Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 188
July 29, 2017
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: July 29, 2017
Seven Dangers in the Last Few Years of Your Ministry
Seven Personalities of Sick Churches – Rainer on Leadership #348
The Top Ten Surprises New Pastors Have
Five Reasons to Consider Online Registration Forms for Guests
Keeping an Inner City Church in the Inner City – Rainer on Leadership #349
Pastors, We Need To Stop Expecting Worship Leaders To Do Our Job For Us — Karl Vaters
If your church is relying on the choir or worship team for your theology, you’re looking in the wrong place. Sure, a great song can teach or reinforce good theology, and songs with bad theology should be abandoned, but teaching theology is not the primary mandate of the worship leader.
Why Sermon Preparation Is Not Devotional Time — Sam Rainer
Sermon preparation is not—and should not—be used as devotion time. Sermon writing is devotional to an extent. Both involve prayer. Both elevate Scripture. Both require the work of the Holy Spirit. But they are different.
4 Painful Results of Insecure Leadership — Eric Geiger
Insecurity must not be confused with humility. Insecurity, like pride, is a focus on your self. Humility comes when you have a proper view of yourself in light of the Lord who is holy and above all. Humility comes from understanding that we are not God but we are loved by Him. When leaders lead in an insecure posture they don’t lead effectively. In fact, insecure leaders can damage the organization or ministry they are leading in at least four ways:
The Pastor as a Church Member — Jared Sparks
It is imperative – the pastor must have an identity in Christ if he is to embrace being a shepherd and a sheep. Pastor Paul does this well. The characteristics of the Philippian church reflect this truth about him. The Macedonian churches were taken care of by Paul and they, in turn, gave back. Paul lived as a shepherd and a sheep.
5 Passages Your Pastor Wishes You’d Stop Taking out of Context — Kyle Rohane
This isn’t surprising to most church leaders, who often see verses plucked from their homes to serve other purposes. To better understand these tricky situations, I asked several pastors to share the misused passages that make their skin crawl and how people in ministry can model healthy biblical interpretation.
A Brief History of the Altar Call — Thomas Kidd
By the mid-20th century, altar calls had become a staple of evangelical and Baptist life in America, especially in the South. Many evangelical and Reformed-leaning churches in recent years have stopped doing altar calls, for a variety of reasons. Critics of altar calls have pointed out that they have no strong biblical basis, and that they were part of the “New Measures” introduced by Charles Finney in the later stages of the Second Great Awakening.
July 28, 2017
Keeping an Inner City Church in the Inner City – Rainer on Leadership #349
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Dwayne Pickett, pastor of a large megachurch in Jackson, MS, joins us to discuss his new book and how inner city ministry isn’t really that different than ministry in other contexts.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
“Sometimes the hardest people to help are the ones who need the most help.”
God is still present even when He doesn’t take away every pain or problem.
“People everywhere are hurt. People everywhere have pain. We all share some commonalities.”
“Poverty is about more than money. It’s about access to change.”
If you’re partnering to help another church, let them be the hero in their community.
About Dr. Dwayne Pickett:
DR. DWAYNE K. PICKETT, SR. is senior pastor of the 6,000-member New Jerusalem Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Under Pastor Pickett’s leadership, New Jerusalem has grown from under two hundred members in 1995 to more than six thousand. As one church in three locations, New Jerusalem conducts five worship services every Sunday morning. He’s a two-time graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Seminary.
Episode Sponsors
The Timothy Track, from Midwestern Seminary, offers select residential M.Div. students placement in internship positions in a local church in the area. Now you can complement your studies with in-the-field ministry experience. In addition, all Timothy Track students will receive up to 12 credit hours for the internship and a 50% tuition scholarship for the first year.
Find out more at mbts.edu/TimothyTrack.
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds 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.
Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting 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 Who Moved My Pulpit?
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast
New Jerusalem Church
Living With Life’s Limps
ChurchAnswers.com
July 27, 2017
Five Reasons to Consider Online Registration Forms for Guests
By Jonathan Howe
We are routinely asked about the most effective ways to get guests to fill out communication cards or to turn them in. What if your church could get information on guests before they even set foot on campus? With an online registration form on your website, you can.
