Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 29

Why Your Church Will Die Within Five Years

I became fascinated with dead and dying churches about thirty years ago. 

I know. It’s morbid on my part. 

My fascination turned into somewhat of an obsession that I wrote a bestselling book on the topic, Autopsy of a Deceased Church, several years ago. It still has robust sales today. It obviously hit a nerve. 

One of our team members at Church Answers got the domain, churchmortician.com, as a joke a few years ago. We still have it, and it is forwarded to churchanswers.com. 

The Church Consultation Requests Deluge  

We are receiving more consultation requests at Church Answers than at any point in our organization’s history. Consequently, we are doing more on-site and virtual consultations than ever. 

But here is the difference. About half of the requests are from churches that will likely die within five years. The congregations are on a death march. For the first time, the leaders of these churches, pastors and laity alike, are no longer in denial. They know their churches must change or die. 

We pray each time that our intervention is not too late. 

The pandemic accelerated and exacerbated the gradual declines of churches where they became obvious paths toward death. There have also been dramatic culture shifts to a less favorable, even antagonistic, posture toward churches. 

Why the Churches Will Die  

I really don’t think I have an obsession with dying churches. My primary focus is living, not dying. It has always been my prayer that I can learn from the deceased churches to help living churches thrive. 

We see a very clear pattern in place with dying churches. I hope these five observations can help you and your church move toward thriving instead of dying. 

Dying churches have abandoned evangelism. Your church will not have sustained growth without evangelism. You are no longer in a Christian-friendly culture where non-Christians desire to be identified with a local congregation. According to our consultation work in the post-COVID world, your church should be reaching one person (usually measured by baptisms, conversions, or professions of faith) for every twenty in average worship attendance. Thus, if your church averages 100 in attendance, you need to see God reach five non-Christians every year who will become followers of Christ and a part of your church. And the five per 100 number is just to stay even. That can be daunting for many churches. We began offering The Hope Initiative to help churches jumpstart prayer and evangelism. We know beyond a shadow of doubt that the need is great.  Dying churches major on minutiae. As a favor to a local pastor, I met with the few remaining members of his church. For some odd reason, the pastor was convinced they would listen to me and get serious about doing whatever it takes to survive. After I made an impassioned plea for the church to become a Great Commission force in the community, the pastor asked if there were any questions. One woman asked with a bit of an edge, “Will we have to read the hymns on a screen?” The church closed its doors seven months later.  Dying churches have high levels of gossip and conflict. Church members will expend their energies in one direction or the other. If the church is not reaching beyond its walls, the members will become inwardly focused. They will gossip about the pastor and other members. They will have silly arguments over inconsequential issues.  Dying churches do not comprehend the urgency exacerbated by the pandemic. The majority of American churches were in decline prior to the pandemic. COVID accelerated and exacerbated the decline. Dying churches are in denial. Their leaders and members simply do not realize how little time is left before they must close their church.  Dying churches see the pastor as the silver bullet. Consequently, the pastor is consistently the perceived person to blame for the decline in the church. It is also common for dying churches to fire pastors frequently. They think that the silver bullet pastor is out there somewhere. 

I have been doing church consultations since 1988. I have never seen so many churches just a few figurative breaths away from death. Church Answers created The Hope Initiative (hopeinitiative.com) as a 30-day jumpstart in prayer and evangelism. We pray that churches of all sizes and levels of health will engage in this ministry. 

We specifically pray for the dying churches. 

We pray they will do something before it’s too late.

The post Why Your Church Will Die Within Five Years appeared first on Church Answers.

Why Your Church Will Die within Five Years

I became fascinated with dead and dying churches about thirty years ago. 

I know. It’s morbid on my part. 

My fascination turned into somewhat of an obsession that I wrote a bestselling book on the topic, Autopsy of a Deceased Church, several years ago. It still has robust sales today. It obviously hit a nerve. 

One of our team members at Church Answers got the domain, churchmortician.com, as a joke a few years ago. We still have it, and it is forwarded to churchanswers.com. 

The Church Consultation Requests Deluge  

We are receiving more consultation requests at Church Answers than at any point in our organization’s history. Consequently, we are doing more on-site and virtual consultations than ever. 

