Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 163
March 31, 2018
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: March 31, 2018
5 Things That Often Lead Parents Into Debt — Art Rainer
We love our kids. We wants what is best for them. And we will do anything for them. These desires are good. But sometimes these good desires can lead us to make bad financial decisions for our family.
4 Church Easter Service Fails You Have to See — Facts & Trends
For Christians, Holy Week is usually a somber time capped with a joyous Easter celebration, but sometimes you have to laugh at what happens at some churches. Congregations often use the season to do special services with an eye toward potential guests in the building. Those special services don’t always go as planned. Here are four church Easter service fails to make you laugh today.
Before You Preach this Easter — Marty Duren
In many places around the world attendance will be higher than normal, while in other places there will be little or no change. We pray for people to believe, for their lives to be eternally changed. Some churches see many come to faith; others see none. Some pastors enter the pulpit under pressure, much of it self-induced, but none of it necessary. Before you preach this Easter, remember:
2 Dumb Ways Leaders Deal With Their Weaknesses — Eric Geiger
Just as all leaders have areas of strength, all leaders also have areas of weakness. There is no such thing as an omni-competent leader. But what should a leader do with his or her weaknesses? Books have been written and speeches have been given encouraging leaders to focus on their strengths, to leverage what they are uniquely qualified to do. And while the counsel is wise, that we should focus on our strengths and operate in our gifting, the counsel is incomplete. Our weaknesses as leaders can crush us if we do either of these things with them:
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Seven Critical Issues before Your Easter Services
Easter is coming, church leaders. I am praying for you. I am praying for your churches. I am praying for God to work with conviction for those who attend…READ MORE
Church Sickness #1: Attitudinal Angst
Attitudinal Angst is when members are more interested in having their own desires and preferences met rather than being a serving member of the body of Christ.
Five Reasons for Decreased Church Giving
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode418.mp3
The Eight Traits of an Assimilated Church Member
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode419.mp3
How to Know if You Are a Replanter
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe with Mark Clifton | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode034.mp3
March 30, 2018
The Eight Traits of an Assimilated Church Member – Rainer on Leadership #419
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
If you want to close the back door of your church and keep members longer, these eight traits should be evident in your church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
If you want to lose people out the backdoor of the church, then have a low view of church membership.
There’s a high correlation of worship attendance and whether or not someone sticks at a church.
The most meaningful relationships in a church are often built in small groups.
Someone in a small group is five times more likely to stick in a church than someone who is not in a group.
Pastor, you should be the biggest cheerleader of small groups/Sunday School in your church.
Bible intake transforms all other spiritual disciplines and is the primary facilitator of spiritual growth.
The eight traits we cover are:
Has taken steps of affiliation with the church
Attends worship on a regular basis
Identifies with the vision and purposes of the church
Is pursuing meaningful relationships
Gives financially
Serves the body in some way
Has intentional gospel conversations
Is maturing in his or her faith
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.
Our friends at Vanderbloemen Search Group help churches and ministries build great teams by finding their key staff, but did you know they have a ton of resources around team building? Their newest addition is TheCultureTool.com, a free comprehensive staff engagement survey to help you build, run, and keep a great team. It’s brand new and still in beta, so check out TheCultureTool.com to be on the cutting edge of this new tool that will help you improve your church staff culture.
Visit TheCultureTool.com to learn more.
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
High Expectations
InviteYourOne.com
Becoming a Welcoming Church
We Want You Here
Church At Spring Hill invite card
March 29, 2018
How to Know if You Are a Replanter – Revitalize & Replant #034
A couple decades ago, pastors would have never desired to go to dying churches. With replanting, now they are enthusiastically moving to churches to replant them.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM AARON
I’m currently in seminary and will graduate in the next year. As I prayerfully look at possible pastorates over the next year, what would you tell me to consider to determine if I am called to replant or not? How do I know if I’m called to that? What would you say are the essential qualities that a person needs to be able to replant a church?
Episode Highlights:
God truly is calling pastors to replant churches.
If you don’t have anyone who can speak truth into your life and ministry, you aren’t ready for the pastorate.
Pastors, make sure you have people in your life who you can trust to tell you the truth about yourself.
Different generations of people process decisions differently.
You’re not going to successfully replant a church if you’re not discipling and evangelizing.
The five basic steps we walk through are:
Start with self analysis
Do you have tactical patience?
Can you work with multi generations of people well?
Do you have an appreciation for history?
Are you a disciple maker?
Do you possess the heart of the missionary?
Can you succeed and find happiness if you’re not affirmed constantly by people around you?
Spend time with pastors of dying churches
Spend time with church planters
Spend time with mature pastors
Consider a formal replanter assessment if all of that still draws you to replanting.
