Rainer on Leadership

By Thom RainerBusiness Religion & Spirituality Christianity Education Courses Management

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Rainer on Leadership episodes

November 12How Much Vacation Time Does a Pastor Really Need?
Most pastors do not take enough vacation time. Josh and Sam talk about how much time away pastors really need. One-third of the pastors say they always take fewer vacation days than the church permits.
How much vacation does a pastor receive? In an informal poll a few years ago, we found nearly half of all pastors have two weeks or less of paid time off. Many pastors do not receive much vacation time, and then they don’t even utilize it!
None to 1 week (21%)
2 weeks (28%)
3 weeks (14%)
4 weeks (25%)
5 or more weeks (12%)
How much you need will likely vary from year to year, but don’t build a deficit! Every pastor should take at least two weeks of vacation each year. Five weeks is plenty for almost all pastors.
Churches should provide paid time away for bi-vocational pastors. They need it just as much as those who receive a full-time salary.
Missing two Sundays in a row (or more) can be problematic. Spreading out your vacation time is best for most pastors and their families.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a little more time away in cases where burnout is building.
Resources:
Church Answers Platinum Membership
Church Equip
The Hope Initiative
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Episode Sponsor:
Church Answers Platinum Membership
Church Answers Central digital community: our exclusive member board with 1,800+ church leaders like you.
Webinars: Access to all current and historical presentations.
Resources: Access to most Know Your suite tools, a $500+ value!
Access: You have access to your coach 24/7 via email and telephone.
Expert Advice: Each coach has a broad range of church experience to help you understand your best next step.
Monthly Group Meetings: Each month, you will be invited to an exclusive meeting of leaders and our Church Answers team.
The post How Much Vacation Time Does a Pastor Really Need? appeared first on Church Answers.
25 min
November 09You Preached the Sermon, But You May Not Legally Own It (Here’s Why)
Most pastors assume the sermons they pray over, study for, write, and preach belong to them. Legally, that assumption is often wrong. Because of a doctrine called “work made for hire,” the church—not the pastor—may hold the copyright by default. Sam and Thom explain how sermon ownership actually works, why silence in an employment agreement gets expensive, and how to fix it before conflict ever arises.
The law has a default setting, and it usually favors the employer. When an employee creates something within the scope of employment, the employer is considered the legal author and owner—and sermon preparation is often a core duty the church hired the pastor to perform.
Authorship and ownership are not the same thing. Pastors put the words on the page, but if those words were produced during office hours, with church equipment, supported by church compensation, or assisted by church staff, the case for church ownership only gets stronger.
“God owns it, not me!” Spiritually, yes, but not legally. If you want your sermons in the public domain, you must go through the Creative Commons Zero process, a legal tool that lets people give up all copyright and related rights in their work.
Most churches and pastors never put anything in writing. Ministry agreements cover salary, vacation, benefits, and housing but say nothing about who owns the sermons, Bible studies, curriculum, or podcasts. This silence is rarely malicious, just unaddressed.
Sermons may not stay sermons. Today’s message becomes tomorrow’s podcast episode, devotional, small group guide, video course, or book, and whoever owns the original controls how it gets adapted and reused.
Ambiguity gets costly once real money is involved. The Crystal Cathedral dispute involving Robert H. Schuller ended with a capped unsecured claim of roughly $615,624.68 instead of the millions he sought, largely because the terms were never clearly defined upfront.
There is more than one good answer, but there is only one bad one. Full pastor ownership, a perpetual license to the church, a hybrid split between manuscripts and recordings, or even outright church ownership all work. What does not work is leaving it undefined.
Resources:
Upward Sports
Brown Church Development Group
“Why Most Pastors Do Not Own Their Sermons (And How to Change That)” by Sam Rainer
Craft Book Publishing
“The Names of God: Revealing the Power of His Character in Scripture” by Sam Rainer (affiliate link)
Creative Commons Zero
Church Equip
The Hope Initiative
Church Answers Platinum Membership
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Episode Sponsors:
Sports are one of the easiest ways to connect with families in your community. Upward Sports helps churches turn that connection into an intentional ministry that reaches families both on and off the field or court.