But here is the difference. About half of the requests are from churches that will likely die within five years. The congregations are on a death march. For the first time, the leaders of these churches, pastors and laity alike, are no longer in denial. They know their churches must change or die. 

We pray each time that our intervention is not too late. 

The pandemic accelerated and exacerbated the gradual declines of churches where they became obvious paths toward death. There have also been dramatic culture shifts to a less favorable, even antagonistic, posture toward churches. 

Why the Churches Will Die  

I really don’t think I have an obsession with dying churches. My primary focus is living, not dying. It has always been my prayer that I can learn from the deceased churches to help living churches thrive. 

We see a very clear pattern in place with dying churches. I hope these five observations can help you and your church move toward thriving instead of dying. 

Dying churches have abandoned evangelism. Your church will not have sustained growth without evangelism. You are no longer in a Christian-friendly culture where non-Christians desire to be identified with a local congregation. According to our consultation work in the post-COVID world, your church should be reaching one person (usually measured by baptisms, conversions, or professions of faith) for every twenty in average worship attendance. Thus, if your church averages 100 in attendance, you need to see God reach five non-Christians every year who will become followers of Christ and a part of your church. And the five per 100 number is just to stay even. That can be daunting for many churches. We began offering The Hope Initiative to help churches jumpstart prayer and evangelism. We know beyond a shadow of doubt that the need is great.  Dying churches major on minutiae. As a favor to a local pastor, I met with the few remaining members of his church. For some odd reason, the pastor was convinced they would listen to me and get serious about doing whatever it takes to survive. After I made an impassioned plea for the church to become a Great Commission force in the community, the pastor asked if there were any questions. One woman asked with a bit of an edge, “Will we have to read the hymns on a screen?” The church closed its doors seven months later.  Dying churches have high levels of gossip and conflict. Church members will expend their energies in one direction or the other. If the church is not reaching beyond its walls, the members will become inwardly focused. They will gossip about the pastor and other members. They will have silly arguments over inconsequential issues.  Dying churches do not comprehend the urgency exacerbated by the pandemic. The majority of American churches were in decline prior to the pandemic. COVID accelerated and exacerbated the decline. Dying churches are in denial. Their leaders and members simply do not realize how little time is left before they must close their church.  Dying churches see the pastor as the silver bullet. Consequently, the pastor is consistently the perceived person to blame for the decline in the church. It is also common for dying churches to fire pastors frequently. They think that the silver bullet pastor is out there somewhere. 

I have been doing church consultations since 1988. I have never seen so many churches just a few figurative breaths away from death. Church Answers created The Hope Initiative (hopeinitiative.com) as a 30-day jumpstart in prayer and evangelism. We pray that churches of all sizes and levels of health will engage in this ministry. 

We specifically pray for the dying churches. 

We pray they will do something before it’s too late.

The post Why Your Church Will Die within Five Years appeared first on Church Answers.

4 Essential Tools for Navigating Discouragement with Your Husband

It comes in a text message or a phone call.
It comes in the middle of the day or it can awaken you in the middle of sleep.
It comes loud like a loud and jarring freight train but it can also come as the most deafening silence.

“It” is that all-too-familiar feeling of discouragement, exhaustion, and depression that can cast a shadow over our lives. As a pastor’s wife, I know well the unique challenges that come with being married to a leader in ministry. We witness their dedication, passion, and the immense weight they carry to shepherd their congregation with love and wisdom.

According to a recent Barna study, there has been a concerning rise in the number of pastors reporting emotional and mental exhaustion, increasing from 22% in 2015 to 31% in 2022. Additionally, the feeling of being supported by close ones has significantly decreased, going from 68% to 49%. These figures highlight the alarming isolation and discouragement prevalent among leaders today, but what remains unexplored is the impact on those married to these leaders.

As a pastor’s wife, I’ve personally experienced moments of searching the internet desperately for answers or seeking solace through tearful messages of a trusted few. If you too are married to a pastor and find yourself wrestling with discouragement, you are not alone. 

