start your training today?

Find out more at mbts.edu/mdiv.

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.

The Unique Challenges of Revitalization in the Bible Belt – Revitalize & Replant #078

SUBSCRIBE TODAY:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • Spotify

The Bible Belt isn’t as unique as it once was in American culture. But revitalizing churches in the area often still requires some unique considerations.

This Week’s Question:

FROM AARON — I am finishing my seminary degree this semester and feel called to pastor in the Bible Belt. Since a lot of church revitalization is needed in the Bible Belt, what are some unique challenges of pastoring in the Bible belt?

Episode Highlights:

There’s not as much of a cultural divide in the Bible Belt as there used to be.
When we truly start to love Jesus more, we will start to love our neighbors more.
Just because someone may have joined a church earlier in life doesn’t make them truly a Christian.
Anyone who believes they are entitled to something from God, know the adversary has put that thought in you, not the Holy Spirit.

The seven reminders we cover are:

Understand what is not unique about the Bible Belt.

Clarify the “why” behind your sense of calling.

Understand the plague of cultural Christianity

Tactical patience is always important, no less so in the Bible belt

Deal with the issue of unregenerate membership

Be prepared to deal with an entitlement mentality

Remember, a Great Commission outward focus is key wherever you serve


Resources mentioned in this episode include:

ChurchAnswers.com
RevitalizeBundle.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.