Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 138
December 4, 2018
Primary Factors That Led to a Pastor’s Call to Ministry – Rainer on Leadership #490
SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify
A call to ministry is intensely personal, but for many pastors the call shares a few common themes. Today, we discuss six of those themes.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Those in ministry often (and almost always) feel called to make a difference.
A passion to reach the community is being realized by revitalization pastors and church planters.
The primary call to pastor is to shepherd His people.
Sometimes God gives a subtle call to ministry. For others, it can be a jarring call.
The six factors we discuss are:
Desire to preach
Desire to make a difference
Passion to reach a community
Heart to shepherd people
A traumatic event
Affirmation by people
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.
December 3, 2018
American Churches Are at a Tipping Point
Tipping Point (noun): the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.
If current trajectories continue, American churches will pass a tipping point. Our congregations will begin a likely unstoppable path toward decline that will rival many European churches of the past century. If there is not a significant movement of revitalization, there will be an accelerated rate of decline and death.
The good news is that many leaders are not denying this reality. They are seeking God and responding obediently. Church revitalization has become a real and powerful theme. As I indicated in my book, Scrappy Church, more and more churches are moving in incredible and positive directions.
How will God move in our churches? How will we respond? While I will not address those two paramount questions in this particular article, I do want us to see the three specific areas of the tipping point: theological, attitudinal, and actionable.
The Theological Tipping Point
If a church does not have a solid biblical and theological foundation, all other issues are moot. In some congregations, there is slippage on the doctrine of exclusivity, the biblical truth that Christ is the only way of salvation (John 14:6). In other congregations, leaders and members are questioning the absolute authority of Scripture. That issue is as old as creation when the serpent questioned God’s Word, “Did God really say . . .?” (Genesis 3:1).
We can’t even begin to deal with other tipping points until we have resolved the issues of truth and fidelity to Scripture. The slippery slope of questioning God’s authority leads to the decline and death of churches.
The Attitudinal Tipping Point
At some point in the recent history of the Church, particularly North American churches, becoming a part of a local congregation became a consumer-driven activity. Too many church members want, even demand, their own preferences and desires. In some congregations, we are more likely to hear a member fight over his or her own worship style preference than ask how he or she might truly serve the body of Christ.
Read 1 Corinthians 12. Becoming a member of the body of Christ means we serve others for the greater good of the body. The needs of others come before our preferences and desires. Paul admonished the local congregation in Philippi: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). That doesn’t sound like some of our church business meetings.
The Actionable Tipping Point
There are many presumably Bible-believing churches that like the idea of evangelism more than doing evangelism. Frankly, I deal with evangelical church leaders and members every day who profess unwavering fidelity to Scripture but haven’t intentionally had a gospel conversation in recent memory.
We are so busy with church activities that we neglect active obedience of the Great Commission. We can be passionate about the placement of the offertory in the worship service but never invite people to come to those worship services. We can complain when the pastor doesn’t visit members sufficiently, but never visit the hurting and lost ourselves.
A church leader recently asked me why I thought his church was not growing. I asked him what his church did every single week to reach, invite, and serve the community. His silence was his own answer. Many of us conservative Christians would rather fight each other than fight against the gates of hell.
It Is Time
Still, I am not discouraged. The tipping point is not inevitable. Our obedience may have waned, but God’s power has not. Many church leaders and members are recommitting themselves to a renewed and vibrant mission. Many of their churches are seeking and seeing revitalization.
There is indeed an incipient movement of scrappy churches. It is real. It is growing.
It is time.
With whatever years God gives me, with whatever breaths I have remaining to breathe, I ask God to use me in my church to serve Him and others with unwavering commitment.
And then, and only then, may I dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”
Do you and your church desire to be a part of this movement of leaders, members, and churches committed to the ministry of greater church health and revitalization? Join us at RevitalizeNetwork.org.
