Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 393

Millennials, Religion, and a Reason for Hope

Yesterday my son Art posted the Millennial infographic you see below on his website. One of the stats in the infographic states Millennials are "the least religious generation in American history." This was not surprising. My son, Jess, and I found the same result when we conducted the research for our book The Millennials.

On first glance, one might be discouraged by this statistic. However, I would like to note that there is a hope to be found in the Millennials. While I would not suggest the present-day Millennial Generation is preparing for another experience of Pentecost, I do see some parallels worth noting.

First, the Millennial Christians are relatively few in number. Again, I am reticent to estimate with any claim of precision, but I have suggested that the number of Christians in this generation is 15 percent of their total. In round numbers, let's just say there are twelve million Millennial Christians.

You're right. Twelve million is a lot more than 120 (the number present at Pentecost). But in the context of 300 million U.S. residents or a world population of nearly seven billion, the number is small.

But what I learned about this relatively small number of Millennial Christians is that they are passionate about their faith. They have no patience for business as usual. They see the urgent need to share the gospel and to start new churches. And they will not wait on tired, established churches to get the work done.

"I'm not antichurch," Leslie explained to me. Leslie grew up in a Christian home. She appreciates her parents' clear convictions and sacrificial service in the church where they continue today. "But so much of what takes place in my parents' church is just keeping the doors open. Pay the staff. Keep the building nice. And give 10 percent or more of the church's income for someone else to do missions," she told us almost breathlessly.

"But that's plodding Christianity," she continued. "It has no urgency about it. It's more concerned about the people in the church than those outside the church. It breaks my heart that people are going to hell each day while so many churches have members who argue about Roberts Rules of Order or which members will serve on the personnel committee. We just don't have time for such foolishness."

Though some of their fervency may need some wise guidance, the Millennial Christians have a burning fire within them that can revolutionize churches to make a kingdom difference. How will churches in America respond? Will they embrace the energy and zeal of the Millennials, or will they disregard this generation and force these young people to venues of ministry beyond existing churches?

What will it take for churches today to embrace the Millennials and to capture their passion for reaching their neighborhoods and for reaching the nations? What will it take for churches to reach the rest of the nearly seventy-eight million Millennials who are not Christians? I know that the statistics on the American church are dismal and have been so for nearly half a century.

I see the presence of the Millennial Generation as a great opportunity offering much hope for the coming years. But the American church cannot do business as usual. Many changes are sorely needed.

There is indeed hope.

One Year Later: Remembering William Thomas Rainer

One year ago today, my grandson Will went to be with the Lord. I want to share with you the article I wrote shortly after his death. It is a testament to the grace and glory of God, and how He worked in the lives of Will's parents in a remarkable way.

It's cliché. But it's true. Life can change in a second. Our neatly ordered plans are not always realized. Our dreams can seemingly be dashed in a moment, a blink of the eye.

Jess and Rachel Rainer woke up on February 3 with excitement and anticipation. They had moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee to plant a church. Jess was doing radio interviews about his book that he co-authored with me, The Millennials. And, more than anything else, they were soon expecting their second son, William Thomas Rainer.

February 3 was also the date of a doctor's appointment for Rachel. The doctor told Rachel in her previous appointment that she wanted to check a couple of items, but she really wasn't that concerned. But the news was bad. Very bad. The baby had a rare condition that typically is not detected until later in the term, about the point where Rachel was. Both Jess and Rachel were told that the chances of their son's survival were slim. But they prayed. They prayed for a miracle. They prayed with hope. Above all though, they prayed that God's will would be done.

A Son is Born. A Son Dies.

On February 6, with Rachel's life at risk, the doctors performed a c-section. William Thomas Rainer was born at 3:31 PM. He died at 4:31 PM. He weighed a little over five pounds, and had a head full of black hair like his dad and granddad. He was also named for Jess (his middle name is William) and me.

