Rainer on Leadership

A recent Christianity Today article reported on data from the 2020 Religion Census. According to the report, every Protestant denomination has declined while those congregations claiming to be non-denominational gained millions of people. Thom and Sam discuss their thoughts on this report and what it may mean for the future of churches affiliated with Protestant denominations.

We hear more frequently from pastors whose spouses feel strongly that they want to leave the church. These pastors ask us the tough question, "What do I do?" Sam and Thom respond to the question in this podcast.

All churches have leadership challenges, regardless of size. Small churches are not easier to lead than large churches. Large churches are not easier to grow than small churches. But they are different. When pastors move from one size of church to another, they have to adapt.

Thom looks at new data from Lifeway Research that powerfully depicts the changing landscape of American congregations, particularly in terms of size. In part 2, he looks at the implications of this surprising new data.

Thom looks at new data from Lifeway Research that powerfully depicts the changing landscape of American congregations, particularly in terms of size. In part 1, he tries to grasp the meaning of these new categories.

Church Answers is blessed to have more women become a part of the community. Some of these women are directly involved in the women's ministry in the congregation. In an interview with Jacki King, director of women's discipleship, Thom explores the changing world of this ministry.

For a good part of the last half of the twentieth century, spiritual gifts were a topic of intense interest in churches. Now it seems as if that interest has faded. Thom and Sam examine why the emphasis faded and why it's important for churches to "rediscover" spiritual gifts.

The importance of the local church in the life of a Christian is powerfully clear and obvious in the New Testament. Today, however, many Christians minimize the role of local congregations. Sam asks Thom several questions about this issue in light of Thom's new book, “I Am a Christian.”

More churches are providing ministry and theological training for their staff and lay leaders. Thom and Sam look at the reasons for this major development. They also interview two pastors, Tyrone Barnette and Matt McCraw, who have built ministry training centers at their own churches.

Money issues can be the source of stress, marital problems, job problems, and anemic giving in your church. Thom and Sam interview Art Rainer to discuss the concept of a financial champion in your church, and how that person, usually a volunteer, can be transformative for the church and its members.

Part 4: You MUST Listen to This Podcast Before Moving into a Building Program Here is the complete guide for taking your church facilities from worn and patchwork to exciting and ministry aligned. In just four short podcasts, you will likely learn more about church facilities than you have in years. Todd Brown of Brown Church Development Group joins Sam and Thom to discuss this critical ministry n...

Part 3: Making Your Facilities Guest-Friendly and Ministry Aligned Here is the complete guide for taking your church facilities from worn and patchwork to exciting and ministry aligned. In just four short podcasts, you will likely learn more about church facilities than you have in years. Todd Brown of Brown Church Development Group joins Sam and Thom to discuss this critical ministry need. This p...

Part 2: Dealing with Patchwork and Worn-Out Facilities Here is the complete guide for taking your church facilities from worn and patchwork to exciting and ministry aligned. In just four short podcasts, you will likely learn more about church facilities than you have in years. Todd Brown of Brown Church Development Group joins Sam and Thom to discuss this critical ministry need. This podcast serie...

Part 1: Turning Your Facilities into Exciting Relational Space Here is the complete guide for taking your church facilities from worn and patchwork to exciting and ministry aligned. In just four short podcasts, you will likely learn more about church facilities than you have in years. Todd Brown of Brown Church Development Group joins Sam and Thom to discuss this critical ministry need. This podca...

Inflation will become a more serious challenge than most church leaders realize. In fact, inflationary pressures could very well be a once-in-a-generation challenge. Thom and Sam examine the "why" behind the new inflationary pressures, and the "what" our response should be.

Evangelism is dead in approximately 9 out of 10 churches in America. The Great Commission has become the Great Omission. In this episode, Thom and Sam look at six practical ways evangelism can return as a priority in your church.

Streaming is the ability to upload and receive video and audio over a computer device. Fifteen years ago, streaming was not widely available. Today, almost everyone streams. Thom and Sam discuss what this next phase of the digital revolution means for preaching in churches.

Thom and Sam look at the different perspectives of bringing family members on staff. As you would expect, it is not a clear-cut issue.

Can a church staff work entirely from home? Should the church maintain consistent office hours where staff are at their desks? Thom and Sam discuss the new rules for staff office hours. While there is more flexibility today, office hours are not necessarily a thing of the past.

So many changes took place in congregational life in 2022. Thom and Sam look at those changes and the implications for churches as we move into 2023.

Their stories are rare, but they are worth telling. Some churches that were expected to close did not. Many of these churches seem to have everything going against them. Thom and Sam explain what took place in these churches.

Many pastors are leading churches that need revitalization. But a number of those leaders are discouraged that the process is not working or that it's working minimally. Sam and Thom discuss some reasons why revitalization may not be working in your church and what you can do to change it.

Evangelism is dead or nearly dead in most churches. Thom and Sam discuss why this sad situation developed, and what your church can do to see evangelism renewed among the members.

Thom and Sam welcome on the show Matt Markins, president and CEO of AWANA. Matt is a global leader and researcher in child discipleship. On this special episode, Thom, Sam, and Matt discuss the current environment for children's ministry. Much has changed in the last two years, but many great opportunities exist for churches.

Thom and Sam welcome on the show Matt Markins, president and CEO of AWANA. Matt is a global leader and researcher in child discipleship. On this special episode, Thom, Sam, and Matt discuss what you are likely missing with family discipleship and how you can quickly shift to train up the next generation.