Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 152
July 19, 2018
Five Sources of Funding for Church Revitalizing and Replanting – Revitalize & Replant #050
Ministry requires money. Today we discuss five potential ways you can increase funding in your church in order to minister more to your community.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM JERRY
I know that more money often leads to more problems, but there are a significant amount of problems when there’s no money, too. What are some avenues of funding available to church replants and revitalization efforts?
Episode Highlights:
Resources—and money—follow activity in churches.
So much of ministry comes down to building relationships.
If you expect people to help fund you, you have to have a vision they want to support.
When people hear about ministry impact, they’re more likely to give to help.
The five sources we discuss are:
Denominations and parachurch organizations
Partnerships with other churches
Raising support for your own position
Greater giving by the existing members of the congregation
Growing the church
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
ChurchReplanters.com
ChurchAnswers.com
Seven Trends in the Offertory in Churches
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.
July 18, 2018
Seven Reasons Pastors Burn Out
The 24/7 mentality.
Conflict.
Expectations.
Unwillingness to let go.
No friends.
Not suited for some tasks.
No life outside the church.
Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:
Leadership brings change. Change brings conflict. Conflict brings criticism. If you lead well, there will be criticism.
Measure the criticism you receive. Is it really worth responding to or worrying about?
If you’re unwilling to delegate certain parts of ministry, you will burn out. You can’t do it all.
Do those things that energize you the most and work with others on things that drain your energy.
July 17, 2018
Five Future Developments Coming to the Church – Rainer on Leadership #450
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Churches of the future will have many of the same components of churches today, but there are changes that will take place. Today, we cover five of those changes.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Churches of all sizes are starting to embrace the multi-site model.
Multi-site will soon be as normative as multi-service is.
Healthy churches almost always have healthy discipleship groups.
New ideas the church should be tried out of accommodation, not out of compromise.
The five future developments we discuss are:
Shifts in the multisite model.
More churches seeking to be acquired or merged into a multisite system.
Return to some level of programmatic behavior.
Rise of networks.
The attendance frequency issue becoming a greater focus.
Episode Sponsors
Applications are now open for Vanderbloemen’s fall pastor coaching network at their Houston headquarters in September and November. There are two networks – one for Lead Pastors and one for Executive Pastors. Each group is limited to 16 people. It’s a roundtable, close-knit network where you will grow as a leader so that you can grow your team and ultimately grow your church.
If you’re interested in joining, visit vanderbloemen.com/coaching for more information.
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
InviteYourOne.com
July 16, 2018
Baby Boomers Are Returning to Church
The rebellious generation may become the religious generation.
Baby boomers, those born between the years 1946 to 1964, are becoming more involved in church.
One of the most significant longitudinal studies (a study over many years) ever done provides a treasure trove of information for church leaders.
And one of the most significant findings is the increasing number of baby boomers becoming more involved in religious activity like churches.
This discovery is the major finding from the latest wave of data collected from the Longitudinal Study of Generations, which was originally developed in 1970 at USC by then-assistant professor Vern Bengston. His successors have collected a ninth round of data in this 45-year study. The research was funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
It is amazing. Absolutely amazing.
Here is the gem in the study: One in five boomers have increased their religious and church activity in the past few years.
Don’t take that statement lightly. Among the boomer generation, 20 percent are becoming more receptive to faith and church. That’s approximately 19 million boomers when the percentage is applied to the entire generation.
The study cited three major reasons for this shift:
Boomers have more time, and they want to use that extra time pursuing a more meaningful life, including church.
Boomers are becoming more aware of the brevity of life and are seeking answers to questions they had not previously asked.
Boomers are more aware of the fragility of life. They don’t have the young and healthy bodies they once had. Such an awareness is driving them to find more meaning in the lives they do have.
Please, church leaders, don’t take this information lightly. I can’t recall a generation in my lifetime potentially returning to church in such numbers. The opportunities are incredible (maybe they are “groovy”).
How can we respond to this opportunity before us? Specifically, what can your church do to reach these more receptive boomers?
Let me hear your thoughts and ideas.
