Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 93
March 8, 2020
One Place. One Day. Thousands of Ideas.
In less than 50 days hundreds of church revitalizers will descend on Bradenton, Florida. The church revitalizers joining us are leaders, pastors, pastors wives, and network leaders who are looking for the next idea, the next step, and the next solution that will help grow healthy churches.
Our breakout topics are almost finalized and we are excited to release to you a sneak peak. We have partnered with Idea Network to enlist over 30 leaders that will discuss some 40+ topics.
You can download the list of breakout topics by clicking HERE.
Some topics include:
Revitalizing a Rural or Small Town Church
How the History of the Church Affects the Revitalization of the Church
Women, Ministry, & The Church
Leadership Challenges in a Revitalization
How Counseling Can Revitalize
None of this would be possible without our gracious sponsors.
Revitalize 2020 Presented by:
Church of the Year Sponsors:
Pray for First Baptist Mt. Juliet
Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Pastor: Dr. Phillip Dunn
Weekly Worship: Sundays at 8:15 and 10:00 am, Central
Fast Facts: Several large tornados touched down in the Nashville, Tennessee area just after midnight on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 causing a large path of destruction and devastation. One of the tornadoes was on the ground for over 60 miles, destroying churches, schools, houses, and businesses. First Baptist Mt. Juliet was in the path of this powerful storm, and they sustained serious damage to their sanctuary and educational building.
Even in the midst of the devastation to their building, First Baptist is serving those in need in their community. They are using space on their campus as a ministry hub to distribute water, supplies, and assist others with disaster relief. Please pray for Dr. Dunn as he leads the church through the cleanup and recovery process. Pray for the members as they minister to each other and those in the community. Also pray for the church this morning as they meet for services at a local high school.
First Baptist is also home to Mt. Juliet Christian Academy. Please pray for the students and families who have been impacted by the damage to their school facilities. Also pray for the faculty and staff as they make plans for the remainder of the school year.
You can follow First Baptist’s progress and read specific prayer requests here: https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistMJ/
Website: FBCMJ.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, fill out this information form.
March 6, 2020
Why Do Different Worship Services Seem to Have Different Levels of Energy?
Podcast Episode #621
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Churches with different types of worship services have probably felt the difference. Music, attendance, and personalities are big factors in creating energy within a worship service. In today’s episode, Thom and Sam evaluate several reasons why services may differ in levels of energy.
Highlights:
Yes, music is a factor.
Total attendance is a factor.
Seating can dramatically affect energy.
Time of day is sometimes a factor.
Probably the personalities of the people can be a major factor.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:
Know Your Community
Church Future Indicator
Church Revitalization Certification
Anatomy of a Revived Church by Thom S. Rainer
Church Answers Platinum
Episode Sponsors
Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.
For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.
The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.
Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.
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 Scrappy Church.
March 5, 2020
Five of the Most Common Questions We Get about Church Revitalization and Replanting
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Within the course of a month, we get a lot of questions about church revitalization and replanting. There are a few which we hear more often than others. You may not agree with all of the answers provided, but the following are the top five most common questions and our thoughts.
Five Common Questions:
What is the difference between revitalization and replanting?
How do you find a partner church willing to replant my church?
How do we find a church that our church can replant?
How do you get approved to be a church replanter?
Where can I get money for revitalization?
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:
NAMB – Church Replanting
The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin
The Disruption Mindset: Why Some Organizations Transform While Others Fail Hardcover by Charlene Li
Revitalize 2020
Anatomy of a Revived Church by Thom S. Rainer
Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.com.
Submit Your Question:
Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.
March 4, 2020
Five Good Reasons to Accept Transfer Growth
By Sam Rainer
“A family from your church wants to join our church.”
The pastor who called me was genuine in his request. We don’t have many people transferring into our church from other churches. And we don’t have many people transferring out either. In this instance, the reasons were noble for leaving our church and going to another church. I’m glad we had a conversation about it.
Transfer growth occurs when a church member moves his or her membership to another church.
It’s also the case that a few churches seek transfer growth as a strategy—never explicitly stated, of course, but completely obvious. Typically, this unstated strategy is expressed in a benign but pretentious phrase like, We’re the best. Why would you go anywhere else? In today’s consumeristic society, I’m not surprised some churches would use this tactic. However, my missiology leads me to believe that “meet them where they are” refers to unbelievers, not other church members.
There are plenty of bad reasons to transfer to another church. Reasons like “They’re the best.” Or “They have the program I like.” Or “They play music I like.” Or “They have coffee every Sunday morning.” Far too many churches have low standards of membership, and transfer growth tends to bloom like algae in these environments. I don’t want to sound too harsh, but it feels slimy when people jump into churches for those reasons.
But not all transfer growth is bad. Not every person is a church hopper, looking for the next best thing. In fact, there are good reasons to transfer to another church, even one right down the road. I’ll give five good reasons you should accept transfer growth.
Geography. In today’s transient culture, transfer growth is an inevitable reality. Most churches will experience some transfer growth. When you move to another city, you should transfer membership to another church. Additionally, churches should reach out to believers who are new to the area.
Theology. When a church makes wholesale changes to doctrine, then it’s time to consider a move to another church. If you believe something completely different than what your church believes, it’s better for you to find a church closer to your beliefs. When people come to your church because of doctrine, then you should consider receiving them.
Family. It’s best for families to worship and make disciples together. When two families blend together, they should attend the same church. When parents move back in with children in their last season of life, decisions must be made about what church to join. Family reasons are good reasons to transfer.
Abandonment. This reason is tragic, but cases of abandonment occur. I know of occurrences where one group in a church pushed out another group unjustly. The abandoned group must find another church. You’re not wrong to receive this group at your church.