When you partner with Upward Sports, your church will receive:
Church onboarding and launch support
Marketing resources to build awareness in your community
Customizable player packages
Ministry resources for players and families
Coach and leader training
Cloud-based league management tools
Ongoing support throughout your season
A like-minded community of church leaders
You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Upward Sports stands ready to partner with your church every step of the way, helping you create a first-class sports experience that builds relationships, engages families, and creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Take time to learn more at Upward.org/church-leaders.

One wrong facility decision can cost a church years of momentum and millions of dollars.
Facility decisions can feel overwhelming, expensive, and risky… Too often, buildings end up working against the ministry instead of for it.
That’s where Brown Church Development Group comes in… They are the Church Facility Experts.
They’ve helped hundreds of churches across the United States find facility solutions that actually fit their ministry style, budget, and long-term plans. From feasibility studies and master planning to architecture and construction, they’re a true one-stop shop for all your church facility needs.
Brown Church Development Group helps churches avoid costly mistakes, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence—without the guesswork.
Whether you’re improving an existing facility or building something new, Brown Church Development Group can help you know exactly what to do next.
Proven experience helping churches nationwide.
Facility solutions that fit your ministry vision, budget, and long-term growth.
A true one stop shop for church facility needs.
The post You Preached the Sermon, But You May Not Legally Own It (Here’s Why) appeared first on Church Answers.
26 min
November 05The Sins That Permanently Disqualify a Pastor
What sins, if any, permanently disqualify a pastor? Josh and Sam discuss their perspectives on this sensitive topic. While one would hope this issue wouldn’t be a problem, the reality is reports of church scandals are on the rise. The co-hosts focus on the lead pastor position and give their take.
Is the lead pastor position qualitatively different than other pastoral roles?
Adultery: Are there degrees to this offense?
Abuse: How far back should we go?
Harming children: Is there ever a time to hire a child abuser?
Embezzlement: Does the amount matter? Does the context of theft matter?
Plagiarism: Isn’t everyone guilty?
Pornography: Does the amount of consumption change things?
Resources:
Five Loaves Marketing
Church Equip
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsor:
Five Loaves Marketing builds church websites and handles church SEO, so the people searching for a church in your community actually find yours.
Our websites are optimized for the best experience possible for new visitors and members, including user-friendly design and high-end performance.
We’re currently offering FREE church SEO audits, plus listeners get 20% off any website design with the code “Rainer” with the purchase of an annual plan.
You can’t be a healthy church without fulfilling the Great Commission. Visit fiveloavesmarketing.com today to learn how we can help you build a digital evangelism system.
The post The Sins That Permanently Disqualify a Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.
31 min
November 02Pastors, Don’t Make These Tax Mistakes!
Most pastors never receive formal training in clergy tax law. Seminaries focus on biblical languages, theology, and preaching but rarely on housing allowances, self-employment tax, or payroll classification. The result is that well-meaning ministers stumble into mistakes that can trigger audits, penalties, and years of back taxes. Thom and Sam discuss the common mistakes you can avoid.
Misunderstanding the Housing Allowance
Treating All Ministers as Independent Contractors
Forgetting About Self-Employment Tax
Improperly Claiming Business Expenses
Failing to Make Quarterly Estimated Payments
Mishandling Love Offerings and Honoraria
Failing to Use the Housing Allowance in Retirement
Not Seeking Specialized Tax Help
Resources:
Brown Church Development Group
Upward Sports
“Housing Allowance for Ministers: Made Easy” by Art Rainer (affiliate link)
GuideStone
Church Equip
The Hope Initiative
Church Answers Platinum Membership
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Episode Sponsors:
A church building should be your greatest ministry tool… not your biggest headache.
Facility decisions can feel overwhelming, expensive, and risky… Too often, buildings end up working against the ministry instead of for it.
That’s where Brown Church Development Group comes in… They are the Church Facility Experts.
They’ve helped hundreds of churches across the United States find facility solutions that actually fit their ministry style, budget, and long-term plans. From feasibility studies and master planning to architecture and construction, they’re a true one-stop shop for all your church facility needs.
Brown Church Development Group helps churches avoid costly mistakes, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence—without the guesswork.
Whether you’re improving an existing facility or building something new, Brown Church Development Group can help you know exactly what to do next.
Proven experience helping churches nationwide.