Whether you utilize this on a “Plan Your Visit” page, the home page, or the kids ministry page on your website, by offering an online guest registration form you are already ahead of the game when it comes to making a good first impression with a guest. Other than that, here are five reasons you should consider using online guest registration forms.
It shows you expect guests. First and foremost, having an online guest registration form sends the message that you are expecting guests and want to be ready for them. This small detail communicates that your church is a guest-friendly one.
Sunday mornings are typically hectic for parents. Online registration forms are great for all guests, but especially for those with kids. When my family visits a church for the first time, we dread the paperwork that comes with dropping our kids off in the nursery. We know we have to leave earlier than normal because of how long it will take. And we worry about how our kids will act while we fill out the information forms. Online registration allows parents to breathe easier and not dread the drop-off process. Parents will greatly appreciate the efficiency of an online guest registration form.
You can prepare your volunteers. If you know to expect two or three extra guests in a toddler class, you can prepare those teachers for the extra kids. Volunteers are less likely to be stressed by larger-than-normal class numbers when they know what to expect ahead of time.
It allows you to make an impression on kids and parents. On a positive note, knowing whom to expect allows volunteers to add a personal touch to their care. Imagine the impression a teacher can make on a hesitant child if they are able to greet them by name at first sight.
You are more likely to receive accurate information. When a guest is unhurried to fill out a registration form, they’re more likely to fill it out completely and accurately. Also, handwriting issues are eliminated if forms are filled out electronically.
Does your church use online registration forms for guests? Have you ever visited a church that used them? Would you consider using them in your current church?
Jonathan Howe serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives at LifeWay Christian Resources as well as the host and producer of Rainer on Leadership and SBC This Week. Jonathan writes weekly at ThomRainer.com on topics ranging from social media to websites and church communications. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter at @Jonathan_Howe.
July 26, 2017
The Top Ten Surprises New Pastors Have
I love pastors. I love their hearts. I love their commitment to God and to the churches they serve.
I also love new pastors. It is fascinating to hear their thoughts after they have served as a pastor for a year or two. I have assembled some of those thoughts in the form of direct quotes from new pastors via social media, my blog, my podcast, and Church Answers.
Here, then, are the top ten surprises new pastors have. I offer them as direct quotes with brief comments.
“It is amazing and challenging to see how quickly my calendar filled up.” A number of pastors lamented how little time they give to evangelism and connecting with people in the community.
“I really get some weird requests.” I covered this issue in an earlier post. One of my favorites came from the pastor who was asked to euthanize an injured rabbit. But perhaps the request by a church member to euthanize his healthy mother-in-law was even weirder.
“It’s a lot of work to do new sermons every week.” Yes it is.
“Funerals are pretty easy. Weddings are a pain.” Most new pastors were not prepared for the opinions and emotions of weddings. Some commented how the rehearsal and wedding consumed an entire weekend.
“I have been surprised at the incredibly loyal support I receive from some church members.” They were not the members the pastor expected to provide so much support.
“I have been surprised at the intense criticisms I receive from some church members.” They were not the members the pastor expected to inject so much negativity.
“I never expected I needed to be knowledgeable in so many areas.” Some pastors commented about their lack of knowledge in church finances and budgeting, counseling, administration, leadership, facilities, and Robert’s Rules of Order, to name a few.
“There is no such thing as a vacation.” Many pastors shared how they have never had an uninterrupted vacation.
“I am never prepared for the tragedies.” One pastor was confronted with a tragic automobile accident his third month in ministry. In a family of five, the mother and one of the children were killed.
“The stress on my family has been so much greater than I expected.” I specifically and repeatedly heard about the surprise of strained marriages.
I can still remember well my first pastorate. I remember how surprised I was to find out a couple did not like me. One of my toughest lessons was learning that I could not please everyone. My responsibility is always first and foremost to please God.
I know you readers have a lot to add to this conversation. Let me hear from you.
July 25, 2017
Seven Personalities of Sick Churches – Rainer on Leadership #348
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In churches who are dying, you often hear statements like the ones we cover today. Today we explain how to identify the personalities of sick churches.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Too many church leaders are not willing to admit their church is sick.
