Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 308

Pray for Life Church Canton

Location: Canton, Georgia

Pastor: Matt Beers

Weekly Worship: 11:00 AM Eastern Time

Fast Facts: Life Church Canton was started in a living room, and actually held services but stopped because, frankly, no one was coming. They then partnered with Oak Leaf Church for a year as they regrouped. Oak Leaf along with Life Church Rome helped re-plant the church this past January with a little over 30 people. On February 2 they launched services again with over 70 people. They had been praying for 100 people on Easter and had exactly 100 people show up. They have already seen three people give their lives to Christ and are experiencing an incredible start.

Life Church Canton is looking to partner with its community to bless teachers, civic groups, other churches, and any other opportunity that God gives them to be the church. Please pray that God provides opportunities to serve others, and that they can build meaningful relationships.

Pastor Matt is only 30-years old. The church is growing so fast it continually presents him with big challenges and opportunities. Please pray that God gives him wisdom while leading this young church. Pray that his mentors and overseers also are granted great wisdom to provide wise counsel.

Website: LifeChurchCanton.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, download this information form and return it to the address on the form.

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The Church That Dreams Again

I love the local church.

There are no caveats to that statement. I love the local church.

I know. Church members can be difficult. Criticisms abound. Ministry is messy. Church leaders often wake up on Monday mornings and think about quitting.

But I still love the local church.

My Path of Love for the Local Church

I have dedicated the past three decades of my life trying to serve the local church. I have served as pastor of four churches, interim pastor of many more churches, dean of a seminary focused on the local church, president of a consulting firm dedicated to the local church, and now president of an organization providing resources to the churches.

Nearly all my 24 books were written to help the local church.

But I should do more. I really have not done enough.

My Desire to Help Local Churches in the Days Ahead

I am seeking God to find the best ways to do more. Indeed, I will be announcing more initiatives in the near future. I pray they will be done in God’s power, not some feeble attempt of my own.

In the meantime, I am continuing to study those churches that were in doldrums, decline, and despair that are now making an exciting gospel impact. What did God do in those churches to guide the turnaround? What can we learn from them? Are there common elements in revitalized churches?

One factor I can share with you at this point is simple but profound. In each of those churches, a group of leaders began to dream again. They began to dream about what God could do through them. They began to see God’s possibilities for impacting the community. They asked God how they could be a part of His dream and His vision for a revitalized church. They stopped looking at their own limitations and began to see God’s possibilities.

My Humble Request of You, the Reader

Here is where I ask for your help. Do you know of a church that has dreamed again? Can you share a brief story of how that took place?

Would you share with me how I can best help your church to dream again? I am moving in that direction, but I want to hear clearly from God and God’s people.

So I conclude this brief post with two requests:

Please share any stories you have about churches that have dreamed again and, as a consequence, seen their ministries and impact revitalized.
Please tell me how I can best help you and your church. Here would be a simple exercise. If you and I were to have coffee together for a few hours one morning, what would you want me to share?

You can respond to me via the comments on this post, or you can email my social media director: Jonathan.Howe@ThomRainer.com. I will read every comment and email and ultimately, respond to all of them.

Thank you for hearing my burden and my call. And thank you for being the great readers of this blog that you are. You have made this blog an incredible community.

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Autopsy of a Deceased Church Launch – Rainer on Leadership #053

Podcast Episode #053

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This week marks the release of my latest book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church. So this week, we discuss the book, how it can be used in churches, and how it can encourage churches who might be sick to start down a path to health. If a church does not have a clear answer to “Why do we exist?” it will do things that are not of the greatest importance. It is my prayer that Autopsy of a Deceased Church helps sick churches identify that purpose and move toward health.

Episode Sponsor

This week’s podcast is brought to you by Autopsy of a Deceased Church. Whether your church is vibrant or dying, whether you are a pastor or a church member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church will walk you through the radical paths necessary to keep your church alive to the glory of God and advancement of Christ’s Kingdom!