Facility solutions that fit your ministry vision, budget, and long-term growth.
A true one stop shop for church facility needs.

Sports are one of the easiest ways to connect with families in your community. Upward Sports helps churches turn that connection into an intentional ministry that reaches families both on and off the field or court.
When you partner with Upward Sports, your church will receive:
Church onboarding and launch support
Marketing resources to build awareness in your community
Customizable player packages
Ministry resources for players and families
Coach and leader training
Cloud-based league management tools
Ongoing support throughout your season
A like-minded community of church leaders
You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Upward Sports stands ready to partner with your church every step of the way, helping you create a first-class sports experience that builds relationships, engages families, and creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Take time to learn more at Upward.org/church-leaders.
The post Pastors, Don’t Make These Tax Mistakes! appeared first on Church Answers.
28 min
October 29Eight Essential Qualities of Pastors Who Love Their Jobs
You can do your job well without loving it. However, for pastors, the calling often goes beyond mere duty. It encompasses a passion for serving and guiding their flocks. What distinguishes pastors who love their jobs from those who do their jobs? Josh and Sam discuss on today’s episode.
They embrace awkward moments.
They don’t take criticism personally.
They enjoy listening as much as talking.
They create a culture of levity.
They are self-aware and driven.
They love discovering new activities and people in their communities.
They focus on reasonable and attainable mid-term goals.
Resources:
Five Loaves Marketing
Church Answers Awards
Church Equip
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsor:
Five Loaves Marketing builds church websites and handles church SEO, so the people searching for a church in your community actually find yours.
Our websites are optimized for the best experience possible for new visitors and members, including user-friendly design and high-end performance.
We’re currently offering FREE church SEO audits, plus listeners get 20% off any website design with the code “Rainer” with the purchase of an annual plan.
You can’t be a healthy church without fulfilling the Great Commission. Visit fiveloavesmarketing.com today to learn how we can help you build a digital evangelism system.
The post Eight Essential Qualities of Pastors Who Love Their Jobs appeared first on Church Answers.
23 min
October 26The Burge Report: America’s Largest Churches: What’s Happened the Last Decade?
America’s largest churches are becoming significantly larger. A decade of Outreach 100 data shows that megachurch growth is increasingly concentrated among a relatively small group of established, evangelical, multisite congregations. Yet the picture is more complex than explosive growth alone: many longtime megachurches have grown only incrementally, many have declined, and the pandemic reshaped attendance in uneven and lasting ways.
The largest churches have become much larger. The combined attendance of the ten largest churches increased from roughly 260,000 in 2015 to more than 427,000 in 2025.
Big churches tend to remain big. Only 209 unique churches appeared across 1,100 entries during the eleven-year period, with 20 churches appearing every year and another 18 appearing in ten of the eleven years.
Most established megachurches grow incrementally, not explosively. Among the churches appearing every year, median attendance growth was about 25% across the decade—or approximately 2.1% annually.
COVID produced sharply different outcomes. Between 2020 and 2022, only eight churches reported large attendance increases, while 25 experienced double-digit declines. Across the churches analyzed, the median decline was approximately 21%.
The typical megachurch is established, evangelical, and multisite. Nearly half of the churches were nondenominational, Southern Baptists represented the largest identifiable denomination, and almost every church operated multiple campuses, with a median of five locations.
Learn more at Graphs About Religion.
Resources:
Upward Sports
Midnight Mom Devotional Bible
Tyndale House Publishers
“America’s Largest Churches: Over a Decade of Data” by Ryan Burge
Church Equip
The Hope Initiative
Church Answers Platinum Membership
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Episode Sponsors:
Sports are one of the easiest ways to connect with families in your community. Upward Sports helps churches turn that connection into an intentional ministry that reaches families both on and off the field or court.
When you partner with Upward Sports, your church will receive:
Church onboarding and launch support
Marketing resources to build awareness in your community
Customizable player packages
Ministry resources for players and families
Coach and leader training
Cloud-based league management tools
Ongoing support throughout your season
A like-minded community of church leaders
You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Upward Sports stands ready to partner with your church every step of the way, helping you create a first-class sports experience that builds relationships, engages families, and creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Take time to learn more at Upward.org/church-leaders.