A church cannot get healthy until she first realizes she is sick.
Decline of more than 20% after a pastor or staff member leaves should signal a major alarm in a church.
Often, the good ole days, in reality, weren’t really that good.
We have churches who fight so much that they’re completely distracted from their mission.
Churches often close not for lack of people but for lack of obedience.
The seven personalities we discuss are:
The Denier.
The Deflector.
The Cool Kid.
The Nostalgic.
The Street Fighter.
The Autopilot.
The Living Dead.
Episode Sponsors
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. Their Fall Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor Coaching Networks are now open for registration, and our very own Dr. Rainer will be speaking at the Fall Lead Pastor Coaching Network.
So if you’re a Lead Pastor or an Executive Pastor looking for peer roundtable coaching, check it out at vanderbloemen.com/coaching. It’s limited to 16 folks, so apply today before it fills up.
Midwestern Seminary, one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America, exists to train leaders For The Church. The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the proclamation of the gospel, and there is no Plan B. And this is Midwestern’s vision and heartbeat—equipping pastors and other ministry leaders who are called to expand God’s mission in the world through the local church. At Midwestern Seminary: they train leaders ‘For The Church.’
Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.
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 Who Moved My Pulpit?
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast
SamRainer.com
Est. Podcast
Church Bullies blog posts
July 24, 2017
Seven Dangers in the Last Few Years of Your Ministry
I am writing this article on my 62nd birthday.
Yeah, I’m a real party animal.
Let me shoot straight. I have so much for which to be thankful. God has blessed me immeasurably, none of which I deserve. If my ministry were to end today through death or disability, I could only praise Him for the life and ministry He gave me.
But I am assuming I have a few more years left in ministry. And this point in my life is both a time of reflection and looking forward. I want this fourth quarter of my ministry to make a difference for His glory. To be clear, I want to avoid seven dangers in my last years of ministry. And I know I can succumb to any and all of these dangers without His strength, His mercy, and His plan.
Coasting. Lord, show me how to give my all for You. Wake me up to the reality of coasting if I ever move in that direction. Remind me that laziness is not just a bad work ethic; it is a sin and affront against You.
Hanging on. I pray I will not hang on for just another paycheck. I pray I will place the timing of my ministry in God’s hands, not my 401(k). I pray I will not love my position in ministry so much that I can’t hear Your voice when it’s time to move on.
Weariness. Ministry is not for cowards. Yes, there are the constant streams of human critics but, even more dangerous, ministry is spiritual warfare. I pray I will not grow weary, but find my strength in God through prayer and the daily reading of His Word.
Misplaced identity. My identity is not president, pastor, or church staff member. My identity is in Christ. If my identity is in my present vocation, I will not let go when it’s time. I will hold onto the idols of ego, self-gratification, and ephemeral titles.
Change aversion. My prayer is I will always be open to needed change, that I will not leave the work of change for the one who follows me. I pray I will still have the courage and strength to make the tough decisions, not to kick the can for another time and another leader.
Failure to stay current. It’s a challenge to keep up. Change is hitting us so rapidly. I could get lazy and not read, not be challenged by others, or scream that the way we’ve always done it is just fine. In my later years of ministry, I pray I will not succumb to the temptation of no longer learning.
Regret. For sure, I’ve made plenty of mistakes. If I wrote a book about stupid things I’ve done in ministry, it would have to be a multi-volume series. But, in these latter years of ministry, I can’t look back. I can’t wallow in the self-pity of past stupidity. The past is past. I look to God’s future.
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind, and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.—(Philippians 3:13-14, CSB)
May those verses be my theme for the years I have left to serve the One who has called me, strengthened me, and given me the great promise of His presence and power.
July 23, 2017
Pray for Grace Harbor Baptist Church
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Pastor: Marty Hughes
Weekly Worship: 10:30 AM, Central
Fast Facts: Grace Harbor Baptist Church was founded in 1965 as Independent Baptist Church. In 2014, the church went through a revitalization process that resulted in a major renovation of the building and a rethinking and refining of processes in every area. As a result, the church changed its name to Grace Harbor Baptist Church to reflect its message of hope and grace to the community around them. Please pray for their upcoming F3 (Family Fun Fest), the church’s major fall outreach event to community families, on October 7. Last year, they had more than 500 attend the inaugural F3 event. This year they are expecting nearly 1,500 for the event. Also pray for their after-school mentoring program on Wednesdays that leads into their Wednesday night children’s program. Please pray for encouragement for the workers as they begin a new school year next month.
