Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 147
September 6, 2018
Why Declining Churches Often Run Off Pastors – Revitalize & Replant #057
Some churches have a habit of running pastors off. Some pastors have a habit of leaving too soon. Today, we tackle the former issue and discuss why some churches continually run off pastors.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM ROBERT
The church I pastor has been approached by a struggling church in town about a merger. In their own words, they are an “out-dated and ineffective ministry that is operated by the same 6 families that have been doing it for 40 years and who have effectively run off every pastor that has questioned the way they do things.” I’m hesitant to commit our church to anything right now, but why would a church operate that way? And is there any hope for us to succeed in this merger/acquisition?
Episode Highlights:
Some churches shouldn’t be asking “How can we find a new pastor?” but “What might we be doing to run off the pastor we have?” instead.
At a church, the most natural object of frustration for the church members will be the pastor. For the pastor, it is often the church members.
“That’s what we pay the pastor to do” is not the attitude of a healthy church member.
Pastors, stick around through the tough times, things should eventually improve.
The five reasons churches run off pastors are:
The pastor was not the magic bullet.
The pastor becomes the object of frustration.
The pastor burns out.
Decline often leads to blame and conflict.
The pastor’s family becomes discouraged and withdraws.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Church Health Report
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 5, 2018
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.
Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:
There has been a huge shift in attendance patterns of church goers over the past few decades.
Millennials prefer smaller venues for corporate worship.
Groups have become the new emphasis for churches instead of worship attendance alone.
More and more churches are becoming debt averse leading them to not build large worship centers.
September 4, 2018
Your Church Has Been Offered a Facility…Now What? – Rainer on Leadership #464
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Tim Cool joins us to discuss facility management and why a free building could be the most expensive building your church has.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Total annual operational costs of your church building should run between $5.50-$7.00 per square foot.
Does your church facility speak the same language that your church culture speaks?
Never accept a free facility without a facility assessment to determine how much it’s really going to cost you.
Does your church truly have a grasp on how much your facility costs to run?
About Tim Cool:
Tim Cool is founder of Cool Solutions Group, and has assisted nearly 400 churches (equating to over 4 million sq. ft.) throughout the United States with their facility needs. He has collaborated with churches in the areas of facility needs analysis, design coordination, pre-construction, and construction management as well as life cycle planning/facility management. Cool Solutions Group is also the developer of eSPACE Facility Management software products including Event Scheduler, Event Registration, Work Order Management, Life Cycle Calculator, and HVAC integration. Tim is also the author of three books, Why Church Buildings Matter: The Story of Your Space, Church Locality (co-authored with Jim Tomberlin) and Plan 4 It: The 4 Essential Master Plans For Every Church as well as a church Facility Management manual, Intentional Church Series: Facility Stewardship. Tim lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife of 32 years, Lisa, and supports his triplet college students at Appalachian State University.
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
Better Together
Cool Solutions Group
September 3, 2018
Suicide, Depression, and Pastors: One Way Church Members Can Help
The suicide death of a young pastor is being felt throughout the world. Andrew Stoecklein, lead pastor of Inland Hills Church in California, left behind his wife, Kayla, and three young sons.
I am the father of three sons. I cannot look at a photo of the young family without getting tears in my eyes.
Please Hear Me Well
This post is not about suicide prevention. More able persons have written volumes on the topic. It is not about the Stoecklein family, though their story prompted this post.
I am writing this article 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.
The Struggles of Pastors
Most pastors are not suicidal. But most pastors do struggle. They lead churches in a culture that is not friendly to their calling. Three-fourths of them lead churches that are struggling by almost any measure or metric. Many pastors are on the precipice of quitting, and most church members have no idea of their inner turmoil.
In the midst of these cultural and congregational challenges, these pastors see a decided shift among the members. Their commitment level is low, and their frequency of attendance is decreasing. Many of the members are in the congregation to get their personal preferences fulfilled. And if you mess with their preferred worship style, order of worship, time of worship, color of carpet, or any facet of the church facility, they will let you know. Their trinitarian priority is me, myself, and I.
These pastors have been stabbed in the front by church members and stabbed in the back by other staff. They love their church members; but they are deeply hurt when that love is returned with cynicism, criticism, and apathy.
