Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 335

Friday Is for Freebies: Kingdom Agenda and an HCSB Study Bible

This week’s freebie is the Kingdom Agenda: Living Life God’s Way leader kit from Tony Evans. This kit contains the essentials for leading a great study, including Dr. Evans’s teaching on DVD, a member book with leader helps, and an updated version of the original book on which the study is based—what Dr. Evans regards as his magnum opus. The message of the Kingdom is sorely lacking today. This is not because people don’t speak of the Kingdom but because far too much of their speech is in esoteric, theological code words that seem unrelated to the realities of life in the here and now.

The Christian message, when communicated from a comprehensive Kingdom perspective, provides an agenda that can stand next to and above all other attempts to define the meaning of life, whether for the individual, the family, the church, or the nation. A Kingdom agenda based on God’s Word — rather than a secular agenda based on man’s word — is the best way to make all of life work as our Creator intended. This six-session Bible study can serve as a comprehensive blueprint for the Christian life and as an all-encompassing discipleship tool.

Also included is the black, genuine leather version of the HCSB Study Bible, a comprehensive, easy to read, and easy to use Bible, with features and formats specifically designed to enhance your Bible study experience. You can also go to MyStudyBible.com and dive right in for a complete digital experience.

This Bible has a retail price of $79.99 and features 15,000 study notes, 290 Hebrew and Greek word studies, 66 highly detailed book introductions, 62 maps, 27 topical articles, 20 charts, and 18 illustrations, all focusing on the most important topics and questions in Bible study.

Since fall is upon us, to enter this week’s giveaway tell us:

What is your favorite thing about the fall season?

The deadline to enter is midnight CDT this Saturday. We will draw one winner from the entries on Monday morning.

By entering, you acknowledge and accept the terms of the promotion.

Notable Voices – September 12, 2013

Superman Pastors Are Bound to Fail — David Dunham

Dave warns of the dangers of seeing yourself as the minister as the pastor of a church. If you don’t delegate the ministry and raise up leaders in the church, your ministry simply will not survive.

 

Six Principles for Developing Humility as a Leader — John Dame and Jeffrey Gedmin

Humility is imperative to becoming a successful leader. If you’re an arrogant leader, you will soon find yourself leading no one.

 

How to Stop Being a People Pleasing Pastor or Leader — Ron Edmondson

We tend to work toward what we value most. When pastors elevate pleasing congregants over the vision of the church, the ministry of the church can suffer. Ron shares four ways to overcome being a people pleasing pastor.

 

12 Signs You Need an Intentional Interim Pastor — Bud Brown

Pastoral change is rarely easy in a church. Thus the role of interim pastor is an important one for churches in transition. Bud provides a quick checklist to see if your church needs an intentional interim during a transition period.

 

6 Communication Mistakes that Limit Ministry Effectiveness — Mark Howell

Effective ministry relies on effective communication. Mark shares how you can eliminate communication issues to enhance your ministry effectiveness.

 

Holy Infographics: The Bible Visualised — The Guardian

Here are a few fascinating infographics based on the Bible compiled by The Guardian.

Three Changing Trends in American Churches

I am a trend watcher, particularly among churches in America. I am not particularly insightful or smart; I simply listen and speak to many churches. In fact, through my travels, blog, and other social media, I hear from thousands of church leaders every week.

The three trends I’ve recently noticed are not new. What is new is that a relatively few churches embraced these concepts a few years ago. Today, they are becoming normative. These three approaches have moved from the category of “exception” to the category of “mainstream.”

Changing Trend #1: Entry Point or New Member Classes

When I wrote High Expectations in 1999, I talked about the very early trend of churches requiring a class before granting membership to someone. In other words, a membership class was an emerging facet of expectations for church members.

Today, membership classes are pervasive. In an informal survey I did this year of churches with over 250 in worship attendance, more than 80 percent had some type of entry point class as a requisite for membership. In 1999, that number would have been less than 10 percent.

Changing Trend #2: Churches with Multiple Venues

I have to admit that the growth of multiple venues in churches has caught me by surprise. More and more churches have multiple campuses. More and more churches have multiple venues on the same campus.

One of the studies I am hoping to tackle in the next few months is the growth of larger churches with multiple venues versus the churches with one venue or site. I’ll let you know how that develops.

Changing Trend #3: The Growth of the Executive Pastor Role

Just a few years ago, the executive pastor role was largely reserved for very large churches. Indeed, there was a time when I rarely saw an executive pastor on staff in a church under 3,000 in worship attendance.

If current trends continue, the executive pastor will become the second full time pastor to join a church staff in a majority of churches. That is quite a change from ten years ago! The executive pastor is now seen as a complement to the senior pastor. In other words, the executive pastor is typically gifted and wired in ways that the senior pastor is not.

