Rainer on Leadership

Are you looking to be more positive in the new year? Today we look at how destructive negativity can be for you and your team. On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership, Thom and Sam discuss the 100 factor of negativity. * Every negative word has the power of one hundred positive words. * Negativity has many variants: Cynicism, speculation, misinformation, and selectivity. * Assume the best. Opti...

We are about to welcome in a new year! In today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership, Thom and Sam discuss five things you should do as you lead your church to a new year.  Emphasize again the church's vision and/or purpose. Review your outwardly focused plans for the new year. Check in with key leaders and/or influencers in the church. Become a continuous learner. Lead from a posture of hope. Resour...

You will likely have more guests on Christmas Eve than any other service throughout the year. Here are several reasons why people love traditional Christmas Eve services. * You will likely have more guests on Christmas Eve than any other service throughout the year * Nostalgia is a powerful emotion around the holidays * The community expects a more traditional experience at Christmas * Candlelight...

We have an incredible interview with Kristyn Getty to talk with her about the new album from Keith and Kristyn Getty, Evensong, which reached number 1 on Billboard in the Kid’s Album category.  * New album released in early October: Evensong: Hymns and Lullabies at the Close of Day.   * Born out of the thoughts, songs, and prayers the Gettys use to close each day with their own family, this projec...

Are you contemplating leaving pastoral leadership for other areas of Christian ministry? Sam has an intimate conversation with Thom regarding the reasons behind his conscious and prayerful decision to stop preaching. * Overcoming the concern that I was not being obedient to my call * I had not been a pastor for many years, only supply and interim preaching * My sense of call to be a church member...

Thom and Sam Rainer discuss practical ways to effectively minister to church members we can’t visit during this difficult time of quarantine and social distancing.  * Call them. * Make certain the church sends a digital prayer list every week. * Organize small groups to call them and write them. * Stay in touch with their family members. * Seek to start a new caring ministry. Resources mentioned i...

Pastor Steven Kyle from Hiland Park Baptist Church, has revitalized the church where he is serving with incredible growth.  After growing a declining church from approximately 600 to over 2000, and expanding with two other multi-site campuses and revitalizing both dying churches, disaster hit. Twice. First Hurricane Michael, then Covid-19. * How did you plan for disaster relief and recovery before...

On this episode of Rainer on Leadership, Thom and Sam are joined by Kevin Harris, President of Radical Mentoring. We take some time to discuss how your church could benefit from a strong mentoring ministry.  In 2002, Kevin Harris, underwent a dramatic change as husband, father, and Jesus-follower through his experience as a mentee in a Radical Mentoring group. He is now the President of Radical Me...

Members of the Church Answers community have filled our inboxes with questions dealing with unusual situations. Thom and Sam take an interesting look at five of these unusual situations for pastors. * Deciding to pay the salary of a dying minister on staff to his family after he dies * Being gifted a for-profit business * Running a movie theater * Being asked to do the funeral for a dog * Being se...

An expert in practical local church leadership, Carey Nieuwhof joins Thom and Sam to discuss his most recent book and a few surprises of the post-quarantine church.  Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He’s the author of several best-selling books, including his latest, Didn’t See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects But Ever...

It’s a tough word to say and requires wisdom to keep. We hear a lot about what we should and should not keep confidential. Today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership is packed full of great information for church leaders concerning the importance of confidentiality.  * Always report abuse, no exceptions * Be careful when someone makes you promise confidentiality before telling you something * One mis...

Today’s episode is fairly controversial as it deals with a very polarizing topic: Politics. How can the Church heal the negativity of the election season? Listen as Thom and Sam Rainer discuss five ways to tackle this very practical issue.  * Listen first. Talk little.  * Do not endorse individual candidates from the pulpit. * Guide your church in corporate prayer for our nation. * Speak directly...

Matt Steen and Todd Rhoades from Chemistry Staffing share their wealth of knowledge and help us understand five factors of a long-term, healthy fit when searching for your next team member.  Matt Steen is the co-founder of Chemistry Staffing. He has served the local church for over two decades as a youth pastor, church planter, and executive pastor. Originally from Baltimore, Matt currently lives...

