Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 260
August 11, 2015
The Activity Driven Church – Rainer on Leadership #149
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio
On today’s episode, we discuss the activity-driven church and how that has hindered ministry in many churches. Churches doing activities for activities’ sake have created an insulated membership and stifled community involvement. Today we talk about how to get your church back on track with activities that match the purpose of the church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Church activities are often the end instead of the means for churches.
Activity-driven churches often believe they are being more spiritual or church-health-oriented when they’re doing those activities.
Busyness in the local church is one of the biggest deterrents to evangelism.
So many believers get busy doing church things that they don’t get to know unchurched people.
Are you asking what the purpose is of every church activity?
Too many churches are involved in activities which do not accomplish the mission of the church.
The seven points we discuss about activity-driven churches are:
Activity is not biblical purpose.
Busyness can take us away from connecting with other believers and non-believers.
An activity-driven church often is not strategic in its ministries.
A congregation that is too busy can hurt families.
An activity-driven church often has no presence in the community.
Activity-driven churches tend to have “siloed” ministries.
Churches that focus on activities tend to practice poor stewardship.
Episode Sponsor
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
Simple Church
The Five Most Common Mistakes Church Leaders Make When Leading Change
Whatever Happened to Sunday Evening Services?
How Involved Should a Minister Be in the Community?
Unleashing the Church
The post The Activity Driven Church – Rainer on Leadership #149 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 10, 2015
Seven Steps Churches Are Taking to Replace the Stand-and-Greet Time
I would have never expected the response to a topic that seemed so innocuous. On this blog many people were very vocal that they really didn’t like the stand-and-greet time during the worship services.
To be fair, there were some defenders of this practice. I was able to segment the hundreds of responses into three groups.
Guests: Overwhelmingly, guests do not like stand-and-greet. Very few indicated they did.
Church members who are strong extroverts. This group tended to be the vocal supporters of stand-and-greet. They really like speaking to both strangers and acquaintances.
The rest of the church members. The majority of the church members did not like the practice. It is the time of the worship service they dread.
So almost all of the guests do not like the stand-and-greet time, and the majority of the church members agree with them. As a consequence, many churches have dispensed with this practice.
But church leaders are finding other ways to keep their congregations friendly during the worship services. In this follow-up post, I share some of the new practices I have discovered.
Conclude the services on time. The most natural time of fellowship takes place at the conclusion of each service. But, if the service goes long, many attendees are in a hurry to get their children from the preschool area, or to make previously scheduled appointments.
Use the most outgoing members in critical places. One church has a highly extroverted senior adult lady as the receptionist to the preschool areas. Her sole, but critical role, is to greet parents and children, and to provide them a clear guide of where to go and what to do.
Ask your most extroverted members to sit by guests and converse with them. Most of those who defended the stand-and-greet time where these extroverted members. Use them in other ways. And if the persons they find happen not to be guests, it’s not the end of the world. It’s okay for members to talk to one another.
Ask your most extroverted members to mingle intentionally before and after the service. There is certainly a pattern developing here. The extroverted members want to act extroverted. Give them permission to do so. A few churches are even offering training for these extroverts.
Have clear signage that lets guest know where to go. One church had the following signage at key entry points: “Guests: Follow the signs to our coffee gathering or to take your children to our safe and secure area.”
Encourage people to speak to each other at the end of the service. If the service ends on time, encourage people to chat on the way out. Those who desire this interaction will do so. The rest will have permission not to do so.
Have people wear shirts or badges that clearly indicate they are available to help others. I recently attended an event where people who could provide help wore brightly-colored shirts and well-marked badges. A church of which I’m aware does the same. The badge says in clear and bold letters: “I Would Love to Help You.”
Ultimately, friendliness is more of an attitude and atmosphere than a planned action. Leaders should provide such examples and continuously remind members to be hospitable and friendly at all times.
The meet-and-greet time is going away in many churches. These are some of the practices that are taking its place. Let me hear from you on this issue.
The post Seven Steps Churches Are Taking to Replace the Stand-and-Greet Time appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 9, 2015
Pray for New Hope Fellowship
Location: Hartfield, Virginia
Pastor: Leonard L. Edloe
Weekly Worship: 10:00 AM, Eastern.
