Rainer on Leadership

Let’s talk finance and having a plan. Creating a financial plan for your church during this season raises many questions for pastors. Church leaders need to embrace this critical step as they lead during uncertain times.

* Do best-case, expected-case, and worst-case scenario planning

* Use any current-year cash surpluses first

* Consider receiving funding from the CARES Act

* Cut every unneeded budget line item to zero

* Avoid dipping into a line of credit if at all possible

* Expect and plan for a recession after the pandemic ends

* Being a good steward and neighbor may mean keeping as many employed as possible

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* Leading Virtually Site-Wide Sale

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

In this edition of Rainer on Leadership, Thom and Sam interview Tim Cool, founder and chief solutions officer of Smart Church Solutions. Tim shares his checklist for reopening your facilities in the post-coronavirus world.

* What do you see remaining the same when churches return to in-person services?

* What are some of the major changes you expect?

* Why should a church even worry about getting ready to return to its facilities?

* Tell us about the checklist you are providing?

* What else do church leaders need to know?

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* Post-Coronavirus Facility Reopening Checklist

* Smart Church Solutions

* 9 Ways the Digital World Is Transforming Teaching and Preaching Webinar

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

This season of isolation and social distancing has forced churches around the country to make hard decisions without an idea of what the other side holds. Listen in as Thom and Sam discuss the questions and best practices pastors are talking about right now on Church Answers and the five hard things churches must do right now.

* Hit the reset button, not the pause button.

* Keep as many employed as possible.

* Experiment creatively

* Stop complaining… now and forever. 

* Comply with the government’s request not to gather

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* Church Answers Membership 60-Day Free Trial

* 40% off - 16 Quick Adjustments resource

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

In a time when most churches are holding virtual services, Thom and Sam speak with Jess Rainer regarding best practices and benefits in moving to both digital and automated giving immediately.

* What are the definitions of automated giving and digital giving?

* Talk about how these methods of giving have been a blessing for your church.

* Help us to understand why these methods of giving are important not only for the pandemic. but for the future.

* How would you recommend a church leader encourage a senior adult to automated giving? Why might this path be easier than the typical digital giving channels?

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* Leading Virtually Sale

* The Millennials - Thom S. Rainer and Jess Rainer

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

The current crisis has disrupted the normal practices of almost every church in America. From streaming services to digital giving, church leaders are learning quickly about the digital world and the creative ways technology is reaching people with the gospel.

* Digital giving is a lot more important than they realized.

* Senior adults adapt well to digital services for a season.

* Short-term classes and studies do well in the digital world.

* Personnel costs can be reduced in the digital world.

* Prayer ministries are thriving in the digital world.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* Leading Virtually Sale

* Pushpay

* Zoom Video Conferencing

* WestB.org

* Prayer.wb.org

* Give.wb.org

* Echo Prayer App

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

There are those out there who need to focus on expenses and creating a budget. But there is another segment struggling to figure out how to create more income. Thom and Sam talk with Art Rainer about his new book, Find More Money, and why Christians are reluctant to talk about earning money?

* Why are Christians reluctant to talk about earning money?

* What do most Christian financial experts write and talk about?

* What are some reasons people need to find more money?

* What is a side gig?

* What are some of your experiences helping people find more money?

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* ArtRainer.com

* Find More Money - Art Rainer

* Find More Money video

* The Money Challenge: 30 Days of Discovering God's Design For You and Your Money by Art Rainer

* The Marriage Challenge: A Finance Guide for Married Couples by Art Rainer

* Rover.com

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

Our listeners are waiting to return to in-person gatherings. But on this Good Friday, the Church Answers team wants to provide hope and encouragement by providing some helpful tips to keep your spirits up during this very difficult time in history.

It's understandable if you're struggling right now.

* Be intentional about taking a break to do something you enjoy.

* Start your day with prayer, not news. 

* Connect to old friends with a call.

* Encouraging others will give you a lift.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* Leading Virtually Sale

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

Vision is more than a mission and much more than core values. Clarity birthed from a strong vision is imperative to the success of any leader. Today’s special guest, Michael Hyatt, founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Co. and author of The Vision-Driver Leader, shares his personal story of discovering his need for a strong vision and desire to equip leaders of today and tomorrow in this critical area.

Highlights:

* I love hearing your story about your transition from a corporate CEO to a platform leader and now to the founder and CEO of your own leadership development company. How did your visionary leadership change for each of these organizations?

* Why do many vision statements not work?

* What are some of the obstacles that keep a leader from creating  a compelling vision? How do you overcome them?

* What are some characteristics of an inspiring vision script?

* Why is The Vision Driven Leader important for you as you equip leaders?

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* MichaelHyatt.com

* The Vision Driven Leader: 10 Questions to Focus Your Efforts, Energize Your Team, and Scale Your Business by Michael Hyatt

* Leading Virtually Sale

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you're listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

If you are a pastor you are going to have seasons of doubt during leadership. Disruption can cause added stress and make leaders question their decisions. So how do we answer this universal question? How do you lead when you doubt yourself?

Highlights:

* All leaders have seasons of doubt

* Seek encouragement from friends and family

* Challenge yourself with something new

* Don't make decisions out of fear

* Rely on prayer warriors in the church

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

* Revitalize 2020 - Virtual Conference Registration

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you're listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.

Every article dealing with the Coronavirus is a rehash of what everyone knows; we are in turbulent times. For leaders it is crucial to lead well even when so much is unknown. Thom and Sam discuss some best practices and how to shepherd your people during times of uncertainty.

Highlights:

Fear is an overriding emotion, especially when a lot of unknowns exist. 

Above all, pray to the Sovereign Creator. 

Let your church's legacy and past remind people of your resiliency. 

Lead symbolically and inspire people.

Get people moving again through ministry. 

Focus on what you can control.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Future Indicator

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you're listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

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.