Author Greg Atkinson joins Thom and Sam to discuss the importance of the guest experience in a post-COVID world.  Greg Atkinson is the Founder of Worship Impressions and the First Impressions Conference. Greg is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and member of the Forbes Coaching Council. Greg has worked with churches of all stages and sizes, including some of the largest and fastest-growing...

Tim Cool from Smart Church Solutions joins Sam and Thom on this episode of Rainer on Leadership to discuss Tim’s new book and how church leaders can be intentional stewards of church facilities.  We have talked about this concept several times, why write a book? Why is now such a critical time for churches to understand these concepts? Who should read this book? Will this provide all a church need...

Are you feeling numb to all that is happening around you, the decisions which need to be made, and the responsibilities in front of you? In this episode of Rainer on Leadership, we discuss overcoming the numb feeling and moving forward in a post-quarantine era.  All leaders can fall flat for a season, but detachment is not the answer.  Listen more to your confidants than your feelings. Find joy in...

We all know life will be different in the post-quarantine era. The church has fundamentally changed and many pastors are grappling with what the Church will look like in the coming years. Dr. Rainer and Sam Rainer discuss five reasons why the speed of change must accelerate in your church in the post-quarantine era.  COVID-19 accelerated negative change in your church by three to five years. Most...

Today marks the release of Dr. Thom Rainer’s new book, The Post Quarantine Church: Six Urgent Challenges and Opportunities That Will Determine the Future of Your Congregation. Dr. Rainer’s new book provides timely insight into our new reality and answers to questions church leaders have when looking to the future. * Why did you write The Post-Quarantine Church? * How did you make your conclusions?...

On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership Thom Rainer and Sam Rainer discuss how to deal with constant critics and angry church members. Try to discern the real issue. Deal with legitimate issues. Stop feeding temper tantrums. Confront them when necessary.  Pray for them. Resources mentioned in today's podcast: * Church Future Indicator * Filament Bibles * Church Answers   Episode Sponsor: After...

Adam Weber is the founder and lead pastor of Embrace, a multi-site church based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Author of Talking With God and Love Has A Name, he also hosts a podcast called The Conversation. Adam still cheers for the Cincinnati Bengals but no longer drives a Rambler. He’s married to his wife, Becky, and has four kids: Hudson, Wilson, Grayson, & Anderson. He also has seven chick...

Tim Songster, CEO of Cosco & Associates, joins Thom and Sam to discuss COVID-19 and your church building. Tim shares great insights for understanding how building usage and church space design is changing during the pandemic.  * How has COVID 19 changed the way your clients are using their buildings? * What immediate and maybe obvious things are churches you are working with adding to their facili...

The number of people who have dropped out during the pandemic is a highly relevant topic for church leaders. A lot of leaders are wondering where these people have gone and more importantly, how to re-engage with these church members.  * Guilt does not work. * Relationships are still vital. * Create a new group. * Ask them to participate in a ministry. * Get their opinion. * Pray for them. Resourc...

On today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership, Ron Beers joins us to discuss the new ministry partnership with Tyndale House Publishers and Church Answers. Ron Beers has worked at Tyndale House Publishers since 1987, serving as editorial director for books and Bibles, as well as editor-in-chief; he currently serves as senior vice president and group publisher. He has written or co-written more than 3...

Stress free leadership does not exist. There are times when stress can become a problem. How do you know when stress is impacting you negatively? Today’s episode unpacks  four warning signs stress is beginning to impair your leadership.   * The questions of others are viewed as attacks * You take the mistakes of others as a personal letdown * Withdrawal is more about escape than spiritual retreat...

History is important. A key part of developing a strong vision for the future is having a good understanding of the past.  In today’s episode, Thom and Sam share five ways to honor your church’s past while not losing the future. * Have a genuine love for the history of your church  * Celebrate the parts of the past that support the vision * Tell the story of past change efforts with a positive per...