Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 290

Eight Causes of Pastoral Ministry Slump

The “slump” metaphor is used often in sports. The baseball hitter is in a slump because he has not gotten a hit in 15 at bats. The football quarterback is in a slump because he has only completed eight passes in the past two games.

But pastors can get in slumps as well. Admittedly they are not as easily recognizable as sports slumps. There aren’t really any metrics to tell us that a slump is in progress.

Still, pastors know when they are in slumps. They recognize their preaching is not as effective as it has been. Their relationships to some church members may be strained. Perhaps no one has joined the church for a while. Or maybe the Monday morning blahs have intensified lately.

Sure, the pastoral ministry slump is subjective if not vague. But it’s real. And every pastor experiences it. So I asked several pastors what they viewed to be the causes of slumps they experienced. Here are their top responses in the form of direct quotes.

Failure to spend time in the Word and the Bible. “Anytime I neglect my personal quiet time, my ministry becomes less effective. You would think I would have learned that lesson by now.”
The cumulative effect of criticisms. “You know, the critics just wear me down. I’ve been at the church for a little over three years, and I am feeling the weight of a steady drip of criticisms.”
Unfulfilled expectations. “I shouldn’t be so numbers’ conscious, but I am. When our attendance or budget goes down for a period, I tend to get down as well.”
Family problems. “My son rebelled for over two years. It impacted all parts of my life, including my ministry.”
Financial problems. “We were having trouble paying our bills. My mind was on that issue every day at the church. I know it hurt my ministry.”
Physical burnout. “I was burning the candle at both ends, and I gained a lot of weight. My body was rebelling, and my emotions took a nosedive. It really affected my ministry.”
Counseling. “I really shouldn’t do as much counseling as I do. I get drained emotionally listening to so many problems. I notice that my slumps always follow several weeks of heavy counseling.”
Comparisons. “We all know that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others in ministry. But I do. And when I do, I feel so inadequate as a pastor and a leader.”

To those of you who serve vocationally in churches: What would you add to this list? To church members: How can we help our pastors avoid these slumps?

The post Eight Causes of Pastoral Ministry Slump appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

The Impending Retirement of a Generation of Pastors – Rainer on Leadership #076

Podcast Episode #076

Subscribe via iTunes • Subscribe via RSS • Subscribe via Stitcher

The implications for church leadership are even more challenging when we realize how many Boomer pastors specifically will be retiring. This generation was, until recently, the largest generation in America’s history. Millennials now represent the largest generation.

Keep in mind that the ages of these pastors today range from 50 to 68. The Boomers have more pastors represented in their generation than any other. There are many pastors reaching retirement age every month. And I’m not sure our churches are ready for this transition. So this week, we analyze the issue and provide advice for both pastors looking to retire as well as churches with aging pastors.

Some highlights from the episode:

In the next 5-10 years there will be a wave of Boomer retirements.
What does a Boomer do when a Boomer retires? He keeps working.
There is not a magic age for pastors to retire.
20 years ago, I never would have thought church mergers would be a recipe for revitalization.
Some pastors will hang on too long; others will not retire for financial reasons. Only a few will have good succession plans.

The five implications of retiring pastors covered in this episode were:

There will be more pastoral vacancies than qualified candidates.
Few churches are giving any thought to pastoral succession.
There will be an abundance of qualified pastors for interim and bi-vocational positions.
Some Boomer pastors will stay at their current positions into their late 60s and 70s.
Some Boomer pastors will lead their churches to merge.

Episode Sponsor

This week’s podcast is brought to you by RevitalizedChurches.com. Bringing together videos, books, and other resources from today’s top pastors, leaders, and authors, RevitalizedChurches.com is the premier online destination for Church Revitalization. Visit RevitalizedChurches.com today for your free download of 114 Things You Need to Know About Church Revitalization by Thom Rainer.

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 Autopsy of a Deceased Church.

Resources

What Happens When Boomer Pastors Retire?
Next: Pastoral Succession That Works
Podcast with Kyle Idleman
Podcast with Larry Osborne
Ministers’ Housing Allowance
RevitalizedChurches.com
Middle Tennessee Initiative – Brentwood Baptist

The post The Impending Retirement of a Generation of Pastors – Rainer on Leadership #076 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Notable Voices: October 16, 2014

5 Reasons Why Ministry Leaders Should Pay Attention to Their Budgets — Art Rainer

Ministry leaders show have a great responsibility in managing both people and money. Are you doing the best you can at stewarding the financial resources of your ministry?

 

5 Reasons Why There Are No Millennials in Your Church — Chris Martin

Chris covers everything from social media to worship to politics in this post. But the underlying principle is that Millennials want authenticity, excellence, and community. The lack of these elements—in any aspect of your church—will be a deterrent to Millennials and many more.

