Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 229
June 15, 2016
Seven Secular Resources I Read Every Week
I’m in a bit of a rut right now.
I hope it’s a good rut though.
Every day I read my Bible. It is really rare for me to miss a day.
Almost every day I am reading a book. Some of the books are print publications. But I love the Audible format as well. The latter is especially good for my long commutes to work. I am currently reading (and listening) to The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly.
But, in the course of a week, I inevitably turn to other resources. There are seven resources that I will likely read at least once a week with few exceptions. These secular resources help me to understand the culture and world in which we live. I pray they are being used to make me a more effective gospel witness.
Harvard Business Review. I am like a kid at Christmas when my monthly HBR arrives. Its articles on business, leadership, and culture are unsurpassed by most other secular resources.
Wall Street Journal. This venerable newspaper is a source for both business and news. I have started using Audible to stay caught up on the WSJ.
Real Clear Politics. This site is my favorite aggregator for political articles. I also appreciate its aggregation of polls as well.
Five Thirty Eight. This site is another good political source. It also includes good news articles as well.
Huffington Post. As a conservative, I enjoy reading liberal perspectives on news and politics. This blog is the best in that genre.
Fast Company . I began reading this magazine years ago. Fast Company is a business magazine with a focus and emphasis on technology.
Seth’s Blog. This blog by Seth Godin is a quick daily read. He offers pithy nuggets of news, strategy, and wisdom. His focus is on marketing ideas in a digital age.
No reading can replace the Bible. But I do appreciate the works of many secular publications that help me better discern the times in which we live.
Let me hear from you. What resources would you add to my list?
The post Seven Secular Resources I Read Every Week appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 14, 2016
Doubtful Issues and Church Worship Preferences – Rainer on Leadership #233
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio
On today’s podcast, we welcome back Mike Harland to discuss church worship preferences and arguing over doubtful issues (Romans 14).
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
The subject of worship runs through the entire Bible. Who we worship and serve is of utmost importance.
Style of music is generally the most frequently debated worship issue in the church.
The tunes to a lot of our great hymns were originally for bar songs.
Don’t argue about doubtful issues—pursue unity and love.
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
LifeWay Worship
Worship Life with Mike Harland
Search
The post Doubtful Issues and Church Worship Preferences – Rainer on Leadership #233 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 13, 2016
Eight Indicators that Pastors Are Expected to Do Most of the Ministry
Okay, I admit it. I can’t stand the terms.
When you even speak of clergy and laity, you are implying that Christianity has a social caste system. There are the professional Christians and the ordinary Christians.
Ugh.
There are points in Scripture where some differentiation is made. For example, in Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul said God gave us “pastors and teachers for the training of the saints in the work of ministry to build up the body of Christ.”
Contrary to most of the indicators today, the Bible says the laity (saints) are to do the work of ministry. Most of the ministry should not be in the hands of pastors, but in the hands of the church members.
Unfortunately, we often reverse the biblical truth. We expect ministry to be done by the pastors and staff. Here are eight indicators of that reality.
“Pastor, will you ask the blessing for the meal?” If an “ordinary” Christian voices the blessing, the food will immediately turn into strychnine and maggots.
“The pastor needs to be on call to counsel our members.” When I was a pastor, people stopped coming to me because they told me I made them feel worse.
“After all, pastor, that’s what we pay you to do.” For many Christians, ministry is pay as you go. You pay the pastor and the pastor goes.
“You need to host that missionary, pastor, because you are in the same line of work.” I thought all Christians were in the same line of work.
“Here’s someone you need to visit, pastor.” If a non-pastor Christian visits them, the people will experience boils and locusts.
“I saw our pastor at a football game. Pastors are not supposed to act that way.” You are exactly right. It’s in Hezekiah 4:19: “Pastors are not to get excited or yell in competitive sports.”
“I saw our pastor at the beach. He was in a swim suit!” “No, please don’t say it’s so. He could not have fallen that low.”
“Pastor, I don’t think my neighbor is a Christian. You need to visit them and share the gospel.” Matthew 28:19 is clear: “Go, therefore, only the select few of you who are ordained and have the title of reverend, and make disciples of all nations.”
I’m certain you have heard one or more of these sentences, or sentences similar to these. They are all indicators we have a long way to go before we have truly unleashed the people of God to do the work of ministry.
Let me hear from you.
