Rainer on Leadership

Why must everything be so black and white? Like many of us, Derwin Gray is weary of the racial divide in our society. He longs to see hurts healed, wrongs corrected, and trust replace distrust. In today’s episode, Thom and Sam talk to Derwin about what the Bible has to say about how to heal our persistent racial divides.

Can you think of a church that once had a great reputation that is now hardly ever mentioned? Even worse, if it is mentioned, it is done so negatively. There are three big reasons great churches fail. Sam and Thom discuss all three in detail.

Part of shepherding your church is understanding the major cultural influences impacting people in your congregation. News media can have a big effect on the perspectives of your members. How can you be proactive to prevent as much polarization as possible? What news sources are good to track? Thom and Sam answer these questions on this episode.

Millions of people are quitting their jobs every month in what many are calling "The Great Resignation." Pastors are not immune from this trend. Thom and Sam discuss how pastors, staff, and church leaders are undergoing a "Great Reshuffling," a term they prefer since you don't really resign from serving the church. What does this trend mean for the future of the church?

Many pastors get the Monday blues. Sundays can be emotionally draining and physically exhausting. Making Monday a day full of meetings is not wise for most pastors. Thom and Sam discuss five ways you can be strategic about making Monday a day of recovery. Even if Monday is not a day off, there are some ways you can steward the time to be a better pastor.

Thom and Sam consistently advocate long pastoral tenure. Every church will have its critics and its problems. We usually urge pastors to stick it out. But there are times pastors need to count the cost and ask if it's really worth it to stay. Could it be that God is using the situation to nudge the pastor to move on? By the way, we are grateful to the listener who recommended we tackle this topic....

A crisis that can get overshadowed by COVID, but is plaguing our communities is the opioid epidemic. Opioids and other addictions are destroying individuals, families, and communities. What role does the church play in bringing help and hope amidst such a destructive force? How can churches step into this space and bring Christ’s healing and freedom to people who are enslaved by their addictions?...

Social media is an unavoidable method of communication. Ignoring social media completely is a mistake. You must shepherd people online as well as in person. Much of social media is benign, but some of it can become toxic. How should you handle harmful posts when you encounter them?

Few models exist on how to handle the moral failure of a staff person. Indeed, there is little consensus among pastors about what to do, even with something as explicit as adultery. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss four key questions to help you determine a path forward with a staff person after a moral failure.

Even when you're feeling your best, preaching is an exhausting endeavor. But sometimes you get sick. Pastors can also struggle with their emotions or mental health issues. Then there are the Sundays when you're just grumpy. On this episode, Thom and Sam talk about how to preach even when you don't feel like it. They share some practical tips to help you get through the message without faking it.

The subject of giving is one that can be tense in the church. Many pastors and church leaders struggle to equip their congregations to give sacrificially. What is sacrificial giving? How can your church encourage a culture of generosity? Thom and Sam discuss some practical ways to equip your church.

You will experience betrayal at some point. For those with a long tenure in ministry, you've likely gone through a difficult season because of betrayal. The sting of betrayal hurts. How can we manage the pain while at the same time leading others? On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss the types of betrayal and how you can respond.

In this special three-part series, Thom looks at how some churches are successfully getting people to return to in-person services. This special project looks deeply at data and information from research and case studies. In part 1, Thom explains why you have to understand the underpinnings of the challenge before you look at solutions.

In this special three-part series, Thom looks at how some churches are successfully getting people to return to in-person services. This special project looks deeply at data and information from research and case studies. In part 2, they note that hundreds of churches are defying these negative trends. These growth churches point us to solutions.

In this special three-part series, Thom looks at how some churches are successfully getting people to return to in-person services. This special project looks deeply at data and information from research and case studies. In part 3, they offer six concrete steps for moving forward to get people to return to in-person worship.

Thom and Sam take the listeners on an exciting three-part journey about major moves that should be made in any and every revitalization. They are part of a larger "checklist" revitalization leaders need to follow. In this third of three episodes, the Rainers examine the wrong kind of dreams many church leaders and members have.

Thom and Sam take the listeners on an exciting three-part journey about major moves that should be made in any and every revitalization. They are part of a larger "checklist" revitalization leaders need to follow. In this second of three episodes, the Rainers examine the most urgent issues in revitalization.

Thom and Sam take the listeners on an exciting three-part journey about major moves that should be made in any and every revitalization. They are part of a larger "checklist" revitalization leaders need to follow. In this first of three episodes, the Rainers examine why the church cannot merely pause but must hit a total reset button.

The Bible changes lives and getting it into the hands of those in need is mission-critical. On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership Thom and Sam talk with Jeff Hilliard about answering the call to send hope to troops.

For many Christians, the Christmas season is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundations of the Christian faith. On today’s episode, Thom and Sam talk to former Harvard physics instructor, Dr. Michael Guillen, about his journey from Atheism to Christianity and how he discovered that faith is the mightiest power in the universe.

We are alarmed at the number of pastors and church leaders who are struggling right now. If you feel like you are at a crossroads, you are not alone. Don't give up. You can get the help you need, and one of the best ways to find help is through a leadership coach.

On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership we are celebrating the release of Keith and Kristyn Getty’s new album, “Confessio - Irish American Roots”. Thom and Sam discuss the inspiration for the album, the Getty family’s recent year-long trip to Ireland, and what’s next for Getty Music.

We are in the midst of a great reshuffling of ministry positions. Many pastors are considering leaving their churches, and many churches are looking to fill open positions. Most churches still require a resume to be considered as a candidate. What should you include in your resume? On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss the essentials of a great ministry resume.

Every Christ-follower is meant to be connected to the church. You are not here by accident. God has a plan for you, and that plan includes being a faithful and active part of a local church. Church membership includes seven basics of belonging. Embrace the seven basics of belonging and serve God more through the church. You need your church, and your church needs you.

We are in the midst of a great reshuffling in churches. Pastors are considering leaving their churches in numbers we have not seen in recent memory. Aging Boomers and the pandemic are two reasons, but there is more happening. Thom and Sam discuss what you should consider before leaving your church.