Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 134
January 12, 2019
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: January 12, 2019
From Around the Web:
Why Giving Stays Strong While Attendance Drops in Churches — Sam Rainer
I’ve noticed a recent trend among churches. The evidence is more anecdotal, but I have no doubt the phenomenon is occurring on a national scale. While more than half of all churches are in some form of attendance decline, a segment of these declining churches experiences either stability in giving or an increase in giving at the same time people are leaving.
10 Hilarious Requests Made at Christian Bookstores — Facts & Trends
Between praying with customers, outfitting them with biblical resources, and helping people navigate difficult issues along life’s journey, it was refreshing to break up some of the more serious moments with a laugh. Here are 10 of the more interesting requests I heard as a Christian bookstore manager:
How Has Women’s Ministry Changed Over Time? — Chris Adams
Because everything is changing in our world so quickly. Women are changing, culture is changing. And that way we have to continue to keep the ministry changing to reach more and more women for Him.
8 Signs that You’re Leading on the Defensive — Chuck Lawless
In a football game, the defense matters. In the local church, though, being on the defensive as a church leader is not a strong posture for leading. Check these markers of leading on the defensive, and see if any characterizes you.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Six Reasons Why Some Church Members Resist Growth
I have learned from countless pastors and members over the years why this seeming Great Commission disobedience is so pervasive in many churches. Here are six of the most common reasons…READ MORE
10 Reasons Church Members Don’t Invite Others to Church
“I just don’t think about it.”
“I’m afraid I’ll be rejected.”
“The music isn’t that good.”
“The preaching isn’t strong.”
“We’ve got too many church problems right now.”
“Our church is already too crowded.”
“Nobody ever challenged me to invite anyone.”
“I don’t know how to start the conversation.”
“It’s the Spirit’s job—not mine—to bring people to church.”
“It’s too far for people to come.”
Why Many Churches Will Quadruple Their Outreach Efforts This Year
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode500.mp3
How to Deal with the Constant Critic in Your Church
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode501.mp3
Seven Ways Revitalizing Churches Can Reach a Changing Labor Force
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode075.mp3
January 11, 2019
How to Deal with the Constant Critic in Your Church – Rainer on Leadership #501
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Critics are real in the church. And for many pastors, they are incessant. Today, we discuss how to deal with the constant critic in your church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Praying for a critic not only can change a critic’s heart, but can change your heart toward the critic.
Our goal in resolving conflict should be reconciliation and restoration, not revenge and retribution.
Too many pastors try to satisfy the most negative people in the church and end up ignoring the rest of the church.
If you’re a leader, you can expect criticism.
The seven steps we discuss are:
Pray for him or her.
Request a meeting to attempt reconciliation.
Help him or her to re-dream the dream.
Ignore the critic.
Recognize it is a reality of leadership.
Ask others to help.
Exercise church discipline on rare occasions.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Church Answers
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.
January 10, 2019
Seven Ways Revitalizing Churches Can Reach a Changing Labor Force – Revitalize & Replant #075
The labor force is changing. Is your church adapting? Today we discuss practical ways your church can see revitalization through meeting the needs of those in the community.
Today’s Listener Question from Tom:
One thing I’ve noticed about our church as we’ve moved toward revitalization is the change in when and how people are working. Many of our current members only know and have worked a traditional work schedule, but the people they want to reach now work non-traditional jobs. How do we navigate this?
Some highlights from today’s episode:
Churches with unused space during the week should consider the possibility of turning some of the space into co-working space for self-employed people in the community.
Senior adult ministry has radically changed in the past 20 years.
There are probably a lot of people in your community who would like to come to your church on Sunday mornings but work prevents them from doing so.
Sunday evening services may be coming back as duplicate services of Sunday mornings.
The seven ways that we discuss are:
44 million people work are self-employed or work for the self-employed (Idea: co-working at the church)
10 million older adults (age 65 or older) are working. (Idea: Training for older adults)
102 million people work in the service sector (Idea: Alternative worship days)
14 million single parents are raising 22 million children (Idea: adopt a family)
There are over 2 million first responders (Idea: Coffee break)
Do your own community study
Try one ministry at a time
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Revitalize Bundle
ChurchAnswers.com/percept
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.
January 9, 2019
10 Reasons Church Members Don’t Invite Others to Church
“I just don’t think about it.”
“I’m afraid I’ll be rejected.”
“The music isn’t that good.”
“The preaching isn’t strong.”