The post Eight Indicators that Pastors Are Expected to Do Most of the Ministry appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 12, 2016
Pray for Luella Baptist
Location: Locust Grove, Georgia
Pastor: Glenn Stringham (Interim)
Weekly Worship: 11:00 AM, Eastern
Fast Facts: Luella Baptist was established in 1893 and is a typical small church. Through the years they have reached attendance levels around 60, but they continue to have a desire to reach their growing community. There is a large Jamaican population near the church, and the church has seen some success in ministering to this community. Please pray for their upcoming Vacation Bible School in which they will host nearly 100 kids this week. Pray that they will make an eternal impact on these families and children. Finally, pray as they seek a pastor to fill the role as their permanent bi-vocational pastor.
“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 Luella Baptist appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 11, 2016
Notable Voices: June 11, 2016
10 Pointers for Preaching a Touchy Issue — Peter Mead
Wise words here from Peter. Other than #10, #2 might be the most important. These are also important when preaching non-touchy issues.
7 Reasons Mid-Size Churches Get Stuck — Tony Morgan
These might apply to any size church, but mid-size ones struggle with them the most.
The Danger of Envying Another Church — Sam Rainer
Every pastor can easily drift into envy. It’s a real struggle. Sam gives five reasons why it’s so dangerous.
How to Know You’re Really Preaching the Gospel — Dave Harvey
Dave shares three great checks for your sermons.
9 Types of Bivocational Ministries — Chuck Lawless
As Chuck points out, bivocational ministry can be so much more than just preaching each week.
25 Father’s Day Ideas for the Dad in Your Life — Selma Wilson
Father’s Day is next week. You have a week to get things together for your dad. This list will help.
The post Notable Voices: June 11, 2016 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 10, 2016
What Community Demographics Should a Pastor Know? – Rainer on Leadership #232
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio
On today’s episode, we cover seven demographics for pastors and church leaders to know about their community. And surprisingly, there are also riveting discussions about table tennis and Nashville geography included in this episode.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Sometimes we have ministries that don’t actually meet the needs of the community because those ministries are what we’ve always done.
Consider using pin maps to map out where members and guests are coming from in the community.
Socioeconomic issues in the community can greatly impact giving in the local church.
What would our churches look like if ministries were based on current needs of the community rather than tradition?
The seven community demographics pastors should know are:
Population trends.
Family composition.
Ethnic and racial composition.
Natural demographic boundaries.
Church attendance pin map.
Household income.
Key psychographic data.
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/Rainer 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
PerceptGroup.com
Preaching and Preachers
The post What Community Demographics Should a Pastor Know? – Rainer on Leadership #232 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
What Community Demographics Should a Pastor Know?
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio
On today’s episode, we cover seven demographics for pastors and church leaders to know about their community. And surprisingly, there are also riveting discussions about table tennis and Nashville geography included in this episode.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Sometimes we have ministries that don’t actually meet the needs of the community because those ministries are what we’ve always done.
Consider using pin maps to map out where members and guests are coming from in the community.
Socioeconomic issues in the community can greatly impact giving in the local church.
What would our churches look like if ministries were based on current needs of the community rather than tradition?
The seven community demographics pastors should know are:
Population trends.
Family composition.
Ethnic and racial composition.
Natural demographic boundaries.
Church attendance pin map.
Household income.
Key psychographic data.
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/Rainer 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
PerceptGroup.com
Preaching and Preachers
The post What Community Demographics Should a Pastor Know? appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 9, 2016
What’s Next in Church Technology?
By Jonathan Howe
The technological revolution we’ve seen in churches over the past 30 years is staggering. What’s even more remarkable is the speed at which technology in the church continues to improve.
Simply having a screen was once considered a novelty in many churches, and overhead slides were used to project lyrics. Now, multiple screens with video or animated backgrounds are commonplace in our worship centers. Online giving was groundbreaking five years ago. Now, it’s a core function included in every major church management software on the market.
Church websites, apps, live streaming, video-based curriculum, and podcasts are but a few of the new ways churches are using technology. And they are almost all assumed at many churches. Of course, many churches do not use some (or any) of these technological advances available to them. And, honestly, neither your church nor mine really need any of them to function as a church. There are countless churches all over the globe with little to no technology that are making disciples in ways that would put to shame some of the most technologically-driven churches in the U.S.
However, many of our churches do utilize these technologies—and we are always looking for what’s next. So here are seven technological advances churches should watch for in the future:
Computerized Child Check-In. With the emphasis being placed on child safety in the church, computerized check-in will likely become mandatory for churches over the next decade. When a mom drops her child off in a preschool classroom, she wants to know her child will be taught well and kept safe. Computerized check-in helps with half of that equation. The next point covers the other half.
Online Leadership Training. As our lives become more and more busy, we are less likely to spend hours upon hours in training sessions at the church building. Online leadership training allows church leaders to train in the margins of life on their own schedule. Better-equipped discipleship leaders become more effective disciple-makers.
