Rainer on Leadership

By Thom RainerBusiness Religion & Spirituality Christianity Education Courses Management

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Rainer on Leadership episodes

July 09, 2024A Gamechanger to Get Visitors to Your Churches: An Interview with Marc Estes
Thom and Sam welcome Marc Estes, co-founder of VisitorReach. Marc has a passion for equipping leaders, strengthening churches, and empowering outreach through kingdom innovation. They talk about new trends and opportunities to get people to visit churches in a post-pandemic world.
Receptivity to the church since the pandemic.
Reluctancy for people to visit an in-person church service?
One of the most effective places for churches reaching people?
Rapid shifts in technology for churches to reach people.
The innovation called VisitorReach.
Resources:
Upward Sports
California Baptist University
VisitorReach
Church Answers Central
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. By the way, it’s not too early to start thinking about winter sports leagues at your church. Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.
**As a partner of Rainer on 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!
Did you know that fewer than 20% of Southern Baptists have a bachelor’s degree? That is according to a past Pew Research study. How can this be combated and how can we prepare our churches for the future? California Baptist University has a solution. CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs.
Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare leaders in your church for advancement opportunities, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment. Classes start every eight weeks, so you can begin any time.
An online degree can:
Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose;
Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and
Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.
Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online degrees available to you! The online Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries develops servant leaders with the tools for understanding and communicating biblical truths. This degree prepares students for active leadership roles in the church, parachurch and Christian organizations.
Financial aid is available, and thanks to CBU donors, online undergraduate degrees in Christian Ministries and Christian Studies may qualify for additional scholarship, making earning your degree more affordable.
Visit calbaptist.edu to learn more.
The post A Gamechanger to Get Visitors to Your Churches: An Interview with Marc Estes appeared first on Church Answers.
27 min
July 02, 2024How to Guide Your Church through the Coming Election Season without Losing Your Mind
Presidential election years can be especially contentious, and this year will be no exception. Thom and Sam discuss how church leaders can manage the tension in ways that are helpful to the church body.
Four prevailing views of politics and the church:
Churches should embrace politics.
Churches should use politics.
Churches should avoid politics.
Churches should condemn politics.
You likely have a wide spectrum of views in your church. Remember, you always represent your church.
Avoid endorsing individual candidates from the pulpit.
Avoid debates on social media.
Avoid being co-opted into polarizing political movements.
Don’t fear being patriotic and using political examples in sermons.
Use cultural events like July 4th to unite rather than divide.
Use biblical language rather than political rhetoric.
People can tell when you are genuinely convicted and sincere.
Resources:
California Baptist University
Upward Sports
Know My Community Politics Report – Coming soon!
Church Answers Central
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
Did you know that fewer than 20% of Southern Baptists have a bachelor’s degree? That is according to a past Pew Research study. How can this be combated and how can we prepare our churches for the future? California Baptist University has a solution. CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs.
Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare leaders in your church for advancement opportunities, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment. Classes start every eight weeks, so you can begin any time.
An online degree can:
Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose;
Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and
Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.
Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online degrees available to you! The online Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries develops servant leaders with the tools for understanding and communicating biblical truths. This degree prepares students for active leadership roles in the church, parachurch and Christian organizations.
Financial aid is available, and thanks to CBU donors, online undergraduate degrees in Christian Ministries and Christian Studies may qualify for additional scholarship, making earning your degree more affordable.
Visit calbaptist.edu to learn more.
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. By the way, it’s not too early to start thinking about winter sports leagues at your church. Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.
**As a partner of Rainer on 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!
The post How to Guide Your Church through the Coming Election Season without Losing Your Mind appeared first on Church Answers.
28 min
June 28, 2024The Big Things That Can Go Wrong with Your Church Facilities With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
More churches are stunned when confronted with a major facility cost. They did not take care of the need, and they set aside funds for the need. Thom discusses this issue with Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group. They are “The Church Facility Experts.”
When the roof comes down.
HVAC is more than an acronym.
Drainage and water issues are foundational problems.
Plumbing and electrical systems: a shocking problem.
Flooring lifespan.
Parking lots.
Resources:
Brown Church Development Group
How Do You Build a Church Facility Design for Ministry?
Church Health Scorecard
Calvary Church (Muscatine)
Why the Exterior of Your Church Facility Is Important for Growth With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
Is Your Church Facility Really Safe? With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
Episode Sponsor:
The post The Big Things That Can Go Wrong with Your Church Facilities With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group appeared first on Church Answers.
24 min
June 28, 2024Is Your Church Facility Really Safe? With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
Many church leaders do not think much about the safety of their church facilities. Safety issues are essential to protecting those who come to our churches. Thom discusses this issue with Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.”
Overall strategic safety concerns.
Safety for children.
Accessibility concerns.
Asbestos and lead paint concerns.
Mold growth concerns.
Fire safety systems concerns.
