Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 225
July 25, 2016
Eight Common Mistakes Rookie Pastors Make
I met one of the most stupid rookie pastors I’ve ever known.
The year was 1984. I saw him when I looked in the mirror.
It is excruciating for me to recall some of the dumb things I did. I am so grateful for church members who demonstrated love and grace. I am thankful I did not do something so stupid that it had a lasting impact on my ministry.
I love pastors. I love rookie pastors. As I have worked with hundreds of rookie pastors over the years, I see a pattern of mistakes many of them make. I pray my highlighting of these eight common mistakes will be helpful to some of you.
They handle personnel issues with difficulty. Most of these rookies have never had direct supervisory responsibility or led an organization. They often have difficulty confronting direct reports. They can make rash decisions without considering the unintended consequences.
They amplify criticisms. Most of us don’t enjoy criticism. Rookie pastors often have never been criticized as a leader. The criticism stings, and the pastors can make more of the criticism than they should.
They are not disciplined with their schedules. Not only are most rookie pastors in a leadership role for the first time, they are put in the unstructured role of a pastor. Many of them have no idea how to utilize their time effectively. They either become workaholics, lazy bums, absentee pastors, or inefficient users of time.
They don’t often ask for help. Many of them desperately need help in business, finance, counseling, time management, conflict resolution, preaching, leadership, and many other areas.
They demonstrate favoritism. When you spend most of your time with a select group of people in the secular world, it’s called “relationships.” When you spend most of your time with a select group of people in the church, it’s called “favoritism.”
They don’t seek feedback or coaching. They either don’t want to hear it, or they don’t know how to get it.
They don’t continue their education. Education should not end with seminary or Bible college. It should be ongoing, either formal or informal.
They are influenced by the latest fad or group. One rookie pastor got most of his leadership insights from a group who had no idea about the context in which he ministered. He listened to them and made some grave mistakes.
One of the reasons I do what I do is to help pastors as much as possible, both rookies and veterans. I pray these words will prove beneficial to you who are just beginning a lifetime of ministry as a local church pastor.
Let me hear from you.
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July 24, 2016
Pray for Dalewood UMC
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Pastor: Kyle Frohock
Weekly Worship: 10:00 AM, Central
Fast Facts: Dalewood UMC is a small church located in East Nashville and just celebrated 66 years of ministry. They have several community ministries at Dalewood such as their Creative Preschool, Youth Works, Fuel Program. They also loan out building space to two home school tutorials and have a mission house located on church properly that they use as temporary housing for homeless families. Please be in prayer for the Youth Works program at Dalewood. They have four leaders who bring up to 75 youth each week for learning and hearing the Word of God. Then during the week, this group goes out into the community for service projects and other forms of mission work. Dalewood desires to be a church where people can come and feel loved and know they are being prayed for and ministered to.
Website: DalewoodUMC.org
“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..
The post Pray for Dalewood UMC appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
July 23, 2016
Notable Voices: July 23, 2016
5 Principles Megachurches Can Learn From Small Churches — Karl Vaters
This dynamic often plays itself out in the opposite direction, so it’s fascinating to see these points be FOR megachurches not FROM megachurches.
Seven Steps towards a Greater Gospel Focus in Your Church — Sam Rainer
I constantly hear from pastors who want to see their congregation live more evangelistically. As Sam points out, it often starts with the pastor. An evangelistic pastor is more likely to have an evangelistic congregation.
Five Ways to Engage the City — Ben Pilgreen
Ben, a pastor and planter in San Francisco, shares five simple steps for your church to engage your city.
Pastors, Let Your Deacons Serve — Matt Capps
Matt reminds us that pastors are to equip the saints for the work of ministry. But our need for control often usurps our desire to equip.
How Skipping Church Affects Our Children — Micah Anglo
Your kids notice what you prioritize. And their priorities will be closely tied to your priorities.
Ten Key Questions For Sermon Preparation — Darryl Dash
Darryl shares four questions for the text and six questions for communicating the text. These are quite helpful.