Spotify Playlists. When we spoke with Mike Harland on the podcast recently, he mentioned churches having a core list of songs for them to know and sing. Spotify playlists allow your members to become more familiar with the songs they will sing on Sundays and to enter into times of personal worship throughout the week.
Text-to-Tithe. Online giving is now the norm for many church members. But text-to-tithe (my term) allows those who might be unprepared to give the opportunity to worship through the giving of tithes and offerings. People prefer to give in different ways. Churches that offer multiple paths for giving nearly always see an increase in total giving.
Video Announcements. The biggest positive of video announcements is the ability to control the length and professionalism of your announcements. The biggest drawback is that sometimes people will tune them out. Video announcements are not for every church, but many churches use them very effectively.
Online/App Delivery of Curriculum. We are seeing an increase in digital curriculum at LifeWay. While there will always be a place for printed curriculum, the ability to have your weekly lesson at your fingertips all the time is convenient for many leaders and learners.
Environmental Projection. This might be the newest thing in church technology. In fact, I have yet to see this in practice in a church service I’ve attended. I have seen videos, pictures, and demonstrations, but not an actual worship service. But the ability to transform blank rooms into various environments by projecting scenes or graphics onto the walls of the room brings a new flexibility to existing spaces. And the results of a well-planned environmental projection display are staggering.
Those are some of the trends I’m seeing in churches in the U.S. What would you add? Is your church using any of these? How is it working out?
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.
The post What’s Next in Church Technology? appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 8, 2016
Seven Things Google Tells Us About Evangelism in the United States
The chart below makes me want to vomit.
Please look at it carefully. It is a chart of Google searches on the term “evangelism” in the United States from 2004 to the present.
As Google tells us, this type of information indicates where our interests lie.
We are not very interested in evangelism. Do we really care about the eternity of others?
It is a simple chart, but it speaks volumes. Here are seven lessons I gleaned from it.
We are steadily losing interest in evangelism over time. If you lose interest in something, you are certainly less likely to do it.
Church members are losing interest in evangelism. If the members of our churches are not interested in evangelism, our churches will become (or perhaps they are already) spiritual deserts with spiritual navel gazers.
Pastors and staff are losing interest in evangelism. Though that’s not in the graph per se, I have my own research that demonstrates this reality. I can’t recall ever seeing an evangelistic church without an evangelistic pastor.
American churches are among the worst in evangelism. Google uses an index to rank different geographical areas for a particular term. The highest score is given an index of 100. Ghana is the highest ranked in the work with a 100 index. Nigeria is second at 66, and Zimbabwe is third at 63. In fact, all of the highly ranked nations are in Africa. The American index score is a paltry 11.
Churches not doing evangelism will decline in health. Disobedience to the Great Commission is not the best approach to lead a church to health and growth. Google shows clearly why so many of our churches are doing poorly.
Church members are much more likely to criticize rather than evangelize. I call it “the great distraction.” I wish we could have a rule in churches that you can’t say anything critically until you have shared the gospel with someone. It would be a great source of church unity.
The evangelism problem begins with me. I probably share my faith a couple of times a month. That’s pathetic! I know God provides me more opportunities than that. I can fuss at you readers all day long, but I have my own sins and inadequacies that need God’s work.
Google Trends is an excellent statistical and analytical tool. But its data can be sobering and convicting.
As a rule, we in the American churches stink at evangelism.
And we wonder why our churches aren’t healthy.
The post Seven Things Google Tells Us About Evangelism in the United States appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
June 7, 2016
Seven Shifts in Church Outreach – Rainer on Leadership #231
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio
On today’s podcast, we discuss a recent post on church outreach and how it has changed over the past few decades.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
We still need personal contact with non-members for evangelistic reasons.
The first place people come into contact with your church is likely no longer the worship service but the church website.
As much as things change, one thing remains the same—the gospel still works.
When it comes to evangelism, do something.
Most of the time, multi-site and multi-venue are done to intentionally reach new people, not accommodate existing members.
Growing churches have shifted from a “you come” posture to a “we go” one.
The seven shifts we are seeing in church outreach are:
From in-home visitation to lunch or coffee shop visits.
From newspaper ads to Facebook ads.
From worship services to the church website as the front door.
From complex gospel presentations to simple gospel presentations.
From multi-service to multi-venue and multi-site.
From attractional to going.
From national and international giving to contextual giving.
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
For the Church in St. Louis
FTC.co
LifeWay Breakfast in St. Louis
The post Seven Shifts in Church Outreach – Rainer on Leadership #231 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
