Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 224

Five Ways Churches Can Use Instagram Stories

By Jonathan Howe

Earlier this week, Instagram added a major new feature to its platform. Even though the feature has only been active for a few days, Instagram Stories is the biggest social media development we’ve seen in 2016 since the launch of Facebook Live.

Many have complained about Instagram completely copying a feature from another platform (Snapchat), and there is a legitimate argument to be made. They have done this before when they copied the addition of short videos from Vine. But the difference is that when a feature is added into Instagram, it is often easier to use and is fully integrated into the app.

So what does this mean for churches? Many of your churches already have an Instagram account. Now you have even more opportunities to tell your story to those who follow you online. Here are a few ways to use Instagram Stories at your church.

Staff surveys. Post a short video or a photo to of each staff member answering a question. Maybe they show off their favorite book. Maybe they describe how they take their coffee. Use these short bursts to help members and guests get to know your church staff better.
A look behind the scenes. With Instagram Stories, you can take viewers behind the scenes of worship team practices, Lord’s Supper setup, sermon prep, and so much more. Pick an aspect of ministry each week and show your members what it takes to make things happen in the church.
Prayer prompts. Use your story to highlight prayer requests or needs in your church. Prompt your followers and members to pray for others in the church and community.
Sunday morning stories. Highlight aspects of your worship gatherings through an Instagram Story. Short video clips of greeters, the media team, nursery workers, Bible study teachers, and ushers would give your followers a more in-depth look at what goes on each week at your church.
Event recaps. Similar to the previous item, these recaps basically give people a view of what happens at one of your church events. Whether it’s a youth function, VBS, camp, or a Disciple Now, you can use Instagram Stories to recap the event for those who can’t make it or aren’t involved in that ministry. What better way to recruit volunteers than to show them how God is moving in a specific ministry?

Instagram Stories offer churches a unique opportunity to connect with the audience they already have on the platform. How you use the feature is completely up to you, but the low-hanging fruit is there. It’s now up to you and your church to find what works best and use social media to tell the story of how God is working in your church.

Jonathan Howe serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives at LifeWay Christian Resources, 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.

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The Tragic Story of a Hurting Pastor’s Wife

I receive volumes of blog comments, emails, and social media communications every day. On occasion, one of those comments will stop me in my tracks, like this recent blog post comment.

I am providing it to you almost completely unedited. I made a few edits to protect the identity of the writer.

I respectfully request you not to lecture this lady, but to offer prayer and encouragement. The headings are mine, but the words are hers.

The Lonely Pastor’s Wife

“Please allow me to share my feelings about the last many years of being a pastor’s wife. I tried on many occasions to talk to my husband about it (loneliness, neglect, wanting at least one evening a week together, lack of dating, etc.). We’ve gone to marriage seminars, talked to mentor ministry couples, and, still, things don’t change.”

The Pastor with the Messed Up Priorities

“He never schedules time for investing in our marriage and works all week in the office and then up all night on Saturdays getting his sermon ready. He leaves early Sunday mornings for preparations for the service and, by the time he gets home in the afternoon, he’s exhausted and definitely doesn’t feel like doing anything active or fun with the kids and me. He just wants to veg out on the couch.”

The Pastor Who Does Not Listen

“When I try to talk about my feelings, I’m “complaining” and not “following the call for my life.” I’m so tired of the cycle of neglect, loneliness, rejection, and hurt that, I hate going to church, don’t read my Bible anymore, and have to fight thoughts of divorce every single day. The church definitely feels like his mistress. I’m so hopeless and feel that I’m trapped. The one place I should be able to turn to, the church, is what is killing me on the inside.”

The Plea for Help

“If anyone has a recommendation for a fair and reasonable counselor in the Houston area who is used to working discreetly with people in my and my husband’s position, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m down to my last resort before bailing.”

My Reason for Sharing This Information

Any time I hear about a marriage failing, I feel sick to stomach. It happens too often. And it happens too often with those who are in vocational ministry. Of course, it is not limited to the role of pastor. Such cries of hurt are emanating from the spouses of all kinds of church staff.

So I offered her words to you with the hope that it could be a caution for all of us in vocational ministry. Love your spouses. Love your family. Take care of them. Give them the priority mandated by Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-5).

And please pray for this pastor’s wife. She is truly hurting

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How Pastors Feel When Church Members Leave – Rainer on Leadership #247

Podcast Episode #247

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Pastors go through several emotions when church members leave. Today, we cover five reasons why.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

Even when someone has a good reason for leaving a church, it still feels very personal when they leave.
It’s not just pastors who hurt when church members leave. Staff, members and leaders do as well.
Almost every community has a “hot church” that some church members chase after.
New members classes allow churches to discuss and deter serial church hopping.
It’s normal for pastors to hurt when church members leave.
There is a grief process for pastors when a church member leaves.
Pastors, if you ever get to a point where a church member leaving doesn’t hurt, you’ve got a problem.

