Rainer on Leadership

By Thom RainerBusiness Religion & Spirituality Christianity Education Courses Management

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Rainer on Leadership episodes

January 20, 2025Do You Really Remember What Took Place in Churches During COVID?
Though COVID is still mentioned frequently, many of the detailed memories have disappeared. Thom and Sam recall six very specific developments in churches during COVID based upon hundreds of stories from members of Church Answers. They share what we can learn from them today.
Learning from the early technological adaptations
Learning from virtual worship services
Learning from interactions between churches and governments
Learning the power of online giving
Learning about the yearning from groups
Learning about the power of an intentional prayer ministry
Resources:
Upward Sports
My Church Staff
Brown Church Development Group
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsors:
Who is Upward Sports?
Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community.
Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering.
When partnering with Upward Sports, your church can reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel.
Upward Sports will customize your sports outreach strategy to support your church budget and community needs. We know one size does not fit all.
Start the year off right by using sports as part of your outreach ministry!
Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Consider adding sports ministry in 2025. If you have a gym, field space, or even access to a facility consider Upward Sports. Upward Sports stands ready to support your church in creating a first-class, organized, intentional outreach ministry… that tells families, “you are welcome here!”
Whether you already have your own sports ministry at your church, looking to start sports ministry for the first time, check out Upward Sports. It’s the game changing outreach ministry in this new year!
Schedule Your call today – www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.
The post Do You Really Remember What Took Place in Churches During COVID? appeared first on Church Answers.
26 min
January 16, 2025What Will Be the Sacred Cows in Church Worship When the Millennials Are the Oldest Generation?
In about 30 years, Millennials will become the dominant older generation in most churches. What will they refuse to give up? Josh and Sam talk about their generation and what might become the sacred cows as they become elderly.
Band-led worship
Words on screens
Casual attire—skinny jeans?
Coffee in hand
“Authentic”
Songs on repeat
Resources:
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Churchteams
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsors:
Pastors and ministry leaders are invited to apply now to be accepted into a new– fully online–PhD program at Southern Seminary.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Studies at Southern is not a series of recorded lectures. Scholars in this program will experience live interactions with the same professors who teach at Southern Seminary’s Louisville campus.
This program provides the opportunity for ministry leaders to engage in rigorous theological study while continuing to serve in their current ministry.
The PhD in Christian Studies includes seminars in New Testament and Old Testament exposition, historical theology, biblical theology, ethics, leadership, and discipleship.
Come join the long line of ministry faithfulness that dates back to 1892 when The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary launched the first seminary-based doctoral degree in North America.
That degree became the PhD, and it has grown into one of the most respected in higher education.
Learn more at SBTS.edu/rainer
You see the need for systems to follow up on guests, volunteers, pastoral care; but right now that is really sporadic and siloed. Each person doing their own thing and people falling through the cracks. Churchteams will help you build and implement the system you need.
Tired of not being able to get the help you need for your software? Churchteams support staff have all served on Church staff. They know the software and they know how churches work. Call, text, set up free support appointments.
Integrated. How many different software systems are you using that require sharing people’s data? If 2 or more, you know the challenge and limitations of data in different systems that don’t play well together. Churchteams has all your people data in one place, including your communication data (email, texts, workflows).
Ease of use. Do you feel like you should be getting more from your church software, but just can’t get people to use it? Churchteams makes it easy for guests, members, volunteers, and leaders to do everything they need to do including giving without having to create an account. Check it out to learn how.
Reports. Are you getting the feedback on your ministry that you need from your database when you need it? Churchteams reports are extremely customizable. Let each staff save the ones they use on their dashboard. Or, schedule it to show up in their inbox.
Learn more at Churchteams.
The post What Will Be the Sacred Cows in Church Worship When the Millennials Are the Oldest Generation? appeared first on Church Answers.
24 min
January 13, 2025Making Change in an Older Church (Without Running Over the Old Guard)
It can be particularly challenging for a pastor to lead change in an older church when the primary decision makers (or most of the members) have been in the church for several years, sometimes a few decades. Thom and Sam look at four developments that often take place when leading change is successful. They reviewed over 20 successful churches.
The power of patience and time
The power of one-on-one meetings
The power of listening
The power of transparency
Resources:
My Church Staff
Upward Running
“Eating the Elephant: Leading the Established Church to Growth” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
“Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High” by Joseph Grenny (affiliate link)
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsors:
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.