Rachel wrote these words shortly after Will's death: "Will went to go be with the Lord at 4:31 p.m. Jess and I were both able to hold him. Will died in our arms very peacefully, with no suffering. We love him and can't wait to be reunited with him in heaven one day. We rejoice in the Lord for his life!" Jess would send this simple but profound message on Twitter: "We rejoice in the birth and death of our son, William Thomas, today. So thankful that God is in complete control."

My Heroes of the Faith

Jess and Rachel are among my heroes of the faith. They lost a son. They held him in their arms as he died. They are experiencing a grief unlike any I've known. But they are praising God. They are looking forward to being with their son one day. They prayed for his life, but they rest in God's decision to call him home.

It breaks my heart to see Jess and Rachel make funeral plans for their son. I never thought I would see such a sad moment in my life. But I stand amazed at their strength and their faith. Theirs is a faith that has been tested. Theirs is a faith that is refined and true. I want to be more like Jess and Rachel.

From Granddad

I have written personal blogs about every one of my other three grandchildren after they were born. I probably drive some folks crazy talking and writing about my family so much. But Will will not be left out. He is my fourth grandchild. I love him so much. I will not get to see him grow up, play, or get married. I will not be able to babysit him as I do the other grandchildren. But I will see him again. And I will make up for the lost time when I join him in heaven.

Will, if you could read these words, I would want you to know that you have the best parents in the world. They love you, and they did everything they could for you. They were thankful for the sixty minutes they had with you. And they know they will get to spend eternity with you.

And, Will, please know that your granddad loves you. I am so proud to have you as my namesake. I miss you buddy. But I will see you soon.

William Thomas Rainer.

Born February 6, 2011.

Entered God's heaven the same day.

To God be the glory.

Friday is for Freebies (February 3, 2012)

My giveaway this Friday is a four-pack of books on the church. This week, someone will win a copy of Simple Church, Essential Church, Breakout Churches, and Transformational Church.

In Transformational Church, Ed Stetzer and I address the question: how does a body of believers do its part to be in the "sweet spot" where true spiritual transformation occurs? Simple Church is based on case studies of four hundred American churches. In it, Eric Geiger and I demonstrate that the process for making disciples has quite often become too complex. Breakout Churches examines a study of the chrysalis factor showing why a select number of little-known churches have made the leap from being good to becoming great churches that are impacting lives and entire communities. Finally, Essential Church addresses the question: Why do so many young adults (18 to 22) leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back?

This book package retails for nearly $70.

To be eligible to win, guess what the final score will be in the Super Bowl and, for a tiebreaker, tell us who will be the MVP.

We're extending the deadline to enter until gametime on Sunday.

Notable Voices (February 2, 2012)

Courageous DVD debuts at No. 1 -- Albany Herald

After debuting at #1 on its openeing weekend at the box office, Courageous has done it again. This time debuting at #1 on the DVD sales charts last week. Congratulations to Michael Catt, the Kendricks and the whole Sherwood Pictures staff.

10 Ways to Love Your Kids -- Rachel Jankovic

Rachel Jankovic provides a great list for parents that includes not just practical tips but expounds on gospel implications as well. Jankovic does a great job showing that parenting is not just making sure your kids know how to act or keeping them disciplined—it's spiritual guidance and leadership as well.

Six De-churching Trends -- Paul Tautges

It should come as no surprise after I've written numerous books on the local church, church growth, and various ministry models that I love the local church. It's painful for me to hear stories of self-identified Christians falling in and out of church, never making a commitment to a local fellowship of believers. Paul Tautges lists six alarming trends he's seen among de-churched Christians. After all the research I've been a part of about this subject, I think he's spot on.

Preaching Jesus in the Old Testament, a Case Study -- Jeff Louie

When preaching from the Old Testament, pastors sometimes fall into the trap of preaching a morality-based sermon rather than a Christo-centric sermon. The Bible is God's story of redemption for mankind. Jesus is at the center of that story. So when preaching an Old Testament passage it is important to show its place in the grand narrative of Scripture and how the passage points to Christ. Jeff Louie does a great job at showing how the Old Testament book of Jonah points to the coming Messiah in the New Testament.