The five reasons it hurts when a church members leaves are:

It feels like personal rejection.
Relationships have developed.
There has been much time invested.
There is concern for the overall morale of the church.
There is a fear others will follow.


Episode Sponsors

Midwestern Seminary, located in the heart of the Midwest, is one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America and offers a fantastic array of academic programs, including multiple online and residential options at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Midwestern’s new 81-hour Mdiv program, online program, and doctoral program have all been recognized as some of the most innovative and affordable in the country. There has never been a better time to begin your seminary education. Midwestern Seminary trains leaders ‘For The Church.’

Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.

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 I Will.

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast

Who Moved My Pulpit?

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Six Perspectives on Dual Church Membership

I love local churches. I just love them.

I know they are filled with imperfect members. I know all the members are sinners and occasional hypocrites just like me. That reality has not changed since the first century.

But I just love local churches.

And I love being a member of a local church. First Corinthians 12, in essence, gives three qualities of healthy church members: they are committed; they are serving; and they are accountable.

And lest you missed it, the word “member,” referring to church members, is in 1 Corinthians 12 five times. Church membership is biblical and church member is a biblical term.

But what do we do with the concept of dual membership? As a rule, most of us believers should belong to one and only one local congregation. We need to be accountable to one body and ministering where we live. But I can see some exceptions. For discussion, then, let me throw out six perspectives on belonging to two different churches.

Keep in mind, there are doctrinal and polity issues that could preclude dual membership. I certainly want to respect the integrity of each local church. Let’s consider, then, these six perspectives on dual church membership:.

Yes: If the member truly lives in two different locations throughout the year. Obvious examples include “snowbirds” who migrate south in the colder months, and businesspersons required to live in two locations because of their unique jobs.
Yes: If the member has a high probability of returning to the original church in the near future. A college student moves out of state but plans on taking a job in her hometown when she graduates. She might do well to minister and serve in both her college church and then her hometown church. A soldier is stationed in another state or country but will be coming home. Both might do well with dual membership.
Yes: If both churches embrace dual membership. In some contexts, churches do not allow dual membership, but they will allow you to become affiliated with their congregation “under watch care,” whatever that means.
No: If the church member knows he is not returning, but he has a sentimental attachment to one church. Moving is difficult. Leaving a church we love is tough as well. But that is no reason to stay tied to a congregation where you will never serve in the near future.
No: If the member wants to escape accountability. I actually heard a church member say he has dual membership, and he has become accountable to neither church. There must be an understanding of accountability in each church.
No: If the member must compromise doctrinally with either church to join. There are some good churches where I disagree with their doctrines on secondary and tertiary issues. I could not and would not join them. I don’t doubt their faith, but I can’t compromise my beliefs either.

For the past few years, I have been advocating the concept of “I am a church member.” In a few cases, it might be okay to say, “I am a member of two churches.”

I hope you will engage with me on this issue. There is so much to discuss, affirm, and, possibly, disagree.

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Pray for Mt. View Baptist

Location: Cleveland, Georgia

Pastor: Kevin Woody

Weekly Worship: 10:45 AM, Eastern

Fast Facts: Mt. View Baptist is nestled in the foothills of the North East Georgia Mountains. With it being founded more than 85 years ago, it is not uncommon to see three generations sitting on one pew. Mt. View has experienced exponential growth throughout the two years the Woody family has been serving the church. Mt. View is praying, striving, trusting and believing that the days ahead are some of the best days to come for its ministry. Their prayer is to be a light to the community, county, and country for Christ so that others may see a difference. Please be in prayer for their two outreach efforts—one into the local school system and one with their sister church in Kentucky. Please pray for guidance, peace, and assurance of what to do in the upcoming days ahead of these ministry endeavors. Also pray for their children’s department as they will begin a new program in the fall.

“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..

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Notable Voices: July 30, 2016

5 Ways to Lose Your Ministry — Eric Geiger

Eric offers a word of caution to pastors including five pitfalls that will cost pastors their ministry.

 

Sin, Discipline, and Not Being the Next Pastor Who Falls — Erik Reed

In a similar vein, Erik Reed reminds us of John Owen’s famous words “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.”

 

9 Steps for Transitioning from Parsonage-Living to Homeownership — Art Rainer

Parsonages are not as prevalent as they once were, but for those of you still living in one and looking to transition into ownership, this is helpful.