One Way to Help
Yet, these pastors tell us, the greatest pain is not the criticism and cynicism by some of the members. The greatest pain is when the “good members” remain silent, when they do nothing to come to the aid and defense of their pastors. The good members don’t want to rock the boat. They don’t want to incur the wrath of the pastor attackers. They think they are maintaining unity. Instead they are tearing down their pastor with their malignant silence. Their efforts to maintain peace sow the greatest seeds of destruction.
The one thing you can do as a church member is to stand up for your pastor in the midst of the ongoing and vociferous criticism. Speak up; don’t shut up. Let the ill-intending critics and cynics know you support your pastor, you love your pastor, and you are there for your pastor.
I know. Pastors aren’t perfect. There is no need to comment to me about that obvious reality. But in the labor pool of church members, we have an overflow of critics and an acute shortage of courageous encouragers.
Your pastor can withstand the barbs and insults and tepid commitment of most church members. That is the world pastors have sadly come to expect. But your pastors can only withstand them if they know they have some vocal and visible advocates and encouragers.
Please stand up. Please speak up.
It may be the single greatest difference maker in your pastor’s ministry.
September 2, 2018
Pray for FBC Sanlando Springs
Location: Altamonte Springs, Florida
Pastor: Mark Mitchell
Weekly Worship: 10:30 AM, Eastern
Fast Facts: In the early 2000s, FBC Sanlando Springs went through a church split and began to decline. After nearly 15 years of being in maintenance mode as a church, they are finally starting to see revitalization. The church runs in the 40s each week but has a great opportunity in the suburbs of Orlando where more than 250,000 people live within a 5 mile radius of the church. There are 159 people moving into the area every month. Pray that FBC Sanlando Springs will actively reach these people for Christ. Also pray for the church’s finances as they have had to cut pastoral staff salaries.
Website: FBCSS.net
“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 1, 2018
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: September 1, 2018
Pastors, Don’t Roll Over Your 403(b) to an IRA Just Yet — Art Rainer
Should ministers roll over their 403(b) to an IRA? Should you get an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage)? We hit on these topics in this episode of The Money Challenge Podcast. Enjoy!
Americans Believe in God, But Also Psychics and Crystals — Facts & Trends
Four in 10 Americans (42 percent) believe spiritual powers rest in physical objects like mountains, trees, and crystals, according to a new study of American religion from Pew Research. A similar number (41 percent) believe in psychics. A third (33 percent) believe in reincarnation, while 29 percent believe in astrology.
8 Dangers of Church Revitalization — Chuck Lawless
I’m convinced we need to focus on church revitalization as well as church planting to reach North America. At the same time, though, I see at least these dangers in church revitalization:
11 Things A Pastor’s Kid May Be Thinking – That You May Not Even Realize — Kendal Drinkwine
So how do expectations compare to what pastor’s kids are actually going through? From my experience, here are 11 things you may not know pastor’s kids are thinking about their relationship with their parents.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
15 Common Sacred Cows in Churches
To the delight of some and to the chagrin of others, I conducted an informal social media poll to find out what the audience deemed the most common sacred cows in their churches. The answers were voluminous. Some of the conversations were hilarious. Some people just got mad. Imagine that…READ MORE
Why I Am Retiring from LifeWay
Tonight, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the LifeWay board, I announced my retirement as president and CEO. I will step down when the new CEO is named, or in one year, whichever comes first…READ MORE
What’s Next for Me after LifeWay?
While I do look forward to a lot more flexibility to spend time with my family, I will continue to do the work of ministry. I cannot imagine a life otherwise. Here are my plans for now:..READ MORE
Eight Ways Church Members Can Help Pastors Avoid Burnout
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode462.mp3
What to Do If You Desire Excellence in the Church, but You Are Not Seeing It
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode463.mp3
Is Serving in a Revitalization a Unique Calling?
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode056.mp3
August 31, 2018
What to Do If You Desire Excellence in the Church, but You Are Not Seeing It – Rainer on Leadership #463
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Many churches aspire to excellence, but unfortunately many of them miss the mark. Today we discuss how to excel in your church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Most frustrations for pastors and church staff are the result of minor issues.
Know your own personality and what might trigger your frustration.
The most expensive hire you will ever make is hiring the wrong person.
Fruitful ministry often doesn’t take place until year five for a pastor.