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.

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Pray for Union University

UPDATE – The bomb threat at Union University was determined to be a hoax, the evacuation has been cancelled, and an “all-clear” has been issued for the campus. Thank you all for praying.

Please pray for my friends at Union University in Jackson, TN, as it has been evacuated due to a bomb threat this morning.

The Jackson Sun is reporting that evacuation began at 8:40 AM this morning. I will provide more updates here at the blog as they become available.

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Friday Is for Freebies: Autopsy of a Deceased Church

My giveaway this is five autographed copies of my new book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church.

For more than twenty-five years, I’ve helped churches grow, reverse the trends of decline, and autopsied those that have died. From my experiences, I have discovered twelve consistent themes among those churches that have died. Yet, it’s not gloom and doom because from those twelve themes, lessons on how to keep your church alive have emerged.

Whether your church is vibrant or dying, whether you are a pastor or a church member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church will walk you through the radical paths necessary to keep your church alive to the glory of God and advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.

Enter this week’s Friday Is for Freebies giveaway

To enter this week’s giveaway, fill out the form below. Entries will be closed at midnight Saturday night. We will contact the winners via email on Monday morning. Names and addresses are deleted each week and are just used to select a winner. RSS and email subscribers should click through to the website to enter.

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After submitting your entry, you will be directed back to the ThomRainer.com homepage. By entering, you acknowledge and accept the terms of the promotion.

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Notable Voices: May 1, 2014

The Potential of Online Giving – Pastors Today

Earlier this week on the blog, Chuck Lawless wrote on ways to improve giving in your church. A related topic is that of online giving. This article from Pastors Today provides insight into this growing trend.

 

Four Practical Ways to Welcome Autism into Your Church – Sheila Gosney

April was Autism Awareness Month, and this is a helpful article on how churches can be welcoming and minister to those with Autism.

 

5 Telling Questions You Should Ask If Your Church Isn’t Growing – Carey Nieuwhof

Carey is right on track with these examination questions. They are very similar to those in my new book Autopsy of a Deceased Church.

 

6 Easy Ways to Contribute to Your Pastor’s Emotional Health – Ken Miller

I spoke this week via Skype with a group of pastors about emotional intelligence and health. Emotional health is a key component of pastoring, and one that sometimes is neglected to the detriment of both the pastor and the church. Ken shares six ways a church can help a pastor maintain and strengthen his emotional health.

 

5 Ways Pastors Can Take Advantage of Summer – Brandon Hilgemann

Summer is almost here and churches are already planning and finalizing their event schedules for the season. But what about you, pastor? How can you maximize your summer? Brandon provides five quick ways.

 

4 Practices That Reduce Distractions in Worship Services – Eric Geiger

I’ve blogged and done a podcast on top preaching distractions. But the question that is left hanging out there is “how do you avoid them?” These four tips from Eric are a great place to start.

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Sex, Millennials, and the Church: Five Implications

My son, Jess Rainer, and I conducted an extensive study of the Millennials, those persons born between 1980 and 2000. We specifically surveyed 1,200 of the older Millennials, those who were born between 1980 and 1991. The results of the study were fascinating on a number of levels. But, probably to the surprise of few, we found that views on sexuality among these young adults are dramatically different from previous generations.

As a Boomer, I thought I was part of the generation that ushered in the sexual revolution. But I had no idea that views on sexuality would change so dramatically with the generation of my three sons. The implications for local congregations are staggering. Allow me at this juncture to offer five of those implications. I will expand on them later.