Website: GraceHarborGrove.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..
July 22, 2017
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: July 22, 2017
Ten Roadblocks to Church Revitalization
What to Do When You Work for a Bad Leader – Rainer on Leadership #346
Seven Reasons Why Some Churches Should Consider Being Acquired
10 Outreach Ideas for Your Church This Fall
Six Evangelism Killers in a Church – Rainer on Leadership #347
10 Short Steps to Long Tenure — Craig Thompson
In addition to having a church filled with people to “get it” and want to see me thrive as their pastor, I’ve picked up on a couple of disciplines that have helped to sustain me. Perhaps you can benefit from putting the same disciplines into practice in your own life and ministry.
3 Common Ways Leaders Miscommunicate — Eric Geiger
Great leaders are always great communicators, but not always great speakers. Great leaders may not excel with a microphone, but they are able to communicate what is valued and what direction is being taken. Communication and leadership are intertwined and deeply connected. When leaders fumble in execution, culture formation, or rallying a team, the fumble is often in communication. Leadership mistakes are often synonymous with communication mistakes. Execution problems are often synonymous with lapses in communication. Here are three major communication struggles leaders should seek to avoid:
4 Ways to Multiply the Impact of Your VBS — Beth Howe
Vacation Bible School is often one of the most intense weeks in the life of a church. For many churches, it is the largest outreach event of the year. But if VBS ends for your church as soon as everything is cleaned up for next Sunday’s service, you’re missing out on a world of potential. No children’s minister wants to spend loads of money and countless hours preparing and leading VBS only to see everything go back to normal the next week. Churches need a follow-up plan. I’ve seen four follow-up methods multiply the benefits of VBS well beyond one short week in the summer.
5 Common Myths About Mobile Giving — Dean Sweetman
Myths can be based on some semblance of truth or have roots based in truth, but at the end of the day, a myth is still a false belief or idea. With that in mind, we thought we’d turn the light on a few myths that we hear commonly when it comes to mobile giving. Sound good? Ok, on with it…
The 5 C’s of Preaching — Jared Wilson
What are the basic elements of biblical preaching? How do you know you’re preaching a Christian sermon and not simply giving a religious or spiritual lecture? While I think gospel-centered expository proclamation is the best approach to fulfilling the biblical call to preach, this exercise could probably use some more filling out. And since preachers like alliteration and lists, I thought I might suggest a checklist reflecting what I propose to be the irreducible complexity of true Christian preaching. Next time you’re preparing a sermon, maybe keep these questions in mind. Or, after the next time you preach, share this list with your fellow elders or another team of trusted advisers and ask them to apply the questions to your delivered message.
4 Essentials for Spiritual Maturity — R. Kent Hughes
When the New Testament addresses spiritual maturity, it uses the common Greek word teleios, which means “perfect” or “complete.” When it is applied to Christian growth, it indicates spiritual maturity in contrast to childlike immaturity as, for example, in this command from Paul: “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature (teleioi).” (1 Cor. 14:20; see also Heb.5:13–6:1). Sometimes it indicates perfection, as in Jesus’ summary command in the Sermon on the Mount: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect” (Matt.5:48). Spiritually, it always references solid, biblically informed understanding and conduct in Christ—spiritual adulthood.
July 21, 2017
Six Evangelism Killers in a Church – Rainer on Leadership #347
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We have discussed evangelism a lot over the past few weeks and even launched a new site focused on it at EvangelismRenewal.com. Today we discuss six statements that can kill evangelism in your church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Evangelism is often the least natural ministry in many churches.
If there is not explicit intentionality about evangelism, it will wane in a church.
Evangelism is not the sole responsibility of the pastor and church staff.
If we depend on a single evangelistic event, we abdicate our daily evangelistic responsibility.
Don’t think of evangelism as a once-a-year church event.
We should be highly intentional and prayerful about connecting with unbelievers.