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.
March 27, 2018
Attitudinal Angst, Church Sickness #1
Attitudinal Angst is when members are more interested in having their own desires and preferences met rather than being a serving member of the body of Christ.
Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:
Do your church members want things the way they’ve always been more than they want to reach new people?
Most short term pastors leave because church members want things their way instead of wanting to follow the leadership of the pastor.
A unified church in God’s power cannot be stopped.
Me-focused churches are rarely Great Commission or Great Commandment churches.
Watch the church sicknesses overview, here.
Five Reasons for Decreased Church Giving – Rainer on Leadership #418
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
Even though the economy has rebounded some churches still struggle financially—and some members struggle with giving faithfully. Today we cover the five reasons giving often decreases.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
The healthiest church giving generation we know of was the builder generation. They are passing away, and their giving is not being replaced.
Giving goes down as attendance goes down.
Millennials give to organizations that are able to convey a distinct purpose and that follow through on that purpose.
Giving is a spiritual discipline and pastors shouldn’t avoid preaching on it.
You shouldn’t give on leftovers. You should give on the first fruits.
The five reasons we cover are:
Lower attendance.
Generational shifts.
Giving to purposes rather than organizations.
Little teaching on giving.
Not as much discretionary income among churchgoers.
Episode Sponsors
Our friends at Vanderbloemen Search Group help churches and ministries build great teams by finding their key staff, but did you know they have a ton of resources around team building? Their newest addition is The Culture Tool, a free comprehensive staff engagement survey to help you build, run, and keep a great team. It’s brand new and still in beta, so check out TheCultureTool.com to be on the cutting edge of this new tool that will help you improve your church staff culture.
Visit TheCultureTool.com to learn more.
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
Becoming a Welcoming Church
We Want You Here
The Money Challenge
March 26, 2018
Seven Critical Issues before Your Easter Services
There is the usual anticipation and excitement with church leaders as we begin Holy Week and lead toward Easter Sunday. I have noticed at Church Answers and social media an unusually high number of questions about preparation for Easter Sunday. Of course, by this point, most of the plans are complete; it would be difficult to make major adjustments right now.
But you can address seven critical issues before the weekend arrives. Allow me to address each individually.
No activities are more important than prayer. Church leaders sometimes get so busy with activities that they are too busy to pray. Don’t let that happen to you. Get alone with God and pray for this weekend. Gather with others and pray. Don’t get so caught up in the human preparation that you neglect focusing on the power of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
When the weekend comes, make certain you are celebrating the resurrection yourself. These words from a pastor last Easter were sad but powerful: “I was so caught up in the plans and activities and crowd that I didn’t worship God and celebrate the resurrection myself. I feel empty today [Monday after Easter].” Don’t let this happen to you.
Lead your leaders and members toward worship more than activities. They too may be caught up the activities and the crowd. As you focus more on worship, you should lead them to do so as well. Perhaps you can send them an email reminder to that effect.
Remember who usually shows up on Easter Sunday. Contrary to popular opinion, Easter is not usually the day many unchurched show up. That reality has become more pervasive in recent years. Christmas Eve is now the greatest opportunity to reach the unchurched. Easter is typically a “family reunion.” The members who regularly attend one or two times a month (or year) show up on Easter along with the more active members.
Have a simple way for people to sign a guest or connect card. The more information you request, the fewer cards you will receive. Ask for their name and email and tell them you will follow up with a brief thank you email. Consider making a donation to a local ministry (like $5) for every card returned.
Follow up. You will be tired after the services. Still, you need a plan to follow up with guests quickly. The easiest way is to send a brief email. Thank them for coming. And ask them if you can do anything to serve them.
Take time to pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to work in the lives of those who attended. God could very well be working in convicting ways in the lives of those who attended. Pray for a great work by Him. Ask some members you know to be faithful prayer warriors to pray as well. Did I mention how important prayer is?
Easter is coming, church leaders. I am praying for you. I am praying for your churches. I am praying for God to work with conviction for those who attend.
Thank you for serving on the front lines of ministry in the local church.
You are my heroes.
March 25, 2018
Pray for Fox Creek Christian Church
Location: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Pastor: Mark Wells
Weekly Worship: 8:45 & 11:00 AM, Eastern
Fast Facts: Established in 1841, Fox Creek Christian Church was the first rural church in its county. The property was used as a campsite for Civil War soldiers enroute to the Battle at Perryville. The congregation is a great mix of children, young adults and older adults, and the church is a very mission minded Church—locally, nationally and internationally. They have helped establish a Church and school in Haiti, have contributed heavily to missions with a Christian children’s Ranch in Missouri, and contributed to a local benevolence food pantry, soup kitchen, and homeless shelter. They have also gone into the local elementary school to provide a Christian-based program for the students.