 

3 Reasons Why Pastors Neglect Leadership Development — Chris Martin

With tools like Church Answers, the Pipeline Conference, and others, there’s no excuse for pastors and church leaders to neglect leadership development.

 

How Long Should Your Sermons Be? — Hershael York

This is one of the most frequently asked questions from preachers and Dr. York provides a framework for answering it in your context.

 

10 Ways To Create More Margin in Your Time — Ron Edmondson

Time management is a struggle for many. Ron shares 10 tips of managing your schedule instead of it managing you.

 

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A Podcasting ‘How-to’ with Carey Nieuwhof – Rainer on Leadership #246

Podcast Episode #246

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Carey Nieuwhof joins us once more to talk about the nuts and bolts of podcasting for pastors and church leaders.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

“You can be innovative in your podcast format. It’s your show.”
Producing a podcast is often something done in the margins.
“A host’s unique contribution to a podcast is relationships and interviews.”
“Let your podcast guest be the hero, and they can take you places in your episode.”
“If you’re in someone’s ears through a podcast, you can build a greater relationship with them,”
“If you’re going to commit to releasing a podcast you need to hit release dates.”
“If you miss release dates, you lose trust from your audience.”

About Carey Nieuwhof

Carey is the author of several best-selling books, including the Amazon #1 best-selling Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow. He is also the author of Leading Change Without Losing It and co-author of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity.

Carey writes one of today’s most widely read Christian leadership blogs at www.careynieuwhof.com and hosts the top-rated Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, where he interviews some of today’s best leaders. He speaks to North American and global leaders about leadership, change and personal growth.

Carey Nieuwhof is the founding pastor of Connexus Church, a growing multi-campus church north of Toronto and strategic partner of North Point Community Church. Prior to starting Connexus, Carey served for 12 years in a mainline church, transitioning three small congregations into a single, rapidly growing church.

He and his wife Toni live near Barrie, Ontario and have two sons.

Episode Sponsors

Midwestern Seminary, located in the heart of the Midwest, is one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America and offers a fantastic array of academic programs, including multiple online and residential options at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Midwestern’s new 81-hour Mdiv program, online program, and doctoral program have all been recognized as some of the most innovative and affordable in the country. There has never been a better time to begin your seminary education. Midwestern Seminary trains leaders ‘For The Church.’

Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.

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 I Will.

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast

Search
Pastors and Podcasting – Episode #245
CareyNieuwhof.com
Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
Lasting Impact
StartUp with Alex Blumberg
Online Giving featuring Rich Birch – Rainer on Leadership #213
Pat Flynn’s How to Start a Podcast

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Young Influencer List, July 2016

By Jonathan Howe

Once again, the goal with this list is not to inflate the egos of those named, but to make you, the readers of ThomRainer.com, aware of the dozens and dozens of Christian leaders who are advancing the gospel in their respective spheres of influence. And while some pundits may sit back and claim Christianity is declining or dying, these leaders are clearly making a statement that it will not happen on their watch. They are passionate about Christ Jesus, His gospel, and taking it to the ends of the earth. The qualifications are quite simple: under 40 and making a Kingdom difference.

So without further ado, here is this month’s young influencer list:

Terrace Crawford (@terracecrawford) – Author and Host of This Week in Youth Ministry podcast, Virginia Beach, VA – Terrace’s blog and podcast are great resources for those in student ministry.
Kristen Padilla (@kristenpadilla) – Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, AL – Kristen coordinates marketing and communications for one of America’s leading divinity schools.
Jorge Mendoza (@jmendozza) – Teaching Pastor at Blueprint Church, Atlanta, GA – Jorge not only serves with Dhati Lewis at Blueprint, but also works with NAMB on their church planting efforts.
Nathan Rose (@nathanrose33) – Replanting Catalyst for the North American Mission Board, Liberty, MO – Nathan is a name you may recognize from our Notable Voices features on Saturdays at ThomRianer.com. We’ve linked to quite a few of his articles at ftc.co.
Melody Maxwell (@melody_m) – Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX – Melody is a leading historian on the subject of women in Baptist life.
Aaron Armstrong (@aaronstrongarm) – Brand Manager for The Gospel Project, Nashville, TN – Aaron is brand new to his role with LifeWay. In fact, he just moved here from Canada at starts next week. However, you probably know him from his prolific blog at BloggingTheologically.com.

Please continue to pray for these individuals and their ministries. If you’d like to nominate a young influencer for consideration, let me know on Twitter: @Jonathan_Howe or in the comments section below. For previous young influencer lists, click here.

Jonathan Howe serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives at LifeWay Christian Resources, the host and producer of Rainer on Leadership and SBC This Week, and the managing editor of LifeWayPastors.com. 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.