Here are four essential tools that have helped me navigate discouragement as a pastor’s wife:

Tether Yourself to Wisdom

As a pastor’s wife, you hold a unique role as one of the few safe places for your husband, being his only spouse. As he pours out his shortcomings and frustrations, the temptation for us is to step into “fix it” or “mama bear” mode. As a pastor’s wife I continually find myself in the tension of when do I speak up and when do I stay silent? When do I share the problem and when do I keep it to myself? These questions don’t have one-size-fits-all answers; they vary based on the circumstances and the day. But the way we respond is crucial and depends on the position from which we answer. Reacting from pride, self-preservation, or a fight for justice, without the tenderness of the Spirit, can lead us down a path of fleshly responses instead of wise ones. It is essential to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, listen with empathy, and approach each situation with love, humility, and discernment.

Put it into practice: Read James 3:13-18 and list your questions and fears to God.

Pray Heaven Down

We cannot be the saviors to our husband’s pain. While God may use us as agents of love, grace, and support, the deepest wounds, longings, and questions in our husbands’ hearts can only find true healing through God’s work in their lives. Hardships and struggles often lead us to rely on God more than ever before. Therefore, in times of his discouragement, let us earnestly pray that God becomes his ultimate place of retreat, strength, and renewal. 

Personally, I’ve struggled with this at times, as I tended to treat prayer as a last resort or a secondary option compared to trying to work through solutions myself. This realization exposes my own lack of faith and a desire to maintain control. However, I’ve come to understand that there is nothing more powerful that I can do than to wholeheartedly ask God to work and move in ways that only He can. It requires letting go of my own agenda and trusting in His divine wisdom.

As a pastor’s wife, I can offer my husband love, support, and encouragement, but I must recognize that the deepest aspects of his life are in God’s hands. By surrendering control to Him and consistently lifting my husband up in prayer, I acknowledge that God’s plans and actions are far greater than anything I can accomplish on my own. This humble reliance on God’s guidance allows me to be a true source of strength and support to my husband, as I trust in God’s perfect timing and His ability to bring healing and renewal in his life.

Put it into practice: Pray Colossians 1:11-14 each morning over your marriage, family, and church family. 

Remember God’s Faithfulness

Leadership demands perseverance, and through this perseverance, we develop the ability to focus and realign our hearts with God’s work in the past, present, and future. In our journey as a couple in ministry, my husband and I often find ourselves reflecting on moments of conflict or hurt when it seemed impossible to make it to the other side. Yet, in those moments, we remind each other of how God faithfully sustained, grew, and carried us through.

With over two decades of experience in ministry, we no longer question whether God will come through, as we did in the past. Instead, we firmly hold onto the truth that we can trust Him, and we continually seek Him to strengthen our faith. These experiences have taught us the value of relying on God’s faithfulness, leading us to cling tightly to His promises and the assurance that He will always guide us through any challenges we encounter. As we persevere in leadership, we draw confidence from God’s past faithfulness, find purpose in His current work, and anticipate with hope His future plans for us and those we serve.

Put it into practice: Spend time together listing how God has been faithful in big and small things in the past. 

Don’t Fight Alone

Over the weekend, Josh and I spent a few hours with another pastor and his wife. It was a simple gathering. No fancy arrangements. Just genuine connection. We shared the unique privilege and burden of ministry, feeling seen and understood. It’s essential to find people who can share the load, celebrate wins, and pray through tough times. Consider communities like Church Answers Central and Church Answers Women, or local associations, online groups, and reaching out to fellow pastor’s wives. Building this support network makes a significant difference in our ministry journey, providing encouragement and strength along the way.

Having this network of understanding and compassionate individuals can make a significant difference in navigating the highs and lows of ministry life. It allows us to share our hearts openly, find strength in one another, and be reminded that we are not alone in this rewarding yet challenging calling of serving as pastor and pastor’s wife. Together, we can encourage, uplift, and inspire each other to continue serving with love and dedication.

Put it into practice: Text or call one other woman in leadership and let her know how to pray for you this week.

One final, tender thought to leave with you. As you read through these tools, there is a temptation to read them as a checklist. Approach them with empathy, not just as a checklist. I understand the real wounds and hurt you may be facing, especially from second-hand criticism, gossip, or betrayal in ministry. Your feelings are valid and deserve acknowledgment. In your discouragement, know that I’m praying for and cheering you on as you lead, love, and support your spouse and faith families. Healing takes time; be gentle with yourself. You’re not alone, and together, we’ll find strength in our shared experiences. 