The most effective evangelistic churches have two main characteristics: obedience and prayer.
The six statements that kill evangelism are:
“That’s what we pay our pastor to do.”
“Our church members are just not evangelistic.”
“Our denomination does not help us.”
“We emphasize evangelism once a year in our church.”
“I don’t know anyone well who is not a Christian.”
“We don’t have the resources.”
Episode Sponsors
The Timothy Track, from Midwestern Seminary, offers select residential M.Div. students placement in internship positions in a local church in the area. Now you can complement your studies with in-the-field ministry experience. In addition, all Timothy Track students will receive up to 12 credit hours for the internship and a 50% tuition scholarship for the first year.
Find out more at mbts.edu/TimothyTrack.
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds 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.
Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting 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 Who Moved My Pulpit?
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast
Church Answers
MBTS state t-shirts
InviteYourOne.com
The Unchurched Next Door
July 20, 2017
10 Outreach Ideas for Your Church This Fall
By Jonathan Howe
Outreach events for churches can be predictable in the fall. Your church likely has a back-to-school event for kids, a fifth quarter for students, and a fall festival for families already on the calendar. It’s just what churches do.
But what if you tried something else—maybe something with an intentional evangelistic focus that your community might not expect? These ten outreach ideas will allow your church to be noticed in your community and, most importantly, provide your members with several opportunities for gospel conversations.
Sponsor a booth at the county/state fair. County fairs are a big deal in our part of Tennessee. And the fair in my county, Wilson County, is the biggest of deals. Several churches from the area sponsor booths at the fair and provide free face painting or even henna tattoos as a means for gospel conversations. The key is to be strategic with your booth and to train your workers in gospel conversations.
Wear church t-shirts to a local event. This could be related to the previous item or a few others in this list. Having your church members wear church t-shirts to a specific event—especially one at which your church is serving—can raise awareness of the church.
Host a hunting season event for men. The start of hunting season is a major event for men from all over. Consider hosting a kickoff event for hunting season with a men’s dinner and have the men in your church invite their friends. You can use this as a catalyst to launching new small groups as well.
Honor first responders in a worship service. In the US, September 11 is designated as Patriot Day and many communities honor first responders. Your church could invite and provide a breakfast for all first responders then briefly recognize them in the worship service.
Sponsor a breakfast for teachers at a local school. School starts in just 11 days here in Tennessee, but other school systems will be starting up shortly as well. Use the new school year as an opportunity to minister to local teachers, administrators, aides, bus drivers, and staff.
Staff the concession stand at a local park or stadium. Want your church more involved in the community? Then be where the community is. And in many communities, that’s the local football games on Friday nights. What if your church staffed the concession stand at the local games? Or maybe you can staff the local kids’ sports stadium or park. Parents will appreciate the service, and your presence will likely result in gospel conversations and invites to church worship services.
Coordinate a community outreach day through your small groups. Pick a Saturday or Sunday afternoon for all small groups to participate in a community outreach event. If you provide a list of projects to the groups, they can choose the project that fits their group the best.
Hold a family movie night on the church lawn. Autumn evenings tend to get dark earlier and the weather can be quite nice. Consider having a movie night on the church lawn and encourage families to invite their neighbors and friends. Provide water and popcorn and you’re sure to have a great event that families will enjoy.
Host an Invite Your One day. We’ve been blown away by the response we’ve seen from churches who’ve hosted Invite Your One days. The fall is a great time to host these events, and they can be great catalysts for creating an atmosphere of inviting in your church.
Set a gospel conversation goal for your church and provide training. In all of these outreach events, make evangelism a clear focus for the event. The gospel conversations that can result from these intentional outreach events can be a major catalyst for growth and revitalization in your church. But this will only happen if your church members are trained and intentional. So set a goal, train your members, and provide the opportunities for gospel conversations to happen.
These are just 10 examples. What else would you add to this list? Does your church already do some of these?
Jonathan Howe serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives at LifeWay Christian Resources as well as the host and producer of Rainer on Leadership and SBC This Week. Jonathan writes weekly at ThomRainer.com on topics ranging from social media to websites and church communications. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter at @Jonathan_Howe.