The Great Healer? -- Barnabas Piper

This short essay from Barnabas Piper reveals the fallacy of the maxim "Time Heals All Wounds." Barnabas does a great job to boil it down to what really heals all wounds:

Time doesn't heal all wounds. Time doesn't have any power. Time is just the space during which God can use the actions of people to heal wounds from the outside while he works from the inside.

I Could Be a Great Leader if It Weren't for the People

Every leader knows frustration. Every leader has been discouraged. All leaders have moments where they wish they could change the circumstances in which they find themselves. And many of those desired changes involve people.

One leader recently commented to me: "If I could just get eight people to leave or have a dramatic change in their attitude, my life would be so much better. I could really lead then."

Sorry. Problem people and people with problems will always be with us. Great leaders learn to deal with people issues.

The Common Concerns

People problems tend to fall in one of four groups. The first group includes the critics. Many leaders lament how much time and emotional energy they expend responding to and dealing with critics. They see how much more time and energy they could have if the critics would just go away. And, as a side note, the voices of the critics have become amplified in our age of social media and emails.

Those who work alongside of us, our peers, can sometimes become problem people. We don't understand why they don't see things our way, and why their attitudes can be so problematic. We never expected that lateral leadership would take up so much of our time.

We cannot overlook bosses and other superiors in the organizational chart as a category of problem people. Some bosses are jerks. Other key leaders just don't get it. Still others make decisions that just don't seem to make sense. We know we would do things differently if we were in their shoes,

The final group includes those who work for us. So many leaders feel like they need to change their title to chief babysitting officer because of all the issues they deal with in their organization. Sometimes they feel like a referee. At other times they perceive that they have become full-time therapists. And still at other times they see themselves as chief enforcement officers who deal with those who aren't performing well and those who make significant blunders.

The Common Responses

Our defense mechanisms tend to kick in when we deal with problem people. One mode of defense is to attack. We become angry and frustrated. We just can't take it anymore, so our inward frustration becomes a verbal or written rage.

Some leaders may engage in the blame game as a defense mechanism. When our organization is not doing well or when the challenges are the greatest, we know it's because of "those people." They become a convenient scapegoat for all that goes badly.

Other leaders choose to withdraw. Some stop leading. Some lead defensively. Some ride out the months or years to retirement, being extra careful not to "rock the boat." Still others decide that the pain is too much, and they choose to leave the organization.

Most leaders remember moments where each of these responses was either a reality or a temptation in their lives. All leaders understand the challenge of leading people. How then do leaders respond?

The Correct Perspectives

My friend and work colleague, Brad Waggoner, recently told me that he is tempted to write a book called It Ain't Heaven Yet. His humorous thesis is that we will never be in a place this side of heaven where there aren't problem people. We might move from one organization to another, but we will deal with imperfect people wherever we go. Allow me then to suggest three broad paths to navigate this issue.

First, accept the reality that the problems will never go away. Brad Waggoner is right: It ain't heaven yet. There are no perfect people, and there is no perfect organization.

Second, look in the mirror. All of us leaders aren't perfect either. Let me state it personally. I am a jerk boss at times. Sometimes I don't get it. Sometimes I make bad decisions. When I get frustrated with others, I need to look in the mirror. I'm not so great myself.

Finally, remember that great leaders learn to lead in imperfect situations with imperfect people. That's a vital part of leadership. The greatest test of our leadership strength will not come when everything is going well. It will take place when we are responding to difficult people in difficult situations.

And we will certainly have many opportunities to lead in those times.

Ten Leaders Who Influenced Me

I owe so much to so many. Countless men and women have influenced me over my 56 years. Some I have known well. Most I never met. But all have impacted my life in some way.

The leaders I show below are an eclectic bunch. Please allow me some explanations and caveats. These are not necessarily the most influential leaders in my life; rather they are representative of influencing me in some aspect of leadership. Furthermore, I may not be fully supportive of all facets of their lives. I also decided not to mention biblical leaders, because they would likely fill my list in its entirety. I also noticed that my list does not include some of the great Christian martyrs and missionaries except Lottie Moon. That too would be a list unto itself. Finally, I show them in alphabetical order with no indication of priority.