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The Big Warning Signs Your Church Bylaws Are Working Against You and Not for You

Every church needs a good set of bylaws. Put simply, the bylaws are written legal documents establishing the governance of a church. Church polity and ecclesiology will have an impact on the contents of bylaws. The size and structure of a church will also affect bylaws. For example, multi-site churches will differ from single-site churches.

Consider the following points about church bylaws.

Bylaws are subordinate to the constitution of the church. The constitution is usually a much shorter document detailing a church’s fundamental principles. The bylaws set forth the operational rules to support the constitution.Bylaws typically include instructions on church meetings, conflict resolution, leadership structure, doctrinal parameters, financial oversight, and membership requirements.The constitution of a church rarely changes, while the bylaws can change as often as needed.Every church should review bylaws every two years to make sure they are current.If a church operates without bylaws, then issues among congregants may go to state courts. You relinquish a lot of governing ability without current bylaws.Bylaws should be clear and specific about how the church operates. If they are vague or overly complex, this can lead to confusion, misunderstanding, or manipulation. They should be written plainly for all to understand and not use legalese.

No two church bylaws are alike, which is to be expected. Churches are not carbon copies of each other. However, we do see some common problems in bylaws.

The bylaws are used in a reactionary way to deal with one-off problems. Church bylaws should be proactive, not reactive. We heard of one church with a lengthy section detailing the sale of cassette tapes on campus. Another church stipulated which types of drinks were permitted in the sanctuary. You should not attempt to insert every potential issue into the bylaws.

The bylaws are viewed as set in stone and cannot be changed. Every set of bylaws should include a mechanism for amendment. The bylaws may become stagnant if this process is overly complex or non-existent. We do not recommend allowing the amendment process to occur in one meeting, which leaves the possibility of the bylaws being hijacked by those with ill motives.

The bylaws contain more stop signs than guidelines. Church bylaws are meant to reflect your current practices, not dictate what you are supposed to do in perpetuity. They should bring order and not become an obstacle. If your church grows, for example, you will likely change how you operate in the bylaw to accommodate this growth. The bylaws should not become a hindrance to growth.

The bylaws have become a weapon for an individual or group. When a group shows up to a business meeting with the bylaws and copies of Robert’s Rules of Order, you know something is about to go down. Weaponized bylaws can create a lot of collateral damage and even split a church. One church had an executive pastor that used his ability to select committee members to coalesce power among his friends and oust the lead pastor. Bylaws should be available and understandable to the congregation. If they are kept secret or written in such a way that only a few can understand them, this can be a sign of a problem.

The bylaws are outdated and no longer relevant. Your bylaws should be known but in the background. As a leader, you must be an expert on your church bylaws. Do not operate a church without an understanding of the legal guidelines. Remember, bylaws are your own rules and can be changed if needed. But they are still what the courts will recognize if anyone challenges the church. Outdated bylaws are a ticking time bomb. We know of cases where the courts held churches to the standards in their bylaws. These churches regretted not keeping their bylaws current.

Good bylaws provide proper guidance and legal protection for the church. Bylaws will work against you when they are reactionary, outdated, weaponized, or viewed as set in stone. 

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8 Reasons Potential Pastors Would Rather Begin Ministry with an Internship or Assistant Pastorate

When I started pastoring more than 40 years ago, most of us called to pastoral ministry wanted to get started on the task quickly. Right or wrong, we typically leapt into ministry as soon as we could. Now, young leaders preparing for ministry are much more inclined to look for an “entry-level” position before stepping into a lead pastorate. Here are some reasons why: 

1. Young leaders have seen enough internal church struggle that they approach ministry with trepidation. They don’t want to deal with the same stuff they’ve seen other ministers face—at least not if they have to face it all alone. At a minimum, they want the buck to stop at somebody else’s desk while they learn the ropes of ministry.

2. Many churches and pastors have done a poor job of “calling out the called” and helping those called to understand God’s work. In some cases, they’re just not prepared to guide someone who expresses a ministry call; the result is that those called must figure out ministry on their own. Few young leaders I know want to do this by themselves.

3. On the other hand, churches do give more attention to mentoring/equipping/setting apart potential pastors than they did in my day. Because of that commitment (and because the internet has made these options well known), young leaders are more aware of these possibilities—and they want that option before taking a lead role.