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July 22, 2016
The Ongoing Saga of Staff Conflict – Rainer on Leadership #244
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play
Staff conflict creates division in churches and leads to an unhealthy church. It’s something to deal with head on with wisdom and grace.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
The pastor should play a major role in hiring new church staff.
Try to give inherited staff a chance when you come on as a new pastor.
There seems to be more church staff conflict today than there has been in the past.
When the congregation has conflict with one another, that fosters staff conflict as a result.
The purpose of church members and staff is to serve, not to be served.
Generational divides in the church go much deeper than worship style.
Because of looser accountability in churches, staff tend to drift toward either workaholism or laziness.
Sometimes we use grace to cover for and allow for bad work habits.
If you have conflict on your staff, you need to deal with it in order to become a healthy church.
The eight points of staff conflict we cover on the episode are:
More likely to occur when leader does not choose own staff.
Conflict seems to be happening more frequently.
Resolution groups are not much help.
Common issue: “old school vs. new school”
Another reason: the lazy staff person.
There is an unwillingness of many churches to address staff conflict adequately.
Alternative plan: focus efforts outwardly
Don’t kick the can.
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, 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.
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
Church Answers
Search
Why Pastors Often Leave Their Church in the Third Year
The post The Ongoing Saga of Staff Conflict – Rainer on Leadership #244 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
July 21, 2016
Seven Ideas for Effective Church Guest Follow-Up
By Jonathan Howe
As we’ve talked with ministry leaders from around the country, I’ve been surprised at the number of churches who do not have a plan for guest follow-up. There may be some structure or a first point of contact, but there’s often no roadmap for the staff to follow. And if the staff don’t have a roadmap, how can we expect guests to know what’s next for them?
So here are seven ideas for you to use to construct your on-boarding process or assimilation plan for new visitors to your church.
Thank You Email. This is the simplest form of follow-up. First-time guest emails can easily be template for use time and again. It’s always best, however to personalize the email from week to week. Always address the guest by name, try to reference the sermon title from the service they attended, and mention any upcoming events they might be interested in. Your guest thank you email should go out no later than Monday afternoon following a Sunday visit.
Phone Call from Pastor or Staff Member. If your church collects more information than name and email address, then take your contact to the next level. A phone call from the pastor for first time guests is almost always welcomed. If you are in a larger church, these calls might have to be split up between staff members simply due to the volume and ministry level. For instance, your minister to children or preschool can call guests who had kids in the nursery, the student minister can call guests with kids in the student ministry, etc. It’s always best to have someone with knowledge of specific ministries contact guests who may express interest in that ministry. These calls should take place before the next church gathering. Don’t leave guests waiting for answers to questions they may have.
Church Information. If you have an address for a guest, consider sending an informational packet and letter from the pastor. Again, personalize these as much as possible. The content really depends on your church and what you want to emphasize. If at all possible, tailor the content in the informational packet to the guest’s interests. It wouldn’t make sense to send a college-aged newlywed couple information about an upcoming senior adult trip.
Appreciation Gift. In his book Fusion , Nelson Searcy advocates for a small gift card or a book for first time guests. I absolutely love that idea. It costs less than you think, and makes a greater impact than you can imagine. A $5 gift card to a local coffee shop is a great way to say thank you to a guest who visits your church.
Note to Kids. Churches don’t often send mail to kids, but it is simple to do and makes a big impact on both the kids and the parents. Purchase or write a quick thank you card to children who visit your church’s student or kids ministry. This shows that you are investing in all generations of the church and want to help everyone grow in his/her faith regardless of their age.
Invite to a Gospel Conversation. This might be the most important follow-up of all. If we’re failing to have gospel conversations with guests, we’re failing at the Great Commission. We’re called to make disciples, not church members. Make sure sharing the gospel is central to your church’s guest follow-up plans.
Membership/Discovery Class Invite. Once you’ve had that gospel conversation, it’s time to discuss next steps. An invite to a church membership or discovery class is the natural progression. It allows you to express both information about your church and expectations your church has of members.