Upward Running for adults
We’re excited to introduce Upward Running for adults, a brand-new offering from Upward Sports!
Here are two ways you can get involved:
Bring Upward Running to your church by hosting a 5K Challenge or starting a Training Group. With just one passionate leader, Upward provides everything you need to make it happen.
Join the Upward Running community through the new RunClub app! Whether you’re tackling a 5K, 10K, or marathon, you’ll find everything you need: proven training plans, run tracking, info on how to start or improve in the sport, great ministry content, and connection with like-minded runners and walkers through community groups.
It’s fresh, exciting, and ready for you! Visit UpwardRunning.com today to get started.
The post Making Change in an Older Church (Without Running Over the Old Guard) appeared first on Church Answers.
25 min
January 09, 2025Things About Church Leadership We Haven’t Figured Out Yet
In your 30s and 40s, you start to learn what you don’t know. The older you get, you either become more self-aware or stop caring. Josh and Sam talk about what they still haven’t figured out after twenty years of ministry in the church.
Balancing being a “boss” and being a “pastor.”
Balancing work, family, and church is a never-ending tug-of-war.
Creeping cynicism is constantly a struggle.
The temptation to cruise is always there.
The feelings of inadequacy are in the background.
Keeping the Christmas series fresh, reaching single people, and getting people to tithe.
Resources:
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Churchteams
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsors:
Pastors and ministry leaders are invited to apply now to be accepted into a new– fully online–PhD program at Southern Seminary.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Studies at Southern is not a series of recorded lectures. Scholars in this program will experience live interactions with the same professors who teach at Southern Seminary’s Louisville campus.
This program provides the opportunity for ministry leaders to engage in rigorous theological study while continuing to serve in their current ministry.
The PhD in Christian Studies includes seminars in New Testament and Old Testament exposition, historical theology, biblical theology, ethics, leadership, and discipleship.
Come join the long line of ministry faithfulness that dates back to 1892 when The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary launched the first seminary-based doctoral degree in North America.
That degree became the PhD, and it has grown into one of the most respected in higher education.
Learn more at SBTS.edu/rainer
You see the need for systems to follow up on guests, volunteers, pastoral care; but right now that is really sporadic and siloed. Each person doing their own thing and people falling through the cracks. Churchteams will help you build and implement the system you need.
Tired of not being able to get the help you need for your software? Churchteams support staff have all served on Church staff. They know the software and they know how churches work. Call, text, set up free support appointments.
Integrated. How many different software systems are you using that require sharing people’s data? If 2 or more, you know the challenge and limitations of data in different systems that don’t play well together. Churchteams has all your people data in one place, including your communication data (email, texts, workflows).
Ease of use. Do you feel like you should be getting more from your church software, but just can’t get people to use it? Churchteams makes it easy for guests, members, volunteers, and leaders to do everything they need to do including giving without having to create an account. Check it out to learn how.
Reports. Are you getting the feedback on your ministry that you need from your database when you need it? Churchteams reports are extremely customizable. Let each staff save the ones they use on their dashboard. Or, schedule it to show up in their inbox.
Learn more at Churchteams.
The post Things About Church Leadership We Haven’t Figured Out Yet appeared first on Church Answers.
30 min
January 06, 2025Five Predictions We Got Wrong about the Future of the Church
This time of year, many commentators and researchers prognosticate about the future of the church. Thom and Sam take a different approach in this episode. While many of their predictions from previous decades have turned out to be correct, not all of them did. They look back and evaluate a few predictions they got wrong from years ago.
Sunday school would not survive the turn of the Millennium (Thom in the early 1990s).
Multi-ethnic churches would become the fastest-growing (Sam in the early 2010s).
The multi-site administrator would become an important church staff position (Sam in 2010).
Evangelism will return to its rightful place of importance and priority (Thom in the mid-2010s).
A recession will negatively impact church giving (Sam and Thom during the pandemic).
Resources:
Upward Sports
My Church Staff
Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!
“The Book of Church Growth: History, Theology, and Principles” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)
“Why Conservative Churches Are Growing” by Dean Kelley (affiliate link)
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Episode Sponsors:
Who is Upward Sports?
Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community.
Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering.
When partnering with Upward Sports, your church can reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel.
Upward Sports will customize your sports outreach strategy to support your church budget and community needs. We know one size does not fit all.
Start the year off right by using sports as part of your outreach ministry!
Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Consider adding sports ministry in 2025. If you have a gym, field space, or even access to a facility consider Upward Sports. Upward Sports stands ready to support your church in creating a first-class, organized, intentional outreach ministry… that tells families, “you are welcome here!”
Whether you already have your own sports ministry at your church, looking to start sports ministry for the first time, check out Upward Sports. It’s the game changing outreach ministry in this new year!
Schedule Your call today – www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.
The post Five Predictions We Got Wrong about the Future of the Church appeared first on Church Answers.
28 min
December 31, 2024What Every Church Leader Needs to Know to Move Church Members to Higher Levels of Generosity
Art Rainer joins Thom to unpack some amazing research that can help you know how to lead your church members to higher levels of giving. You will be amazed how a few simple things can move your church toward greater stewardship.
Resources:
“The Daily Walk Bible”
Tyndale House Publishers
My Church Staff
8 Money Milestones
Christian Money Solutions
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
The Daily Walk Bible: Your guide to walking daily with God
The Daily Walk Bible takes you on a guided path through Scripture. Each of the 366 daily Bible readings is enhanced with a short overview that emphasizes different aspects of God’s story and a devotional to immerse you in what you have just experienced. Every seventh day you’ll pause to reflect, reconnect with what you have read, consider areas where deeper understanding beckons, and open your heart to hear God’s voice.
Ready to go deeper? Just download the Filament Bible app and scan the icon at the top of each page for an in-depth exploration of the passage you are reading with notes, devotionals, videos, graphics, and more.
Let The Daily Walk Bible be your guide as you explore Scripture throughout the year and discover more of who God is through his Word.
Start Walking Through God’s Word
Visit The Daily Walk Bible to learn more.
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.
The post What Every Church Leader Needs to Know to Move Church Members to Higher Levels of Generosity appeared first on Church Answers.
24 min
December 24, 2024How to Really Enjoy Your Christmas as a Pastor
The holiday season can be stressful for pastors. The sprint to year-end can exhaust even the most seasoned church staff. Thom and Sam discuss ways to enjoy this busy time of year.
Start a family tradition on the “off days” of Christmas, especially the week after Christmas Day.
Don’t fight the inevitable church calendar or set false expectations with your family.
Better to delay family time than cram it between church activities.
Grumpiness confuses your congregation and becomes contagious with your family.
Pick a couple of days for your family and ignore your phone notifications.
Ask your spouse about doing something special together shortly after Christmas.
Resources:
My Church Staff
“The Daily Walk Bible”
Tyndale House Publishers
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.

The Daily Walk Bible: Your guide to walking daily with God
The Daily Walk Bible takes you on a guided path through Scripture. Each of the 366 daily Bible readings is enhanced with a short overview that emphasizes different aspects of God’s story and a devotional to immerse you in what you have just experienced. Every seventh day you’ll pause to reflect, reconnect with what you have read, consider areas where deeper understanding beckons, and open your heart to hear God’s voice.
Ready to go deeper? Just download the Filament Bible app and scan the icon at the top of each page for an in-depth exploration of the passage you are reading with notes, devotionals, videos, graphics, and more.
Let The Daily Walk Bible be your guide as you explore Scripture throughout the year and discover more of who God is through his Word.
Start Walking Through God’s Word
Visit The Daily Walk Bible to learn more.
The post How to Really Enjoy Your Christmas as a Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.
25 min
December 17, 2024Leading (and Loving) a Dying Church
How can you lead (and love) a church that is dying? Thom and Sam discuss this listener-submitted question. No church should die, but some will. Some pastors must shepherd congregations on what amounts to spiritual hospice care. It’s a difficult calling, but there are some ways to glorify God, even as a church goes through the process of closing.
You are not less of a pastor for shepherding a dying church.
Your real estate is a kingdom asset. Consider merger and church planting options.
Start on your “what’s next” plan well before the church closes.
Ask people to write or record their favorite church memories and document their contributions.
Find a way to celebrate the legacy of the church.
If a church will die, there is no need to rebuke the congregation. Simply love and encourage them.
Resources:
“The Daily Walk Bible”
Tyndale House Publishers
My Church Staff
Brown Church Development Group
Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis!
Ryan Burge
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
The Daily Walk Bible: Your guide to walking daily with God
The Daily Walk Bible takes you on a guided path through Scripture. Each of the 366 daily Bible readings is enhanced with a short overview that emphasizes different aspects of God’s story and a devotional to immerse you in what you have just experienced. Every seventh day you’ll pause to reflect, reconnect with what you have read, consider areas where deeper understanding beckons, and open your heart to hear God’s voice.