4. Young leaders are much concerned about prioritizing and guarding their families while doing ministry. Again, they’ve seen too many marriages fail and pastors fall, and they want to avoid those tragedies. Learning to do so, though, is probably easier when they’re not bearing the full weight of ministry alone. They want role models to guide them.

5. Their ministry heroes, whom they often know best through the internet, typically pastor larger churches that offer internships. Not every church can offer the same level of training for up-and-coming pastors, but those that can are often well-known churches. Consequently, young leaders hear of their internships more readily and want that experience.  

6. Because of changes in accreditation rules, churches with qualified leaders can now offer graduate-level courses to students connected with their congregations. The program for Southeastern Seminary, where I teach, is our EQUIP Network program—and students who are learning at the feet of good pastors are grateful for these local training opportunities. No longer must they move to a campus to get strong training; an internship or assistant pastorate in their home church may be an option.

7. Internships allow young leaders to determine if they’re ready to do full-time ministry. Even those who sense a call to ministry might be struggling with the calling in general, or they might be wondering if bi-vocational ministry may be an option. An internship allows them to test their calling without a long-term commitment.

8. Some internships include service in several areas of the church, thus helping young leaders more specifically determine their calling. For example, one three-year internship I know requires leaders to serve six months in each of six primary areas of the church’s ministry. The various assignments prove invaluable to those called to pastoral ministry. 

What other reasons might you add to this list?

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Top 25 Hymns: 2023 Versus Ten Years Ago

Many of you were definitely eager to share your favorite hymns via social media. We had over 2,000 responses when I finally stopped counting the results. 

I took your responses and compared them to a similar list we compiled ten years ago. There are some differences between the two sets of rankings. The 2013 hymns were data we received from Lifeway Worship. A large number of them likely represent songs chosen by music leaders purchased for congregational use. The 2023 poll is broader since anyone could name their favorite hymns. 

By the way, there was a bit of a debate regarding the proper definition of a hymn. I am just reporting your responses. Here are your favorite hymns today and a decade ago:

Did your favorite hymns make either top 25 list? Are there any surprises on these lists? Let me hear from you.

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The Top Ten Reasons Why Pastors Have Anxiety (And How to Overcome It)

“The best pastors have a healthy level of paranoia.”

My father’s advice struck me as odd. I was in my early 30s, pastoring through a difficult situation with the potential to split my congregation. I was anxious. He didn’t feed my anxiety, but his words weren’t comforting either. The advice was honest. And real.

At the time, a group of people intended harm, and I needed to be cautious. Or, as my father put it, have a healthy level of paranoia.

“I emphasize the word healthy,” he reminded me, “But you must watch your back.”

Platitudes only make anxiety worse. What I needed was a realistic perspective and practical solutions. My father offered both.

Pastors and church leaders experience anxiety for a variety of reasons. Unsurprisingly, almost two out of three pastors report stress in ministry. Usually, it is the compounding of multiple stress points rather than one singular item that creates anxiety.

Constant availability. The pastor’s role often requires round-the-clock availability for emergencies, further blurring the line between work and personal time.Perceived isolation. Despite being surrounded by people, pastors can often feel alone, particularly if they can’t share their struggles for fear of seeming weak or lacking faith.Public scrutiny: As public figures, pastors can feel pressure to always be “on” and maintain a certain image.Emotional labor: Pastors are frequently the first point of contact during personal crises or grief. They must keep confidence about any number of personal issues in the congregation. Sexual sins, substance abuse, and spiritual neglect are common problems among parishioners that pastors must keep secret. This emotional labor can be exhausting.Financial pressure: Many pastors face financial instability, often working with limited resources and sometimes receiving inadequate compensation for their work.Personal neglect: Pastors can become so involved in meeting the needs of their congregations that they neglect their personal needs, including physical health, mental well-being, and quality time with family and friends.Increased polarization. Like other areas of society, churches have people at the extremes—politically, ideologically, and theologically. Navigating spiritual waters is challenging when more people are rocking the boat. Conflict is almost always stressful. Add in a couple of bullies, and the ride can be nauseating.Uninformed criticism. All leaders should expect criticism, but the burden of answering uninformed critics is wearying. I once had someone get quite upset with me. She went on a long, forceful diatribe about one of our ministries. After several minutes of hearing from her, I realized she was talking about another church.Unfair comparisons. Some pastors place unreasonable expectations on themselves and their churches. You cannot be someone else. But church members can also be guilty of unfair comparisons. The best sermons from the best preachers can be accessed instantaneously from anywhere. Why can’t you preach like him? Why is our worship service not like that? The questions are deflating, if not humiliating.Unhappy spouse. When a spouse struggles in a church, the pastor’s job becomes incredibly difficult. Some churches place unreasonable expectations on the spouse. The mentality of hiring two-for-one is a common problem. In other cases, the spouse can feel pressure to minister in ways that do not align with their gifting.