Most Millennials, including Christian Millennials, see nothing wrong with unmarried persons living together. Many of them will come to our churches and be surprised to hear their behavior is sinful. How churches handle this reality will determine the success of efforts to reach the generation.
While the trend toward approval of homosexual marriage is growing in society at large, the positive view is pervasive among Millennials. Churches that choose to ignore this issue have little hope of impacting culture positively.
Millennials will exit quickly from churches whose members are shrill and unloving toward those with non-biblical views on sexuality. Unfortunately, many Millennials stereotype all Bible-believing churches as filled with members who carry Westboro-like placards that scream “God hates fags.” While this is not the case in most churches, there are still some Christians who do a good job of reinforcing that stereotype.
Ironically, Millennials will not stick with churches that have no convictions.  Liberal churches with compromising views on biblical sexuality will not attract and retain Millennials. Though Millennials are indeed increasingly liberal in their views and actions on sexuality, they view churches as places that should be convictional and even counter-cultural.
The greater opportunity lies with those churches that are able to speak truth in love, and to demonstrate that love. The preceding sentence sounds a bit cliché, but it is increasingly a reality. Many of our church members are very uncomfortable engaging, for example, a homosexual in a way that demonstrates the love of Christ. But that is the world and the culture where our churches and Christians reside. We can choose to either engage or withdraw.

There are nearly 79 million Millennials. Most of them are not Christians. Indeed, we estimate in our research that only about 15 percent of those in this generation are believers in Christ. So that means that this generation is a mission field of over 67 million men and women who do not know Christ.

We can bemoan the state of culture. We can withdraw from culture. Or we can choose to love these sinners as Christ loved us sinners. We should not and must not compromise our biblical convictions. But we should not and must not neglect to demonstrate the love of Christ to those who need Him as much as you and I do.

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10 Ideas to Improve Giving in Your Church

By Chuck Lawless

Something’s amiss in the North American church when believers average giving about 2-3 percent of their income to the church each year. Such shallow giving limits our ministry possibilities and hinders our getting the gospel to the nations.

If you want to increase the giving in your congregation, consider these steps:

Teach what the Bible teaches. While some debate whether the New Testament teaches a tithe (10%), it is clear God expects believers to give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7), regularly (1 Cor. 16:2), and sacrificially (Mark 12:41-44). If we don’t teach this mandate intentionally and passionately, we should not be surprised when our congregations don’t give. Fear of teaching about financial stewardship results only in a greater need to teach about it later.
Model sacrificial giving. Years ago, my wife and I made a commitment to give more – not less – to the work of God any time we worry about finances. For us, financial worry is typically an indicator that either (a) we aren’t spending and saving wisely, or (b) we aren’t trusting God like we should. Our philosophy is that we should give to God’s work until it hurts – that is, until it stretches us our faith. Only then am I comfortable challenging others to give more.
Passionately and clearly cast a God-sized vision for your congregation. God’s people are not opposed to giving; they are opposed to supporting a weak or unclear purpose. Churches that seek dollars simply to keep their doors open to minister to their own people aren’t likely to garner support from a young generation committed to the nations. Ask your congregation to state your church’s vision in a single sentence; if most can’t do it, I suspect you’re missing out on financial support as well.
Teach budgeting and spending – not just giving. I’m amazed by how many of my  students operate without a budget. For some, debilitating debt is already keeping them from the mission field. Others live from  week-to-week, yet pay too little attention to their spending habits. God’s people will give more to His work if we help them first learn to budget and spend well.
Train children and students to give. I tithe today is because my first pastor taught me to do so. From my first paycheck as a grocery stocker at age 16, to my first paycheck as a pastor ($45 per week in 1981), to my most recent paycheck as a seminary dean, I still hear my pastor say, “Give God the first part, and trust Him with the rest.” What began as a step of obedience, and at times was a step of faith, has now become an act of worship. God has never let me down.
Promote incremental increases. Sometimes, the concept of giving a certain percentage is frightening to folks who have given only minimally. Rather than challenge them to leap into a tithe, challenge them to increase their giving incrementally. Each increased percentage may still be a step of faith. Even an extra $5.00 per family per week can strengthen your church’s work.
Tell the stories of changed lives. If you want your church to give more, show them what God is doing through the church. Plan testimonies in the services. Invite missionaries to speak. Highlight a different church ministry each month. Ask staff members to send regular emails, putting the spotlight on transformed lives. Ministries themselves seldom attract more dollars, but changed people do.
Lead your church to drip with financial integrity. Review your church’s process for receiving and distributing funds. Who counts and deposits the funds? How are the records handled? How are expenditures approved? How many people sign checks? Are the books audited annually? The work we do is God’s work, and anything less than absolute integrity will lack His blessing.
Challenge the church with a “Day of Sacrificial Giving.” Invite your church members to give one week more than they’ve ever given. For some, that might mean giving a tithe for the first time. For others, that might mean increasing their giving for one week to the breaking point – to a point of faithful discomfort. Some will develop a pattern of increased giving from this one challenge.
Guide your church to pray as Jesus taught us, “Give us this day our daily bread.”  This simple and direct prayer recognizes that all we have is a blessing from God. Perhaps if we prayed this way each day, we would remember that nothing we have is really ours – and consequently be willing to give back to God more that is His already.