Fast Facts: New Hope Fellowship did not start with the intention of becoming a church. The founders came together for healing after four deacons of the church where they were serving were removed from office in order to remove the pastor. They began meeting in the conference room of the Hampton Inn in Gloucester, Virginia, on the first Sunday of September in 2010 with 28 persons present. In January of 2011, they decided to officially form as a church. In January of 2013 their pastor was involved in a near fatal accident. Fortunately a retired pastor filled the pulpit until their pastor recovered. However, during that three month period, the retired pastor secured for the church a modern 7,200 square foot church building on 10 acres of land. In June 2013, New Hope Fellowship moved into their present location. While still a relatively small church, a third of the membership is under 18, and the church is reaching several single mothers. Please pray for their upcoming anniversary celebration on August 30 and for the strength of their pastor.
Website: NewHopeF2010.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 New Hope Fellowship appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 8, 2015
Notable Voices: August 8, 2015
9 Marks of a Healthy Worship Leader — Alex Duke
Alex shares nine characteristics he’s noted while serving on a worship leader search committee.
21 Things You’ll Never Regret As a Leader — Carey Nieuwhof
This is a very comprehensive list from Carey, and he saved the most important for last.
Is It a Waste of Time for Seminary Students (and Pastors) to Learn the Biblical Languages? — Michael J. Kruger
This is a question many seminary students and pastors ask themselves before and after seminary—but especially during their studies of Greek and Hebrew.
You Are Micromanaging If — Eric Geiger
Eric shares three underlying beliefs or practices that cause micromanagement. Are these present in your leadership?
The Six Most Revealing Types of Interview Questions — Stephanie Vozza
While these questions may eem a bit out of the norm, they all get to important underlying issues.
Who Is the Most Dangerous Guy at Your Church? — Erik Raymond
Erik shares that the most dangerous person at your church is the apparently smart guy who is unteachable.
The post Notable Voices: August 8, 2015 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 7, 2015
Why Women Leave a Church – Rainer on Leadership #148
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio
A recent post, Six Reasons Why Women May Be Leaving Your Church, really generated a lot of feedback. So much so, that we took today’s episode to discuss the topic further and cover these six reasons. While they may apply to men in the church as well, these are specific issues we are hearing from women as to why they decide to leave a church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
When they are overworked in the church, many women will disengage from church or just move to another one.
Generally speaking, women are more relational than men and can be more relationally hurt than men.
Children’s ministry is one of the key areas for the church in the present and future.
If a church does not address safety and security issues in its children’s ministry, it will not reach young families.
Most of the time, churches have funds to do what is needed. They are just spending the money elsewhere.
What you do in the workplace and at home is ministry—not just what you do at church.
If a husband does not attend church, it is extremely difficult for the wife to go by herself.
There is a big need for a church to have a place for a woman to connect in small group if her husband does not attend.
The six reasons why women may be leaving your church are:
They are overworked.
They do not feel valued.
They are relationally hurt.
There is a lack of quality childcare.
They are too busy.
Their husband does not attend.
Episode Sponsor
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
Ministry Grid
Six Reasons Why Women May Be Leaving Your Church
The post Why Women Leave a Church – Rainer on Leadership #148 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 6, 2015
Nine Bible Texts That Ought to Challenge Leaders
By Chuck Lawless
To be a Christian leader is no small calling. Whether you serve as a church pastor, a lay leader, or a Christian who leads in the secular world, you are under obligation to be a strong and faithful witness for Christ. Here are several texts that should challenge you—and provide you a grid through which to evaluate your life today.
1. 1 Timothy 3:2-7
While directed primarily at elders, this passage is not intended to be limited to those in that role. These texts describe a mature Christian whose lifestyle is clearly affected by his beliefs. I fear that we read these verses when first considering leadership, but fail to come back to them as regularly as we should.
An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap. (HCSB)
2. Joshua 1:8
We are to follow the Word of God. No exceptions.
This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.
