Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 413

A Girl Named Maggie

My life is enriched, influenced, and enhanced by my family. Any positive quality I possess is because of the grace of God and the influence of my family. Anyone who has heard me speak or read my writings knows that they will hear something about my family. It is a passion I don't try to contain. But something strange and wonderful happened on June 25, 2010. It had never happened in my immediate family. I'm not even sure I fully comprehend its impact yet. On that day, a Rainer girl was born. Her name is Maggie Elizabeth Rainer. She is...

The Principle of the Leadership Lid

The principle of the leadership lid is simple, if not simplistic: An organization can move no higher than the leadership qualities of the leader. Like any so-called principle, the leadership lid certainly has exceptions. It is not an ironclad rule. But it does merit consideration.This principle does suggest, for example, if the leader has character deficiencies, the organization will suffer. Or if he or she has a work ethic problem, the organization does not reach its potential. It is also possible, even likely in many situations, that the leader does not and cannot possess key leadership skills. Again, the organization...

A Letter to My Southern Baptist Family

This article was timed to release shortly after the closing gavel fell at the 2010 Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida. I am writing it, though, four days before the convention begins. As I write this blog, I thus have no idea how the annual gathering went. I don't know who the new president is. I don't know the results of the vote on the recommendations of the Great Commission Task Force.A Letter for the FamilyFrom your emails and tweets, I realize that many who read my blog are not Southern Baptists. I hope you bear with me as I...

Three Leaders, Three Functions

Healthy organizations inevitably have healthy leaders. That statement is so self-evident that it is hardly worth articulating. Where we often do not give adequate attention to leadership, however, is making certain that leaders are in positions that best fit them functionally.My functional classification is likely an oversimplification. Still, it has helped me understand different types of leaders and how they might best serve and lead in an organization.Visionary LeadersThe visionary leader has the high level view. Some leadership experts define this type of leader as the person who can see a preferred future. I don't disagree with this understanding as...

Power in the Pulpit

In my last post I spoke to church members about things they should and should not do or say to their pastors. Today, I would like to speak to the pastors about what people in the congregation need from the person behind the pulpit. After all, ninety percent of formerly unchurched individuals cited the pastor and his preaching as the key factor in their entering the ranks of the churched. So, what was it about the pastor that kept them coming back for more? Truth and Application What may surprise some is that folks are not looking for a "feel...

Straight Talk to Church Members about Their Pastors

I know. Pastors aren't perfect. But they do have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Regardless of the church polity, they do have to answer to every church member. Please allow me to speak to you who are church members. I know most of you love your pastor. I know most of you respect your pastor. But you may not know how you can best help your pastor.I have served as a pastor of four churches, and I have consulted with hundreds of pastors. In many ways, I think I understand the heart of a pastor. So would...