 

10 Burdens About the Southern Baptist Convention — Ronnie Floyd

Last week, I shared the first half of Ronnie’s list. Here are the final five burdens he has for the convention.

 

Four Reasons Why Some Preachers Get Better and Others Don’t — Hershael York

While knowing the text of a sermon is important, Hershael shows how a burning calling, teachable spirit, passionate heart, and reckless abandon are critical to growing as a preacher.

 

5 Good Words of Pastoral Advice That Stuck — Jared Wilson

Jared shares five words of wisdom he has picked up from pastors over the years and how they have helped shape his pastoral ministry.

 

Don’t Quit Yet, Pastor: Revitalization Might Be Right Around the Corner — Eric McKiddie

I’ve mentioned both here on the blog and in my podcast that pastors often leave right before revitalization is about to occur. The frustration mounts, the pastor throws in the towel, and the revitalization that was just around the corner never happens. Eric encourages pastors to stick with their church and see the revitalization through.

The post Notable Voices: October 16, 2014 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Eight Trends about Church Members on Social Media

On a few occasions, I have addressed the topic of church leaders on social media. I obviously have a fascination with this form of communication. Indeed, I see it as one of the great modern-day vehicles for good or harm.

In this post, I address eight trends related to church members who use social media, specifically in relation to the churches where they are members. As a note of clarification, most of my data comes from Twitter and Facebook. There are, obviously, many other types of social media.

Here, then, are eight of the trends I see:

More church members use social media to encourage others in their churches. These words of encouragement are typically directed toward pastors and church staff. The good news is that these tweets and posts seem to be more frequent and pervasive.
Church members increasingly use social media to point others to interesting articles related to Christianity and church life. Indeed, I am encouraged to see many such visits to my blog and to other sites that include information on faith and church life.
Though in the minority, an increasing number of church members use social media to attack and criticize church leaders. I recently read a scathing attack on a pastor. It was filled with venom and vitriol.
More non-Christians are viewing such attacks as normative for Christians. They thus have no desire to associate with Christians or come to our churches. I have heard from many of these non-Christians myself.
A number of church members are using social media wisely to share the gospel. I have been greatly encouraged to read many tweets and posts that point readers to articulate and loving presentations of the gospel. May their numbers increase!
Church members are using social media with increasing frequency to share prayer requests. On more than one occasion, I have seen a prayer request spread virally. It is very encouraging to see the power of prayer on this modern medium.
Some church members use social media as means to share activities and ministries in the church. Indeed, social media has become one of the primary forums to invite others to the church by letting people know what is taking place in the congregations.
While the use of social media by church members is overwhelmingly positive, the toxic users of these forums still get an inordinate amount of attention. It’s the “car accident syndrome.” Traffic slows down to see the havoc created by the accident.

Like most vehicles or instruments, church members can use social media for good or harm. The caution we all should heed is that social media tends to magnify our voices in unprecedented ways.

Let me hear from you about this topic. How do you see church members using social media?

The post Eight Trends about Church Members on Social Media appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Seven Reasons Why Church Leaders Should Practice Fasting

By Chuck Lawless

Fasting – not our favorite topic. We don’t usually like to talk about not eating. In fact, nobody talked to me about fasting when I was a young believer. I didn’t learn about this spiritual discipline until I was already a local church pastor.

I’ve since learned that my experience is not unusual among evangelicals. The fact that many of us have never emphasized fasting, though, is not positive. Here are some reasons why church leaders ought to be fasting:

The Bible assumes believers will fast. The early church fasted before sending out missionaries (Acts 13:1-3) and before appointing elders (Acts 14:23). Jesus expected His disciples to fast after He returned to the Father (Matt. 9:14-17), just as much as He expected them to give and pray (Matt. 6:2-7, 16-17). Leaders must lead the way in being obedient in this discipline.
Fasting requires us to focus on God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God is already here (Luke 11:20), but also yet to come (Luke 22:18). We fast while we wait for the bridegroom to return for His bride, and doing so requires us to focus on His kingdom – not ours. Fasting might well show us that we are building our own kingdom.
Fasting leads to us to slow down and reflect. Leadership usually means activity and busyness. Always there is something else to complete, somebody to visit, the next meeting to conduct, another book to read. Often left behind is our private, personal, intimate walk with God. Fasting is one means to redirect our attention to Him.
Fasting calls us to consider our deepest longings. We do not fast to “get stuff” from God; we fast because we want God Himself more than anything else. Fasting exposes whether we truly believe encountering the eternal One is more significant than the temporary satisfaction of food (and sin, for that matter). It forces us to determine what we really live for.
Fasting reveals who we really are. It was John Piper who taught me this truth. When hunger consumes us during fasting, we sometimes find ourselves grumpy, short-tempered, anxious, or faithless. To state it a better way, fasting brings to light our true self. Most of the time, repentance becomes the next necessary step.
Fasting reminds us that we are not simply spiritual beings. God created us as spiritual and physical beings, but we tend to focus on caring for our spiritual side. We often ignore our physical well being, thus also ignoring the truth that we are wholly created in the image of God. Fasting calls us to a faith that affects our entire being.
Fasting is a reminder we are not as strong as we think we are. Leaders are often by nature tough, persistent, and resilient. Fasting, however, quickly reveals our limitations. Even a short fast uncovers our struggle to deny self; a longer fast reminds us we are finite beings who die without nourishment. All our knowledge, training, and experience mean nothing when the body has no sustenance.