Ben Carson: Determined Leadership. The famed pediatric neurosurgeon saves hundreds of children's lives each year. He has conducted some of the most complicated surgeries known. Yet he was once near the bottom of his class academically. He had no father at home, and his mother was illiterate most of Carson's childhood years. But he had the determination to rise above his circumstances to be one of the greatest physicians our nation has known.
Walt Disney: Creative Leadership. Though he died 45 years ago, his influence in film, theme parks, animation, and innovation is still felt today. His creativity was boundless because he refused to believe something could not be done. It's hard to believe that Disney World in Orlando was once small farms and swamp land.
Amelia Earhart: Pioneering Leadership. Earhart was a renowned aviation pioneer. She was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross after becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set many other records and wrote a number of bestselling books. She disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in 1937.
Thomas Edison: Persevering Leadership. Though Edison gained his fame for his countless inventions and patents, he perhaps is one of the most persevering leaders of the modern era. He did not see a failed invention as a problem; it simply was a road map to another possibility. He seldom was frustrated because he would not give up, believing the answer was right around the corner.
Billy Graham: Moral Leadership. The evangelist's life has been scrutinized as much as almost anyone over the past nine decades of his life. Unlike many famous persons, religious leaders in particular, he did not fall prey to the temptations of money, fame, and power. The last time I was with him, he told me how humbled he was that I came to visit. Now that's humility! This man epitomizes humility and morality.
Abraham Lincoln: Team Leadership. There are so many ways I have been influenced by this great president. I have been particularly impressed by the way he led those on his immediate leadership team during his presidency. Many of them actually opposed him before joining his cabinet, so much so that Doris Kearns Goodwin refers to them as a "Team of Rivals." He was a political genius to bring together and lead such a disparate group.
Lottie Moon: Sacrificial Leadership. The diminutive missionary to China for nearly forty years put others and the cause of the gospel before herself. She fell in love with the Chinese people and devoted herself to their evangelization. She sacrificed her own desires of having a family for the cause of the gospel was paramount to her. Moon would eventually, unknown to her fellow missionaries, sacrifice her finances and food for others. By 1912, due to her self-deprivation, she weighed only 50 pounds. She would die later that year.
Sam S. Rainer, Sr.: Courageous Leadership. My father lost his mother to cancer when he was ten years old. His father turned to alcohol and virtually abandoned him. When he was given the opportunity for a college scholarship out of high school, he chose instead to fight for his country in World War II. He was wounded twice, earning several medals, including the Purple Heart. Dad took a stand for racial equality in the 1960s in south Alabama when it was almost unthinkable for a white man to do so. He even got into a shouting match with his political adversary at the time, a circuit judge name George Wallace. Sam Rainer fought and lost a courageous battle with cancer when I was 28 years old.
Ronald Reagan: Focused Leadership. I have rarely seen a leader stay so focused on a few major issues, so much so that he literally changed the world. Ronald Reagan believed in small government, lower taxes, empowerment of the individual, a strong defense, and rule by the people. Those themes permeated his speeches and conversations. Even those who were not in ideological agreement with him tend to concur that he was one of the most influential presidents in history. His focus was undeterred and its impact was long-standing.
Adrian Rogers: Statesman Leadership. Adrian Rogers was the key face and leader of the Conservative Resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention, a time when the denomination moved back to its conservative biblical beliefs. Among the many remarkable aspects of Rogers' leadership was his ability to bring conservatives of disparate background together for a focused cause. He sought to unify Baptists around core beliefs. His statesmanship was instrumental in the eventual success of the movement.

I could list a hundred influential leaders in my life rather easily. I see this list as but a start.

So, what leaders have influenced you? What aspect of their leadership most influenced you?

The Six Levels of Leadership

As you may know by now, I enjoy Jim Collins' writings on leadership. His book Good to Great played a profound role in my development as a leader. I even used Collins' model for "good-to-great leaders" to assist in structuring a pastoral leadership model in my book Breakout Churches. While the book was primarily related to how the churches grew, there was significant evidence and data to show that the process of breakout included more than just the transformation of a church; it included the transformation on a leader as well.

