Rainer on Leadership

In churches who are dying, you often hear statements like the ones we cover today. Today we explain how to identify the personalities of sick churches.

In churches who are dying, you often hear statements like the ones we cover today. Today we explain how to identify the personalities of sick churches.

Podcast Episode #347

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

We have discussed evangelism a lot over the past few weeks and even launched a new site focused on it at EvangelismRenewal.com. Today we discuss six statements that can kill evangelism in your church.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* Evangelism is often the least natural ministry in many churches.

* If there is not explicit intentionality about evangelism, it will wane in a church.

* Evangelism is not the sole responsibility of the pastor and church staff.

* If we depend on a single evangelistic event, we abdicate our daily evangelistic responsibility.

* Don't think of evangelism as a once-a-year church event.

* We should be highly intentional and prayerful about connecting with unbelievers.

* The most effective evangelistic churches have two main characteristics: obedience and prayer.

The six statements that kill evangelism are:

* “That’s what we pay our pastor to do.”

* “Our church members are just not evangelistic.”

* “Our denomination does not help us.”

* “We emphasize evangelism once a year in our church.”

* “I don’t know anyone well who is not a Christian.”

* “We don’t have the resources.”

Episode Sponsors

The Timothy Track, from Midwestern Seminary, offers select residential M.Div. students placement in internship positions in a local church in the area. Now you can complement your studies with in-the-field ministry experience. In addition, all Timothy Track students will receive up to 12 credit hours for the internship and a 50% tuition scholarship for the first year.

Find out more at mbts.edu/TimothyTrack.

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you'll receive a free copy of Who Moved My Pulpit?

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

* Church Answers

* MBTS ...

Podcast Episode #347

We have discussed evangelism a lot over the past few weeks and even launched a new site focused on it at EvangelismRenewal.com. Today we discuss six statements that can kill evangelism in your church.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* Evangelism is often the least natural ministry in many churches.

* If there is not explicit intentionality about evangelism, it will wane in a church.

* Evangelism is not the sole responsibility of the pastor and church staff.

* If we depend on a single evangelistic event, we abdicate our daily evangelistic responsibility.

* Don't think of evangelism as a once-a-year church event.

* We should be highly intentional and prayerful about connecting with unbelievers.

* The most effective evangelistic churches have two main characteristics: obedience and prayer.

The six statements that kill evangelism are:

* “That’s what we pay our pastor to do.”

* “Our church members are just not evangelistic.”

* “Our denomination does not help us.”

* “We emphasize evangelism once a year in our church.”

* “I don’t know anyone well who is not a Christian.”

* “We don’t have the resources.”

Episode Sponsors

The Timothy Track, from Midwestern Seminary, offers select residential M.Div. students placement in internship positions in a local church in the area. Now you can complement your studies with in-the-field ministry experience. In addition, all Timothy Track students will receive up to 12 credit hours for the internship and a 50% tuition scholarship for the first year.

Find out more at mbts.edu/TimothyTrack.

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

* Church Answers

* MBTS state t-shirts

* InviteYourOne.com

* The Unchurched Next Door

Podcast Episode #346

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

It can be frustrating to work for a bad leader. But does that mean you have to leave immediately or attempt a coup? Not at all. Today we cover six steps to consider when you work for a bad leader.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* A bad leader is not the same thing as a bad person.

* A primary characteristic of the best leaders is decisiveness.

* If you work for a bad leader, follow them in the areas you can.

* You don't always have to have positional authority to have influence.

* Good communication from a leader helps others know the reasoning behind decisions that are made.

* If you are looking for the good in your leader, you will likely find it.

* Praying for someone may not change that person, but it likely will change your heart toward them.

* You will never work for (or be) a perfect leader.

The six steps we discuss are:

* Support your leader.

* Consider that you may be wrong.

* Lead as best you can in your area.

* If the relationship allows, ask non-threatening questions.

* Seek to affirm your leader whenever it is possible and genuine.

* Leave.

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. Their Fall Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor Coaching Networks are now open for registration, and our very own Dr. Rainer will be speaking at the Fall Lead Pastor Coaching Network.

So if you're a Lead Pastor or an Executive Pastor looking for peer roundtable coaching, check it out at vanderbloemen.com/coaching. It's limited to 16 folks, so apply today before it fills up.

Midwestern Seminary, one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America, exists to train leaders For The Church. The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the proclamation of the gospel, and there is no Plan B. And this is Midwestern’s vision and heartbeat—equipping pastors and other ministry leaders who are called to expand God’s mission in the world through the local church. At Midwestern Seminary: they train leaders ‘For The Church.’

Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you'll receive a free copy of Who Moved My Pulpit?

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

* How to Lead When Your Leader Is N...

Podcast Episode #346

It can be frustrating to work for a bad leader. But does that mean you have to leave immediately or attempt a coup? Not at all. Today we cover six steps to consider when you work for a bad leader.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* A bad leader is not the same thing as a bad person.

* A primary characteristic of the best leaders is decisiveness.

* If you work for a bad leader, follow them in the areas you can.

* You don't always have to have positional authority to have influence.

* Good communication from a leader helps others know the reasoning behind decisions that are made.

* If you are looking for the good in your leader, you will likely find it.

* Praying for someone may not change that person, but it likely will change your heart toward them.

* You will never work for (or be) a perfect leader.

The six steps we discuss are:

* Support your leader.

* Consider that you may be wrong.

* Lead as best you can in your area.

* If the relationship allows, ask non-threatening questions.

* Seek to affirm your leader whenever it is possible and genuine.

* Leave.

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. Their Fall Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor Coaching Networks are now open for registration, and our very own Dr. Rainer will be speaking at the Fall Lead Pastor Coaching Network.

So if you're a Lead Pastor or an Executive Pastor looking for peer roundtable coaching, check it out at vanderbloemen.com/coaching. It's limited to 16 folks, so apply today before it fills up.

Midwestern Seminary, one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America, exists to train leaders For The Church. The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the proclamation of the gospel, and there is no Plan B. And this is Midwestern’s vision and heartbeat—equipping pastors and other ministry leaders who are called to expand God’s mission in the world through the local church. At Midwestern Seminary: they train leaders ‘For The Church.’

Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

* How to Lead When Your Leader Is Not Leading Well

* The Peter Principle

* Church Answers

* Leading from the Second Chair – Rainer on Leadership #072

Podcast Episode #345

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

We get questions every day from several venues—blog comments, emails, tweets, and so many more. Here are the top 10 that we get the most and how to answer them.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* The starting point for a church's revitalization is different in every situation.

* Your church is usually farther along in its need for revitalization than you realize.

* It's amazing the number of pastors who haven't been trained to deal with church budgets.

* Some people handle conflict and personnel well. Most don't.

* Sometimes you must make the inevitable the immediate.

* Changing your church's polity is not a magic bullet for church health.

* It doesn't matter what type of church polity you have if you have the wrong people in leadership roles.

The 10 questions we cover are:

* Where do I begin to lead my church toward revitalization?

* What do I do about our aging church facilities?

* How do I handle church financial issues?

* How do I handle conflict and personnel issues?

* What is the best leadership structure for a church?

* What are the best practical ministry tools?

* How do I establish a vision for my church?

* How do I deal with power struggles in the church?

* How do I lead change in the worship services?

* Can I survive?

Episode Sponsors

The Timothy Track, from Midwestern Seminary, offers select residential M.Div. students placement in internship positions in a local church in the area. Now you can complement your studies with in-the-field ministry experience. In addition, all Timothy Track students will receive up to 12 credit hours for the internship and a 50% tuition scholarship for the first year.

Find out more at mbts.edu/TimothyTrack.

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you'll receive a free copy of Who Moved My Pulpit?

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

* Church Answers

*

Podcast Episode #345

We get questions every day from several venues—blog comments, emails, tweets, and so many more. Here are the top 10 that we get the most and how to answer them.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* The starting point for a church's revitalization is different in every situation.

* Your church is usually farther along in its need for revitalization than you realize.

* It's amazing the number of pastors who haven't been trained to deal with church budgets.

* Some people handle conflict and personnel well. Most don't.

* Sometimes you must make the inevitable the immediate.

* Changing your church's polity is not a magic bullet for church health.

* It doesn't matter what type of church polity you have if you have the wrong people in leadership roles.

The 10 questions we cover are:

* Where do I begin to lead my church toward revitalization?

* What do I do about our aging church facilities?

* How do I handle church financial issues?

* How do I handle conflict and personnel issues?

* What is the best leadership structure for a church?

* What are the best practical ministry tools?

* How do I establish a vision for my church?

* How do I deal with power struggles in the church?

* How do I lead change in the worship services?

* Can I survive?