It is hard to put into words how important moms are. Maybe this is one of the reasons why in their darkest moments they can feel unseen, hidden under worries and expectations. Even as a church community, do we put an overwhelming burden on them to do it all—home, work, school, church, and beyond? This can leave them feeling like they are failing at every turn. But what can we do to help?
One resource is the Midnight Mom Devotional Bible. In its pages God is offering a respite to a momma’s weary soul. Filled with prayers, devotionals, and space for reflection, God is inviting moms to leave the guilt behind and find comfort and peace in his arms.
Learn more about this Bible at MidnightMomBible.com
The post The Burge Report: America’s Largest Churches: What’s Happened the Last Decade? appeared first on Church Answers.
30 min
October 22An Honest Perspective on Celebrating Halloween as Christians
Halloween often creates unnecessary tension among Christians. Some avoid it because of its association with spiritual darkness and the occult, while others view it as a harmless cultural tradition centered on costumes, candy, and neighborhood fun. Josh and Sam discuss how churches do not need to retreat from their communities during Halloween.
Halloween is largely a cultural event for most families, not something that is spiritually dangerous.
Christians should not surrender every cultural celebration because some people misuse it. The presence of dark or inappropriate elements does not require believers to reject the entire holiday.
Spiritual discernment is still necessary. Christians should avoid costumes, decorations, movies, or activities that glorify demonic themes, graphic violence, witchcraft, or other spiritually harmful practices.
Participation is a matter of Christian conscience. Some believers may choose not to celebrate Halloween, and their convictions should be respected. At the same time, they should not condemn Christians who participate.
Halloween can become an opportunity for mission and hospitality. Many churches have become the go-to place on Halloween.
Resources:
Five Loaves Marketing
Church Answers Awards
Church Equip
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsor:
Five Loaves Marketing builds church websites and handles church SEO, so the people searching for a church in your community actually find yours.
Our websites are optimized for the best experience possible for new visitors and members, including user-friendly design and high-end performance.
We’re currently offering FREE church SEO audits, plus listeners get 20% off any website design with the code “Rainer” with the purchase of an annual plan.
You can’t be a healthy church without fulfilling the Great Commission. Visit fiveloavesmarketing.com today to learn how we can help you build a digital evangelism system.
The post An Honest Perspective on Celebrating Halloween as Christians appeared first on Church Answers.
23 min
October 19How Churches Can Better Support Moms in the Unseen Midnight Moments of Motherhood
Sam welcomes Susan K. Pitts and Becky Thompson to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. They are a mother-daughter team who have built their lives around encouraging moms right in the middle of everyday life. Susan has spent over forty years in ministry, walking alongside women and families with wisdom and compassion. She is the prayer director for the Midnight Mom Devotional and co-author of the Midnight Mom Devotional books. Becky has spent the last decade creating resources to equip and encourage the heart of the momma. They are both bestselling authors and Becky is a national speaker who speaks honestly about faith and family.
They are the authors of two devotional books, Tonight We Pray for the Momma and Midnight Mom Devotional and are the content writers for the devotional content in the Midnight Mom Devotional Bible. In addition, they have a vibrant social media community on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok where they lead over 2 million mommas in nightly prayer.
Resources:
Midnight Mom Devotional Bible
Tyndale House Publishers
Upward Basketball
“Tonight We Pray for the Momma” by Susan K. Pitts and Becky Thompson
Church Equip
The Hope Initiative
Church Answers Platinum Membership
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Episode Sponsors:
It is hard to put into words how important moms are. Maybe this is one of the reasons why in their darkest moments they can feel unseen, hidden under worries and expectations. Even as a church community, do we put an overwhelming burden on them to do it all—home, work, school, church, and beyond? This can leave them feeling like they are failing at every turn. But what can we do to help?
One resource is the Midnight Mom Devotional Bible. In its pages God is offering a respite to a momma’s weary soul. Filled with prayers, devotionals, and space for reflection, God is inviting moms to leave the guilt behind and find comfort and peace in his arms.
Learn more about this Bible at MidnightMomBible.com

Open Your Gym to Families – Through Upward Basketball
Your gym is more than a space on your campus – it’s an opportunity to reach your community.
With Upward Sports, your church can use winter basketball to welcome kids and families through your doors.
