Rainer on Leadership

One of the greatest challenges of parenting is navigating the crucial conversations that we must have with our kids. On today’s episode, Thom and Sam talk to Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins about having hard conversations with our kids that point them to Christ.  1. Why did you write this book? What inspired you to write it? 2. Talk about the tough conversations you’ve had with your own children. How...

Jonathan “The Voice” Howe returns for an episode. We find out what he's been doing.  What Jonathan is doing now. Some of our favorite memories of working and traveling with Jonathan. How Jonathan helped launch Rainer on Leadership. What has changed over the past ten years? Favorite restaurant meals over the years.   Resources: SBC This Week with Jonathan Howe and Amy Whitfield Know Your Community...

On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership we are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the hymn, IN CHRIST ALONE. Thom and Sam discuss the song’s success with writer Keith Getty and learn what’s next for Getty Music. Keith and Kristyn Getty occupy a unique space in the world of music today as preeminent modern hymn writers. In re-inventing the traditional hymn form, they have created a catalog of s...

The rural church is brimming with opportunities. Indeed, it may be one of the most fruitful mission fields in the world. Thom and Sam interview B. J. Rutledge about his leadership in a rural church that defied all expectations. You will not want to miss this episode. BJ Rutledge is the lead pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Paradise, Texas. The church is enjoying phenomenal success reaching tho...

Not every cultural issue deserves the attention of church leaders. Some issues, however, are unavoidable. Other issues desperately need the voice of the church. How can you discern when to speak and what to say? It seems just about anything can become a hot-button issue. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss some tips for handling controversial subjects. Now more than ever, people need clarity fro...

For most churches, the summer months can be a lull. Families vacation and people tend to be in and out of the church more. It's rare to have high attendance Sundays in the summer, but there are ways to make the most of the season. These five tips will help you navigate the summer months. 1. Research your church and community demographics. 2. Take key church leaders on field trips in the community....

Being a humble pastor is challenging. On today’s episode, Thom and Sam talk to Dr. Jim Shaddix about the importance of preaching with humility. Dr. Jim Shaddix Jim Shaddix serves as Professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, occupying the W. A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching. He also serves as a Senior Fellow for the Center for Preaching and Pas...

In this episode, Thom and Sam look at worship attendance from the perspective of a spiritual discipline. Is attendance really a spiritual discipline, and what are the implications if it is? Gathering with other believers is not usually viewed as a spiritual discipline. The most commonly mentioned spiritual disciplines are prayer, fasting, and Bible reading. From Acts 2:42 following, the church is...

Every single day, someone you know is thinking about committing suicide. Ten million Americans will consider killing themselves in the upcoming year. On today’s episode, Thom and Sam talk to Dr. Matthew Sleeth about how Christians—and our churches—can offer hope and be part of the solution. Dr. Matthew Sleeth Matthew Sleeth, MD, a former emergency room physician and chief of the hospital medical s...

Almost every pastor at some point will be confronted by a church bully. This person is usually a control freak, and turns on the pastor when the pastor does not do his bidding. Thom and Sam look at five traits of pastors who have overcome these bullies. 1. They understand the principle of "allied patience." 2. They are willing to play the long game. 3. They have prayer coverage. 4. They are willin...

Churches are not reaching people for Christ because they are not trying to. On today's episode, Thom and Sam discuss what church leaders are doing to recover evangelism. The death of evangelism due to liberalism The death of evangelism due to factionalism The death of evangelism due to lack of intentionalism The action of focused intentionality The principle of "one thing" The power of the pulpit...

Many churches dropped membership classes during the pandemic. Now is the time to restart them. In fact, church membership classes are more important than ever. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss several reasons why churches must keep providing these classes post-COVID. These classes help minimize church conflict with front-end teaching. Volunteerism is down. Increase the quality of volunteers w...