Life stage. This reason is broad, but a life stage change could be a legitimate reason to transfer churches. Sometimes you get to an age where you can’t drive as far and you must find another church closer to your residence. You might adopt a special needs child that could require a completely different schedule and necessitate a transfer.
Several good reasons exist to move your membership to another church. Not all transfer growth is bad.
March 3, 2020
How Long Should Church Staff Members Stay after They Announce Their Resignations?
Podcast Episode #620
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There are many reasons a staff member may announce their resignation. There are an equal amount of questions as to how long the staff member should stay after they announce their resignation. Thom and Sam discuss this important question and share their thoughts about how to approach this situation.
Highlights:
It depends.
Retirements are usually different than resignations.
The reason for the departure is a big factor.
Resources for the interim period are factors as well.
Moral failure calls for immediate departure.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:
Next: Pastoral Succession that Works by William Vanderbloemen
Church Future Indicator
How to Move Forward with Revitalizing a Church Webinar
Anatomy of a Revived Church by Thom S. Rainer
Episode Sponsors
Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.
For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.
The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.
Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.
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 Scrappy Church.
March 2, 2020
Coronavirus and Your Church
By Thom S. Rainer
At the time of this article, we really have no idea if coronavirus will become a pandemic or if we have it under control. Though I tend to be optimistic about it, there are certainly perspectives on both sides of this issue.
You who are leaders in churches, though, need to begin thinking about how your church should respond right now rather than later. By the way, I am grateful to the community of Church Answers. Many in our community are having very helpful conversations about this issue even as I write this article.
Though my suggestions are not comprehensive, I do think they provide solid guidelines to follow at this very moment.
Focus on prayer instead of panic. Remind your congregation that God is in control. Encourage them to pray for the cessation of the disease. Ask them to pray for the victims and their families. Encourage them to pray for the gospel to go forth boldly in the midst of this trial.
Develop a communication plan. For example, if someone in your church or community is stricken with coronavirus, be prepared to respond. Will you have services or not? If you do not have services, how long will this period be? How can people remain connected to your church?
Be prepared to offer digital worship services and Bible studies. If your church does not offer the streaming of services on the church website, Facebook live, or some other means, now is the time to move in that direction. Make certain you can have digital services even if you can’t gather for a season.
Aggressively encourage people to use digital giving. If you can’t gather and pass the offering plate or bucket, you need to be prepared to offer mechanisms for your members to give. You should be making this move regardless of coronavirus. It certainly helps giving when attendance is lower.
Develop a plan to help church members and community members. If the situation does worsen, there will be people in your area in need of help and in need of basic supplies. How will your church respond?
Consider current church practices that might be harmful for spreading coronavirus or other diseases. Though my bias against it is obvious, now is the time to consider bringing the traditional “meet and greet” to an end. In some of your churches, you might consider other changes. I was in a church a few years ago that shared a common cup. No way.
I remain more hopeful than panicked about coronavirus. Still, there is no reason for churches to be unprepared. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.
March 1, 2020
Pray for Rio Church
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pastor: Bryne Palmer
Weekly Worship: Sundays at 10:00 AM, Mountain Standard Time
Fast Facts: Rio Church is the only evangelical church in Albuquerque’s 87104 zip code, which is home to 12,000 people. Rio is a three-year-old Southern Baptist church plant that meets in the cafeteria of a local elementary school down the street from Albuquerque’s historical Old Town Plaza, museums, art galleries, and other major cultural attractions.
Rio’s congregation is committed to serving the community in which God has placed them. Rio’s members work closely with school faculty to support the students of Reginald Chavez Elementary School (where the church meets), consistently prayer-walks the neighborhood, and initiates evangelism outreach in the area.
Pray for Rio’s upcoming Easter service. Please also pray for Rio’s pastor, Bryne Palmer, his wife Ari, and their daughter, Ellie. They are young church planters, and this is Bryne’s first pastorate. Pray for endurance, wisdom, and a continued love for the church. Pray that the congregation would continue to love this family well, and that together we can reach our neighborhood for Christ!
Website: https://www.RioChurch.net
“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, fill out this information form.
February 28, 2020
How Church Leaders Deal with Gossip in the Church
Podcast Episode #619
SUBSCRIBE:
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Gossip is an issue dealt with in scripture and a habit Christians are mandated not to take part in, but is unfortunately still a problem leaders deal with on a consistent basis. How do leaders deal with gossip in the church? Sam and Thom discuss common practices of church leaders who deal with gossip in the church and what we can learn from them.
Highlights:
Most leaders do nothing at all.
Some leaders have a designated person or persons to deal directly with the gossiper.
It is rare for the pastor to confront the gossiper directly.
Increasing numbers of churches are addressing it in a church covenant.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:
Church Future Indicator
How to Move Forward with Revitalizing a Church Webinar
I Will Sermon Series by Sam Rainer
Episode Sponsors
Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.
For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.
The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.
Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.
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 Scrappy Church.
February 27, 2020
Four Major Attitudes You Need When Your Church Adopts Another Church
SUBSCRIBE TODAY:
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There are many churches in need of adoption. For the adopting church there is much to think about and consider when looking at this new opportunity. Once the decision is made to adopt, how can the church best serve this new opportunity? In this week’s episode of Revitalize and Replant, Thom and Mark discuss four major attitudes which are necessary when adopting another church.
Four Major Attitudes You Need:
Compassion for those hurting
Hope in the possibilities
Determination for the effort
Patience for the merger of two churches
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:
Revitalize 2020
Revitalize and Replant Bonus Episode #2 – January, 22
Idea Network
Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.com.
Submit Your Question:
Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.
