Rainer on Leadership

The COVID-19 crisis has led churches to adopt a completely virtual format. These new platforms require pastors and leaders to evaluate and transform their normal styles of communicating with their audience. Thom and Sam give tips and best practices for speaking and preaching during this new era of gathering on today’s episode which was recorded from a Facebook Live event held last week. Highlights...

You are thinking about making a ministry transition. Maybe you will be visiting the church soon or perhaps the church has already called you to this new opportunity. Hopefully, you have already begun to think about your family. Thom and Sam discuss best practices and things to consider when preparing your family for a ministry transition. Highlights: * Your spouse has the trump card * Shield your...

When thinking about writing and publishing a book there are a lot of questions. What’s the reason for writing, what should the process look like, and what are my publishing options are just a few of the questions Thom, Sam, and Jess Rainer answer on today’s Rainer on Leadership episode.g others. Highlights: * Why should you publish a book? * What are the different options to publishing a book? * W...

In today’s episode we talk with Josh Teis, pastor of Southern Hills located in Las Vegas Josh Teis. Along with an incredible church, Josh has also initiated an incredible movement called Idea Network. Idea Network and Josh are very much defined by the joy they exude. Thom and Sam talk with Josh about why joy is so effective and underestimated when leading others. Highlights: * How do you maintain...

It is a common question asked by church leaders, especially pastors. What are some of the ways in which I can communicate interpersonally within the church to individuals or small groups who need to hear specific messages? Thom and Sam will be discussing which methods of personal communication work best in the church. Highlights: * Personal communication is with individuals or small groups.  * In-...

Churches with different types of worship services have probably felt the difference. Music, attendance, and personalities are big factors in creating energy within a worship service. In today’s episode, Thom and Sam evaluate several reasons why services may differ in levels of energy. Highlights: * Yes, music is a factor. * Total attendance is a factor. * Seating can dramatically affect energy. *...

There are many reasons a staff member may announce their resignation. There are an equal amount of questions as to how long the staff member should stay after they announce their resignation. Thom and Sam discuss this important question and share their thoughts about how to approach this situation. Highlights: * It depends. * Retirements are usually different than resignations. * The reason for th...

Gossip is an issue dealt with in scripture and a habit Christians are mandated not to take part in, but is unfortunately still a problem leaders deal with on a consistent basis. How do leaders deal with gossip in the church? Sam and Thom discuss common practices of church leaders who deal with gossip in the church and what we can learn from them. Highlights: * Most leaders do nothing at all. * Som...

You may feel like an expert on the topic of preaching, but we often don’t evaluate the changes taking place in the world of preaching. We will focus on four major changes to preaching within the past decade and the reason behind these changes. Highlights: * More churches have multiple preachers/teachers. * More churches expect preachers to preach in different venues or sites. * Fewer churches expe...

Vance Pitman is one of our favorite leaders. We are excited to share our recent interview with Vance as he shares his journey and the story behind his powerful new book, “Unburdened: Stop Living for Jesus So Jesus Can Live through You.” Bio: Vance Pitman is the pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, a church he planted in 2001. He speaks across America and around the world to inspire people t...

To say we are excited about this new report is an understatement. Church Answers now offers an incredible demographic and psychographic report known as Know Your Community. A basic name for this incredible resource which will help you reach and love your community. Listen in as Thom and Sam discuss the report, how it was created, and why it is an important resource for your church and its future g...

The issue at hand is sensitive, but we want to provide clarity on best practices. How do you respond to key leaders who don’t attend church faithfully? Listen in as Thom and Sam provide five options for how to address this area of concern. Highlights: * Option 1: Do nothing (and watch things get worse). * Option 2: Discover the reason behind the infrequent attendance. * Option 3: Address the issue...

Where do you find meaning in life? Family, career, your faith? Thom and Sam dive into current data from Pew Research to discover where many Americans find meaning in life and how it practically applies to your church.   Highlights: * Family (40% in closed-ended questions, 69% in open-ended questions). Some churches compete with culture; other churches complement culture. * Religious faith (20% and...