As a consequence, executive pastors are becoming more common in smaller churches, even churches with less than 200 in attendance. Watch for this new trend to grow.

What do you think of these three new changing trends? Keep in mind, the trend itself is not new; it’s the growth rate of the trend. What would you add?

10 Ways to Listen to Christian Leaders

By Chuck Lawless

If you’ve read my blogs here, you know I, like Dr. Rainer, am an introvert. I’m inclined toward aloneness, quiet, and listening. I listen a lot, actually—especially to people in positions of leadership. I’m convinced that if you want to learn about leaders, you should listen to their words.

Do they greet others? The best leaders I know say, “Good morning” and ask, “How are you?” They understand that relationships facilitate achieving a vision, but that’s not why they speak to others. They’re just kind people who know that others matter. They recognize the affirming power of a few words, for a few moments, to a few people. A leader who walks past others without greeting them is simply too self-absorbed.
Do they speak more about themselves or about others?  The focus of a leader’s words reveals the leaning of the leader’s heart. In the course of a day, do you hear about their activities, exploits, knowledge, and renown more than you hear about others? Good leaders point to others, knowing that their responsibility is to build an organization bigger than themselves. Their very words honor the teams that make their effectiveness possible.
Do they speak more about yesterday or about today and tomorrow? Leaders who consistently speak of the “way things were” may be stuck in the security of yesterday, perhaps even in a previous organization. Their passion for today and vision for tomorrow are likely weak, if not non-existent. They may well be leading on fumes while gasping for yesterday’s oxygen. Indeed, the backwards-only looking leader is not leading at all.
Do they compliment as well as correct? You may know these leaders. They talk with others only when a problem occurs. Others dread seeing them approaching because they know the leaders have little good to say. Lunches are only for discipline, not for friendship and encouragement. Their compliments are few and fleeting, regardless of how hard others work. Often, their team feels underappreciated—and perhaps even used.
Do they speak of faith and prayer? I realize that expressing faith and prayer in some work settings is not easy, but leaders with a genuine faith will allow that faith to influence their words. They will not hesitate to speak about their God and their family of faith. They may not always pray aloud but will offer genuine prayer support for their team. On the other hand, leaders who speak little of faith and prayer may well be operating in their own strength.
Do they criticize or ridicule people in front of others? Some leaders get frustrated with people and then express disapproval to anyone in hearing distance. Others never miss an opportunity to ridicule people who aren’t as “smart” as they are. Here’s the danger with this kind of leader: if they talk about others in front of you, they may well talk about you in front of others. These leaders should not be trusted.
Do they honor their spouse and family with their words? The best leaders lead first at home and adore their family—so much that they talk about them positively. Every word about their spouse is honorable. They almost cannot help but brag about their kids. Leaders who ridicule or shame their family publicly are neither godly family members nor good leaders.
Do they use ungodly speech? The Bible calls it “coarse and foolish talking or crude joking,” and it is improper (Eph. 5:4). Some leaders fall into this trap to “fit in” with others, but such talk does not strengthen leadership. In fact, consider how many leaders have lost their position because of words they could not explain away once spoken. The wisest leaders speak only those words that build up others (Eph. 4:29).
Do they lie? To state the obvious, leaders are not trustworthy if their words are not trusted. Nevertheless, some leaders exaggerate statistics, overstate accomplishments, and embellish stories. In the ministry world, we even have an accepted phrase for it: “ministerially speaking.” We inflate the data and then joke about it—as if the truthfulness of our words really doesn’t matter.
Do they laugh in their conversations? Good leaders enjoy what they’re doing. They have fun, but not via ungodliness. They make the workplace a place of enjoyment without compromising the vision or neglecting the task. They look forward to coming to work, as do their team members. These leaders have learned to laugh at themselves, with their team, and in the face of challenge. A leader who never laughs is likely a leader without true joy.

What will others learn about you today through your words? What did they learn yesterday?

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.

Three Hopefully Helpful Hints about Church Parking Lots

Many times when I mention church parking lots, eyes roll and people tune out. What is there to know about parking lots? Why is he being so pragmatic? Doesn’t he have anything better to discuss?

Please stay with me for a few lines.

Many years ago I preached at a church in a rural area. I wish I could remember more details from that visit. But I do remember  the church seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere. And I remember that the church was larger than its rural community, about 500 persons if I recall. Finally, I remember the two parking lot ministers. That’s right, I called them ministers.

They were a married couple, and they both were in their 60s. When you entered the parking lot, they waved to you. If they knew you, they called you by name. If they didn’t know you, one of them came to the car to see if he or she could help in any way.

I would later learn from the pastor that this couple got to the church an hour before anyone arrived. They prayed over the entire parking lot, praying for those who would later come to that church. And they prayed silently for each person or persons who entered the lot by car.