December 2, 2018
Pray for Grace Temple Baptist Church
Location: San Angelo, Texas
Pastor: Christopher Sweet
Weekly Worship: 10:15 AM, Central
Fast Facts: Grace Temple has been serving San Angelo with the gospel for 45 years. The former pastor served faithfully and effectively for 34 years before retiring and continues to serve as a layman in the church. Pastor Chris has led the church for nearly three years and is serving in his first lead pastorate. Please pray for Grace Temple’s upcoming Christmas Eve Service and for their efforts to minister among the college students at Angelo State University. Also please pray for their newly launching discipleship groups that will begin in January and for a prospective mission trip they are praying about taking to Mozambique this summer. Finally, pray that Grace Temple will find its main focus for ministering the gospel in San Angelo and for Pastor Chris’ wisdom, discernment and leadership to come form Christ alone.
Website: GTMinistries.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..
December 1, 2018
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: December 1, 2018
Why Most Established Churches Need Revitalization — Sam Rainer
Healthy established patterns create healthy churches. Unhealthy established patterns create unhealthy churches. Clearly, more churches have unhealthy patterns as compared with healthy patterns. The stats are undeniable. But I’ll dig deeper. There is more beneath the surface. Numerical declines are merely a symptom, not the root problem.
10 Hilarious Church Christmas Fails You Have to See — Facts & Trends
The Christmas season provides a great time for churches to do special services. You can involve more church members, invite the community…and maybe make a viral video. These hilarious happenings at Christmas services are fun reminders that no matter how much planning and preparation goes into a program, something unexpected can always happen. Enjoy these hysterical Christmas programs gone wrong.
How Should We Talk to Our Kids About Santa? — Joshua Straub
Perhaps you too wonder whether you should conform to the holiday tradition of Santa Claus celebrated around the world. Logically speaking, your concerns are warranted. If we lie to our kids about Santa, then perhaps they will think we lied to them about Jesus as well.
7 Reasons Some Church Revitalizations Won’t Work — Chuck Lawless
I believe in church revitalization. I’ve seen it happen, and I know it happens all over the country. Still, though, I’m convinced that some revitalization efforts will never work. Here’s why:
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Nine Updated Trends about Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve is less than a month away. Most churches have some type of Christmas Eve services, but we are seeing clear trends in how churches approach them…READ MORE
Simple Church, Revisited
The background
What it’s not
Clarity
Movement
Alignment
Focus
Trends in the Number of Weekends a Pastor Preaches Each Year
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode488.mp3
Five Common Ways Pastors Overcome Sermon Blocks
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode489.mp3
Revitalizing a Church with a Terrible Reputation
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode069.mp3
November 30, 2018
Five Common Ways Pastors Overcome Sermon Blocks – Rainer on Leadership #489
SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify
Sunday comes every week for a pastor. And that means a sermon needed nearly every week. Today, we discuss how to combat sermon block if and when that happens.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
The more you can plan ahead with sermon prep, the less likely you are to fight sermon block the week of the sermon.
Both church members and staff can be sources for sermon pointers.
Pastors, if you plagiarize your sermons, people will notice.
Being prepared (mentally and spiritually) and starting early are two main keys to beating sermon block.
The five methods we cover to combat sermon block are:
Preach through books of the Bible
Take sermon preparation retreats
Brainstorm with staff and church members
Listen to other preachers’ podcasts (BUT DON’T PLAGIARIZE!)
Start early in the week
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Church Answers
Revitalize 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.
November 29, 2018
Revitalizing a Church with a Terrible Reputation – Revitalize & Replant #069
When your church is well-known in the community, it’s typically for something really good…or something that’s not so good. Today, we tackle the latter and discuss how to get past leading a church with a terrible reputation.
Episode Highlights:
If your community is growing rapidly and your church is in decline, you need to assess why.
Most churches don’t have a negative reputation in the community—they have no reputation at all.
Serving local schools is the most direct way to impact your community. By serving those in the schools, you’re directly impacting local area families.