Turn open gym space into an opportunity for connection through a first-class, organized, intentional basketball experience.
Upward Sports helps churches create a league where kids can play, grow, and build relationships while families become familiar with your church.
You don’t have to build a basketball ministry from scratch. Upward Sports provides the resources, ministry materials, structure, training, and support to help your church get started.
Bring winter basketball to your church with Upward Sports and create an opportunity to connect with families in your community. Learn more today at www.upward.org/basketball
The post How Churches Can Better Support Moms in the Unseen Midnight Moments of Motherhood appeared first on Church Answers.
24 min
October 15Hitting Home Runs with Church Marketing
Sam interviews David Graham of Five Loaves Marketing, and they talk about the best ways for churches to utilize marketing resources.
Resources:
Five Loaves Marketing
Church Equip
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsor:
Five Loaves Marketing builds church websites and handles church SEO, so the people searching for a church in your community actually find yours.
Our websites are optimized for the best experience possible for new visitors and members, including user-friendly design and high-end performance.
We’re currently offering FREE church SEO audits, plus listeners get 20% off any website design with the code “Rainer” with the purchase of an annual plan.
You can’t be a healthy church without fulfilling the Great Commission. Visit fiveloavesmarketing.com today to learn how we can help you build a digital evangelism system.
The post Hitting Home Runs with Church Marketing appeared first on Church Answers.
23 min
October 12Church Worship Attendance Is… Up! (For the First Time in Years)
A new Hartford Institute report shows median in-person worship attendance increasing from 65 to 70 since just before the pandemic. That five-person gain may sound small, but it represents a 7.7% increase and moves the median congregation above its pre-pandemic level. Still, the story requires careful interpretation. This is not a return to the church landscape of 2000, when the median congregation had 137 in worship. It is better understood as a modest but meaningful inflection point—encouraging enough to notice, but not strong enough yet to call a trend.
The increase is real but modest. Median worship attendance rose from 65 to 70, a small numerical gain but a meaningful shift after decades of decline.
The right comparison is pre-pandemic, not the pandemic bottom. Everything looks better compared to 2020 or 2021. The more important point is that attendance has moved slightly above the 2019 baseline.
The median tells us about the typical church. This number is not driven by megachurches. It reflects the midpoint congregation, where five additional people can noticeably change the feel of a worship service.
There are several possible explanations. Smaller church closures, people redistributing into small and mid-sized churches, and broader improvements in volunteering, giving, and contributing factors.
Celebrate the five, but do not overstate the moment. This is not revival-level news or proof of a lasting trend. It is a stewardship opportunity for churches to act with urgency, clarity, and hope.
Read more.
Resources:
Upward Sports
Midnight Mom Devotional Bible
Tyndale House Publishers
Church Growth Services
Signs of Rebound Amid Uneven Recovery: The Changing Congregational Landscape
Church Equip
The Hope Initiative
Church Answers Platinum Membership
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Episode Sponsors:
Sports are one of the easiest ways to connect with families in your community. Upward Sports helps churches turn that connection into an intentional ministry that reaches families both on and off the field or court.
When you partner with Upward Sports, your church will receive:
Church onboarding and launch support
Marketing resources to build awareness in your community
Customizable player packages
Ministry resources for players and families
Coach and leader training
Cloud-based league management tools
Ongoing support throughout your season
A like-minded community of church leaders
You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Upward Sports stands ready to partner with your church every step of the way, helping you create a first-class sports experience that builds relationships, engages families, and creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Take time to learn more at Upward.org/church-leaders.

It is hard to put into words how important moms are. Maybe this is one of the reasons why in their darkest moments they can feel unseen, hidden under worries and expectations. Even as a church community, do we put an overwhelming burden on them to do it all—home, work, school, church, and beyond? This can leave them feeling like they are failing at every turn. But what can we do to help?
One resource is the Midnight Mom Devotional Bible. In its pages God is offering a respite to a momma’s weary soul. Filled with prayers, devotionals, and space for reflection, God is inviting moms to leave the guilt behind and find comfort and peace in his arms.
Learn more about this Bible at MidnightMomBible.com
The post Church Worship Attendance Is… Up! (For the First Time in Years) appeared first on Church Answers.
24 min