If you’re a church leader who has not fasted for some time, consider these questions:

If the Bible assumes our fasting, should I at least pray about it?
Do I need private, focused time with God?
Am I willing to examine what I’m really living for?
Am I open to bringing to light my true self – and then repenting as needed – through fasting?
Do I emphasize my spiritual being to the neglect of my physical being?
Do I consider myself strong?

Here’s the bottom line: fasting is a spiritual discipline that calls us to slow down, seek God, confess sin, deny self, and embrace weakness. It reveals whether the kingdom we are living for – and longing for – is God’s or ours. Any Christian leader must answer this question.

What lessons have you learned about fasting? What suggestions do you have for leaders who have not fasted regularly?

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 Seven Reasons Why Church Leaders Should Practice Fasting appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

The Top Ten Attitudes of Healthy, Long-term Pastors

In an earlier post, I shared the top traits of pastors who had long-term and mostly joyous ministries at one church. Another key insight I learned from these pastors is how they think. The first article, therefore, dealt mostly with their actions. This article refers to their thoughts.

After each attitude, I share a representative comment (at least as I best recall them) from a healthy, long-term pastor. Here, then, are the top ten attitudes listed in the frequency I heard them.

Thanksgiving. “Sure, I could focus on all the problems and challenges of being a pastor, but I choose to focus on all the blessings of this calling. There are many.”
Perspective. “It always helps me to remember that I was called to a church full of sinners just like me. It’s messy a lot of the time, but that is my calling.”
Servanthood. “I usually get a bad attitude when I think about things not going my way at the church. But when I focus on putting others before myself, it changes my attitude.”
Humility. “How can I complain too much about my church members when I remember who I am? But for the grace of God, I could do nothing good.”
Joy. “I am always reminded of Philippians 4:4. We are commanded to rejoice in all circumstances. So in my ministry at the church, I count it all joy, the good and the bad.”
Responsibility. “I must lead by example. I must have a daily prayer and devotional life. I must share the gospel regularly. I must love others. I shouldn’t expect anything out of the church members that I don’t do myself.”
Encouragement. “I make it a point to encourage someone at least three times a day, either in person, by email, or by phone. That means I am encouraging someone over 1,000 times a year.”
Submission. “I am not without temptations, ego, and fault. I make certain I remain fully accountable to and transparent with the elders.”
Self-awareness. “I really try to look in the mirror as much as I am able. But I know that I will never see myself perfectly clearly. That’s why I have someone I meet with at least once a month to help me see myself. He is both and encourager and a truth-teller to me.”
Contentment. “It took me over ten years to get to this point. Now I realize that I am greatly blessed to serve where God has me. I refuse to have the green grass syndrome, or to see myself in ambitious competition with others. I know it’s cliché, but I really just have a desire to bloom where I am planted.”

These are the top ten attitudes I heard from pastors who have healthy, long-term pastorates. What do you think of this list? What would you add?

The post The Top Ten Attitudes of Healthy, Long-term Pastors appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Pray for Trinity Baptist Church

Location: Muncie, Indiana

Pastor: Timothy Raymond

Weekly Worship: 10:45 AM Eastern

Fast Facts: Trinity Baptist is a congregation that has a vision for becoming a disciple-making disciple of Jesus Christ. The are located near two major universities—Ball State and Taylor University. Pleas pray for their college Bible study as they have nearly 25,000 students to minister to in the area. Also pray for the church’s leadership and Pastor Raymond as they train future leaders, missionaries, and ministers.

Website: TBC-Muncie.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, download this information form and return it to the address on the form.

The post Pray for Trinity Baptist Church appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Seven Things I’ve Learned from Joyous Pastors’ Wives

One of the unexpected and pleasant surprises of this blog for me is hearing from pastors’ wives. As a result, I have written a few blog posts (one, two, three) about these women. Additionally, I interact with the wives via social media on a regular basis.