Resources:
Brown Church Development Group
How Do You Build a Church Facility Design for Ministry?
“Make My Church Safe” by Sam Rainer
Why the Exterior of Your Church Facility Is Important for Growth With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
The Big Things That Can Go Wrong with Your Church Facilities With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
Episode Sponsor:
The post Is Your Church Facility Really Safe? With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group appeared first on Church Answers.
26 min
June 28, 2024Why the Exterior of Your Church Facility Is Important for Growth With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
Hundreds, if not thousands, of cars pass your church every day. What is their first impression of your facilities when they see them only from the outside? Thom discusses this issue with Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.”
Facility first impressions are more important than you think.
What does the signage say to passersby?
What does the exterior appearance say?
What does your parking lot say?
What does the landscaping say?
You will also learn about the door to nowhere.
Resources:
Brown Church Development Group
How Do You Build a Church Facility Design for Ministry?
Is Your Church Facility Really Safe? With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
The Big Things That Can Go Wrong with Your Church Facilities With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group
Episode Sponsor:
The post Why the Exterior of Your Church Facility Is Important for Growth With Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group appeared first on Church Answers.
26 min
June 25, 2024A Thirty-Year Look-Back at the Biggest Changes in the American Church
In this week’s episode, Sam asks Thom about some of the biggest shifts in the American church in the last thirty years. They discuss what has changed and why the shifts occurred. Some things changed for the better, and others changed for the worse.
Cultural Christianity died.
Transfer growth increased rapidly.
Evangelism programs disappeared.
Modern worship became predominant.
Megachurches peaked and declined.
Multisite churches proliferated.
Median church size dropped by half.
Denominational decline increased.
Institutional loyalty and trust eroded.
Resources:
Upward Sports
Filament Bible Collection
Tyndale House Publishers
“The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church” by Sam Rainer
Get your FREE eBook, Deferred Maintenance
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. By the way, it’s not too early to start thinking about winter sports leagues at your church. Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.
**As a partner of Rainer on 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 more ways to interact with God’s Word with the Filament Bible Collection
The Filament Bible app is your gateway to a deeper, more enriching Bible-study experience. Seamlessly connect every page of your Bible to a treasure trove of resources, including:
25,000+ study notes for understanding
350+ videos for insight
40+ maps and infographics for context
400+ profiles and articles for enrichment
1,500+ devotions for daily inspiration
audio Bibles for immersion
a library of worship music for personal reflection
Start your enhanced Bible journey today! Find your Filament Bible at FilamentBibles.com.
The post A Thirty-Year Look-Back at the Biggest Changes in the American Church appeared first on Church Answers.
29 min
June 21, 2024The Burge Report: Retention Rates in Churches Are Not What They Used to Be (Here’s Why)
How many people are really leaving their childhood faith? Ryan Burge joins Thom and Sam on this special episode to unpack important data for churches. Retention rates are a good indicator of how well a church disciples people. Keeping people is a major part of church health. The hosts discuss the data concerning national trends with church retention.
A retention rate is the percentage of people who were raised in a certain faith tradition that still affiliate with that same tradition as adults.
Mainline Protestants struggle with retention. The rate was 76% in the 1970s. Today it is 58%.
Conservative Evangelicals fare better. Retention rates in the 1970s were 78%. Today it is 73%.
When a mainline Protestant leaves their tradition, they are almost as likely to become an evangelical as a none (14% vs 20%).
When evangelicals leave, the most likely landing spot is nones at 13%. But that’s that many folks at the end of the day.
The exvangelical movement is really not that big. The mainline to evangelical pipeline is actually larger.
What might the future hold? The aging of congregations and “leaky boats” with more holes.
Resources:
Tithe.ly
2023 State of Church Giving
“How Many People Leave Their Childhood Religion?” by Ryan Burge
Ryan Burge
Know Your Community
Church Health Scorecard
“The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church” by Sarah McCammon (affiliate link)
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
Tithely provides churches around the world with software tools to help them and their ministries thrive.
Nearly 40,000 churches use Tithely for online and text giving, managing their people’s information, volunteer management, child check in, church apps and websites, and communicating through email and text messaging.
Made up of a team of ministry-minded people, Tithely’s heart is to see the local church empowered with the tools to fulfill their mission.
You can sign up for free at Tithely.com – yes that’s right, it’s free! Tithely’s giving platform comes with no monthly fees and no contracts. Get started taking donations in just 5 minutes at Tithely.com.
Also, right now Tithely is offering a free report called “2023 State of Church Giving Report.” You can access that report free by clicking on the link in the show notes.
The post The Burge Report: Retention Rates in Churches Are Not What They Used to Be (Here’s Why) appeared first on Church Answers.
29 min
June 18, 2024Walking Back a Decision After You Realize It’s Not God’s Will
Even with the best of motives, we all make decisions we later realize are not God’s will. What should a pastor do when facing this dilemma? Thom and Sam discuss some strategies for unwinding bad decisions. They offer some helpful tips on the best approaches to guide a church back to the starting line.
