Rainer on Leadership

https://youtu.be/XUWCb6wV37U

Few models exist on how to handle the moral failure of a staff person. Indeed, there is little consensus among pastors about what to do, even with something as explicit as adultery. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss four key questions to help you determine a path forward with a staff person after a moral failure.

1. What is the degree of offense?

2. Does the staff person deny it or not?

3. What is the level of remorse and repentance?

4. What are the church's policies and/or covenant?

 

Resources:

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition

Tyndale House Publishers

Brown Church Development Group

Join Church Answers Gold

 

Episode Sponsors:

NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition

Trusted & Treasured by Millions of Readers over 30 years, the Life Application® Study Bible Is Today’s #1–Selling Study Bible

Winner of the 2020 Christian Book Award for Bible of the Year!

Now it has been thoroughly updated and expanded, offering even more relevant insights for understanding and applying God’s Word to everyday life in today’s world.

Discover How You Can Apply the Bible to Your Life Today

Link in show notes

 

Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.

https://youtu.be/XAr1VqcDT6I

Even when you're feeling your best, preaching is an exhausting endeavor. But sometimes you get sick. Pastors can also struggle with their emotions or mental health issues. Then there are the Sundays when you're just grumpy. On this episode, Thom and Sam talk about how to preach even when you don't feel like it. They share some practical tips to help you get through the message without faking it. 

1. Some long-term solutions are obvious, like getting a good night's rest, exercising, and praying.

2. Be honest. Tell your congregation you don't feel well physically. Mention how God's Word is worth the struggle to be in church.

3. Use your spiritual battles to illustrate sermons but be careful not to share too much publicly. God can use your battle to bring someone else eternal victory.

4. Emphasize the part of your sermon that excites you most. When you aren't feeling well, focus most on something you can feel.

5. Be willing to hit a single. Use your limited energy to muster through a decent message rather than striking out swinging for the fences when you're weary.

Resources:

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Podcast - “Why People Love Traditional Christmas Eve Services”

NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition

Tyndale House Publishers

Church Growth Services

Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!

 

Episode Sponsors:

Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.

 

NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition

Trusted & Treasured by Millions of Readers over 30 years, the Life Application® Study Bible Is Today’s #1–Selling Study Bible

Winner of the 2020 Christian Book Award for Bible of the Year!

Now it has been thoroughly updated and expanded, offering even more relevant insights for understanding and applying God’s Word to everyday life in today’s world.

Discover How You Can Apply the Bible to Your Life Today

Link in show notes

https://youtu.be/zUU2IxGDWao

The subject of giving is one that can be tense in the church. Many pastors and church leaders struggle to equip their congregations to give sacrificially. What is sacrificial giving? How can your church encourage a culture of generosity? Thom and Sam discuss some practical ways to equip your church. 

* All believers are called to give generously.

* Preaching alone is not enough to create a culture of sacrificial giving.

* Establish multiple channels for giving.

* Have clear, easy-to-read financial statements.

* Maintain a consistent system of financial accountability.

* Never violate the confidentiality of individual giving records.

* Help people connect personally to the mission of the church.

 

Resources:

Church Growth Services 

Brown Church Development Group

Not Your Parents' Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship by J. Clif Christopher

Tyndale House Publishers

The Church Revitalization Checklist by Sam Rainer

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

 

Episode Sponsors:

If you’re a pastor, you may feel weary in these challenging times the Church is facing. 

Sam has put together a valuable new resource to lighten your load, with tools to help you and your leadership team leverage your strengths and discover hidden opportunities to revitalize your church’s growth.

The Church Revitalization Checklist is an extremely practical guide with ideas to inspire your congregation and help them step into God’s purpose for your church today. 

You can find more information on this new resource, The Church Revitalization Checklist, by visiting churchanswersresources.com

The Church Revitalization Checklist provides a step-by-step path to a hope-filled future for both you and your church. Popular church expert Sam Rainer will walk you and your leadership team through a seven-point checklist–everything from reconsidering your priorities to evaluating your location and facilities. Learn how to inspire your congregation and help them step into God’s unique purpose for your church today. Check out Sam’s new book at: https://www.churchanswersresources.com

 

Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at 

https://youtu.be/m30xiB34d58

You will experience betrayal at some point. For those with a long tenure in ministry, you've likely gone through a difficult season because of betrayal. The sting of betrayal hurts. How can we manage the pain while at the same time leading others? On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss the types of betrayal and how you can respond. 

The goal is always reconciliation. 

Not every case will be reconciled.

Prepare to be wronged again when you try to work it out.

Ask yourself if what happened is truly betrayal or a misunderstanding. 

Don't try to win the argument. Rather, attempt to heal the soul. 

Betrayal from a superior requires intervention with a group of mediators.