Does your church have an actual guest follow-up plan? Do you do some of these already? What might you add to this list?
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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July 20, 2016
Eight Warning Signs of a Bully Church Member
“I love you pastor, but I want you fired.”
Several months ago I wrote about bully church members. The post focused on the damage they do and the problems they create. The article resonated with many church leaders.
But some of those leaders told me the article was too little too late. They had already heard something akin to the first sentence above.
The damage was done.
Here is a direct quote of a plea to me: “Thom, I am currently encountering a bully church member. He wants me fired. I didn’t see it coming. How can we be warned about potential bullies before they inflict the most damage?”
I get it. It’s one thing for me to state the obvious: the traits of a bully. But it’s another thing for me to provide early warning signs so you won’t be blindsided. Here are eight of those warning signs:
They are among the first in the church to tell you how much they love you. And they will continue to love you as long as you do everything exactly the way they want it done every single day.
They have strong personalities. They tend to be boisterous. They speak up frequently in meetings. They can be loud. They like to dominate conversations.
They are highly opinionated. And if you ever disagree with them, you become their next target.
They are terrible listeners. They want you to listen to them; they don’t want to listen to you.
They build unhealthy alliances. The bully in one church built an alliance with two weak staff members. The three of them spoke in secret to the personnel committee about the pastor. The pastor was fired without even being asked his side of the story. Watch carefully those the bully befriends.
They murmur and gossip. Most of their words are negative. They are the anti-Barnabas.
They do most of their toxic work in darkness. They let other people become the fall persons for their nefarious deeds. They meet with them behind closed doors and then slither away.
They have been to several churches. Bullies tend to move around. They do their damage at one church and then leave. They are sometimes asked to leave.
Do all churches have bullies? No. But many churches have bullies. Be careful when you encounter them.
Be very careful.
Let me hear from you.
The post Eight Warning Signs of a Bully Church Member appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
July 19, 2016
5 Keys to Making the Most of a Conference – Rainer on Leadership #243
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play
Make the most out of your next ministry conference with these five tips.
Also in today’s podcast, we discuss the upcoming Pipeline Conference. You can find out more about the event at the conference website: MyLeadershipPipeline.com. Early registration ends July 31, and you can save 15% on registration by using the promo code rainer16 at checkout. There are even group rates for you to bring your entire leadership team to the conference.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
You can communicate the content of a conference to coworkers, but not the spirit of a conference.
Some of the best church leaders I know are constant learners.
When you take your leadership team members with you to a conference, you show that you value the entire team.
Go to conferences with the attitude that you expect to learn while there.
Just the act of writing something down helps you remember it later.
Even the greatest expository sermon should have life application as well.
Great preaching is not just informational, it’s transformational as well.
The five ways you can make the most from a ministry conference are:
Go as a team.
Go to learn, not just listen.
Write it down and take it with you.
Discuss it.
Implement it immediately when you get back.
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
Discerning Your Call to Ministry
LifeWay Leadership
Leadership Pipeline Conference
5 Leadership Questions with Barnabas Piper and Todd Adkins
Content Inc.
Who Moved My Pulpit?
Search
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July 18, 2016
Five Things I Pray I Will Not Do as a Senior Adult in the Church
I received my first AARP material in the mail six years ago.
I turned 61 years old two days ago. One of my sons says I am fossilized.
I am a senior adult.
Have I noticed any differences in my life at this age? Certainly. I move more slowly. My idea of a mini-marathon is running to the kitchen from the family room. I see things differently. I don’t know if I am wiser, but I certainly have different perspectives.
And I have to admit I view church life differently. In fact, I sometimes scare myself with my rigid attitude. I need to write these words quickly lest I become too comfortable or too complacent.
I have five specific prayers. They are for me. They are for my attitude about my church. They are reminders I will need to review constantly.
I pray I will not feel entitled because I am a key financial supporter in the church. This attitude means I consider the money my money rather than God’s money. That means I am giving with a begrudging heart.