I asked the pastor the question he had obviously been asked many times. How did the country church grow in the middle of nowhere? He pointed to the couple in the parking lot. “That’s one of the main reasons,” he responded.

Since then, I’ve never looked at church parking lots the same. I learned three important lessons I will share with you.

Lesson 1: Every Church Should Consider Having a Parking Lot Ministry

We often think that parking lot ministries belong in large churches with lots of people in lots of cars who need to be shown where to park. But that perspective misses the point of it being a ministry.

Many churches have greeter ministries, but they place the greeters inside the church buildings, or just outside key entrances.  I’ve been in some churches where the greeters do nothing more than stick a bulletin in my face with an indistinguishable grunt.

But people first arrive via the parking lot. That’s the point of first contact. That’s where greeters should be.

Every church of every size should consider having a parking lot ministry.

Lesson 2: Prayer Should be the Focus of Parking Lot Ministries

Do we really believe in the efficacy of prayer? Of course, I don’t expect many of my readers to do anything but affirm my question.  Frankly, though, I don’t see much corporate prayer in churches today. Sure, there are the prayers at the designated slots during the worship services. I don’t take that time for granted.

But where are the pervasive and ongoing prayers of those in the church? Where is the sense of prayer in the early church, where the leaders devoted themselves to it (Acts 6:4)?

Why shouldn’t we train and equip persons to be men and women of prayer even as they are conducting the more routine duties of directing cars in parking lots? If we really believe in the power of prayer, does not that same belief hold in parking lots, where members and guests first arrive on worship weekends?

Lesson 3: Parking Lot Work Should Be a Ministry

I’ve been in many large churches lately where members are doing work in parking lots. They are working feverishly and with much dedication to point those in cars in the right direction.

I hope those men and women see their work as ministry. I hope they have a brief prayer for those in every car that passes them. Those cars include people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. Those cars include people whose marriages are falling apart. Those cars include men and women who have serious illnesses in their families. Those cars include people who have recently lost loved ones.

We cannot know the impact of a prayer, of a kind word, or of a smile on those who come to our churches. But we can demonstrate the love of Christ through our prayers, words, and smiles.

Parking lot signage is important. So are well-marked spaces. And so is good traffic flow.

But they are not nearly as important as the needs, the hopes, and the hurts of those who enter the lot.

Does your church have a parking lot ministry? Are you training your workers to be true ministers in their work? It really can make an incredible difference.

Pray for Redemption City Church

Location: Franklin, TN

Pastor: Jed Coppenger

Worship Time: 10:00 AM Central time

Fast Facts: After a year-long missions campaign at Clearview Baptist Church in Franklin, TN, Jed Coppenger accepted the call to plant another church locally. With the support of Clearview, Jed recruited a team of pastors and core group from the church (and community) in 2012. On August 8, 2013, Redemption City Church launched in a local elementary school.

Redemption City Church is still in the earliest stages of growth as a new church plant. Please pray for both depth and breadth as they reach out to residents of Franklin, TN and the greater Nashville area.

Website: www.redemptioncity.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.

The Lonely Pastor: Nine Observations

The conversation took place just yesterday. A young man told me his dad, a pastor, recently committed suicide. He talked about the pain his father experienced in ministry as well as the intense loneliness.

Though suicide is not an inevitable outcome, I do know the number of pastors experiencing loneliness is high—very high. I hurt for these pastors, and I want to help in any way I can. Perhaps my nine observations can be a starting point for a healthy discussion on this important matter.

Three Causes . . .

The three most common causes of loneliness shared with me by pastors are insightful:

1.     Church members do not want to get too close to a pastor. Actually it works both ways. The pastor is seen as the spiritual leader of the church. For many, it’s hard to get close to someone who holds a perceived lofty position.

2.     The pastor is accustomed to giving instead of receiving. In healthy relationships, both parties give and sacrifice. The pastor is accustomed to giving and ministering. Sometimes it’s hard to be on the receiving end.

3.     The pastor is in a defensive mode. Many pastors have been burned and hurt by church members. As a consequence they are always “on guard,” rarely able to lower their defensive shields to be in a healthy relationship.

Three Dangers . . .

Here are the three most common negative consequences of loneliness straight from the mouths of pastors:

4.     Burnout. Healthy relationships energize people. Loneliness depletes people of energy. The lonely pastor is more likely to experience burnout than those pastors who have developed mutually healthy relationships.

5.     Moral failure. Unfortunately some pastors seek to fill the voids created by loneliness by entering into inappropriate relationships. Ministries are destroyed and families are torn apart.

6.     Depression. Some level of depression is inevitable with the lonely pastor. Some of it can be very serious.

Three Solutions . . .