Betrayal from a subordinate requires the help of another person in authority. 

Betrayal from a friend should include a trusted bridge-builder.

 

Resources:

Church Growth Services

Rainer’s Resource Review #1

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Tyndale House Publishers

The Church Revitalization Checklist by Sam Rainer

Church Answers

 

Episode Sponsors:

Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.

 

If you’re a pastor, you may feel weary in these challenging times the Church is facing. 

Sam has put together a valuable new resource to lighten your load, with tools to help you and your leadership team leverage your strengths and discover hidden opportunities to revitalize your church’s growth.

The Church Revitalization Checklist is an extremely practical guide with ideas to inspire your congregation and help them step into God’s purpose for your church today. 

You can find more information on this new resource, The Church Revitalization Checklist, by visiting churchanswersresources.com

The Church Revitalization Checklist provides a step-by-step path to a hope-filled future for both you and your church. Popular church expert Sam Rainer will walk you and your leadership team through a seven-point checklist–everything from reconsidering your priorities to evaluating your location and facilities. Learn how to inspire your congregation and help them step into God’s unique purpose for your church today. Check out Sam’s new book at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXk2PQtJs2E

In this special three-part series, Thom looks at how some churches are successfully getting people to return to in-person services. This special project looks deeply at data and information from research and case studies. In part 3, they offer six concrete steps for moving forward to get people to return to in-person worship.

1. Re-learn the forgotten role of prayer and reaching people.

2. Follow the "every month" rule.

3. Find three or four key tools to complement your emphasis: Examples: Text In Church, Invite Your One, Pray and Go.

4. Make a concerted effort to learn your community (Know Your Community)

5. Define systems of accountability with both lead metrics and lag metrics.

6. Church fostering will actually help in-person attendance increase.

 

Resources:

ENGAGE Conference - Get your free ticket and join over 18,000 other church leaders at this free conference. You can register by heading to churchanswers.com/engage

Valley Baptist Church Prayer Ministry

Invite Your One

Know Your Community Report

Five Reasons Why Church Adoption and Church Fostering Are Such Important Movements

Join Church Answers - https://churchanswers.com/join/

Listen to part 1: "Understanding the Underpinnings of Declining In-Person Attendance."

Listen to to part 2: "How Some Churches Are Defying the Negative Trends."

* Watch this episode on YouTube.

 

Episode Sponsor:

* Join over 18,000 church leaders at this free online conference on February 8-10, 2022.

* Speakers include Derwin Gray, Jeanne Stevens, Jada Edwards, Michael Jr., Mary Ann Sibley, and more!

* Get your free ticket and register by heading to churchanswers.com/engage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-W_TjyUtkM

In this special three-part series, Thom looks at how some churches are successfully getting people to return to in-person services. This special project looks deeply at data and information from research and case studies. In part 2, they note that hundreds of churches are defying these negative trends. These growth churches point us to solutions.

Roughly 5% of churches are seeing MORE people attend in-person worship services than pre-COVID. That's 17,000 churches!

They had created an outward culture above and beyond programs and tools.

But they were not hesitant to use tools. Two examples: Invite Your One and Text In Church.

The cultural change took place with the pastor's leadership.

The often-asked question was: What are we doing THIS MONTH to reach outwardly?

Most of these churches have prayer ministries for reaching people.

 

Resources:

ENGAGE Conference - Get your free ticket and join over 18,000 other church leaders at this free conference. You can register by heading to churchanswers.com/engage

Join Church Answers - https://churchanswers.com/join/

Pray & Go

The Unchurched Next Door: Understanding Faith Stages as Keys to Sharing Your Faith by Thom S. Rainer

* Listen to part 1: "Understanding the Underpinnings of Declining In-Person Attendance."

* Listen to part 3: "6 Lessons to Apply for Getting People to Return to In-Person Worship."

* Watch this episode on YouTube.

 

Episode Sponsor:

* Join over 18,000 church leaders at this free online conference on February 8-10, 2022.

* Speakers include Derwin Gray, Jeanne Stevens, Jada Edwards, Michael Jr., Mary Ann Sibley, and more!

* Get your free ticket and register by heading to churchanswers.com/engage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=860nG93CLZo

In this special three-part series, Thom looks at how some churches are successfully getting people to return to in-person services. This special project looks deeply at data and information from research and case studies. In part 1, Thom explains why you have to understand the underpinnings of the challenge before you look at solutions.

COVID is not the main culprit.

Slow erosion became rapid decline.

There was a perplexing pattern that preceded COVID.

Disunity was a corollary of the perplexing pattern.

Simply stating that median worship attendance is 20% lower than 2019 masks the problem.