The combination of these stress points can create complex and nuanced problems in ministry. But there are some practical ways to combat the inevitable anxiety of ministry. Consider these tactics.

Stop using all-or-nothing reasoning. Idealists make terrible pastors. Perfection is an unachievable goal. One error does not ruin an initiative. The perfection-or-failure mindset can create a massive amount of stress. Rather than letting one setback create a domino effect of anxiety, view failure as a way to learn. Besides, most things in the church are a mixture of good and bad, positive and negative. Optimism, as opposed to idealism, is the better approach. The optimist recognizes the setbacks for what they are but keeps plodding forward.

Make potential stress an ally and not an enemy. Fine furniture is not crafted without the friction of sandpaper. The best art and music pieces are usually produced in a crisis. Identify what makes you stressed and channel your emotional energy into productive exercises. Ask questions about what you can control rather than dwelling on what you cannot change. The power once went out in our sanctuary. There was no need to panic over what I could not control. I called everyone closer to the front and preached from the floor. No one complained. The Sunday service was memorable but not a failure.

Learn to laugh at the one-off blunders. I was once so sick preaching, I walked backstage, passed out, and puked in a live mic. The sound guy was asleep as usual, so everyone got to hear the thump of my body on the floor, followed by what sounded like an exorcism going badly. My nickname was “puking preacher” for several weeks to follow. You have two choices in a situation like this one. Be anxious. Or laugh.

Use the word “no” more often. You can’t do everything! Nor should you. Pastors should be accessible to the congregation, but there is no way a pastor can always be available. This tiny, two-letter word may be the most powerful tool you have to reduce anxiety. Most pastors do too much, not too little. Properly shepherd your church’s expectations. When you try to do everything for everyone, you train the congregation to expect “yes” every time. It’s unfair to you, your family, or a future pastor who may have to replace you due to burnout.

Every pastor will experience stress. Do not let the pressure build to the point of anxiety.

At Church Answers Central , we cover these kinds of topics and questions every day. Church Answers Central is the world’s largest online community for practical ministry support. Get 24/7 answers to your church questions. Join a vibrant community of nearly 2,000 church leaders in a safe environment. Connect with top church health experts like Thom Rainer, Chuck Lawless, Sam Rainer, and others like you. Become a member today !

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20 of the Most Difficult Things Pastors Have Done in Ministry

The question was straightforward: What are some of the most difficult things you have done in ministry?

I asked this question on some of my social media channels, so it was an informal survey. 

The responses were high, over 600 in the first eight hours. While the quantity of the responses was indicative of the challenges pastors face, the pain evident in those responses was even more sobering. 

These 20 difficult challenges are listed by the frequency of the responses. In no way am I attempting to rank the pain or depth of these tragedies. By each difficulty, I offer a direct quote of one of the respondents. Some of the quotes have been modified for clarity. The substance of each of them was not changed. 

Here, then, are 20 of the most difficult things pastors have done in ministry: 

1. Pastoring a church during COVID.  “The tragedy of 9/11 two decades ago united us. The tragedy of COVID divided us. In 30 years of ministry, I have never seen so many angry church members.” 

2. Doing the funeral of a child. “The depth of grief of the parents is the greatest I’ve ever known. I will never get over these tragedies. I remember each funeral like it was yesterday.” 

3. Confronting a sex abuser. “I had a deep sadness when a person told me their dad had abused her and her siblings. I had an even greater sadness that the children would likely end up in foster care since the dad was a widower.” 

4. Officiating the funeral of a teenager. “The death was so sudden. One day he is the well-loved captain of the football team. The next day he is a fatality in an automobile accident.” 

5. Dealing with toxic church members. “What is most frustrating about toxic members I’ve had in my church is the unwillingness of any church member to support me to deal with the situation.” 