3. Mark 9:35
Contrary to the world’s idea of leadership, Christian leadership equals servanthood.
Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
4. John 3:30
John the Baptist’s words about Jesus must ring true from our lips as well. The work of Christian leadership is always about Christ and never about us.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
5. Philippians 2:3
Christian leadership has no room for arrogance. Period.
Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
6. Matthew 12:36
As Christian leaders whose work is so connected to our words, we have a high level of accountability for our speech.
“I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.”
7. 1 Corinthians 11:1
We must live like the Apostle Paul – in such a way that if others imitated our lives fully, they would thus be imitating Christ. That’s a lofty calling.
“Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”
8. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Though these verses particularly address Paul’s life, the theme echoes throughout Scripture: we lead best not in our strength, but in our weakness.
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
9. 2 Timothy 3:12
Following Jesus is costly. Christian leadership might, in fact, bring victory in a way most leaders seldom consider: through persecution and death.
In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Use these texts today to assess your walk with God. If you need to confess and repent, do so (and if you determine that you have no room for improvement, you might want to go back and review #5 above).
What other texts would you add to this list?
Chuck Lawless currently serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions and Dean of Graduate Studies at Southeastern Seminary. You can connect with Dr. Lawless on both Twitter and Facebook.
The post Nine Bible Texts That Ought to Challenge Leaders appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 5, 2015
Six Reasons Why It Is More Difficult to Lead Your Church to Growth Today
The conversation was both predictable and profound. It was predictable because I have been asked a similar question many times. It was profound because it represents the very nature of the challenges our congregations face today. “Thom,” he began. “I have been serving as pastor of my church for over 20 years. I have never had more difficulty leading growth in a church. What is going on?”
My pastor friend emphasized two points clearly. First, he was not looking for an excuse for the lack of growth. Second, he wanted information so he could address the issue.
The pastor was right. Growth is indeed more difficult today in American congregations. And there are some clear reasons why this reality is true.
Cultural Christians are much less likely to attend. “Cultural Christianity” is really an oxymoron. I am referring to those people who once attended church because they saw it as culturally, politically, and economically beneficial. That reality no longer exists for the most part. Congregations could be losing anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent of their attendance with this change.
More committed Christians are attending less frequently. When the most committed believers in a church decrease their attendance patterns by 25 percent (they go from attending four Sundays a month to three), you can expect a precipitous decline in attendance. And the greater majority of congregations are indeed experiencing this unfortunate phenomenon.
An overcorrection to practical ministry. Many church leaders rightly became disturbed and frustrated by the fierce pragmatism prevalent in many churches. But, to use an overused phrase, many threw the baby out with the bathwater. It’s hard to reach people in the community if the church does not have practical ways to do so.
Activities replacing ministry. Many churches have their members so busy they don’t have time to develop relationships with unchurched people and non-Christians. Meetings and activities have become substitutes for real ministry.
Growing conflict and disunity in congregations. I have addressed this issue in a number of blogposts. When we are divided and at odds with fellow believers in the church, we are distracted from focusing on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
Entitlement mentality among some church members. This issue was the thesis of my book, I Am a Church Member. When church members see the church as a place to meet the needs and preferences of “me, myself, and I,” you have a congregation who is inwardly focused.
Any one of these six issues will hinder the Great Commission outreach of a church and, thus, frustrate attempts to lead a church to growth. But many congregations have more than one of these factors present. That reality really presents challenges.
Where is your church with these six factors? What would you add? I would love to hear your perspective.
The post Six Reasons Why It Is More Difficult to Lead Your Church to Growth Today appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 4, 2015
Financial Giving & Accountability for Members and Staff – Rainer on Leadership #147
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio
On today’s episode, we cover a few guidelines on dealing with giving in the church, who needs to know what, and how to assess current and potential leaders as it pertains to financial stewardship. Also, don’t miss the story about the “budget pledge wall” at a church I once spoke at.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Violating the confidentiality of the giving records of church members is almost always grounds for dismissal.
Too often, church members put stipulations on their giving to try to gain influence.
Someone should not be an elder or deacon if they are not a regular giver of to the church.