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Seven Reasons to Consider Not Requiring Office Hours for Ministerial Staff

By Sam Rainer

I’ve never liked the idea of requiring office hours for pastors and ministry staff. Ministry demands a “go” mentality. It’s hard to go when you have to sit at a desk all day. Assuming you have at least one person in a support role to answer phones and greet walk-ins, then you likely don’t need to require staff to have office hours. Here are a few reasons why I don’t require office hours for ministry staff.

The church bubble is often the church building. I love our church building. I love being in our church building. It’s comforting. Church buildings should be strategic tools for discipleship. However, when the bulk of your ministry is spent in the church building, then the building becomes a bubble. The actual walls start to be spiritual barriers. All pastors and church leaders must do ministry outside the church building. Requiring office hours incentivizes staff to create a church bubble around the church building.
Ministry does not happen on a set schedule. This week our staff dealt with demon possession, child abuse, and sexual sins. Let’s just say these sorts of things don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule. Requiring office hours can potentially create a culture where staff no longer feel obligated to take that 2:00 AM phone call. Sometimes the best ministry occurs in the middle of the night.
I’m selfish. I’m a lead pastor. I’ll just speak for myself. I can be selfish. The church staff does not exist for me. The staff exists for the church and community. It’s much easier as a lead pastor if I have everyone on campus at the same time so I can access them whenever I like. But that’s not why the church has a staff.
People are more accessible because of technology. Smart phones and laptops mean your staff is more accessible than a generation ago. My staff uses the GroupMe app to communicate throughout the day.
Trust. If you must have ministry staff present in the office all the time, then you don’t trust them. Or you’re a control freak. Neither are good ways to lead. If your set office hours are an old rule, and you’re simply operating out of what’s been done in the past, then it’s time to change.
Fewer walk-ins. Our culture is changing. Fewer people walk in to see a particular staff person without an appointment. I still have many people pop in my office and say “hello,” but not nearly as many people randomly want an hour of my time without an appointment. This change is partly due to the culture shifting, but it’s also partly due to the fact that the church understands the staff is not sitting at desks waiting on ministry.
Creating a culture of going. Requiring office time propagates a culture of “ministry must come to me” rather than “I go to people.” Every hour someone is sitting behind a desk is an hour not spent discipling or evangelizing. You create ministry. You don’t wait on ministry to happen. The Bible doesn’t call pastors to office hours, but rather to equip the saints.

Our staff meets every Tuesday morning until lunch, and then we often go to lunch together after our meeting. This time helps us coordinate schedules and align church operations. It’s necessary to have a dedicated, weekly time when staff are together. But these few hours are the only times ministry staff are required to be onsite. Otherwise, I want them out fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Jesus didn’t say “stay in the church building.” He said “go.”

Sam S. Rainer serves as senior pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. He is also the president of Rainer Research and the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Rainer Publishing.

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Pastors and Podcasting, featuring Carey Nieuwhof – Rainer on Leadership #245

Podcast Episode #245

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Carey Neiuwhof drops by to talk podcasting for pastors and church leaders.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

“If you struggle with something in ministry, it’s likely someone else has as well.”
“Podcast guests are typically very accommodating.”
“Don’t have anything on your podcast that you’re not passionate about.”
“I want to get people on the podcast who are going to help listeners.”
“Check your motivation before starting anything new.”
“15 minutes of boring is 15 minutes too long.”
“Subject matter often drives podcast downloads more than guest notoriety.”

About Carey Nieuwhof

Carey is the author of several best-selling books, including the Amazon #1 best-selling Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow. He is also the author of Leading Change Without Losing It and co-author of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity.

Carey writes one of today’s most widely read Christian leadership blogs at www.careynieuwhof.com and hosts the top-rated Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, where he interviews some of today’s best leaders. He speaks to North American and global leaders about leadership, change and personal growth.

Carey Nieuwhof is the founding pastor of Connexus Church, a growing multi-campus church north of Toronto and strategic partner of North Point Community Church. Prior to starting Connexus, Carey served for 12 years in a mainline church, transitioning three small congregations into a single, rapidly growing church.

He and his wife Toni live near Barrie, Ontario and have two sons.

Episode Sponsors

Midwestern Seminary, located in the heart of the Midwest, is one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America and offers a fantastic array of academic programs, including multiple online and residential options at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Midwestern’s new 81-hour Mdiv program, online program, and doctoral program have all been recognized as some of the most innovative and affordable in the country. There has never been a better time to begin your seminary education. Midwestern Seminary trains leaders ‘For The Church.’

Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.

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 I Will.

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast

Search
CareyNieuwhof.com
Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
Lasting Impact

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