Please pray for them as they prepare for a week long summer camp for the community kids June 3-9. Also pray as they pay off their current building/property debt in order to begin the process of building a much needed worship sanctuary.
Website: FoxCreekChristian.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..
March 24, 2018
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: March 24, 2018
Pastors Who Build Healthy Church Relationships Take the Initiative — Sam Rainer
Will you intimately know every person in your congregation? Of course not. Neither will you know every nuance of every passage in Scripture. But you still make the time to study a specific passage for your sermon preparation. The same initiative that applies to the study of Scripture also applies to relationships in the church. Why not also pick a family a week (or a month) to get to know better? Pastors who take the initiative build more relational bridges in the congregation.
U.S. Church Attendance May be Declining, But Not Among Evangelicals — Facts & Trends
Evangelicals definitely have problems to address, but they aren’t the Christian group in danger of extinction in the United States—that’s mainline Protestants. Many have spoken as if evangelicals are disappearing from the American religious landscape. According to analysis of the data from the General Social Survey, however, the share of Americans who attend an evangelical Protestant church has been consistent for the past 20 years.
Administrative Assistants: Church Member or Not? — Chuck Lawless
This debate has gone on for years. Should a church administrative assistant be a member of the same church, or is it better to hire someone from outside the church? Here are some of the arguments I’ve heard on both sides.
The Pastor and His Books — Craig Thompson
Pastors are people of the Book and people of many books. It is unavoidable. But what of these books of ours? How should we approach our reading? As a person who loves books and spends great a great amount of time and money investing in books, here are a few rules by which I try to live.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Five Reasons Monday Is So Tough for Pastors
Why are Mondays so difficult for pastors? Why do they have thoughts of resignation on this day more than others? I’ve heard five reasons consistently…READ MORE
Seven Potentially Deadly Church Sicknesses
Attitudinal Angst
Slippage Syndrome
Detail Distraction
Institutional Idolatry
Activity Acclimation
Purposeless Prayer
Detrimental Defensiveness
Culture Wins, featuring William Vanderbloemen
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode416.mp3
Six Future Projections about Churches That Are Becoming Reality
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode417.mp3
Six Things You Must Give Your Congregation to Have a Successful Revitalization
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode033.mp3
March 23, 2018
Six Future Projections about Churches That Are Becoming Reality – Rainer on Leadership #417
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio
This resource-laden podcast walks through six predictions for the future of churches. We’ve seen these trends over the past few years and now they are becoming a reality.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Too many church members stopped inviting lost neighbors because they thought their church’s cool music or attractional model would be enough to draw people in.
Gospel conversations often start with a simple invite to come to church.
Virtual assistants allow churches to put more resources into ministry.
Churches are now starting to connect more frequently through affinity networks.
The six future projections we cover are:
Personal invitations are really working in many churches
Virtual staff is becoming more common
More church leaders are finding mentors
Smaller churches are using staff search firms
Declining churches are declining more rapidly
More churches are connecting through networks
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.
Our friends at Vanderbloemen Search Group help churches and ministries build great teams by finding their key staff, but did you know they have a ton of resources around team building? Their newest addition is TheCultureTool.com, a free comprehensive staff engagement survey to help you build, run, and keep a great team. It’s brand new and still in beta, so check out TheCultureTool.com to be on the cutting edge of this new tool that will help you improve your church staff culture.
Visit TheCultureTool.com to learn more.
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
BELAY
Invite Your One
Church Answers
Autopsy of a Deceased Church
Who Moved My Pulpit?
Becoming a Welcoming Church
We Want You Here
March 22, 2018
Six Things You Must Give Your Congregation to Have a Successful Revitalization – Revitalize & Replant #033
As the leader of a church’s revitalization, you have to be able to provide certain things to the people and the community. Today, we cover six key components.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM ROBBY
I’m a young pastor getting ready to go into my second pastorate, and this new church is in need for mild revitalization. I have been reading about, studying, and living in church revitalization during my first pastorate, so it is not a foreign topic to me, however I’m no expert when it comes to church revitalization. What areas/actions would you suggest that I focus on as I begin serving in this new position?
Episode Highlights:
Whatever age you are, always have a learning disposition.
Good leadership does two things: it helps you face reality, and it gives you hope.
Revitalization must be led by a pastor who gives the church a healthy dose of love.
Churches in need of revitalization have to be reminded that they have a future.
Any vision statement that is not actionable is not a true vision statement.
The six keys we cover are:
A healthy dose of reality
Unconditional love
Hope
A clear plan forward
A love for the community
Respect for their history and heritage
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
ChurchReplanters.com
ChurchAnswers.com
To Dream Again
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.