If you’re not a faithful steward financially, you’re not qualified to be a leader in the church.
The six guidelines we cover regarding financial giving and accountability for churches are:
Financial information should be kept confidential
Generous giving should be expected from staff, leadership, and members
Giving should not be used a bargaining chip or for influence or positions in the church
There must be clear guidelines on the information senior staff can see
Some churches publish commitments of giving without a dollar amount (just share that a person or family has committed to give)
Violation of guidelines can destroy trust in the church
Episode Sponsor
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
Five Thoughts about Church Memorials
The Five Most Common Mistakes Church Leaders Make When Leading Change
The post Financial Giving & Accountability for Members and Staff – Rainer on Leadership #147 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 3, 2015
What If I Could Only Have 25 Books in My Minister’s Library?
I recently gave away thousands of my books in my library. I only have a few left. In the exercise of deciding which few books I would keep, I asked myself a hypothetical question: What if could keep only 25 of the books?
I began the process thinking it would be a simple exercise. I was wrong! I had great trouble narrowing the list to 25. Here are some of the parameters I used.
I didn’t hesitate to choose books that were simply personal preferences.
I decided at the onset I would strive to choose a variety of issues and topics, rather than just the 25 best books.
I was sufficiently lacking in humility, and put two of my own books on the list.
I really struggled eliminating many commentaries of individual Bible books.
With those caveats in mind, here are the 25 books in alphabetical order. I have little doubt you readers will engage in some interesting conversations!
Akin, Daniel, ed. A Theology for the Church . Nashville: B&H, 2007, rev. 2014.
Archer, Gleason. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982.
Bruce, F. F. The Canon of Scripture. Downers Grove: IVP, 1988.
Carson, D.A. Exegetical Fallacies . 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.
Carson, D.A. The Gospel According to John . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Carson, D.A., Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris. An Introduction to the New Testament . 2nd ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
Coleman, Robert. The Master Plan of Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Revell, 1963.
Dallimore, Arnold A. George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth-Century Revival (2 Volumes). Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1970, 1980.
Elwell, Walter. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology . Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.
Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology . 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013.
Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970.
Guthrie, Donald. The Pastoral Epistles . TNTC. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.
HCSB Study Bible. Nashville: B&H, 2010.
Kaiser, Walter C. Jr. “Exodus” in EBC . vol. 1. rev. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.
Keller, Tim. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism . New York: Dutton, 2008.
Matthews, Kenneth. Genesis 1:1-11:26. NAC . Nashville: B&H, 1996 and Genesis 11:27-50:26. NAC. Nashville: B&H, 2005.
Merrill, Eugene H., Mark F. Rooker, and Michael A. Grisanti. The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament. Nashville: B&H, 2011.
Packer, J. I. Knowing God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1993.
Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad : The Supremacy of God in Missions . 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010.
Pohill, John. Acts. NAC . Nashville: B&H, 1992.
Rainer, Thom S. I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude That Makes the Difference . Nashville: B&H, 2013.
Rainer, Thom S. and Eric Geiger. Simple Church . Nashville: B&H, 2006.
Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. BECNT . Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. TP
Stott, John R.W. The Cross of Christ . Downers Grove: IVP, 1986.
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.
What do you think of my 25 book choices? What books would you include that I did not include? Let me hear from you.
The post What If I Could Only Have 25 Books in My Minister’s Library? appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
August 2, 2015
Pray for Hope Church of Knoxville
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Pastor: Adam Holland
Weekly Worship: 10:15 AM, Eastern.
Fast Facts: Hope Church is a church plant in the midst of a rebuilding effort. The church has been in existence for about 10 years but went through a restructuring about a year ago due to internal problems. They are back on track and seeing new growth and are committed to seeing spiritual growth in the lives of their people. Please pray for guidance as they navigate through these times. Also pray for growth in the lives of their members as well as for stable finances and clear mind to be good stewards. Finally, pray for the Knoxville community to be impacted by the church, both Hope Church and others in the area.
Website: HopeKnox.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..
The post Pray for Hope Church of Knoxville appeared first on ThomRainer.com.
