Rainer on Leadership

Churches are still growing despite the struggles of many congregations in a post-COVID era. Thom and Sam look at seven key ways churches have broken the most common attendance barriers in the past several months.

Stress, burnout, and being overcommitted and overworked have become a part of everyday life for many people. But, what can you do about it? On today’s episode, Thom and Sam talk with Carey Nieuwhof about how to reclaim margin in your busy life.

Racial tensions still exist in the United States, and there are certain demographic realities that must be addressed. The country is becoming more diverse and will continue to do so at an increasing rate. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss how demographic changes will impact all-white churches in America. What can we expect the happen to them in the next ten years?

If you think serving a church as a pastor is more difficult today than in recent years, you are not imagining things. Thom and Sam look at five of the reasons this change took place.

The Christmas season is a time when guests are more likely to visit your church. Christmas Eve services, in particular, are popular with people from the community. Now is the time to start making plans. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss what will be different and what you can expect for Christmas this year.  1. Christmas Eve services will be as popular as ever. Guests will be there! 2. Christm...

The Christmas season is a time when guests are more likely to visit your church. Christmas Eve services, in particular, are popular with people from the community. Now is the time to start making plans. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss what will be different and what you can expect for Christmas this year. Resources: ➡️ Church Growth Services - https://churchgrowthservices.com/ ➡️ "12 Things...

Working in ministry can be demanding and stressful, but sometimes we forget to have fun in our callings. Perhaps you need a lighter season. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss some ways to restart the fun in your vocation.  1. Skip a few standing meetings and spend more time with your family. 2. Call an old friend and go on a weekend road trip together. 3. Practice using more humor in your sermo...

Working in ministry can be demanding and stressful, but sometimes we forget to have fun in our callings. Perhaps you need a lighter season. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss some ways to restart the fun in your vocation. Resources: ➡️ The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten by Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher - https://www.amazon.com/Levity-Effect-Why-Pays-Lighten/dp/0470195886/ref =sr_1...

Knowing and enjoying God should be integral to the Christian life. However, many of us struggle to grow in the means of grace and develop a deeper relationship with God. On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership Thom and Sam talk with Tim Challies about the daily spiritual disciplines that help Christians know and enjoy God more fully. Tim Challies is a Christian, a husband to Aileen, and a fathe...

Knowing and enjoying God should be integral to the Christian life. However, many of us struggle to grow in the means of grace and develop a deeper relationship with God. On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership Thom and Sam talk with Tim Challies about the daily spiritual disciplines that help Christians know and enjoy God more fully. Resources: ➡️ Brown Development Group - https://bit.ly/38Ib7a...

Thom and Sam look at the challenging issue of plagiarism in sermons. They suggest five things you can do to avoid this mistake. 1. Cite verbally and/or in writing every source that you used to write a sermon. 2. Be careful with sermon resource sites. If you copy their material you need to say so. 3. Remember it's more than specific words that can be plagiarized. Key thoughts and outlines are also...

Thom and Sam look at the challenging issue of plagiarism in sermons. They suggest five things you can do to avoid this mistake. Resources: ➡️ Church Answers YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHsoTq3WBALUyHWzPh8vGIA ➡️ Grammarly - https://app.grammarly.com/ ➡️ Know Your Community - https://churchanswers.com/solutions/tools/kyc/know-your-community/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=refe...

It’s time for the neighborhood church to make a comeback. The stigma of small churches is fading. Incredible potential is right around the corner. Imagine what could happen if neighborhood churches got healthy on a large scale. The neighborhood church movement is primed for a launch. If this comeback occurred, what might it look like? 1. The stigma becomes the advantage. 2. Church fostering become...

It’s time for the neighborhood church to make a comeback. The stigma of small churches is fading. Incredible potential is right around the corner. Imagine what could happen if neighborhood churches got healthy on a large scale. The neighborhood church movement is primed for a launch. If this comeback occurred, what might it look like? RESOURCES ➡️ Church Answers YouTube Channel - https://www.youtu...

Church leaders should love their community as much as their churches. Love for a congregation mismatched with disdain for a community will cause you to retreat in an unhealthy church bubble. What are some ways church leaders can learn to love their communities more? Don't travel away from the community at every opportunity you get. Celebrate with the community at public events.  Live in the heart...

If a church member was at the main intersection in town with a bullhorn yelling at people, then you would want to know about it. Social media is the bullhorn, and there is a lot of noise out there. While you need to be aware of what church members say online, balance is key. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss how pastors and church leaders can shepherd the congregation on social media.  Social...

Pastoral succession is an important process many churches overlook. On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership Thom and Sam talk with William Vanderbloemen about why it is important for the future health of your church now more than ever.

The concept of generosity is an important part of the Christian faith. However, many pastors and church leaders struggle to develop a culture of joyful giving in their congregations. On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership Thom and Sam talk with Michael Stadelmayer from Church Growth Services about how to develop a culture of generosity in your church. Why is the concept of generosity so import...

The concept of generosity is an important part of the Christian faith. However, many pastors and church leaders struggle to develop a culture of joyful giving in their congregations. On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership Thom and Sam talk with Michael Stadelmayer from Church Growth Services about how to develop a culture of generosity in your church.

Experienced pastors are not immune from mistakes. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss some common blindspots for mid-career pastors. These mistakes are not career killers, but they can set back a ministry. While all pastors can fall into these traps, those who are mid-career are particularly susceptible.

Experienced pastors are not immune from mistakes. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss some common blindspots for mid-career pastors. These mistakes are not career killers, but they can set back a ministry. While all pastors can fall into these traps, those who are mid-career are particularly susceptible.  1. Going to a bigger or better church will reduce stress levels. 2. Flattening the learning...

Imagine a church on life support one year that has moved to thriving within a few years. Though you've heard of church turnarounds, you've rarely heard a story this dramatic. Sam and Thom interview Jonathan Smith with Texas Baptists to hear about this God-sized story. Tell us the background of this church up to the point of its near-death experience. How long did it take to get to the point in the...