 

Resources:

ENGAGE Conference - Get your free ticket and join over 18,000 other church leaders at this free conference. You can register by heading to churchanswers.com/engage

Join Church Answers - https://churchanswers.com/join/

* Listen to to part 2: "How Some Churches Are Defying the Negative Trends."

Listen to part 3: "6 Lessons to Apply for Getting People to Return to In-Person Worship."

Watch this episode on YouTube.

 

Episode Sponsor:

* Join over 18,000 church leaders at this free online conference on February 8-10, 2022.

* Speakers include Derwin Gray, Jeanne Stevens, Jada Edwards, Michael Jr., Mary Ann Sibley, and more!

* Get your free ticket and register by heading to churchanswers.com/engage

https://youtu.be/STOh5l3J1uM

Thom and Sam take the listeners on an exciting three-part journey about major moves that should be made in any and every revitalization. They are part of a larger "checklist" revitalization leaders need to follow. In this third of three episodes, the Rainers examine the wrong kind of dreams many church leaders and members have.

1. Bad dream #1: Another location

2. Bad dream #2: Another community

3. Bad dream #3: Another time

4. Why pessimism kills revitalization

 

Resources:

The Church Revitalization Checklist by Sam Rainer

Listen to "The Church Revitalization Checklist: A Three-Part Series - Part One of Three: Hit the Reset Button, Not Pause"

Listen to "The Church Revitalization Checklist: A Three-Part Series – Part Two of Three: Tending to What Is Most Important in Church Revitalization"

Church Growth Services

Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience

 

Episode Sponsors:

This Lenten season, is your church or small group looking for a new and life-changing way to read the Bible? 

You’re invited to try a 40-day Lenten reading plan using Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience.

Immerse is a true reading Bible. It removes distractions, like chapter and verse breaks, that can make Bible reading challenging. It feels less like a Bible study, and more like a book club.

With the 40-day reading plan, you can start on Ash Wednesday and read through every book of the New Testament by Easter Sunday. 

Take 40 days to experience the Bible like never before. Have your church or small group try Immerse for Lent.

Visit ImmerseForLent.com for more information, free resource downloads, and a special discount on Immerse: Messiah books.

 

Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.

 

https://youtu.be/OEvW_Aw6Scg

Thom and Sam take the listeners on an exciting three-part journey about major moves that should be made in any and every revitalization. They are part of a larger "checklist" revitalization leaders need to follow. In this second of three episodes, the Rainers examine the most urgent issues in revitalization.

1. Remember the forgotten facilities.

2. Focus more on "going out" than "growing big."

3. Embrace children. Don't just tolerate them.

4. Let new believers disturb the peace.

5. Celebrate the right victories.

 

Resources:

The Church Revitalization Checklist by Sam Rainer

Listen to "The Church Revitalization Checklist: A Three-Part Series - Part One of Three: Hit the Reset Button, Not Pause"

Brown Church Development Group

Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience

Church Answers Platinum - Email [email protected] for more information

Church Facility Audit

Know Your Community Report

 

Episode Sponsors:

Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.

 

This Lenten season, is your church or small group looking for a new and life-changing way to read the Bible? 

You’re invited to try a 40-day Lenten reading plan using Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience.

Immerse is a true reading Bible. It removes distractions, like chapter and verse breaks, that can make Bible reading challenging. It feels less like a Bible study, and more like a book club.

With the 40-day reading plan, you can start on Ash Wednesday and read through every book of the New Testament by Easter Sunday. 

Take 40 days to experience the Bible like never before. Have your church or small group try Immerse for Lent.

Visit ImmerseForLent.com for more information, free resource downloads, and a special discount on Immerse: Messiah books.

https://youtu.be/V76V2c5YkTc

Thom and Sam take the listeners on an exciting three-part journey about major moves that should be made in any and every revitalization. They are part of a larger "checklist" revitalization leaders need to follow. In this first of three episodes, the Rainers examine why the church cannot merely pause but must hit a total reset button.

1. Understand that everything has changed, just like always.

2. Evangelism is not an option.

3. You have to deal with the attendance frequency issue.

4. The reset only works with realistic optimism.

 

Resources:

The Church Revitalization Checklist by Sam Rainer

Donate Bibles to Troops

Pray & Go

Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer

 

Episode Sponsors:

Tyndale is partnering with Operation Worship to get Bibles into the hand of our troops.

Every day, thousands of soldiers and military families ask for God's Word to fight fear, stress, anxiety, and depression.

This holiday season, you can give hope to our troops by sending them an Operation Worship Bible.

Just $6 is enough to put a Bible into the hands of a military member.

Bibles are printed in the U.S. then shipped to military chaplains throughout the world, who then deliver them directly to our brave service members.

More than 1.5 million Operation Worship Bibles have been distributed to military personnel around the world.

Visit deploybibles.com right now to make your tax-deductible donation.

 

Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.