“We’ve got too many church problems right now.”
“Our church is already too crowded.”
“Nobody ever challenged me to invite anyone.”
“I don’t know how to start the conversation.”
“It’s the Spirit’s job—not mine—to bring people to church.”
“It’s too far for people to come.”
Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:
When you invite someone to church with whom you have a relationship, they often will accept the invitation.
Relationships is the number one factor for someone accepting an invitation to visit a church—not the music style.
Introversion is no excuse to disobey the Great Commission.
When church members invite others to church, it creates a culture of inviting and builds momentum in the church.
Books mentioned today:
Becoming a Welcoming Church
Scrappy Church
January 8, 2019
Why Many Churches Will Quadruple Their Outreach Efforts This Year – Rainer on Leadership #500
SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify
We celebrate episode 500 with donuts and a discussion on why churches are really cranking up their intentional outreach this year.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Easy church growth due to reaching cultural Christians is no longer viable for churches.
Churches have moved away from programmatic outreach and evangelism but are still looking to and relying on tools to help them reach non-Christians.
Too much church outreach is not tied closely enough to evangelism and reaching non-Christians.
Thank you listeners for 500 episodes of Rainer on Leadership.
The five reasons that we discuss are:
They understand the implications of the death of cultural Christianity.
Inertia requires a major push to overcome.
New tools will emerge.
Many churches will re-engage attendance growth.
It will become an accountability issue for church leaders.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Invite Your One
16 Quick Adjustments
Church Answers Gold
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.
January 7, 2019
Six Reasons Why Some Church Members Resist Growth
The confrontation was probably one of my more sobering moments as a pastor. The woman, a long-term church member, used the classic moment right before I preached to tell me God had spoken to her. He told her under no uncertain terms I was supposed to leave the church.
My first challenge was to figure out why God had told her and not me. It seemed like direct communication would have been far more efficient.
My second challenge was framed in a simple one-word question, “Why?”
She responded with smug certainty, “Because all of these new Christians are messing up our church.”
Oh.
Of course, I am not alone in dealing with this perplexing reality. Many church members really don’t want to see their churches grow. Some of them are content with sufficient growth to pay the bills, but none thereafter.
I have learned from countless pastors and members over the years why this seeming Great Commission disobedience is so pervasive in many churches. Here are six of the most common reasons.
Relational patterns are disrupted. Growth brings new members to ministries, groups, and church social functions. Leadership may shift with the incoming new members. Many members are simply not comfortable with new attendees changing long-term relationship patterns.
Many are too comfortable with the status quo. They would rather obey the perceived mandate of the Great Comfort than the mandate of the Great Commission.
Some have a me-centric view of congregational life. Thus, the church exists for me, myself and I. It’s all about my worship style, my programs, my ministries, and my pew. The church is more like a country club where I pay my dues and get my perks. If the new people get in my way as the church tries to reach them, I will raise my voice loudly.
Church members may want the pastor on call to take care of them. Too much growth spreads the pastor too thinly. If my pastor can’t meet my needs 24/7, we have too many people in the church.
Others are simply uncomfortable with any emphasis on numerical growth. The pendulum has swung too far. For many years, many churches over-emphasized numerical growth, so much so that it seemed like the number was an end in itself. Today, many church leaders and members resist any emphasis on numerical growth, often to the detriment of Great Commission accountability.
New people are different. New Christians and non-Christians are particularly different from most longer-term church members. Their presence can make churches messy. Some members don’t like messy churches. Kind of like the Pharisees didn’t like Jesus relating to messy people.
I recently wrote a blog post about church members who are heroes and heroines in their local churches. Pastors remember them fondly for a lifetime. They tell stories about them. They thank God for them.
But pastors also remember church members who are harshly negative, like those who resist Great Commission growth. My story took place a quarter of a century ago. I have moved on, but I have not forgotten.
Let us be church members who gladly obey Christ’s command to make disciples as we go into our communities. Such obedience will likely result in growth. And that’s not a bad thing.
January 6, 2019
Pray for Church by the Fort
Location: Copperas Cove, Texas
Pastor: Timbo Fowler
Weekly Worship: 9:30 AM, Central
Fast Facts: Church by the Fort launched in 2009, the Sunday before the Fort Hood shooting that killed 13. The church is now comprised of more than 80% active duty military or veterans and has consistently drawn more than 70% previously unchurched attendees since beginning 9 years ago. The church meets in a movie theater where the seats recline (and people do use that feature during the sermon).