What other ideas would you add?

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.

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The Aftermath of a Church Building Program: Six Keys to Success

I find great joy in hearing the stories of churches that had successful building programs. By “successful” I do not mean just the adequate funding and completion of the project. I mean that the church continues to have a momentum in ministry, outward focus, and internal unity.

Unfortunately, a number of churches complete a building program only to see more challenges than opportunities. They often become discouraged and disillusioned. The building program was perceived to be a significant answer to their needs. Instead the church finds itself with declining ministries and attendance, and with greater debt and facilities to underwrite.

So what is the difference between the successful and unsuccessful churches in building programs? Why do some thrive in the aftermath, while others hit difficult times? Allow me to offer six keys to successful programs.

Intensive and extensive prayer preceded the decision to build. I recently spoke to a pastor whose church went through a season of prayer culminating in a 24-hour prayer vigil. All of this prayer momentum took place before the church made any commitment to build.
The ministry need for the building was clear and articulated. Some churches are able to raise the money and build facilities. The people then get excited about the new facilities. But once the building program is complete, there is no focused purpose in the church. The facilities were ends, not means. Without a clear ministry focus, the aftermath of a building program is not pretty.
The church had a design/build firm that was a true partner in ministry. The building company was more than just an architect and builder; they helped discern and articulate the ministry need behind the new facilities. I am so impressed with the quality of some of these firms. And that quality is in both the physical facilities and the ministry partnership.
The pastor must be fully committed to the project. Yes, I have seen too many building programs where the pastor was convinced to get behind it because someone had a pet project to complete. But unless the pastor’s heart is truly in the process, the outcome is likely not good.
Key lay leaders must be on board. Church leaders often think of getting key lay leaders in the process so initial funding can be secured. But churches need more than their money. They need these lay leaders to grasp and own the ministry vision behind the project.
The vision is redundantly communicated. Churches with successful building programs remind the congregation of the ministry vision behind the project. Then they remind them again. And again. The congregation must never be lulled into thinking that the vision is the building; the people must be reminded redundantly there is a ministry vision behind the project.

A church building project is a huge investment of money, ministry, and time. The aftermath of such an endeavor can be new momentum in ministry and unity. Conversely, those churches that approach a building program poorly may see significant problems in the months that follow.

Let me hear from you about your experiences in church building programs. The readers of this blog have some really great insights. I hope to hear some of yours.

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Pray for Church of the Highlands

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Pastor: Dr. Jeremy Roberts

Weekly Worship: 9:15 AM & 10:45 AM Eastern Time

Fast Facts: Church of the Highlands is a church re-plant focusing on reaching the unchurched and dechurched. Since relocating in January of 2013, the church has tripled in size. It is strategically being on mission through partnerships with local schools, the Central High football team, and through church plants in both Boston and London. Please pray for their upcoming student camp and VBS this summer as well as their capital campaign “Greater Things” to provide funds for a permanent worship center. Also, please pray for the leadership of the church as well as a discipleship culture to be developed among the people.

Website: TheHighlands.cc

“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.

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