Rainer on Leadership

Ed Stetzer is a professor and dean at Wheaton College who also serves as Executive Director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches, trained pastors and church planters on six continents, has earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates, and has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He joins us today to talk about why people a...

Pastors and church staff have plenty of critics. The Church Answers team helps us understand how we can all choose to be an encouraging church member.  * The story of Stephanie Jackson * The heart of renewal in many churches * Pray for the disposition of encouragement daily * Create an intentionality * Pray for those you encouraged * Seek nothing in return Resources mentioned in today's podcast: *...

How can church leaders lead their remote teams with trust? Belay COO, Lisa Zeeveld joins Thom and Sam to discuss how to lead well remotely.  * How can church leaders lead their remote teams with trust – and why? * What’s one thing you’d recommend church leaders do to make remote employees feel valued and ‘seen?’ * How can remote church leaders learn to embrace conflict? * What’s one thing that a r...

What would happen if everyone showed up at church at the same time? The Rainer on Leadership team will tackle this question and help us understand the 64% factor. Description: * Understanding the meaning of the 64% factor * Breaking the cycle of lower expectations * Dealing with the oft-repeated statement, "The church is the people, not a building." * Being willing to make the changes to give ever...

Today’s special guest is Pastor Tyrone Barnette. Pastor Barnette shares with us how to listen and pray during a time of racial reconciliation. We are thankful for his ministry and wisdom during this important time of building unity.  Pastor Tyrone Barnette is the founder and senior pastor of Peace Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. The church was founded in 1993 in Pastor Barnette’s home, and has...

Churches are slowly beginning to reopen and are desiring to be responsible and safe. Listen in as we discuss the five most common ways churches are adding space for social distancing.  * They already have space, but they are providing new seating patterns. * They are adding overflow rooms. * They are adding Sunday morning services. * They are adding services other than Sunday morning. * They are a...

You may have heard it a time or two; the church is the people, not the building. But today, we are talking about the building and five ways your church facility is a tool for ministry.  * It is still the primary place for the gathered church. * You likely have a lot of unused space during the week. * One room can make a huge difference. * Many neighborhoods do not have a community center. * You ca...

At ChurchAnswers.com we have been walking with many church leaders who desire to open the window of opportunity presented as a result of the pandemic. Thom and Kevin Spratt discuss several reasons why church leaders have an incredible opportunity ahead of them.  Why Church Leaders Have an Incredible Window of Opportunity   * Change has been a constant during the pandemic. * Your church members hav...

Social media is a helpful tool for ministry but also a black hole for negativity. New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge joins us today to share strategies for being a positive influence in the negative world of social media. Highlights: John Eldredge is a bestselling author, a counselor, and a teacher. He is also president of Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover...

From making phone calls and writing letters to online giving and virtual discipleship, as we return to in-person services, there are many strategies your church should keep doing. Thom and Sam discuss many of these strategies and their benefits on today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership. Highlights: * Keep making phone calls and writing letters. * Keep building your church email list. * Keep movin...

Today we welcome Jordan Richmond, worship pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church. We discuss practical ways leaders can make worship services better right now. Jordan has been married to Heather for 14 years and they've led worship together for all of it. They have 4 children.  How to Make Worship Services BETTER Right Now Check-in with your people personally. Dig into technical areas where you n...

What does it mean to repurpose your church? What would it look like to repurpose during this time of change within the church. Guest Pastor Mike Glenn visits with Thom and Sam to discuss this new opportunity for your church.  * Let's begin with definitions. What does it mean to repurpose a church? * How has this issue become more obvious and important during the pandemic? * How would you distingui...

We are incredibly thankful for the mothers in all our lives and are excited to celebrate the mothers in our lives. This very special episode of Rainer on Leadership features the wisdom and grace of the Rainer wives. Resources mentioned in today's podcast: * Church Future Indicator Episode Sponsors The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equip...

Today’s leadership lesson handles the common topic of servant leadership but with a different perspective. These seven ways to be a better servant leader for your church will hit home for many listeners. * Take the initiative with hurting people. * Offer genuine apologies. * Do not speak ill of others publicly. * Seek out real accountability. * Give sacrificially to your church. * Be the first to...

Let’s talk finance and having a plan. Creating a financial plan for your church during this season raises many questions for pastors. Church leaders need to embrace this critical step as they lead during uncertain times. * Do best-case, expected-case, and worst-case scenario planning * Use any current-year cash surpluses first * Consider receiving funding from the CARES Act * Cut every unneeded bu...

In this edition of Rainer on Leadership, Thom and Sam interview Tim Cool, founder and chief solutions officer of Smart Church Solutions. Tim shares his checklist for reopening your facilities in the post-coronavirus world. * What do you see remaining the same when churches return to in-person services? * What are some of the major changes you expect? * Why should a church even worry about getting...

This season of isolation and social distancing has forced churches around the country to make hard decisions without an idea of what the other side holds. Listen in as Thom and Sam discuss the questions and best practices pastors are talking about right now on Church Answers and the five hard things churches must do right now. * Hit the reset button, not the pause button. * Keep as many employed a...

In a time when most churches are holding virtual services, Thom and Sam speak with Jess Rainer regarding best practices and benefits in moving to both digital and automated giving immediately. * What are the definitions of automated giving and digital giving? * Talk about how these methods of giving have been a blessing for your church. * Help us to understand why these methods of giving are impor...

The current crisis has disrupted the normal practices of almost every church in America. From streaming services to digital giving, church leaders are learning quickly about the digital world and the creative ways technology is reaching people with the gospel. * Digital giving is a lot more important than they realized. * Senior adults adapt well to digital services for a season. * Short-term clas...

There are those out there who need to focus on expenses and creating a budget. But there is another segment struggling to figure out how to create more income. Thom and Sam talk with Art Rainer about his new book, Find More Money, and why Christians are reluctant to talk about earning money? * Why are Christians reluctant to talk about earning money? * What do most Christian financial experts writ...

Our listeners are waiting to return to in-person gatherings. But on this Good Friday, the Church Answers team wants to provide hope and encouragement by providing some helpful tips to keep your spirits up during this very difficult time in history. It's understandable if you're struggling right now. * Be intentional about taking a break to do something you enjoy. * Start your day with prayer, not...

Vision is more than a mission and much more than core values. Clarity birthed from a strong vision is imperative to the success of any leader. Today’s special guest, Michael Hyatt, founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Co. and author of The Vision-Driver Leader, shares his personal story of discovering his need for a strong vision and desire to equip leaders of today and tomorrow in this critical are...

If you are a pastor you are going to have seasons of doubt during leadership. Disruption can cause added stress and make leaders question their decisions. So how do we answer this universal question? How do you lead when you doubt yourself? Highlights: * All leaders have seasons of doubt * Seek encouragement from friends and family * Challenge yourself with something new * Don't make decisions out...

Every article dealing with the Coronavirus is a rehash of what everyone knows; we are in turbulent times. For leaders it is crucial to lead well even when so much is unknown. Thom and Sam discuss some best practices and how to shepherd your people during times of uncertainty. Highlights: Fear is an overriding emotion, especially when a lot of unknowns exist.  Above all, pray to the Sovereign Creat...

What do you think when you hear the word disrupted? When you’re thinking of that word it can be negative, but the reality is that the greatest movements in the church have occurred due to disruption. In today’s episode, Thom and Sam discuss many of the positive aspects of disruption within the church. Highlights: * Disruption, properly understood, can be a good thing. * Many churches are declining...