We think this episode is unique because of its specificity. Over the course of today’s episode of Rainer on Leadership, Thom and Sam debate the pros and cons of keeping pastoral candidates' identities confidential until being formally presented.  Highlights: * No. The congregation can't make an informed decision if they are told at the last minute. * Yes. The current church of the pastoral candida...

Chuck Lawless from the Church Answers team joins us to talk about an exciting new tool created by Southeastern Seminary. The Church Future Indicator is a free tool everyone will want to get ahold of. The tool is helpful and gives great insight into where your church is headed. Highlights: * A tool meant to be a motivator, not a discourager * The need for churches to face reality * The need for chu...

Thom and Sam continue their conversation from episode #610 examining major trends churches can anticipate and prepare for in the coming year. While some of these trends will seem familiar, others will be new with the hope all will be informative and helpful for church growth. Highlights: * Evangelism will return to its rightful place of importance and priority.  * Fewer pastors and church staff me...

We are one month into 2020 and there is much we can learn about anticipated trends and how churches can begin to connect the dots and prepare for the future. While some trends you will expect, others will be new and our hope is that these four trends will be informative. Highlights: * Worship sizes will grow significantly smaller. * There will be a significant increase in the number of worship ser...

Using research gleaned from the successes of turnaround churches, Thom and Sam reveal the five most significant single changes made by a turnaround church. Highlights: Concerted and intentional corporate prayer A pastor-led outward focus Necessary subtractions  A movement of focus A pastoral commitment to stay  Other highlights: Prayer is a key element in helping move your church from a negative t...

If you can afford Netflix you can afford an online community where pastors can come together regularly at Church Answers Central. Today’s post comes from the blessing of pastors who have decided to focus on each other and four lessons they have learned from each other. Highlights: * “I am not alone.” * “I am not crazy.” * “There are resources available.” * “There is hope.” Resources mentioned in t...

Our hope and prayer is for you to never need this podcast but our goal is to help leaders and prepare them for a variety of difficult situations. Today’s episode is sobering but helpful in giving guidance when faced with an extreme tragedy for families. Highlights: It is nothing less than the loss of a child. Assurance and comfort are key for the parents and other loved ones. The service should be...

While the thought of church bylaws may not interest you at first, what you don’t know about the complicated nature of church governing may very well lead to trouble. In today’s episode, Thom and Sam unpack why church bylaws exist and four signs of bad church bylaws. Highlights: * When the bylaws are too complex and wieldy * When the bylaws are largely reactionary * When the bylaws are more "stop s...

Has a long-term pastor in your church retired? Is your church in crisis or conflict? Has the community surrounding you changed significantly? Sometimes churches are in need of a transitional pastor. Thom and Sam discuss what this specific role looks like, how it is different from a traditional interim pastor, and four occasions when your church may need a transitional pastor. Highlights: * When a...

But wait! There’s more. Part two of Thom and Sam’s discussion on success stories from churches on the verge of dying but recovered and are now thriving. Highlights: First 3 lessons covered episode #603 * You have to make hard decisions now. * It is still about the Great Commission. * Membership still matters. * Reality is tough to face. Other highlights: Hard decisions should be made around the Gr...

We talk about some really great news today. Thom and Sam discuss lessons learned from churches on the cusp of death who recovered and are now thriving. Highlights: * There is always hope for churches. * A community desires a healthy church. * Prayer is foundational and essential. Other highlights: Even when you don’t think it can happen, God can work. * If God can save any person, God can save any...

For Thom, it’s a present reality, for Sam it’s a prayer for the future. Listen as Thom and Sam discuss the attitudes each pray to avoid as senior adults in the church. Highlights: * Have an entitled attitude because of my giving to the church * Say "I've done my time" * Focus more on recreation than serving * Complain * Be more concerned about my preferences than the needs of others * Lose my zeal...