6. Telling a family that their loved one had been killed. “She was in her 30s with three small children when I went to her home to tell her that her husband had been killed in an auto accident.” 

7. Being fired from the church. “I thought my situation was unusual because I never heard a reason for my firing. I learned later that it was common in the ministry.” 

8. Staying at my church. “I am on the verge of emotional and physical collapse. My doctor has pleaded with me to leave the church. But I don’t know what I will do if I leave.” 

9. Letting go of a staff member. “I wouldn’t tell the congregation all the sordid details of the firing, so many of the church members turned on me.” 

10. Telling family members that their loved one had been shot to death. “I have done six funerals for victims who had been murdered. The funerals were a mixture of grief, anger, and hopelessness.” 

11. Dealing with the emotions of the elections of 2016 and 2020. “The polarization of our nation for the two presidential elections was played out painfully each time in my church. I fear the same for the 2024 elections.” 

12. Doing the funeral of a suicide victim. “I’ve done three in my ministry, and I feel like I did poorly ministering to the families at the funeral. I was at a loss for the right words.” 

13. Doing the funeral for someone I did not know. “These funerals are always a challenge because it is hard to personalize them even if you ask the family for information. It’s even more of a challenge if you have reasons to believe the deceased was not a Christian.” 

14. Closing a church. “I felt like a total failure to God, to the community, to the heritage of the church, and to the few members who were left.” 

15. Working multiple jobs. “My church thinks the salary they pay me is full time pay, but it is below the poverty line. I work several side gigs just to keep food on the table for my family.” 

16. Administering church discipline. “My church knew we had to deal with an individual. We had taken all of the biblical steps up to removing him. Then they refused to go further. I know I will soon have to leave the church, because this person is still unrepentant and active in the church.” 

17. Losing a loved one. “My daughter battled cancer for three years before she died. It was so difficult to care for the church when I was hurting so much myself.”

18. Leading a church that is not bearing fruit. “As I watch my church decline in numbers and in discipleship, I feel like a total failure. Every day I ask God to show me what I need to do, but the decline continues.” 

19. Being stabbed in the back by those who once supported me the most. “I have sadly learned in four churches that my biggest cheerleaders when I first arrive at church often become my biggest critics later.” 

20. Remaining faithful in the midst of opposition and false accusations. “This reality seems more pervasive today than at any point in my ministry.” 

These were the top 20 most frequent responses as I counted them. But there were more. Hundreds more. 

Love your pastor. 

Care for your pastor. 

Pray for your pastor.

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Know the Psalms as Never Before

For centuries, Christians have turned to the Psalms to teach them to pray, to worship, and to grow as disciples. A new series from Christian Union offers you the opportunity to deepen your experience with God through the words of the Psalms. More than typical Bible study, these volumes offer a devotional commentary that is more text focused and rigorous than most devotionals, but also more accessible and application oriented than a commentary. 

Proven through Christian Union’s ministry on the campuses of Ivy League universities, these studies provide a deep understanding of the Psalms through historical background, the meanings of key Hebrew words, and the underlying theology of the Psalms. The insights flow from an informed, responsible exegesis of the text, drawn from the best biblical scholarship and presented in an accessible and concise format. 

Through these new Bible studies, crafted for Ivy League Christian leaders, you’ll find theological implications and personal applications drawn from the text in a way that goes beyond traditional commentaries. The aim is to provide accurate and insightful commentary on the text, but to present that commentary in a way that is more engaging and accessible for the average reader than a commentary would be. 

And these studies will help you relate to God out of a deep understanding of God. Every lesson will draw attention to what each passage teaches concerning God’s character. The result is more than intellectual knowledge. It’s experiential knowledge.  A Bible study that connects head and heart. 

The new Christian Union Bible Study series includes three books: Psalms 1–41, Psalms 42–89, and Psalms 90–150. Each book has 10 lessons, and each lesson is divided into five distinct parts. Engaging questions and open space with lines for writing make these studies great for personal reflection or group discussion.

“I am excited about the release of Christian Union Bible studies because of the in-depth teaching and emphasis on the impact of the Word in the personal spiritual life of the reader,” says Christian Union Founder and CEO Matt Bennett. 

If you want to grow in your faith through in-depth studies of Scripture that supplement your regular Bible reading, this is the perfect resource for you. 