For certain, I have learned from other spouses of ministers as well. But the most frequent comments have come from pastors’ wives. In this article, I share with you the lessons I’ve learned from pastors’ wives who tell me they have found great joy and meaning in their lives. Here are seven of those lessons:

They focused on their identity in Christ. They are not first pastors’ wives. Nor do they find their primary identity in their local congregations. They are daughters of God, loved by Christ, and led by His Spirit. They know they are loved and accepted unconditionally by Him.
They know they have their husbands’ support and priority. Many of the pastors’ wives who are struggling are intensely lonely. And one of the key reasons for that loneliness is their sense that they are not the priorities of their husbands.
They are honest and transparent with their husbands. Because they know they have their husbands’ support, they are open and transparent communicators with them. They do not typically hold feelings inside of themselves.
They understand and accept that criticisms and unreasonable expectations are a part of church life and leadership. So when they or their husbands are criticized, or when expectations are unreasonable, they know that is an unfortunate price of church leadership. It does not eliminate the pain; but it does help them to deal with it in a more healthy fashion.
They are intentional about making friends outside the church. Most of the pastors’ wives admit they have difficulty making friends of church members. So they intentionally seek other female friends outside the church. This one act was mentioned several times as the key way they have mitigated loneliness.
They don’t let others dictate their roles inside or outside the church. They feel the freedom to “be themselves,” and not to be shaped into unreasonable images by church members.
They pray regularly for their churches and church members. Prayer is pervasively powerful. And our prayers for others shape our attitudes toward them. Such was the reason many of them were so positive about fellow church members.

Thank you, ladies, for sharing these important and joyous issues with me. But I know many pastors’ wives are struggling. We need to pray for them, encourage them, and seek to serve them.

Let me hear from you on this important issue.

The post Seven Things I’ve Learned from Joyous Pastors’ Wives appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Seven Warnings for Church Leaders Who Use Social Media – Rainer on Leadership #075

Podcast Episode #075

Subscribe via iTunes • Subscribe via RSS • Subscribe via Stitcher

Social media has become one of the most effective ways for us to communicate. While there is so much good in social media, it can be used quite negatively. So in this episode, we consider seven warnings for church leaders to heed when using social media.

Some highlights from the episode:

Approach social media with great care because what you say online will likely be with you as long as you live.
Employers are now doing four types of background checks: references, legal, credit, and social media.
The smiley face emoji is often the social media version of “bless your heart.”
The beauty of social media is that there is no gatekeeper and you can post anything. The downside of social media is that there is no gatekeeper and you can post anything.
When you’re angry and negative online, you don’t just hurt your reputation; you hurt your family’s reputation and your Christian witness as well.
I’m hearing about more and more ministers and pastors who do not get jobs because of their negativity on social media.

The seven warnings we cover are:

Consider anything you say on social media to be permanent.
You can be misunderstood often on social media.
Emoticons are not sufficient to soften what you have posted.
Attacks on other people’s character or positions are considered cowardly by many.
Too many Christian leaders are posting on social media in the heat of emotional moments.
Churches and other Christian organizations are checking social media of Christian leaders.
The non-Christian world is watching Christians attack each other on social media.

Episode Sponsor

This week’s podcast is brought to you by RevitalizedChurches.com. Bringing together videos, books, and other resources from today’s top pastors, leaders, and authors, RevitalizedChurches.com is the premier online destination for Church Revitalization. Visit RevitalizedChurches.com today for your free download of 114 Things You Need to Know About Church Revitalization by Thom Rainer.

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 Autopsy of a Deceased Church.

Resources

Seven Positive Ways Christians Can Use Social Media
What the Unchurched Don’t Like About Christians

The post Seven Warnings for Church Leaders Who Use Social Media – Rainer on Leadership #075 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Notable Voices: October 9, 2014

What Should a Guest Preacher Expect? — Art Rainer

A few weeks back, Art wrote about what to pay guest preachers. This week, he tackles guest preaching from the side of the preacher. What should he expect of a church? Art provides four helpful tips.

 

7 Disappointing Reasons People Leave the Church — Ron Edmondson

I’ve written about the main reason people leave the church here on the blog. Ron’s list covers that and other reasons pastors are often disappointed to see people leave a church.

 

10 Burdens About the Southern Baptist Convention — Ronnie Floyd

SBC President Ronnie Floyd shares the first half of 10 burdens he has for the convention.

 

10 Characteristics I Look for in an Aspiring Pastor — Brian Croft

Pastors and other church leaders should always be searching for young leaders to raise up for pastoral ministry. These 10 characteristics can be quite helpful when identifying potential ministers.

 

Why Micromanaging is Ungodly — Barnabas Piper

Micromanagement is often detrimental to the growth of a church or business. It shows a lack or trust and a lack of humility by the leader. Barnabas touches on these issues and more in this article.

 

Pastors Shouldn’t Have Trade Secrets — Erik Raymond

In business, there is a time and place for trade secrets and competition. In local church ministry, we should be about building one another up and cooperating for Kingdom advancement. Erik is right; pastors shouldn’t have trade secrets.

The post Notable Voices: October 9, 2014 appeared first on ThomRainer.com.