I pray I will not say “I’ve done my time” in the church. Ministry through the local church is not doing your time, like serving a prison sentence. It is an outpouring of joy and thanksgiving to God. I love those churches where senior adults are the most represented among the nursery workers. I need to be among them.
I pray I will not be more enthused about recreational trips than ministry and service. There is nothing wrong about me getting on a bus and going to Branson, Missouri, or Gatlinburg, Tennessee. But there is something wrong when that is my dominant involvement in ministry in the church.
I pray I will not be more concerned about my preferences than serving others. I’ve already blown it on this one. I did not like the volume of the music in the service at my church a few weeks ago. I complained about it to my wife. And then I was reminded of all the young people in the church that Sunday worshipping and praising God during the music. I was more concerned about my preference than seeing others worship God.
I pray I will not have a critical spirit. I attended a business meeting of a large church some time ago. The total attendance at the meeting represented fewer than five percent of the worship attendance. One of the men who recognized me approached me before the meeting, “We come together at these business meetings to keep the pastor straight,” he told me. In reality, they came together to criticize the pastor and staff. I pray I will not become a perpetual critic. I don’t want to grow old and cranky; I want to grow old and more sanctified.
Now that I am a senior adult in my own right, I need to make certain I am not a stumbling block or a hindrance to health and growth in my church. I pray my attitude will be like that of Caleb:
“Here I am today, 85 years old . . . Now give me the hill country the Lord promised me on that day . . . Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised” (Joshua14:10-12, HCSB).
May the Lord grant me wisdom and service all the days of my life, including my senior years.
Let me hear from you. I bet I will.
The post Five Things I Pray I Will Not Do as a Senior Adult in the Church appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
July 17, 2016
Pray for Kentuck Baptist Church
Location: Ringgold, Virginia
Pastor: Allen Mahan
Weekly Worship: 11:00 AM, Eastern
Fast Facts: Kentuck Baptist Church is 227 years old and has a long history of serving and starting other churches. Pastor Mahan has served the church since 2013, and their main focus has been reaching the community in various ways. The church is situated across the street from one of the county high schools and around the corner from a middle school and an elementary school. During the summer, they do a week of service at each school helping with construction, repairs, and building things that would not otherwise be possible. They support their community through different food programs, a clothes closet, and various community events throughout the year. Please pray for open doors to continue to connect with their community and the community’s response to those connections. Also that their strategic planning continues to show ways to ensure the church thrives in the future.
Website: KentuckBaptistChurch.org
“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..
The post Pray for Kentuck Baptist Church appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
July 16, 2016
Notable Voices: July 16, 2016
7 Common Mistakes Search Committees Make — Kevin DeYoung
If you’ve ever served on a search committee or interviewed with one, you’ve likely seen at least one of these. Some are inadvertent mistakes, but they tend to affect the process.
8 Reasons You’re Exhausted, Overwhelmed, and Unproductive — Michael Hyatt
Do you feel like you’re in a rut at work? One or more of these eight reasons may be the cause.
8 Ways Churches Can Capitalize on Pokemon Go — Aaron Earls
Pokémon Go is all the rage right now. And no, it’s not satanic. Anyway, churches and church leaders can either mock those participating in the game, or welcome them. Aaron gives us eight ways to do the latter.
3 Warning Signs of an Exaggerated Resume — Eric Geiger
Eric’s examples in his post mainly come from the business world, but the principles are often used by pastors and ministers to pad their resumes. Pastors, don’t exaggerate your resume.
5 Strategies for Shortening Your Sermons — Benjamin Vrbicek
Typically, less is more when it comes to sermons. Editing can be your friend, pastor. Here are five ways to edit your sermon without losing its impact.
10 Ways to Minister to Police Officers — Chuck Lawless
The past two weeks have been rough. From shootings here in the US to terrorist attacks to an attempted coup overseas, we’ve been through a lot. Chuck shares 10 ways we can minister to a group of people who’ve been at the center of many of these events—police officers.
The post Notable Voices: July 16, 2016 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