Your church can often have a negative reputation because of the negative attitudes of the members about the community.
The six keys that we discuss are:
Assess the situation accurately
Get feedback from community members
Start serving the community
Start celebrating the community
Spend more time with the doers than the whiners
Consider re-planting
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Revitalize Network
Revitalize Bundle
ChurchReplanters.com
ChurchAnswers.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.
November 28, 2018
Simple Church, Revisited
The background
What it’s not
Clarity
Movement
Alignment
Focus
Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:
Your church needs a simple process of discipleship that moves members to deeper growth in Christ.
Simple Church is not about eliminating everything, it’s about a process of discipleship.
Your church’s vision statement should be your process of discipleship.
We are personally called to become more fully developed disciples.
November 27, 2018
Trends in the Number of Weekends a Pastor Preaches Each Year – Rainer on Leadership #488
SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify
Preaching trends are changing in churches. Today, we look at why many preachers are preaching less every year and why that’s a good thing.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Not only are pastors preaching fewer weeks per year, but they’re preaching fewer times per week as well.
Having a plurality of preachers in a church allows you the opportunity to raise up more people for pastoral ministry.
A plurality of preachers in a church diminishes the likelihood of a church becoming centered around the personality of one person.
Newer churches are building a plurality of preachers into their DNA and many more established churches are moving that way as well.
The five trends we discuss are:
Traditional model of 48 to 50 weeks a year is diminishing.
The multiple times a week model is diminishing as well.
The 40X model is increasing.
The plurality of preaching/teaching model is increasing.
As a rule, the younger the age of the church, the greater the likelihood for trends three and four to be in place.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Church Answers
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.
November 26, 2018
Nine Updated Trends about Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve is less than a month away. Most churches have some type of Christmas Eve services, but we are seeing clear trends in how churches approach them. Every time we write or podcast something about these services, we get a lot of comments and questions. In that context, here is an update on nine clear trends we are seeing:
It is growing in importance. Non-Christians are more likely to come to worship services on Christmas Eve than any other day of the year, including Easter. Church leaders get it. They are putting more prayer, preparation, and strategic thinking into the services.
There are three popular times for the service. Whether a church has one or multiple Christmas Eve services, three times are more popular than others: later afternoon (typically for families with young children and for older adults); early evening (the more traditional time); and late evening (for empty nesters and families with teenage or grown children).
The services are traditional. They include traditional hymns and carols. They may include some time for the lighting of the final advent candle.
The services are brief. The typical length is 30 to 45 minutes.
The pastor’s message is brief. The typical length is 10 to 15 minutes.
Most churches include candlelight services. They are now expected by Christians and non-Christians alike.
More unchurched are attending these services. As I noted in the first item, one of the reasons for the growing importance of Christmas Eve services is the increasing number of non-Christians who attend. Anecdotally, they seem to be more receptive each year.
Churches are building in processes for follow-up. That means they have processes in place to get contact information, and processes to provide some type of non-aggressive follow-up such as a text message, an email or, most effectively, a handwritten letter.
All ministry staff are expected to be there. Because this day is the single most important day to reach unbelievers, more churches require an “all-hands-on-deck” presence.
Some of these trends have been around a while. Some are only recently growing in importance. Please share with us what your church plans to do for Christmas Eve.
November 25, 2018
Pray for Chrisney Baptist Church
Location: Chrisney, Indiana
Pastor: Rusty Keltner
Weekly Worship: 10:30 AM, Central
Fast Facts: Chrisney is located in rural southwest Indiana—the town doesn’t even have a stoplight. However, the community is more than 80% unchurched, and Chrisney Baptist Church has a desire to have a gospel conversation with each person in the community by 2020. they are also currently seeking a missions partnership to be involved with. Please pray for the opportunity to plant gospel seeds in Chrisney and for them to reach their goal of having a gospel conversation with every person in the community.
“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..
