Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 194
May 30, 2017
The Pastor and Church Revitalization featuring Andrew Davis – Rainer on Leadership #332
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play
Revitalization continues to be a topic of interest in churches, and today Andrew Davis, pastor of FBC Durham, NC, joins us to talk about his journey of revitalization and his discipline of Scripture memorization.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
“When a church needs revitalization, there are typically toxic forces at work in that church.”
Pastors need allies, friends, and spiritually-minded people in the church who will pray for them.
“None of us has the level of commitment that Jesus has for the local church and universal church.”
“The unleashing of the Word of God bring life and strength and health to a church.”
It is very tempting to take inordinate credit for success in ministry.
In revitalization, there will be key moments when you have to step out in courage and lead.
“There’s a difference between a healthy church and a perfect church. You’ll never find a perfect church.”
About Andrew Davis:
Andrew M. Davis is pastor of First Baptist Church of Durham, North Carolina, and a visiting professor of church history at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chairman of the governance committee of the Gospel Coalition, Davis has written articles for TGC’s popular website and has spoken in plenary and breakout sessions at TGC’s national conference.
Episode Sponsors
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.
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
Revitalize: Biblical Keys to Helping Your Church Come Alive Again
Autopsy of a Deceased Church
9Marks
The Reform of First Baptist Church of Durham
He’s Memorized 42 Books of the Bible and You Can, Too
May 29, 2017
Five Reasons Why Stability Is Bad for a Church
Change or die.
That is reality for churches today.
Of course, I am not talking about Scripture, doctrine, or spiritual disciplines changing. Those things are constants, never to be compromised.
But much of what we do in our churches must change. And, unfortunately, many church members and leaders resist change. They seek stability and comfort over obedience and sacrifice.
Let’s look at five key reasons why stability is bad for a church.
A stable church is not a church on mission. The very nature of the Great Commission means our churches should be in constant change. A church member blasted a pastor for his efforts at leading the church to reach unbelievers in the community. She castigated him because “those people are messing up our church.” Sigh.
Comfort is the enemy of obedience. Review all the examples of obedient persons in the Bible. In every case, they had to get out of their comfort zones. Too many church members want stability because they don’t want to experience the discomfort of obedience.
Stable churches are not reaching their communities. The communities in which churches are located are changing. Many are changing rapidly. If a church seeks comfort, it is not willing to make the necessary changes to impact the community it was called to serve.
Stable churches do not create new groups. Show me a stable church, and I will show you a church that is not creating new groups or Sunday school classes. Show me a church not creating new groups, and I will show you a church that is inwardly focused. The members are spiritual navel gazers.
Members of stable churches want the focus to be on their preferences. They want church “the way it’s always been.” They are more concerned about getting their way with music style, room temperature, and precise starting time of worship services. In their latter years, they are able to sing, “I did it my way” rather than “I did it God’s way.”
There is nothing biblical about a stable church. In fact, the stability is really just an illusion. Those churches that seek stability will ironically change the most rapidly toward decline and death.
May 28, 2017
Pray for Eastside Church of the Nazarene
Location: Gastonia, North Carolina
Pastor: Joe Bell
Weekly Worship: 10:40 AM (English) and 2:00 PM (Spanish), Eastern
Fast Facts: Eastside Church of the Nazarene started in what was a middle/upper middle class, predominantly white neighborhood but but has become a very diverse small church as its neighborhood has changed over the years. Their after-school tutoring program has provided free after school tutoring to more than 500 at-risk students over the past 18 years. They recently celebrated their diversity with their annual UNITE multi-cultural and multi-denominational Sunday evening service. Please pray for their Spanish service as well as their continued community outreach and health screenings they host.
Website: ESNaz.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..
May 27, 2017
Notable Voices and the Week in Review: May 27, 2017
Five Reasons Church Members Attend Church Less Frequently
10 Things Church Members Want from Their Pastor – Rainer on Leadership #330
Five Steps to Respond to a Hurtful and Hateful Email
Six Details to Include in Your Church Staff Bios
Top Seven Regrets Most Pastors Have – Rainer on Leadership #331
How to Respond When There’s a New Church on the Block — Dave D’Angelo
So you just heard the news that a new church or campus is opening up in your town … how do you respond? We’d be lying if we said our immediate response was always a pure kingdom-minded celebration. My conversations with pastors who experience this same scenario often include sentiments like:
3 Ways Online Giving Helps Your Church — Art Rainer
Online giving is safe, convenient, and consistent. Church members like knowing that they no longer have to worry about whether or not they remembered to bring their checkbook on Sunday. Their tithe was already taken out of their bank account. Online giving does not just help church members. Churches can benefit from online giving as well. Here are three ways online giving helps your church:
Three Relational Connections That Will Benefit Any Pastor — Kevin Campbell
The thing about ministry is it involves people. People are imperfect including you and me. It’s why Jesus spent time ministering to the crowd but also spent time in solitary with His Father. Solitary moments feed our souls. The opposite is isolation. It doesn’t feed our soul. It dries it up. When you go through difficult seasons in ministry the temptation is to isolate. If there is one thing I have learned in ministry, it’s we can’t do life alone! We need to make and keep the right connections in our lives to sustain us for the long haul.