When we finished processing the data for the book, we found a distinct correlation between the 6 levels of leadership and characteristics found in the first seven chapters of Acts:

Acts 1: The Called Leader

The early church leaders were called to be witnesses of and for Christ (Acts 1:8). Matthias was called to replace Judas (Acts 1:21-26). All breakout leaders have a definitive testimony of God's calling on their lives, particularly as it relates to the local church. These leaders know God has called them to ministry, and they have followed this call. We found 98% of senior pastors could be identified as Called Leaders.

Acts 2: The Contributing Leader

We see two main elements of pastoral leadership in chapter 2—preaching and prayer. These may seem like obvious responsibilities for a pastor. But in the churches we surveyed only we found this to be the exception rather than the norm. Only 22% of senior pastors devoted the necessary attention to the basics of Christian ministry such as preaching, teaching, and prayer.

Acts 3: The Outwardly-Focused Leader

In the third chapter of Acts, Peter and John venture beyond the gathering of the church we see at the end of chapter 2. They go out and heal the blind beggar that the temple gate that was called Beautiful. This third stage of leadership is found in leaders who consistently and persistently move the church to look beyond itself. Evangelism is a priority and community involvement is the norm. However, just one in seven senior pastors (14%) meet this criteria.

Acts 4: The Passionate Leader:

Passion is not a personality trait. It is a learned expression. We see great passion in Peter and John's response to the Jewish leaders in Acts 4:19-20. Acts 4 leaders exude a contagious enthusiasm for ministry, and, by doing so, others gladly follow. However, a deep passion for ministry is rare. We found only 6% of senior pastors posses it.

Acts 5: The Bold Leader:

Bold leaders are willing to take incredible steps of faith and to make tough calls that few other leaders will make. The bold leader knows the mission and purpose of the church and is willing to take whatever steps are necessary to keep the church focused and on track.

Many high-profile pastors are Acts 5 leaders. They have led their church through difficult times and painful decisions. They refuse to go with the status quo. They are determined and focused. And they are willing to pay the price when they perceive a certain course is best for the church.

Peter exemplifies this in Acts 5. Ananias and Sapphira threatened to derail the church from its forward movement with their deceitfulness. It had to be difficult for two church members to be struck down by God's wrath. But Peter led the church through a difficult time and did not waver in neither his leadership nor his commitment to the Lord. We found only 3% of senior pastors met this criteria.

Acts 6/7: The Legacy Leader:

Legacy Leaders are hard to find. They posses the first five qualities and then some. These leaders are quick to give ministry to others and let them take the credit; they deflect recognition; they are quick to praise others and just as quick to accept responsibility. Like Stephen, they make decisions that outlast their life and further the Church long after they are gone. Their burden for ministry has a focus beyond their lifetime. This kind of leader is so rare, that it's found in less than 1% of senior pastors in America.

Acts 6/7 leadership is desperately needed. With eight out of ten churches in America plateaued or declining, there is no time to waste. May we all strive to become Acts 6/7 leaders by God's grace and for His glory.

Friday is for Freebies (January 27, 2012)

My giveaway this Friday is the black, genuine leather version of the HCSB Study Bible. The unique, full-color design and format are the direct result of a nationwide research project. The Bible people wanted is the Bible B&H built. The result is a visual Bible that's comprehensive, easy to read, and easy to use, 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.

To be eligible to win, tell us what your church is doing for Super Bowl Sunday.

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

Notable Voices (January 26, 2012)

Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah - Brad Lomenick

One of my favorite Old Testament leaders is Nehemiah. He was a government worker in the employment of a foreign king. A high ranking worker no doubt. A leader. A cupbearer to the King. Trusted and respected. Then he became a building contractor, called in to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Through the story of the Old Testament book, we can discover a few of the leadership qualities that he possessed.

