Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 146
September 16, 2018
Pray for Churches in the Carolinas
This week, Hurricane Florence made landfall in Southeastern North Carolina. As with any Hurricane, the strong winds have done a great deal of damage to cities on the coast. However, for the past few days Florence sat over the lowlands of the Carolinas dumping inches upon inches of rain. The rain has causes extreme flooding in the region and has displaced several thousand residents. The death toll—much of it from rising waters and flooding—currently stands at 11. Church buildings in North Carolina have also been affected. Many of them have taken on water as the flood waters have risen. Several churches also had structural damage to worship centers, educational spaces, and family life centers.
Please be in prayer for the churches, pastors, church members, and community residents affected by Hurricane Florence. Also Send Relief and the North Carolina Baptist Men are in preparation mode to move in once the storms and rain waters subside to aid in the recovery. Please pray for these volunteers as well as everyone who will be assisting in cleanup and recovery later this week. Storms like Florence may last only a week, but their impact is often felt for months, and sometimes years, to come. Please pray for the recovery and give to aid the causes in the Carolinas if you feel led to do so.
September 15, 2018
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: September 15, 2018
6 Reasons to Have Sympathy for Boomers Who Did Not Save Enough for Retirement — Art Rainer
Reports continue to come out about the Baby Boomer generation and their retirement. Unfortunately, many of the findings are not encouraging. Many do not have enough money to retire or are running out of money in retirement. While the initial reaction for some may be, “I told you so,” I have sympathy for this generation and their retirement struggles. Here’s why:
6 Things Your Church May Be Doing Illegally — Facts & Trends
Unfortunately, leaders who bring a casual attitude to copyright infringement put themselves at legal risk. Not only that, they also jeopardize the integrity of their ministries by flirting with the temptation to steal creative property. As a best practice to ensure your church is acting above reproach in honoring copyright law, survey the below list and seek to avoid the following six things that may be putting your ministry at risk.
5 Ways to Pray for Your Pastor’s Wellness — Trillia Newbell
We’ve seen these lists of how to pray for your pastor before—for protection, humility, grace, etc. But I wonder, in light of the unique struggles pastors seem to endure and the consistent headlines of pastors leaving the ministry, if there are additional prayers we might add. These are the five prayers I will begin praying for my pastor and pastors everywhere:
4 Ways to Become an Effective Role Player in Your Church — Joseph Dicks
So pastor, even if it seems unpopular, uncomfortable, or tedious, continue in steadfast pursuit of what Scripture calls us to in Ephesians 4:11–16. Equip the saints and build up the body of Christ until we all attain unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. Now the question is, “Isn’t building up the church the pastors’ job?” Yes, but not by themselves. Every member is called to take part in building up their particular body. Every member is meant to serve in ways that supplement the pastors and make their work a joy and not burdensome. So, with that in mind, here are four ways to become a good role player in your church.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Ten Reasons We Are Starting Revitalize Network
You might detect I am a bit excited about this ministry. Indeed, I am. It is my prayer we will become more than an organization, but a movement used by God to transform churches and the world. So, why are we starting Revitalize Network? As a starter, allow me to share ten reasons…READ MORE
Eight Differences between Church Giving and Church Dues
Look at each of these sets of eight characteristics. You will likely identify most of your givers versus dues payers in your church…READ MORE
Why Staff Issues Are Among the Most Painful Church Issues
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode466.mp3
How to Say No to Church Members
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode467.mp3
How to Deal with Theological Issues in a Revitalization
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode058.mp3
September 14, 2018
How to Say No to Church Members – Rainer on Leadership #467
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Pastors often fall into the trap of being people pleasers. Today, we discuss why and how you can say no to requests or even demands from church members.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
One of the most freeing things a leader can do is to accept that you will not be loved by everyone.
Pastors, make sure your first line of ministry is your family.
Pastor, you can’t say yes to everything. You have to learn to say no to some things.
Having a referral list can help a pastor say no to ongoing pastoral counseling.
The six ways that we discuss today are:
Accept you can’t please everyone
Say yes to your family first
Find times away from the office
Suggest members do what they want you to do
Get advocates to help you
Say no graciously
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.
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast
Unleashing the Church
September 13, 2018
How to Deal with Theological Issues in a Revitalization – Revitalize & Replant #058
Theology is important in a church. And sometimes when churches aren’t growing, there can be a temptation to be lighter on theology in exchange for relevancy or growth. Today we discuss why that’s a terrible idea.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM JESSE
Many churches that are declining have theological issues (problems with liberalism etc). How do you work through these issues in a church replanting/revitalization situation? Is there anything unique about this? Is there a point when the church is theologically too far gone?
