Sam Rainer's Blog, page 16

Three Disciplines Often Missing from Preaching Today

Perhaps the title of this post should be “Three disciplines often missing from my preaching.” I can certainly grow in these areas. However, I don’t believe I’m alone. Through my interactions with other pastors, I have found many of us missing three disciplines in preaching. What are they?

1. Preaching with patience. I must credit my friend, Kevin Smith, with this one. He’s given me this advice. Pastors teach their congregations the benefits of patience and expect patience from their people. Howe...

The Church Should Do More to Address Issues of Mental Illness

The church does not speak enough about mental illness. It’s a significant issue that remains largely silent in most churches. The church can do more. The church should do more. Research reveals that 65% of family members in a household of someone with acute mental illness believe the church should talk more openly about the subject so the topic will not be taboo. Yet two-thirds of pastors rarely or never highlight mental illness in their sermons or large-group gatherings.

The National Alliance o...

Five Reasons Lead Pastors Should Be Involved with VBS

Few church programs are as ubiquitous as Vacation Bible School (VBS). Churches across all denominations prepare for the summer influx of kids. It’s fun. You get to dance in the sanctuary! It’s also fruitful. Kids are saturated with the gospel for a week. “I was saved at VBS” is a typical testimony I hear among adults.

If you’re a lead pastor, it’s tempting to take off that week because you’re not really needed to lead VBS. Many churches have longstanding volunteers and leaders who run with VBS e...

The Growth of the Hispanic Population in the U.S. and What It Means for Your Church

Most people do not notice demographic changes because they happen slowly over many years. Then these changes reach an inflection point and everyone notices.

In the United States, the 2020 census revealed an inflection point. The white population declined nationally for the first time since 1790. All the nation’s growth is attributable to people of color. Almost every county in the United States grew in racial diversity. Additionally, the youngest generation is now minority white. This change is ...

The Ten Commandments of a Pastor’s Vacation

I realize vacations are a luxury. Plenty of bi-vocational pastors do not get vacations. Some full-time pastors get so much grief from their churches over vacation, they simply skip them. Time away is essential. Every pastor needs it, and every church should give it. If your church is gracious enough to provide vacation time, you should use the time to recharge.

For fun, I’ve put together a list of “shalts” and “shalt nots” for the pastor’s vacation.

1. Thou shalt take a vacation every year. It’s...

What Does a Humble Pastor Really Look Like?

Pride is a danger for anyone in authority. Pastors are as vulnerable as anyone.

Consistent pride disqualifies a pastor from ministry. The first chapter of Titus explains how a pattern of arrogance severely limits a shepherd’s ability to manage God’s house and lead God’s people. Any position of power comes with the trap of hubris, but the toxic effects of pride are especially hazardous in the church.

No church leader starts ministry with the goal of building pride. Yet, ironically, even the most ...

Don’t Succumb to the Great Resignation. Make Ministry Meaningful Again.

Not everyone has lost their sense of meaning in ministry. But the Great Resignation is teaching us many people would rather do something else that brings more fulfillment.

What is the Great Resignation? In the United States, people are quitting their jobs at incredibly high rates. As I write, over four million people a month are resigning. These unusually high rates apply to people in ministry as well, but I don’t think most ministers are resigning from ministry. I will call this phenomenon the ...

If Your Church Attendance is Stagnant Right Now, It’s Not All Bad

There are times when a church attendance plateau is a victory. I believe many churches are in a season of stagnation, and it’s not all bad. But first, a few caveats. Stagnation is not the goal, but a plateau can point to a future growth climb. Also, churches can be in denial about declines. Leaders should never ignore problems.

The first step on the plateau is to recognize where you are. Unfortunately, churches and leaders can tend to lack self-awareness. Don’t call declines a plateau. The defin...

Renewed Hope: How to Kickstart the Process of Church Revitalization

Hope is a term often used in a context of doubt.

When we say, “I hope my team wins,” there is a hint of disbelief. When we say, “I hope my church grows,” you know it’s not guaranteed. When I peer into the freezer and say, “I hope there is ice cream,” the grim knowledge of my kids’ appetites adds an element of doubt.

Biblical hope, on the other hand, conveys confidence and security. When the Bible uses the word hope, there is no inclination to doubt.

As we venture into 2022, let’s invest in bibli...

Five Strategies for Being a More Approachable Pastor on Sunday Morning

Some pastors are naturally approachable. They have a certain charisma that draws people. Other pastors draw in people like an open-casket viewing. People approach but with nervous hesitation. Most of us are somewhere in between these two extremes.

Your approachability as a pastor is not limited to Sunday mornings, but it’s an essential time when people will develop perceptions about you. For example, I’ve heard one comment over and over from people who meet me for the first time after I preach: ...