No leader gets every decision right. Give yourself some grace.
A one-off bad decision does not mean you are a bad pastor.
The will of God is not always easy to discern!
The more risks you take, the more likely the chance you will get some things wrong.
Start with impact in mind. You don’t need to tell everyone unless it affects everyone.
Apologize if necessary but don’t sulk. Offer your next solution.
Have a posture of learning.
Stay positive and keep leading.
Some decisions can’t be undone. Move forward the best you can.
Resources:
Filament Bible Collection
Tyndale House Publishers
Upward Sports
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
Discover more ways to interact with God’s Word with the Filament Bible Collection
The Filament Bible app is your gateway to a deeper, more enriching Bible-study experience. Seamlessly connect every page of your Bible to a treasure trove of resources, including:
25,000+ study notes for understanding
350+ videos for insight
40+ maps and infographics for context
400+ profiles and articles for enrichment
1,500+ devotions for daily inspiration
audio Bibles for immersion
a library of worship music for personal reflection
Start your enhanced Bible journey today! Find your Filament Bible at FilamentBibles.com.
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. By the way, it’s not too early to start thinking about winter sports leagues at your church. Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.
**As a partner of Rainer on 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!
The post Walking Back a Decision After You Realize It’s Not God’s Will appeared first on Church Answers.
23 min
June 11, 2024Finding Another Church to Pastor (When You Know It’s Time)
Long tenure is usually better for churches and their pastors. But there are occasions when you know it’s time to make a transition. For example, many pastors are ready for something new when the nest is empty. Thom and Sam discuss what you can do when you are certain about a transition.
The average age of a pastor is almost 60, so more transitions are coming, not less.
With the shortage of pastors, churches will need to consider internal candidates.
Consider your life stage.
Consider your geographic limitations.
Start with trusted people in your network.
Send your resume to multiple places only if you are very flexible.
Use search firms with good reputations.
Don’t fantasize. Be strategic and thoughtful about what is reasonable given your experience, age, and background.
Resources:
Upward Sports
Filament Bible Collection
Tyndale House Publishers
Receive a $500 scholarship off of any of our diplomas at Church Answers University. For scholarship information, email [email protected].
“Five Reasons Why Large Churches Are Having Difficulty Finding Millennial Pastors” by Thom S. Rainer
Church Answers Central Membership
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. By the way, it’s not too early to start thinking about winter sports leagues at your church. Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.
**As a partner of Rainer on 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 more ways to interact with God’s Word with the Filament Bible Collection
The Filament Bible app is your gateway to a deeper, more enriching Bible-study experience. Seamlessly connect every page of your Bible to a treasure trove of resources, including:
25,000+ study notes for understanding
350+ videos for insight
40+ maps and infographics for context
400+ profiles and articles for enrichment
1,500+ devotions for daily inspiration
audio Bibles for immersion
a library of worship music for personal reflection
Start your enhanced Bible journey today! Find your Filament Bible at FilamentBibles.com.
The post Finding Another Church to Pastor (When You Know It’s Time) appeared first on Church Answers.
27 min
June 04, 2024Why Location Matters for the Fastest-Growing Churches
The fastest-growing churches are often located in prime areas for growth. In a recent Church Answers Research article, Ryan Burge took a deep dive into how churches located in growing communities generally find it easier to add new members. Thom and Sam discuss the implications of these findings.
Here’s the formula for finding a county likely to support a fast-growing church:
Population Growth: Look for a county with at least 10% population growth between 2010 and 2020.
Mobility: Aim for a place where 2.5% to 5% of the population has moved within the last 12 months.
Education: This is crucial. Target a county where at least 30% of adults have a college degree.
Population Density: Ideally, seek areas with 500 people per square mile.
Resources:
Filament Bible Collection
Tyndale House Publishers
Upward Sports
Brown Church Development Group
“How Much of Church Growth Is Based on Demographics? The Data Provides a Compelling and Clear Answer” by Ryan Burge
Ryan Burge
The Everything Church Resource Directory
The Hope Initiative
Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector
Episode Sponsors:
Discover more ways to interact with God’s Word with the Filament Bible Collection
The Filament Bible app is your gateway to a deeper, more enriching Bible-study experience. Seamlessly connect every page of your Bible to a treasure trove of resources, including:
25,000+ study notes for understanding
350+ videos for insight
40+ maps and infographics for context
400+ profiles and articles for enrichment
1,500+ devotions for daily inspiration
audio Bibles for immersion
a library of worship music for personal reflection
Start your enhanced Bible journey today! Find your Filament Bible at FilamentBibles.com.
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. By the way, it’s not too early to start thinking about winter sports leagues at your church. 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!
The post Why Location Matters for the Fastest-Growing Churches appeared first on Church Answers.
27 min