They also partner with Iron Horse Disciples Motorcycle Ministry and minister in a local women’s jail conducting Celebrate Recovery and life skills training for transitioning out of the prison. Please pray for the leaders to have energy for ministry and for the ladies to have a positive transition as many simply get out and find themselves right back in the prison.
As you can imagine, due to the military connection, CBTF loses 30-40% of attendees each year due to military moves or job changes. The discipleship and evangelism challenge is higher than normal due to the typical short term nature of the attendees. Because of this, leaders come and go making ministry consistency more difficult. Also, the stress of military life and the absence of soldiers for deployment and training exercises take an enormous toll on the marriages in the congregation. Please pray for the members and for the church as they walk through that journey.
Website: ChurchByTheFort.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..
January 5, 2019
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: January 05, 2019
Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Every Pastor — Sam Rainer
It’s that time of year when people partake in the annual ritual of making well-intended promises. Most of them end up being broken by February. I also realize the presumptuous nature of this post—as if I could tell you what promises to make (and then inevitably break). However, I do believe every pastor should consider these ten resolutions. Perhaps they will get you thinking.
10 Exciting Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology in 2018 — Facts & Trends
This past year brought numerous discoveries that supported biblical accounts and provided context for other scriptural knowledge. Here are 10 of the top discoveries from 2018.
7 Reasons Staff Teams Sometimes Fall Apart — Chuck Lawless
I’ve seen it in local churches, and I’ve seen it on the mission field. When I ask church leaders what they most struggle with, it’s not uncommon to hear that interpersonal relationship battles are the biggest problem. In fact, I know folks who walked away from their calling because the relational issues took too big a toll. Here are some reasons that teams so often fall apart:
How We Study the Bible Shapes Our View of God — Katie Orr
Why is it important to study the Bible? In this video, Katie breaks down that question and explains how Bible study and our understanding of the Bible affects every part of our life, but most importantly, our view of God.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Twenty Church Member Heroes and Heroines for 2018
As we conclude this year, I want to recognize twenty church members who are incredible blessings to their churches…READ MORE
Six Reasons Your New Member Class Is Not Effective
New member classes are vital to the health of a church. But these classes are only effective if the commitment, priority, and effort of the church leadership is evident on an ongoing basis…READ MORE
10 Reasons for Optimism in 2019
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode498.mp3
What Pastors Need to Do When They Are Deeply Hurt
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode499.mp3
Dealing with the Regret of Successful Revitalization
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode074.mp3
January 4, 2019
What Pastors Need to Do When They Are Deeply Hurt – Rainer on Leadership #499
SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify
Church members and ministry circumstances can hurt pastors. It will happen, and pastors need a response plan. Today, we discuss how to handle being hurt in ministry.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
It’s not if a pastor will be hurt by a church member, but when.
It’s important to pray for those who criticize or hurt you as a pastor. It helps you deal with the situation better.
All pastors need people in their lives in whom they can confide.
When you are hurt as a pastor, exercise spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
The seven steps we discuss are:
Give it a few days
Pray
Get an objective perspective
Talk to peers
Spend more time in the Word
Focus on thanksgiving
Get physical exercise
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Church Answers
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.
January 3, 2019
Dealing with the Regret of Successful Revitalization – Revitalize & Replant #074
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • Spotify
When revitalization takes place in a church, a church changes. Those changes create pain points in the church and sometimes people want to go back. Today, we explore this and discuss how to combat it and move forward.
This Week’s Question:
FROM TERRY — I have pastored my church for 8 yrs. When I took the church the congregation acknowledged its need for revitalization having only 6 attending members. We now have between 25 and 40 depending on time of year. Some now regret the revitalization and want to scale back services by cancelling one or both evening services a week. Their reason is the workload is too much but they reject any offer of assistance. Any suggestions?
Episode Highlights:
As churches grow, sometimes they need to remove things from the schedule rather than adding them to keep the focus on reaching others with the gospel.
When it comes to paring down programs in churches, choose to keep the ones that are truly making disciples.
A church mission statement should be actionable and inspirational.
Church membership classes need to focus on information, expectations, and assimilation.
The six keys that we cover are:
Evaluate the “why” behind their attitudes
Evaluate the “why” behind your current schedule
See if your have a true and clear process of discipleship
Conduct a church health survey
Review your new members’ class
Conduct a ministry survey
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
ChurchAnswers.com
Simple Church
Church Health Report
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.