Far more teaching content than most Bible studies, with substantial commentary in every lessonAccessible format, with each lesson divided into five distinct partsEngaging questions for personal reflection and group discussionWorkbook format, with open space and lines for writingSemester-friendly format of 10 lessonsCan be used both for personal study at home and for church or small-group Bible studies

Michael Racine, the author of the Psalms Bible Studies, has been encouraged during his time researching and writing the series of studies. “The Psalms are so wonderfully beautiful and practical, teaching us how to pray in all circumstances and inspiring faith, hope, and love as we behold our great God and Savior,” Racine reflects.  

Christian Union is a ministry developing Christian leaders at the Ivy League universities and beyond. Christian Union’s ministry and teaching fellows mentor students and lead challenging, academically oriented Bible courses designed to help students develop a robust understanding of Scripture and the Christian worldview. 

For more on the Christian Union studies go here.  Learn more about Christian Union at christianunion.org.

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Eight Ways Any Church Can Get the Attention of the Neighborhood

God’s mission travels in one vehicle: the church. In the same way that different kinds of vehicles travel our roadways, many different churches share the good news message. No congregation has a corner on the Kingdom, and every Bible-believing church has the potential to be an asset in the Kingdom of God. 

The neighborhood will have one of three perspectives on your church: negative, neutral, or positive.

Negative: The neighborhood knows who you are and would rather you not be there.Neutral: The neighborhood does not know you or has no opinion about you.Positive: The neighborhood knows who you are and is grateful to have you in the community.

Some churches get a lot of negative attention. I’m not talking so much about scandals as putting out a negative message. For example, I heard of one church that circulated invite cards that stated, “We’re probably not the church for you!” and included a list of things they were against. The entire neighborhood now knows this church but for all the wrong reasons.

Other churches have a neutral impact. People drive by the campus. If they notice the building, they know nothing about the church. In our experience doing research and consultations all over North America, we believe most churches fall into this category. We often interview people from the community and ask about specific churches. A common theme emerges.

“I have no idea.”“I don’t know the church.”“Never heard of it.”

Sometimes these churches are right across the street. In one case, we pointed at the campus. The interviewee responded, “Oh, wow. I never noticed that was a church.”

Churches should seek a positive reputation by building rapport with the surrounding neighborhood. But how? Consider these eight ideas.

Inviting neighbors to Sunday lunch. Imagine a church where half of the people regularly invited their neighbors to worship and offered to have lunch with them afterward. Most everyone in the community would know about the church. And likely, they would have a positive perspective on the congregation.

Coaching and sponsoring local sports leagues. My church, West Bradenton, sponsors teams in the local sports leagues when the coach is a member. We consider these teams as ministries in the community, and our coaches as representatives of the good news.

Joining a neighborhood civic organization. Most communities have a variety of nonprofits other than churches. Pastors and church leaders can help build a positive reputation by being contributing members of these organizations.

Having Christmas Eve services. You will have more guests from the neighborhood on Christmas Eve than any other single worship experience. Christmas Eve is the most likely time an unchurched person will walk into your worship space. It’s a huge opportunity. I fear some churches go through the motions since Christmas Eve is the peak of the busy season, and volunteers are short in supply.

Supporting foster families. Fostering is one of the most overlooked ways to get your church to solve community problems. I often hear from churches, “How can we connect to the community? We don’t know where to start.” Take a foster child into your home, and you are immediately connected to some of the most challenging issues in your community.

Starting a service in another language. We recently began a Chinese service at our church. How? A group was looking for space, and no other church was willing to offer part of their campus for free. We are now connected to a growing part of the neighborhood that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

Opening your church facility to other non-profit organizations. Partnering with a local Christian preschool was one of our best campus decisions. Our church is alive Monday through Friday with children and their families. We also open our sanctuary to events for other nonprofits.

Beginning an ongoing prayer walking emphasis. Get your people walking the neighborhood and praying. Inevitably, the Holy Spirit will provide opportunities for gospel conversations. One of the best reputation builders for a church is to pray for people in the community and let them know.

You can’t reach your community unless you know your community. Church Answers recently updated our popular Know Your Community report with all new data. We’ve also expanded several new demographics and psychographics. Click here to learn more about this report and order one.

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