Notable Voices and the Week in Review: May 19, 2018
Pastors Should Have Fun Hanging Out with Church Members — Sam Rainer
Pastors and church members should have fun together, hanging out and enjoying the presence of each other. Hanging out is uncomplicated. The main requirement is time. When personal agendas are tossed aside, the time becomes fun.
Why the Rural Church Matters — Facts & Trends
Within the rural church on any given Sunday, there may be two or three different generations present. Those who do not have grandparents near may often be “adopted” by older couples whose children have moved away. It is through this intergenerational worship that values and faith are passed down from one generation to another. As a result, rural parents are involved in the church community, and that involvement is matched by their children. There is a natural progression from generation to generation.
5 Essentials to Turn a Declining Church Around — Joel Rainey
Of course, numbers aren’t everything. But numbers are often an indicator, or symptom of things that may be going on underneath the surface. The problem is, no matter how well prepared you think you are, there is nothing that can truly ready you for what you don’t know. The past 27 months have been a roller coaster ride, and by God’s grace, we are indeed seeing much new life. In that time, I’ve also learned some valuable lessons—five things you absolutely need to lead a church through this with success.
What Church Discipline Taught Me About Our Church — Skylar Spradlin
Recently, our church engaged in its first practice of church discipline. After several meetings with the unrepentant members, we brought the matter to the entire church for consideration. We moved slowly and allowed for questions and prayer before the official decision was rendered. With tears, anguish, and faith, the church unanimously voted to enact church discipline. Here are a few things I learned about our church through this months-long process.
This Week at ThomRainer.com:
Six Common Problems with Church Bylaws
Hear me well. I not advocating the elimination, eradication, or minimization of church bylaws. But I am suggesting church bylaws are often used in ways that hurt churches. Indeed, some churches use bylaws well beyond their original intent…READ MORE
What to Do If You Need to Ask A Volunteer to Step Down
Make certain you have prayed sufficiently about it.
Make certain the decision is a necessity.
Involve others.
See if there are other ministry possibilities.
Be clear, truthful and compassionate.
Think through likely and unintended consequences.
Eight Examples of When a Pastor Leaves Too Soon
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode432.mp3
How Pastors Can Battle the Monday Blues
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Rainer on Leadership
http://media.blubrry.com/thomrainer/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/Episode433.mp3
Seven Biggest Surprises of Church Revitalizers and Church Replanters
by Thom Rainer and Jonathan Howe | Revitalize & Replant
http://media.blubrry.com/revitalizereplant/s3.amazonaws.com/TheExchange/RevitalizeReplant/RR-Episode041.mp3