Episode Sponsors

The Timothy Track, from Midwestern Seminary, offers select residential M.Div. students placement in internship positions in a local church in the area. Now you can complement your studies with in-the-field ministry experience. In addition, all Timothy Track students will receive up to 12 credit hours for the internship and a 50% tuition scholarship for the first year.

Find out more at mbts.edu/TimothyTrack.

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

* Church Answers

* MBTS state t-shirts

* The Need for Church Replanting featuring Mark Clifton – Rainer on Leadership #320

* Cool Solutions Group

* The Importance of Church Facility Stewardship featuring Tim Cool – Rainer on Leadership #317

*

Podcast Episode #344

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Improving your preaching and teaching doesn't happen accidentally. It takes intentionality and work. And today we cover 15 ways you can improve your preaching or teaching.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* Intentionality is always key to improvement.

* What gets calendared gets done.

* Sermon prep alone is not sufficient for the personal devotional life a pastor needs to have.

* Pastors need to know their congregation. It's hard to preach to a congregation that you do not know.

* One of the most important things you can do for your church is to pray for your pastor.

* Every sermon should have solid exegesis, exposition, and application.

* It's beneficial to take down notes on your preaching as soon as possible after you finish.

The 15 improvement suggestions we discuss are:

* Assume you need to improve.

* Consider the last time you intentionally improved your approach.

* Read the Bible and pray every day.

* Forsake sin in your life.

* Spend more time with your congregation.

* Enlist a prayer team.

* Study preaching and teaching.

* Listen to other preachers.

* Invite others to help you prepare.

* Simply and clearly answer the “what,” “so what,” and “now what” questions.

* Practice.

* Do immediate reflection.

* Listen to and watch your own sermons or lessons.

* Invite unchurched folks to listen to your sermons or lessons.

* Take care of yourself physically.

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. Their Fall Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor Coaching Networks are now open for registration, and our very own Dr. Rainer will be speaking at the Fall Lead Pastor Coaching Network.

So if you're a Lead Pastor or an Executive Pastor looking for peer roundtable coaching, check it out at vanderbloemen.com/coaching. It's limited to 16 folks, so apply today before it fills up.

Midwestern Seminary, one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America, exists to train leaders For The Church. The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the proclamation of the gospel, and there is no Plan B. And this is Midwestern’s vision and heartbeat—equipping pastors and other ministry leaders who are called to expand God’s mission in the world through the local church. At Midwestern Seminary: they train leaders ‘For The Church.’

Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the 

Podcast Episode #344

Improving your preaching and teaching doesn't happen accidentally. It takes intentionality and work. And today we cover 15 ways you can improve your preaching or teaching.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* Intentionality is always key to improvement.

* What gets calendared gets done.

* Sermon prep alone is not sufficient for the personal devotional life a pastor needs to have.

* Pastors need to know their congregation. It's hard to preach to a congregation that you do not know.

* One of the most important things you can do for your church is to pray for your pastor.

* Every sermon should have solid exegesis, exposition, and application.

* It's beneficial to take down notes on your preaching as soon as possible after you finish.

The 15 improvement suggestions we discuss are:

* Assume you need to improve.

* Consider the last time you intentionally improved your approach.

* Read the Bible and pray every day.

* Forsake sin in your life.

* Spend more time with your congregation.

* Enlist a prayer team.

* Study preaching and teaching.

* Listen to other preachers.

* Invite others to help you prepare.

* Simply and clearly answer the “what,” “so what,” and “now what” questions.

* Practice.

* Do immediate reflection.

* Listen to and watch your own sermons or lessons.

* Invite unchurched folks to listen to your sermons or lessons.

* Take care of yourself physically.

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. Their Fall Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor Coaching Networks are now open for registration, and our very own Dr. Rainer will be speaking at the Fall Lead Pastor Coaching Network.

So if you're a Lead Pastor or an Executive Pastor looking for peer roundtable coaching, check it out at vanderbloemen.com/coaching. It's limited to 16 folks, so apply today before it fills up.

Midwestern Seminary, one of the fastest growing seminaries in North America, exists to train leaders For The Church. The local church is God’s “Plan A” for the proclamation of the gospel, and there is no Plan B. And this is Midwestern’s vision and heartbeat—equipping pastors and other ministry leaders who are called to expand God’s mission in the world through the local church. At Midwestern Seminary: they train leaders ‘For The Church.’

Visit them online at MBTS.edu and start your ministry training today.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

* Church Answers

* The Pastor and Church Revitalization featuring Andrew Davis – Rainer on Leadership #332