6 Basic Email Observations from Leading a Team — Eric Geiger
Few things are as lamented as email and staff meetings. And yet, both are very important in communicating, in ensuring execution, and in keeping work moving forward. They are, however, lamented for a reason. Poorly led meetings and poor email practices waste immense amounts of time and energy. Here are six basic email observations from leading a team:
What’s the Best Way for a Pastor to Negotiate His Salary? — Dave Harvey
It’s the “salary strain,” an occupational hazard that seems to come with ministry. If navigated unwisely, it can introduce suspicion and stall the church’s momentum toward the future. So what’s the best way for a pastor to negotiate his salary? Here are six thoughts I hope will be helpful. Salary negotiations move toward wisdom when the pastor…
How To Handle Church Staff Layoffs — Nicole Cochran
No matter how you put it, layoffs are hard. Whether you work for a church or in the corporate world, facing termination is met with difficult conversations, heightened emotions, and an incredible opportunity for grace to triumph. So if your church is in the middle of budget cutting and eliminating positions looks inevitable, how do you handle it?
May 26, 2017
Top Seven Regrets Most Pastors Have – Rainer on Leadership #331
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play
We cover seven regrets many pastors and church staff have and how to overcome them. And we also talk about Chuck E. Cheese.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Seminaries are great, but no school can teach everyone everything needed for ministry.
Critics will always be present for leaders.
There can be healthy critics; it’s just hard to see them that way.
When faced with a difficult situation, do you find the opportunity or the danger?
Pastors are prone to blame outside factors for church problems.
Church can be an evil mistress for a pastor.
Sharing ministry is a step of faith.
Don’t be a ministry hoarder.
The seven regrets we discuss are:
Lack of practical training for local church ministry.
Overly concerned about critics.
Failure to exercise faith.
Not enough time with family.
Failure to understand basic business and finance issues.
Failure to share ministry.
Failure to make friends.
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
May 25, 2017
Six Details to Include in Your Church Staff Bios
By Jonathan Howe
When we talk with first-time guests about church websites, many of them share their surprise that the website fails to include bios or any information other than a name for the church staff.
I have to admit, I’m surprised when I see this happen as well.
Staff bios help guests—and church members—relate better to those who are charged with the spiritual care of a congregation. While they don’t have to be exhaustive, there are a few items to consider including in each church staff member’s bio.
A current, professional photo of the staff member. The number of church staff pages that just list names and nothing else puzzles me. Photos help people identify with the church. Having a professional photo that is current for each staff member communicates that a church cares about details and doing things well.
Information about what their job entails. With the growing number of unorthodox job titles in churches, there is often confusion over what area of ministry a staff member relates to. For example, a “creative arts director” could work with the worship ministry, the media ministry, the communications team, or all three. Provide clarity for each staff member so that someone can easily identify to whom they can direct questions or ideas.
How long they’ve been at the church. It’s not an essential item, but it is helpful. Knowing how long a staff person has been at a church provides context to visitors and members. There is a catch with this approach though. If you say “Joe has been on staff for 12 years,” then you have to update it every year. Try a format like “Joe joined the staff as student minister in 2005” instead.
Social media profiles. I understand that many people still do not have social media profiles or want them shared. But consider providing at least some social media connection if at all possible. Each staff member could pick the one social media platform they prefer and use it. Or you could list all available platforms. The specifics don’t matter as long as there’s at least some way to connect with the staff other than email.
An email address. Other than a picture, this might be the most important part of a staff bio. Contacting a church staff member should be as easy as possible. And email is the best way to allow for that contact to take place without providing too much personal information.
Personal information. If any of these could be considered optional, it would be this one. However, like a picture, personal information (likes, dislikes, alma maters, spouse and kids’ names) helps people better relate to the staff. So if it’s possible, then include it.
What else does your church include in its staff bios? What would you add to this list?
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.
May 24, 2017
Five Steps to Respond to a Hurtful and Hateful Email
“You have no business being the pastor of our church. All you are interested in is getting your own way and changing all the good things we have going. People are saying you should be fired. I agree with them.”
Yes, it’s a real email.
Yes, it’s from a church member to a pastor.
The Internet has certainly brought us incredible ways to do commerce, to get information, and to communicate.
But it has an ugly and evil side to it as well.
It allows cowardly critics to hide behind a keyboard and cut people to the core through blogs, social media, and email.
So how do we respond when we get a hurtful email? The pastor who received that cruel, cowardly, and vitriolic email asked me that question. Here is how I responded:
Pray about it. Do not respond in a quick-tempered, fleshly anger. Give it to God. Let Him guide you. Pray for wisdom and pray for those who attack you.