The Iron Lady's Failed Mid-Career Transition - Hermina Ibarra

With the recent movie The Iron Lady, leadership scholars like me have seized the opportunity to reflect on the lessons of Margaret Thatcher's life and career. In the film, we see an old and diminished Maggie flashing back to the pinnacle of her power. But, perhaps the most important and the least obvious lesson — for Thatcher herself, as well as for us — is about the midlife transition she failed to make; she was a victim, as many of us are, of her own success. From her early days as head of Oxford's conservative political association to her first moves as a politician, Thatcher's story is a textbook case on how to get power and, later, how to lose it.

28 Killer Social Media Resources to Step Your Game Up - Justin Wise

One of the questions are hear most often is, "what social media resources do you recommend?" I've never taken the time to put them all in one place. Until now. Here are my "I reserve the right to change this list whenever I need to!" must-have social media resources, in no particular order:

Why Are Christians Lousy Tippers? - Dave Miller

It makes me furious when I hear that Christians have a reputation for being stingy when the time comes to leave a tip. I cannot imagine why that is. Those who have been given life through the grace of Jesus Christ, who have the promise of the presence and provision of Christ and have access to all the blessings of heaven turn into clones of Ebenezer Scrooge when the bill comes at the restaurant? Shame. So, here are Miller's Rules for Tipping. Yes, they are rules. Because I said so! And if you can't abide by them, then eat at McDonald's where tips are not expected. Do not bring reproach to Christ and to his church by ignoring the rules!

97 Ideas for Building a Valuable Platform - Chris Brogan

2012 is the year where social media oversaturation hits hard. We will scale back on our participation in social networks, and we will most certainly scale back who we choose to follow as sources. This won't be because someone is bad or good. It will be based on whether the connection with that person adds value to the stream of information we're cultivating or not. In determining how to deliver value and stay relevant and visible in this new landscape, I've written down 97 ideas to help you build a valuable platform.

A Gospel-Shaped Pro-Life Passion - Jared C. Wilson

I don't believe laws—or the protests and petitions and politicking that seek to achieve them — are the primary way we are going to eradicate abortion. Overturning Roe v. Wade is a win—and it's a win we should work for, hard—but in my way of thinking, it is not the win. The emancipation of the slaves and ensuing civil rights legislation was necessary. But none of it ended racism. I am not proposing an either/or. What I'm proposing is that evangelicals take the harder route, adopt the harder cause, that we pray for and aim for Spiritual change of hearts more than we aim for legal stay of hands.

I Am a Church Member

I am a church member.

I will seek to be a source of unity in the church. I know there are no perfect pastors, staff, or other church members. But neither am I. I will not be a source of gossip or dissension. One of the greatest contributions I can make is to do all I can in God's power to help keep the church in unity for the sake of the gospel.

I am a church member.

I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires. That is self-serving. I am in this church to serve others and to serve Christ. My Savior went to a cross for me. I can deal with any inconveniences and matters that are just not my preference or style.

I am a church member.

I will pray for my pastor every day. His work is never-ending. His days are filled with constant demands for his time; with the need to prepare sermons; with those who are rejoicing in births; with those who are traveling through the valley of the shadow of death; with critics; with the hurts and hopes of others; and with the need to be a husband and a father. My pastor cannot serve our church in his own power. I will pray for God's strength for him and his family every day.

I am a church member.

I like the metaphor of membership. It's not membership as in a civic organization or a country club. It's the kind of membership given to us in 1 Corinthians 12: "Now you are the body of Christ and individual members of it" (I Corinthians 12:27). Because I am a member of the body of Christ, I must be a functioning member, whether I am an "eye," an "ear," or a "hand." As a functioning member, I will give. I will serve. I will minister. I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others. I will remember that "if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).

I am a church member.

I will lead my family to be good members of this church as well. We will pray together for our church. We will worship together in our church. We will serve together in our church. And we will ask Christ to help us fall deeper in love with this church, because He gave His life for her.

I am a church member.

This membership is a gift. When I received the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, I became a part of the body of Christ. I soon thereafter identified with a local body and was baptized. And now I am humbled and honored to serve and to love others in our church. I pray that I will never take my membership for granted, but see it as a gift and an opportunity to serve others, and to be a part of something so much greater than any one person or member.

I am a church member.

And I thank God that I am.