July 15, 2018
Pray for Kellyville First Baptist Church
Location: Kellyville, Oklahoma
Pastor: Dustin Long
Weekly Worship: 11:00 AM, Central
Fast Facts: Kellyville First Baptist Church sits in a community of around 900-1000 people. Within the last twenty years it has had attendance reach over 300 for a sustained period. Over the last five years, the church has gone through frequent pastor turnover, and this has led church attendance to drop during this time period to right about 100. Pastor Long was called to the church in May 2018, and his prayer has been for stability within the pastorate in order to continue reaching our community. Please pray for their summer events going on this month and next: Vacation Bible School, Back to School Dinner at the local school, student mission trip, and their monthly food distribution. Also, the church sits in the middle of the town, but it is currently reaching members who live in the country and rural areas surrounding the town. Very few who live within city limits attend the church. Pray that Kellyville FBC can begin to reach those who live within the town and continue reaching those who live in the country.
Website: Facebook
“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..
July 14, 2018
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: July 14, 2018
One Way Your Church Can Help Solve Community Problems — Sam Rainer
The list of ideas is long. While each community will have neighborhood-specific problems, one issue stands out as a neglected nationwide solution most churches are not considering. Fostering is one of the most overlooked ways to get your church solving community problems.
Should Churches Go Into Debt? — Facts & Trends
Should churches go into debt? This question often elicits passionate responses from people at various points on the yes/no spectrum. The passion is often driven by a desire for their church to make the best decision to advance the gospel in their community and around the world. And this is a good thing.
3 Things Church Leaders Should Know About Blended Families — Joy Allmond
The married couples and children who make up blended families bring the same giftedness and value to a congregation as anyone else. But there are a few things to keep in mind when welcoming such a family into your congregation or trying to more deeply connect with them.
3 Spiritual Reasons You Should Take Control of Your Calendar — Michael Kelley
Perhaps taking control of your calendar isn’t just an issue of time management. Maybe there’s something deeper going on here. Maybe taking control of your calendar is actually a spiritual discipline; maybe it’s an act of discipleship. And here are three reasons why:
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Three Ways Churches Will Be Impacted in the Revitalization Wave That Is Coming
When I say a revitalization wave is about to come to our churches, I am serious about it. Indeed, I am obnoxiously optimistic about the future of congregations…READ MORE
Five Reasons a Wave of Revitalization of Churches Is Likely
Of the 300,000 churches in need of revitalization, 100,000 will revitalize organically or internally, and another 100,000 will be revitalized through replanting…READ MORE
Why People Leave a Church
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode448.mp3
Six Considerations for Selecting Mission Partners
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode449.mp3
How to Prepare for a Long-term Tenured Revitalization
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode049.mp3
July 13, 2018
Six Considerations for Selecting Mission Partners – Rainer on Leadership #449
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Churches are asked often to help fund or partner in missions. Today, we discuss how to make those decisions thanks to a post by Sam Rainer.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
If you cannot connect your church members to doing a mission, it’s hard to have them fund a mission.
Don’t make a financial commitment to a mission partner and not come through with the funding.
Doctrine is the primary filter through which you should decide to join with a missions partner.
When choosing a missions partner, match the mission with the passion of the church members.
Three questions: You should ask your church these three things.
Can we put boots on the ground?
Can we form a long-term partnership?
Can we fund them?
Three partnership requirements: If a potential mission partner cannot provide these items, you should not form a partnership.
Doctrine
Vision
Financial Viability
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.
Applications are now open for Vanderbloemen’s fall pastor coaching network at their Houston headquarters in September and November. There are two networks – one for Lead Pastors and one for Executive Pastors. Each group is limited to 16 people. It’s a roundtable, close-knit network where you will grow as a leader so that you can grow your team and ultimately grow your church.
If you’re interested in joining, visit vanderbloemen.com/coaching for more information.
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
http://samrainer.com/2018/04/a-six-part-checklist-for-churches-how-to-select-mission-partners/
July 12, 2018
How to Prepare for a Long-term Tenured Revitalization – Revitalize & Replant #049
Imagine if every pastor went into a revitalization with a determination to make it their final career stop. That long term view would be paradigm shifting.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM ELAINE
My husband is in the process of going to a new church as pastor. We listen to all your podcasts together and often talk about them afterward. We are planning on this being our last church as we’re in our 50s. What should he focus on (and maybe even me as well) to see this revitalization succeed in the long-term?
Episode Highlights:
You need at least a five-year view when you begin a revitalization.
Revitalization only starts when the church realizes and accepts the current reality.