Wait. Some leaders work on the 24-hour rule. They will not respond to a hateful email immediately. Some wait longer. They are waiting on God. They are waiting to have a more tempered perspective. And they are waiting to get input from others.
Get godly counsel. I was recently accused of plagiarism in an email, a first for me. I was incensed. After a time of prayer, I knew a part of my anger was due to my own pride and ego. I pride myself on writing original content, so the accusation of copying someone else really irked me. But I sought the wisdom of others. I eventually responded strongly, but nothing like my original thoughts. The wisdom of others saved me from writing something I would have likely regretted for a long time.
Decide to respond or ignore. Not every email, tweet, blog post, or Facebook post is worthy of a response. Sometimes it’s just best not to engage the critic. That can be tough, because we so much desire to defend ourselves. But if you do respond, I recommend this next step.
Call or meet with the critic if at all possible. I know it’s not always possible to have a verbal conversation with someone. But meeting face-to-face is ideal, and talking by telephone is better than a written response. Many critics are taken aback when they see the willingness of the person they attacked willing and desirous to meet with them.
Leadership is tough, particularly in the church. You will get those “nasty-grams” from time to time. Remember the wisdom of Proverbs: “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).
It’s not always the easiest path, but sometimes it’s the best and most godly path.
May 23, 2017
10 Things Church Members Want from Their Pastor – Rainer on Leadership #330
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play
Ever wondered what your church wants from its pastor? Today, we cover the top ten things church members desire in a pastor.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
A church wants to know that their pastor loves them.
Effective preaching requires adequate time for preparation.
Much of a pastor’s ministry is judged as effective or not based upon the preaching ministry.
Social media background checks are becoming standard when hiring a pastor.
We are leaving a blueprint of our lives when we interact on social media.
An organization without a path forward becomes an uneasy organization.
A lot of people can have great ideas. Not many people can execute them, too.
There is nothing wrong with having fun as a leader.
Most leaders are not transparent enough.
The ten items we discuss are:
Love of congregation.
Effective preaching.
Strong character.
Good work ethic.
Casts a vision.
Demonstrates healthy leadership.
Joyous.
Does not yield to critics.
Transparent.
Models evangelism.
Episode Sponsors
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.
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
There Is No Such Thing As Work-Life Balance
May 22, 2017
Five Reasons Church Members Attend Church Less Frequently
About 20 years ago, a church member was considered active in the church if he or she attended three times a week.
Today, a church member is considered active in the church if he or she attends three times a month.
Something is wrong with this picture. For 2,000 years, the local church, as messy as it is, has been God’s place for believers to gather, worship, minister, and be accountable to one another.
And every time I write something about church membership and attendance, I inevitably hear cries of “legalism” or “the church is not a building” or “the church is a messed up institution.”
But the local church, the messy local church, is what God has used as His primary instrument to make disciples. But commitment is waning among many church members.
Why?
We are minimizing the importance of the local church. When we do, we are less likely to attend. A few drops of rain may keep many folks from attending church, but it won’t stop them from sitting three hours in the downpour watching their favorite football team.
We worship the idols of activities. Many members will replace a day in their church with a day at kid’s soccer or softball games or sleeping off the hangover of the previous day’s activities.
We take a lot of vacations from church. I am not anti-vacation. But 20 years or so ago, we would make certain we attended a church where we were taking a vacation. Today, many members take a vacation from church.
We do not have high expectations of our members. Any purposeful organization expects and gets much of it members, whether it’s a sports team or a civic organization. It is ironic that most churches do not come close to being a high expectation church.
We make infrequent attendees leaders in our churches. When we do, we are making a clear statement that even the leaders of the church do not have to be committed to the place they supposedly lead.
I heard a leader of an organization tell the members he did not want them if they were not fully committed. They could not be AWOL if they wanted to be a part of the group. He expected full commitment.
He is a high school football coach. And all the team members follow that high expectation of commitment.
If we truly expect to make a difference in our communities and our families, members of local churches need to have at least the same level of commitment as members of sports teams.
After all, the mission of each local church is far more important.
At least it should be.
May 21, 2017
Pray for Bethany Christian Fellowship
Location: Pembroke, North Carolina
Pastor: Charles P. Locklear
Weekly Worship: 11:00 AM, Eastern
Fast Facts: Bethany Christian Fellowship is just three years old, but is a diverse—largely a Native American—congregation. It is located in the largest Native American community east of the Mississippi River and is also nearby UNC-Pembroke. A goal for the church is to connect with both the university and Native American communities. Bethany is a mission focused congregation that supports missions in a number of ways all over the world. One goal of the church is to help plant five new churches in 10 years. They have already helped plant one and are looking toward the others. The church is also currently seeking a music director who can help develop their music program. Pray for the outreach of Bethany to its community and across the nation in Native American communities. Pray for their upcoming summer VBS that they might reach many unchurched children in the community. Finally, please pray for their music program and their search for a music director.
Website: Bethany Christian Fellowship Facebook Page
“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..
