Josh Bryant, the Church Law Guru, joins us to discuss how your church can prepare for and respond to a #MeToo accusation.

Four Steps for Dealing with a #MeToo Moment in Your Church – Rainer on Leadership #445

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https://youtu.be/Pz_ZE5cxkQc

Thom welcomes Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton, "Every Woman’s Bible" General Editor and CEO of Stonecroft, and Misty Arterburn, Associate Editor for the "Every Woman’s Bible." The Every Woman’s Bible by Tyndale House Publishers is a study Bible for the heart and mind. The relevant and timely features in this Bible focus on what hundreds of women say they desire from a Bible. Over one hundred scholars, writers, and contributors—all women—from around the world invite readers into serious study and deep reflection through this Bible and to connection in the global community.

 	

 	Why do you see women as central to God’s mission?




 	

 	Why do you see the Every Woman’s Bible as a Bible for such a time as this?




 	

 	Tell us about your vision to see women being transformed and transforming.




 	

 	What do you want church leaders to know as they consider this Bible for their ministries?




 	

 	Why create a woman’s study Bible for heart and mind?




 	

 	What was your approach in tackling the difficult questions this Bible addresses?



Resources:

 	* Upward Sports


 	“Every Woman’s Bible” (Discover This Bible)


 	* “Every Woman’s Bible” (Bulk Purchasing)


 	* Tyndale House Publishers


 	* “Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters” by Carmen Imes


 	The Everything Church Resource Directory


 	* The Hope Initiative


 	* Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Episode Sponsors:

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

**As a partner of Rainer or Leadership, Upward Sports is offering a $500 sports start up grant to listeners. Head over to Upward.org/ChurchAnswers and schedule a call… tell them we sent you! Your sports grant will assist you in a 2024 LEAGUE!

Discover your story in God’s story and find a life of extraordinary purpose.

Every woman brings her own questions to the Bible: If I’m God’s child, why does my life sometimes feel ordinary or even disappointing? Why does the Bible say such hard and confusing things about and to women? How can I understand God and my own identity and place in God’s story?

Every Woman’s Bible doesn’t shy away from the questions women ask.

Why Every Woman in Your Church Needs This Bible: An Interview with Naomi Cramer Overton and Misty Arterburn

As the median size of a church gets smaller, more are in the predicament of being supported by a handful of key donors. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam to discuss what these churches can do. Not every case is dire, but the long-term viability of a congregation is at stake when one or two key donors are responsible for most of the budget.

 	

 	The median church size is around 40 to 60 people, so many churches are supported by one or two key donors.




 	

 	Financial risk increases as the number of donors decreases.




 	

 	Assume the best of these key donors, even if they have a lot of influence.




 	

 	Some cases will only be resolved with numerical growth and strong stewardship training.




 	

 	Build a strong relationship with key donors while you build the church.




 	

 	Take care of as much deferred maintenance as possible.




 	

 	Fill the church budget with as many outwardly focused ministries as possible.




 	

 	Transparency is key; don’t be afraid to ask your church to step up.



Resources:

 	Church Growth Services


 	Get your FREE eBook, 5 Generosity Megatrends


 	* Episode #1: Making the Ask: How Pastors Should Approach Key Church Donors – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer


 	* Episode #2: The Upside and Downside of Designated Giving in Churches – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

Episode Sponsor:


 

A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #3 – What Should You Do When a Handful of Key Donors Support the Church – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

Most gifts to churches are given without designating how the funds should be spent. However, there are cases when donors restrict their donations or give to a designated account. While every donation helps kingdom work, designated gifts can be tricky. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam, and they discuss some of the nuances around restricted giving.

 	

 	Designated gifts are restricted to a particular project or budget line item.




 	

 	They are a blessing when people give above and beyond their undesignated tithe.




 	

 	Some churches strategically request designated gifts, like mission offerings and capital campaigns.




 	

 	Some members give only designated gifts because of pet projects or discontent with leadership.




 	

 	By law, designated gifts must be used for their intended purposes.




 	

 	Designated gifts to individuals are not tax-deductible contributions.




 	

 	When a church has too many designated funds, givers get confused. And confused givers typically donate less.




 	

 	Some churches use a “one fund” approach to giving.



Resources:

 	Church Growth Services


 	Get your FREE eBook, 5 Generosity Megatrends


 	* Episode #1: Making the Ask: How Pastors Should Approach Key Church Donors – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer


 	* Episode #3: What Should You Do When a Handful of Key Donors Support the Church – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

Episode Sponsor:


A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #2 – The Upside and Downside of Designated Giving in Churches – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

Talking to key givers in the church does not have to be awkward. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam to discuss how pastors can make the ask without feeling icky. They discuss some best practices that any pastor can follow.

 	

 	Understand the history and culture of your church.




 	

 	Do not violate any written policies or unwritten rules.




 	

 	If you are comfortable in the conversation, most others will be as well.




 	

 	Watch your non-verbal cues and be confident.




 	

 	Desperation only works once.




 	

 	Building relationships takes time, and you may not have the luxury of waiting.



Resources:

 	Church Growth Services


 	Get your FREE eBook, 5 Generosity Megatrends


 	* Episode #2: The Upside and Downside of Designated Giving in Churches – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer


 	* Episode #3: What Should You Do When a Handful of Key Donors Support the Church – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

Episode Sponsor:


A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #1 – Making the Ask: How Pastors Should Approach Key Church Donors – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

https://youtu.be/3NDB60O3KhM

There have been steady but subtle shifts in how churches hire staff and call ministers for years. Many of those shifts have accelerated since COVID. Sam and Thom look at four of the most significant shifts.

 	

 	The surprising number of pastors who were formerly laypersons in their churches.




 	

 	The acceleration of the part-time movement.




 	

 	The surprising number of unpaid lead pastors.




 	

 	The return of the circuit rider pastor?



Resources:

 	“Every Woman’s Bible” (Discover This Bible)


 	* “Every Woman’s Bible” (Bulk Purchasing)


 	* Tyndale House Publishers


 	* Upward Sports


 	Brown Church Development Group


 	The Everything Church Resource Directory


 	National Congregations Study


 	Church Answers University


 	* “The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church” by Sam Rainer


 	* The Hope Initiative


 	* Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Episode Sponsors:

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

**As a partner of Rainer or Leadership, Upward Sports is offering a $500 sports start up grant to listeners. Head over to Upward.org/ChurchAnswers and schedule a call… tell them we sent you! Your sports grant will assist you in a 2024 LEAGUE!

Discover your story in God’s story and find a life of extraordinary purpose.

Every woman brings her own questions to the Bible: If I’m God’s child, why does my life sometimes feel ordinary or even disappointing? Why does the Bible say such hard and confusing things about and to women? How can I understand God and my own identity and place in God’s story?

Every Woman’s Bible doesn’t shy away from the questions women ask. In these pages, active and impactful women of yesterday and today share age-old truths with modern relevance. Contributions from more than 100 women around the world—from every continent—explore the heartfelt needs, gritty challenges, and uncommon faithfulness of women of the Bible, throughout history, and today.

Four Major Shifts in Church Staffing

Rainer on Leadership

Four Steps for Dealing with a #MeToo Moment in Your Church – Rainer on Leadership #445

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