Episode Highlights:
“When pastoring, start with the Bible and stay with the Bible.”
When you start compromising on small theological issues, you’ll eventually start compromising on big theological issues.
“One of the wonderful things about teaching through books of the Bible is it forces you to preach hard passages as well as easy ones.”
Doctrine should be held mentally and lived out physically.
The goal of church discipline is restoration, not removal.
The seven ways you deal with theological issues in a revitalization are:
Hold to biblical truth
Demonstrate grace
Understand “contextual slippage”
Teach and preach deep truths
Demonstrate the consequences of slippage
Deal with persistent heresy
Don’t sacrifice truth on the altar of relevancy
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
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 Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.
September 12, 2018
Eight Differences between Church Giving and Church Dues
It is amazing to hear how church members view their tithes and offerings to their local churches. Though it’s cliché to say, the attitudes of their hearts reflect the nature of their contributions to the church.
I recently looked at hundreds of comments on this issue on this blog and on Church Answers. The attitudes in which church members gave were easily divided into two categories: church giving and church dues. In simplest term, church giving is an act where the member lets go of the funds with no reservations. He or she truly gives the money to God through the church. Church dues, though, have strings attached. They are not as much gifts as they are membership dues to receive certain rights and perks.
Look at each of these sets of eight characteristics. You will likely identify most of your givers versus dues payers in your church.
Church Giving
Gifts are given with a heart of gratitude.
The giver never speaks of the funds as “my money.”
The giver has zero expectation of personal benefits from the church in exchange for the funds.
The gifts are viewed by the giver as part of his or her walk of discipleship with Christ.
The giver seeks no recognition, plaques, or naming privileges for the funds.
The giver gives with joy.
If the giver has any regrets about the funds, it is that he or she really wants to give more.
The funds are “first fruits.” They are the first amounts taken out of paychecks and other sources of income.
Church Dues
Funds are viewed as membership dues with entitlement benefits.
The giver loves recognition for the funds donated.
The donor withholds funds when something does not go his or her way. Indeed, the person will often attempt to persuade others to do the same.
Money is almost always given with expectations. It is “my money.”
Funds are often given from what is left over rather than first fruits.
Donor sees money as a right to determine church spending without regard for the rest of the membership.
These donors love to give designated funds since they have more control over “my money.”
Giving to the church is a source of pride for the donor.
What would you add to these lists? Do you have more church giving or church dues?
September 11, 2018
Why Staff Issues Are Among the Most Painful Church Issues – Rainer on Leadership #466
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Church staffing can be tricky in today’s churches. On this episode we discuss reasons church staffing issues can hurt a church and how to deal with them.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Bad hiring is endemic in churches, and we end up with staff conflict as a result.
People who work in the church often gravitate to two extremes: being a workaholic or being a lazy bum.
Most church staff issues are the result of some staffers being a poor fit. Those issues tend to work themselves out because people will leave the staff, but not always.
Church personnel teams often don’t know about staff issues in the church because they don’t see the staff day to day.
The reasons staff issues can be such a problem are:
Bad hiring practices
Lack of accountability and poor work ethic among some staff
Power groups formed around staff
Inherited staff/pastor
Personnel and similar groups that don’t have full awareness
The Sunday-only personal versus the five-day-a-week persona
Disloyal staff/pastor
Leadership responsibility without authority
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 Becoming a Welcoming Church.
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast
ChurchAnswers.com
September 10, 2018
Ten Reasons We Are Starting Revitalize Network
Think about it: Churches working together joyously for the greater health of all churches.
Think about it: Churches with some level of health and resources helping churches that are struggling.
Think about it: Churches across North America, and ultimately the world, growing healthier and making a profound difference in their communities.
Those are some of the prayers I have as we begin a new non-profit venture called Revitalize Network. I am praying God will use all the churches, organizations, and individuals who come together to make this movement a reality in His power.
So, why are we starting Revitalize Network? As a starter, allow me to share ten reasons.
We have hope for congregations across North American and the world. Some people may have given up on specific local churches, but we are convinced God still has a plan for them.
Many healthier churches desire to help those churches that are struggling. The churches and their leaders realize, by working together, we are really being obedient to both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
We desire to work together joyfully. The world often sees churches and believers fighting online and in their congregations. We pray that Revitalize Network will be a place of hope, unity, and joy. We pray the churches that work together in the network will be known by what they are for more than what they are against.
Somewhere between 75% and 90% of all churches need some level of revitalization. The need is great. The opportunity is before us.