Revitalization means change, and some church members won’t like that.
Leaders prefer winning all the time, but that’s not reality. Leaders need to be prepared to lose a “battle” and learn from it.
The five realities we discuss are:
Accept the reality of the time it will take.
Make certain your family is on board.
Give the church members the same dose of reality
Learn to be content with 3 steps forward and 2 steps backwards
Be content and celebrate small victories.
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.
July 11, 2018
Five Reasons a Wave of Revitalization of Churches Is Likely
In my post on Monday, I asserted that a revitalization wave is about to come to our churches, and I am really serious and optimistic about it. In that article, I shared how churches will be impacted from a high-level perspective. In this post, I will explain why I see this major trend on the horizon.
I began with the total number of churches in North America, about 350,000. For many reasons, we can’t get a precise number, but I believe our estimates are close.
In the article Monday, I also stated that 300,000, or 85%, of all churches needed some level of revitalization, from modest to radical revitalization. In our research we released a year ago, we found that 65% of churches were declining or plateaued. Based upon our interactions with other congregational leaders, we see about another 20% of churches with modest but declining growth rates. The sum of those two is thus 85%.
Here is where I take a contrarian position compared to many others, including positions I have held in the past: Of the 300,000 churches in need of revitalization, 100,000 will revitalize organically or internally, and another 100,000 will be revitalized through replanting. It’s a bold assertion, but something that could very well unfold over the next five to ten years.
Why I am optimistic? Am I in a state of denial? Bear with me as I share five reasons for the likelihood of a wave of revitalization.
Thousands of church leaders are facing reality. They are not denying the difficult state of their churches. This awareness is the first step toward revitalization. Admittedly, some of these leaders are at the stage of desperation, but even that stage is a major step toward facing reality. As I shared on Monday, I have been amazed how church leaders are utilizing our Church Health Report
to help them understand reality.Revitalization has become a prominent topic among church leaders. It is openly discussed among church leaders and members, denominational leaders, and network leaders. This discussion and openness is moving these organizations to action and solutions. We will be announcing in two months the launch of a new nonprofit network, Revitalize Network, for the purpose of bringing churches to work together toward revitalization.
Church replanting has become accepted, even normative. I can remember just a few years ago when no one mentioned church replanting. I have been grateful for the huge emphasis on church planting for many years. Now I am equally grateful to see a wave of interest and action toward church replanting.
The multisite movement is instrumental in the revitalization and replanting movement. Multisite churches are key to this movement. They have been the primary vehicles for church replanting. We are years ahead of where we would be otherwise without multisite churches.
We are seeing more and more a movement of prayer in our churches. If this revitalization continues on its current trajectory, it will not be powered by the latest methodologies and acts of men and women. It will be because God has chosen to revitalize our churches. He is the power of revitalization. There is a growing movement of prayer in our congregations, an indication of the work of God. As the prayer movement grows, church revitalization grows.
These are paradoxically the most challenging days and the most hopeful days for many of our congregations. Let us know if we can do anything for you and your churches as we move toward a movement of revitalization. It is my honor and joy to serve you.
Let me hear from you.
By the way, if you would like more information about Revitalize Network in the future, be sure to subscribe to the email list. Our email subscribers will get the information first when we announce it.
July 10, 2018
Why People Leave a Church – Rainer on Leadership #448
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
A recent study by LifeWay Research showed that 15% of church members have considered leaving their church in the past six months. Today, we discuss why.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
About 1 in 7 church members have considered leaving their church in the past six months.
In the future, people will not be driving as far as they do today to attend church. They will want to live and worship in the same neighborhood.
In effective evangelistic churches, you’re most likely to find expository preaching.
Most of the time when a pastor leaves a church, the church culture changes.
Parents today are more likely than in the past to change churches to benefit their kids.
The research we cover today comes from LifeWay Research. Here are a pair of summary graphics:
Episode Sponsors
Applications are now open for Vanderbloemen’s fall pastor coaching network at their Houston headquarters in September and November. There are two networks – one for Lead Pastors and one for Executive Pastors. Each group is limited to 16 people. It’s a roundtable, close-knit network where you will grow as a leader so that you can grow your team and ultimately grow your church.
If you’re interested in joining, visit vanderbloemen.com/coaching for more information.
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
LifeWay Research Study