The eight keys to excellence that we discuss today are:
Keep the bar high
Keep the frustration low
Understand your own personality
Outsource some areas (example: worship announcements)
Have tactical patience (eat an elephant)
Pray for excellence
Pray for patience
Show examples in other churches
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
Pro-Nounce Video Announcements
BELAY
Eating the Elephant
August 30, 2018
Is Serving in a Revitalization a Unique Calling? – Revitalize & Replant #056
Every pastor should have a sense of calling to ministry. But is that necessarily to revitalization or not? Today, we discuss that calling.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM JOSEPH
Is serving in a revitalization a separate calling than the initial calling to pastoral ministry? If so, how?
Episode Highlights:
“Revitalization is God’s work. You’re not gonna make it happen in a church just because you show up as the pastor.”
“In a revitalization, you need spousal perseverance, not just spousal cooperation.”
Your community should feel the impact of your church and the presence your church members.
Church revitalizers need to have a long term perspective.
Pastors, don’t let your self worth be tied up in the size of your church.
The six aspects of a calling that we discuss are:
It is a local congregational calling
It is a family calling
It is a stage-of-life calling
It is a missionary calling
It is a community calling
It is a personality calling
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.
August 29, 2018
What’s Next for Me after LifeWay?
Please indulge me for one more blog post about my decision to retire from LifeWay. In my previous post, I shared the reasons why I am retiring, why God is leading me to leave an organization I love deeply. In this post, I will share some of my plans for life post-LifeWay.
I understand the plans of man are not always the plans of God. Everything I write here could change in the blink of an eye. I also want to make clear my total loyalty to LifeWay. I will not get in the way of the next CEO, but I will be the biggest cheerleader for this company I love so much.
While I do look forward to a lot more flexibility to spend time with my family, I will continue to do the work of ministry. I cannot imagine a life otherwise. Here are my plans for now:
Revitalize Network. In anticipation of my retirement, I applied with the IRS to start a non-profit 501c3 where churches will work joyously together for greater health and revitalization. I am incredibly excited about this future; and I think God has great plans for it. Revitalize Network has now been approved, and it is ready to launch next month.
ThomRainer.com. I will continue this blog and related ministries on the blog. The total number of views and emails opened is over 10 million each year. We touch every nation in the world. I thank God for the influence He has given this daily blog. And I particularly love the post every Sunday (“Pray for”) where we pray for a specific church.
Our podcasts: Rainer on Leadership and Revitalize and Replant. I have been blown away by the influence and growth of these two podcasts. I look forward to investing even more time to this ministry in the days ahead.
Church Answers. We started Church Answers as a place where church leaders could ask questions 24/7 and get answers quickly, usually within an hour or two. It has experienced phenomenal growth. Church Answers has two certification ministries that we will continue to improve and grow: Church Consultation University and Interim Pastor University. We will continue to add to the ministries of Church Answers as God leads and as we hear from the churches.
Books. I have written 28 books, most related to local churches. God willing, I do not plan to slow down the pace.
Speaking/Conferences. I will continue to do a number of speaking engagements digitally and a few in person each year.
I am a church member. I am not referring to the book by the same name. I am referring to my commitment to be a good and faithful church member. I will spend the majority of my time locally at The Church at Spring Hill where my son Jess is pastor. But I also want to spend more time at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida where my son Sam is pastor. That church will likely be my preferred winter location. I am not forgetting my other son, Art, and his family either.
I do not presume upon the will and plans of God. For now, this direction is where I see Him taking me in my “retirement” years.
I am a blessed man.
I am a grateful man.
August 28, 2018
Eight Ways Church Members Can Help Pastors Avoid Burnout — Rainer on Leadership #462
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Burnout is a real issue for many, and pastors are not exempt. Today we discuss how church members can help their pastor avoid it.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
There are times that need ministry on a 24/7 basis. But there should also be times when that’s not the case.
More often than not pastors either don’t know how to take time off or just don’t take time off.
One of the biggest things you can do for your pastor is to defend the pastor to critics.
There is a correlation in how joyful a pastor ministers and how joyful a pastor’s family life is.
The eight tips we discuss are:
Let the pastor know he should not be 24/7
Be an encourager
Insist the pastor takes some time off
Respond to critics for your pastor
Become a prayer intercessor for your pastor
Help protect the pastor’s family
Find ways to help the pastor’s family have fun times together
Pay your pastor reasonably
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