Many churches do not have the resources to move toward revitalization. It is our prayer soon to be helping thousands of churches every year.
Church health is a local issue. Churches are revitalized when God works through a local congregation in a local context. Through resources, consulting, and coaching, we pray that we can work side-by-side with local churches.
When churches are revitalized, communities are changed for the better. And when communities change, culture is transformed. This movement is thus not just about revitalizing churches, but churches transforming communities and the world.
Pastors and other church leaders need hope. We prayerfully seek to be a source of hope and encouragement for them. Many are discouraged. Some are depressed. And some are even suicidal.
Churches working together toward revitalization is an incredible witness to the world. The simple gospel act of churches working together will have a profound impact on the watching world.
We desire to bring glory to God through church revitalization. In terms of priority, this reason is number one. It is why Revitalize Network exists.
You might detect I am a bit excited about this ministry. Indeed, I am. It is my prayer we will become more than an organization, but a movement used by God to transform churches and the world.
Check us out at RevitializeNetwork.org. We have only just begun.
September 9, 2018
Pray for Erieside Church
Location: Willowick, Ohio
Pastor: Jason Boggs
Weekly Worship: 10:30am, Eastern
Fast Facts: Erieside Church is located on the banks of Lake Erie and is a Bible-centered congregation, trying passionately to communicate the principles of God’s Word in a clear, sensitive and relevant way. It is their aim to paint a picture of the world as it is, and a picture of the world as it could be by the grace of God. Please pray that Erieside would continue to see growth and reach its community and the numerous reach millennial families in the area.
Website: Erieside.org
“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.
If you would like to have your church featured in the “Pray for…” series, fill out this information form..
September 8, 2018
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: September 8, 2018
4 Ways Churches Can Help Alleviate the Addiction Crisis — Sam Rainer
Addiction is a problem that can be both public and hidden. There are those on the streets who are obviously suffering. Then there are others who go unnoticed, but just beneath the surface are spinning in chaos. Likely, the problem of addiction exists in your community, and it’s probably a bigger issue than you realize. How can a church help alleviate the addiction crisis that rages in our nation? Here are four ways.
Where Are the Actual ‘Christian Nations’? — Facts & Trends
A recent study from the Pew Research Center shows that American Christians aren’t necessarily the most committed to their faith when compared to believers across the globe. The study, which analyzed 84 countries with “sizable Christian populations,” found Christians in many African and Latin American countries tend to report significantly higher levels of religious commitment than their American counterparts.
10 Questions to Ask about Your Church Staff Meetings — Chuck Lawless
Here’s the scenario I challenge you to consider today. You and your church staff are having your regular weekly meeting. What’s different this week is that unbeknownst to you, a new believer and a long-term church member are watching and listening from another room. If that’s the case, consider these questions:
Misconceptions Pastors Have About Women and Discipleship — Jen Wilkin
In this short video, Jen Wilkin shares some misconceptions pastors tend to have related to women and discipleship.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Suicide, Depression, and Pastors: One Way Church Members Can Help
I wrote this post because I want to have a frank conversation with congregational members around the world. I want you to hear me clearly. I want to offer one way you can help…READ MORE
Seven Reasons Why Church Worship Centers Will Get Smaller
Decreasing frequency of attendance among church members.
The growth of the “nones.”
The growth of the multi-site and multi-venue church.
The Millennials’ aversion to larger worship centers.
Governmental agencies are increasingly unfriendly to church building plans.
The shift in emphasis from the big worship event to an emphasis on groups.
The desire to spend more on ministry and less on facilities.
Your Church Has Been Offered a Facility…Now What?
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode464.mp3
Why Poor Discipleship Is Such a Big Issue in Many Churches
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode465.mp3
Why Declining Churches Often Run Off Pastors
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode057.mp3
September 7, 2018
Why Poor Discipleship Is Such a Big Issue in Many Churches – Rainer on Leadership #465
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Discipleship is something churches say they do, but also something they don’t always really understand. Today we explain why.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Too many church leaders either don’t under stand discipleship or don’t understand how to make it effective in the local church.
How we do discipleship is often more confusing that what we do for discipleship.
Discipleship is an ongoing process, not something that is finished when we complete a study.
Church membership does not equal discipleship, but church attendance sure does affect it.
Just because you are going to church, doesn’t mean you are growing at church.
The seven reasons that we discuss today are:
Lack of clear definition of discipleship
Failure to see discipleship as a process
Amount of time invested in the worship services
The wide-open back door
Failure to connect groups to discipleship
Creating the false dichotomy of evangelism and discipleship
Failure to emphasize daily Bible reading
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.
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast
Simple Church