I plead with pastors to who are experiencing loneliness to take one or all of the following steps:

7.     Find a confidant. Be intentional about developing a healthy relationship with someone. That person may be a pastor in another town, but don’t stop until you have found such a person,

8.     Involve your spouse. Many pastors are reluctant to involve their spouses in the messy details of church life. I would hope that you view your spouse as your best friend with whom you can share the good, the bad, and the ugly.

9.     Get professional help. Pastors are among the last to seek professional help. Unfortunately, their loneliness can degenerate into depression causing them to leave the ministry and even have suicidal thoughts. Please get help before it’s too late.

What insights can you offer on pastoral loneliness? What suggestions do you have for lonely pastors?

Leading Change, featuring Kevin Ezell — Rainer on Leadership #021

Podcast Episode #021

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Kevin Ezell, President of the North America Mission Board, was my guest this week. On the show we had a great discussion how to lead change. It’s something all leaders must deal with at some point and something many struggle with. I asked Kevin four main questions:

What has been your greatest challenge in leading change?
How do you determine the pace of change that you will lead?
How do you respond to critics as you lead change?
What advice would you give a pastor who is attempting to lead change?

Listener Questions

From Waylen: All that I have heard on turning a church around seems to focus on a new pastor and his surviving into the 5th and 6 year. What about the long-term pastor who has survived many ups and downs and still wants to see the church grow and be unified? Specifically, I refer to myself, the founding pastor who has been here 36 years.

From Stephen: Our building is about 60 years old and needs updating. I believe this will not only re-establish our church for the next 10 years or more but will excite our people and the community around us. How as I leader do I and a small church bring all this together so that this dream doesn’t end up in a puff of smoke?

Episode Sponsor

This week’s podcast is brought to you by Auxano and the Vision Room. VisionRoom.com is an online gathering of articles, tools and resources designed for church leaders like you who value vision clarity and want to live out that vision in meaningful ways. For more information visit VisionRoom.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 autographed copy of I Am a Church Member.

Resources

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Friday Is for Freebies — Billy Graham: A Life of Faith

Today’s freebie is Billy Graham: A Life of Faith. From the popular Life Wisdom series of inspirational gift books, Billy Graham: A Life of Faith gathers soul-stirring quotes from the beloved preacher, making it easy for readers to draw from his collected insights on a regular basis. A world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist, Graham would just say of himself that he is humbled to have been called by God to faithfully proclaim the greatest message the world will ever hear: Jesus Christ came to earth to bring hope to a lost and dying world.

Graham has also been spiritual advisor to many U.S. presidents, was an encourager to Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights movement, and has appeared on Gallup’s poll of most admired men and women more than fifty times since 1955. His life of faith is gracefully captured in this gift book of quotations.

Also included is the black, genuine leather version of the HCSB Study Bible, a comprehensive, easy to read, and easy to use Bible, with features and formats specifically designed to enhance your Bible study experience. You can also go to MyStudyBible.com and dive right in for a complete digital experience.

This Bible has a retail price of $79.99 and features 15,000 study notes, 290 Hebrew and Greek word studies, 66 highly detailed book introductions, 62 maps, 27 topical articles, 20 charts, and 18 illustrations, all focusing on the most important topics and questions in Bible study.

Since the NFL kicks off this week and we did college football a couple weeks back, to enter this week’s giveaway tell us:

What is your favorite NFL team?

The deadline to enter is midnight CDT this Saturday. We will draw one winner from the entries on Monday morning.

By entering, you acknowledge and accept the terms of the promotion.

Notable Voices – September 5, 2013

5 Short but Powerful Statements for Leaders — Brad Lomenick

This is a short post, but it is a powerful post. Leaders, memorize these. Use them. Your leadership will benefit from it.

 

8 Effective Ways to Follow Up With Guests at Your Church — Rich Birch

Often, churches focus so much on simply getting guests to attend, they fail to prepare for the “what next” moment. Don’t let that heppen to your church.

 

9-Point Battle Plan for Temptation — Micah Carter

Last week on the blog, Jay Dennis shared a post on pastors and pornography. I realize that is a very real temptation for not just pastors, but congregants as well. Micah shares nine ways to battle temptation.

 

5 Important Attitudes to Embrace at Work — Daniel Darling

After celebrating Labor Day earlier in the week, it’s only appropriate to include a link to a post on the attitudes we should embrace at work.

 

Ten Things I’ve Learned on Twitter — Ed Stetzer

Ed crossed the 100,000 Twitter follower threshold earlier this week. To celebrate, he shared 10 things he’s learned on Twitter.

 

6 Lessons I Learned as a Rookie Pastor — R.D. McClenagan

Yesterday I shared 30 things I’ve learned in my 30 years of ministry. Many of them echo R.D.’s sixth things he learned as a rookie pastor.