Ready to go deeper? Just download the Filament Bible app and scan the icon at the top of each page for an in-depth exploration of the passage you are reading with notes, devotionals, videos, graphics, and more.
Let The Daily Walk Bible be your guide as you explore Scripture throughout the year and discover more of who God is through his Word.
Start Walking Through God’s Word
Visit The Daily Walk Bible to learn more.
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.
The post Leading (and Loving) a Dying Church appeared first on Church Answers.
24 min
December 10, 2024The Warning Signs You’ve Stayed Too Long at a Church
The prevailing wisdom for pastors is longer tenure is better. This principle is generally true. A string of shorter tenures is usually not healthy for churches. But it is possible to stay too long. What are some of the warning signs?
When you become the lightning rod with every change effort.
When you give up on innovation and find deep comfort in the status quo of the past.
When your physical body can no longer take the demands of ministry.
When apathy or anger dominates your feelings.
When you consistently blame the congregation for lack of progress.
When your primary motivator is paying the bills or cruising to retirement.
When you would rather let the church die than die trying to save it.
Resources:
My Church Staff
“The Daily Walk Bible”
Tyndale House Publishers
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.

The Daily Walk Bible: Your guide to walking daily with God
The Daily Walk Bible takes you on a guided path through Scripture. Each of the 366 daily Bible readings is enhanced with a short overview that emphasizes different aspects of God’s story and a devotional to immerse you in what you have just experienced. Every seventh day you’ll pause to reflect, reconnect with what you have read, consider areas where deeper understanding beckons, and open your heart to hear God’s voice.
Ready to go deeper? Just download the Filament Bible app and scan the icon at the top of each page for an in-depth exploration of the passage you are reading with notes, devotionals, videos, graphics, and more.
Let The Daily Walk Bible be your guide as you explore Scripture throughout the year and discover more of who God is through his Word.
Start Walking Through God’s Word
Visit The Daily Walk Bible to learn more.
The post The Warning Signs You’ve Stayed Too Long at a Church appeared first on Church Answers.
23 min
December 03, 2024Why Churches Are Not Inherently Safe Places
It’s understandable why people would think, “This place is full of Christians. It must be one of the safest places in my community.” But churches are not inherently safe. Quite the opposite. Churches have a target on them! You are a spiritual target for the powers of darkness. Sam Rainer and Matt McCraw discuss some key issues involving church safety.
Churches are typically high-trust, high-hospitality, and low-security environments.
The way a new person is treated in a church is completely different than at an elementary school.
Churches assume the best and start at a place of trust. Schools start at a place of caution.
The biggest threats are usually internal, not external.
It can be hard to spot a person intending harm because they do not typically announce their motives.
Background checks are not enough to ensure safety.
There can be no exceptions to the rules, even with your best and most involved people.
Resources:
“The Daily Walk Bible”
Tyndale House Publishers
My Church Staff
Safe Church Training
“Make My Church Safe: A Guide to the Best Practices to Protect Children and Secure Your Congregation from Harm” by Sam Rainer (affiliate link)
FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
The Daily Walk Bible: Your guide to walking daily with God
The Daily Walk Bible takes you on a guided path through Scripture. Each of the 366 daily Bible readings is enhanced with a short overview that emphasizes different aspects of God’s story and a devotional to immerse you in what you have just experienced. Every seventh day you’ll pause to reflect, reconnect with what you have read, consider areas where deeper understanding beckons, and open your heart to hear God’s voice.
Ready to go deeper? Just download the Filament Bible app and scan the icon at the top of each page for an in-depth exploration of the passage you are reading with notes, devotionals, videos, graphics, and more.
Let The Daily Walk Bible be your guide as you explore Scripture throughout the year and discover more of who God is through his Word.
Start Walking Through God’s Word
Visit The Daily Walk Bible to learn more.
Develop your next staff member for $100 per month!
Church answers will provide best practices for finding a staff member, then we will provide an expert to help train that staff member.
We are starting with two staff positions: stewardship (led by Art Rainer) and worship (led by Mark Harland).
Take some of the burden off of yourself; let Church Answers help you develop a great staff team through My Church Staff.
Join now for $100 per month and cancel at any time (though we don’t think you’ll want to).
Visit My Church Staff to learn more.
The post Why Churches Are Not Inherently Safe Places appeared first on Church Answers.
22 min