Rainer on Leadership

Our hope and prayer is for you to never need this podcast but our goal is to help leaders and prepare them for a variety of difficult situations. Today’s episode is sobering but helpful in giving guidance when faced with an extreme tragedy for families.

Highlights:

It is nothing less than the loss of a child.

Assurance and comfort are key for the parents and other loved ones.

The service should be a God-honoring traditional funeral.

The funeral should be the beginning point of ministry to the parents.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Answers

* Church of the Year Nominations

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.

While the thought of church bylaws may not interest you at first, what you don’t know about the complicated nature of church governing may very well lead to trouble. In today’s episode, Thom and Sam unpack why church bylaws exist and four signs of bad church bylaws.

Highlights:

* When the bylaws are too complex and wieldy

* When the bylaws are largely reactionary

* When the bylaws are more "stop signs" than guides

* When the bylaws are dated, particularly with important legal changes

Other highlights:

If your church bylaws are exciting then they are likely problematic.

Church bylaws are meant to reflect your current practices, not dictate what you are supposed to do. 

Church bylaws should be proactive, not reactive.

As a leader, you must be an expert on your church bylaws. 

Church bylaws should be exhaustively reviewed every three years.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Consulting University Webinar

* Josh Bryant, Church General Counsel

* Church Answers Consulting

* Church of the Year Nominations

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.

Has a long-term pastor in your church retired? Is your church in crisis or conflict? Has the community surrounding you changed significantly? Sometimes churches are in need of a transitional pastor. Thom and Sam discuss what this specific role looks like, how it is different from a traditional interim pastor, and four occasions when your church may need a transitional pastor.

Highlights:

* When a long-term pastor retires

* When the church is in crisis or conflict

* When the community has changed significantly

* When the church has been inwardly focused for years

Other highlights:

If your church is in crisis or conflict you may need a transitional pastor.

A transitional pastor who can be more invested in the health and future of the church is essential following a crisis.

A transitional pastor may be able to help your church understand what it looks like to resemble the beauty and diversity of your community.

The movement from an inward focus to an outward focus is one of the greatest disruptions in the church.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Answers Consulting

* Revitalize Network

* The Disruption Mindset: Why Some Organizations Transform While Others Fail by Charlene Li

* Church Consultation University Webinar

* Know Your Community Report

* Revitalize2020.com

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.

But wait! There’s more. Part two of Thom and Sam’s discussion on success stories from churches on the verge of dying but recovered and are now thriving.

Highlights:

First 3 lessons covered episode #603

* You have to make hard decisions now.

* It is still about the Great Commission.

* Membership still matters.

* Reality is tough to face.

Other highlights:

Hard decisions should be made around the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

We get so busy putting out fires and going to meetings, we don’t get to the business of the Church.

Distraction is one of the ways Satan slowly kills churches.

Churches are simultaneously fragile and resilient. 

Don’t lower the standards of membership or leadership in a turnaround church. 

Before a church is able to make a comeback, it must first ask for help.  

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Lessons Learned from Churches That Almost Died but Didn't (Part 1)

* Revitalize and Replant

* Membership Matters - Chuck Lawless

* I Am a Church Member - Thom S. Rainer

* I Will - Thom S. Rainer

* Anatomy of a Revived Church - Thom S. Rainer

* Church Consultation University Webinar

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.

We talk about some really great news today. Thom and Sam discuss lessons learned from churches on the cusp of death who recovered and are now thriving.

Highlights:

* There is always hope for churches.

* A community desires a healthy church.

* Prayer is foundational and essential.

Other highlights:

Even when you don’t think it can happen, God can work.

* If God can save any person, God can save any church.

A key element of leadership is inspiring hope in those you are leading.

A healthy church is good for the community.

* If you want your church revived you need a revival in your own soul.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Five Reason Rural and Small Town Churches are Making a Comeback

* Anatomy of a Revived Church

* Seven Habits Successful Church Consultants Develop in Their First Year - CCU Webinar

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.

For Thom, it’s a present reality, for Sam it’s a prayer for the future. Listen as Thom and Sam discuss the attitudes each pray to avoid as senior adults in the church.

Highlights:

* Have an entitled attitude because of my giving to the church

* Say "I've done my time"

* Focus more on recreation than serving

* Complain

* Be more concerned about my preferences than the needs of others

* Lose my zeal for evangelism

Other highlights:

As a senior adult with discretionary income, give joyfully with no strings attached.

There is always a role for servants regardless of age. 

For a senior adult with health issues, the role of prayer warrior is one way to stay connected to the church body. 

Once you become preference driven, it is easier to become a complainer in the church.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* End of Year Sale

* Pray and Go

* Revitalize Network

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.

There are good reasons and bad reasons to move from church to church. As leaders, it is important to understand healthy practices for when members of another church visit your church.

Highlights:

* Listen to them.

* Refuse to listen to them bash another pastor or church.

* If necessary, suggest they reconcile with the pastor, staff, or members of their church.

* In some cases, contact the pastor of their church.

* Pray for all parties involved

Other Highlights:

Leaders don’t usually know why someone is considering a church move. Leaders must listen and listen with discernment.

Pastors have to work hard to push against a culture of complaining in the church.

Members who are disruptive at their previous church will likely be disruptive at their new church.

Handle criticism of another pastor as if the pastor is your friend. 

Pray for all parties involved when members of another church visit your church.

Resources Mentioned:

* End of Year 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.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.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.

The welcoming ministry at your church is incredibly vital to the growth of your church. Thom and Sam celebrate the progress being made and discuss how churches can continue to strengthen this ministry.

Highlights:

Celebrating the progress!

* The forgotten role of outside greeters

* Bring the tents back!

* Signage, signage, signage

* Still needed: sanctuary/worship service greeters

Other highlights:

Church greeters are not just for the inside of the building.

Welcome tents serve as a visual point of reference for guests.

Most church members don’t think about signage because they don’t need signage.

A church without good signage is like a home that says “no trespassing”.

How do we close the gap between visitors who arrive early and members who are always late?

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* End of Year Sale

* Becoming a Welcoming Church

* We Want You Here

* Signage Checklist

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.

Nations on the verge of war use it. A group of children on the playground may even physically draw it. Regardless of who evokes it, the metaphor of a line in the sand is strong. Thom and Sam discuss the four occasions when a pastor should draw a line in the sand.

Highlights:

When there is a threat to core and foundational biblical issues.

* When the pastor's family is being attacked.

* When there is a toxic person wreaking havoc.

* When the church refuses to reach beyond its walls.

Other highlights:

A definition of heresy and what it’s not. Don’t overuse or expand the definition of heresy but defend the Gospel at all costs.

Always ask the question of intent and patterns when facing criticism of family.

A line in the sand may look like moving on to another calling.

A critic is rarely a toxic person.

What to do with an intentionally inward focused church.

* Sam Rainer Online

* End of Year 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.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.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.

What is the difference between church adoption, church fostering, and church revitalization? Thom and Sam have a helpful and interesting discussion on new trends taking place in North American congregations.

Highlights:

Church adoption: a church comes into the family.

* Church fostering: a church is brought into the family for the short term.

* Church revitalization: a church regains health internally.

Other highlights:

The term of adoption has been helpful and provided context for the new relationship.

Church fostering may lead to church adoption, but the goal should be to help and provide leadership for a season.

There is no loss in church fostering. It is simply called ministry.

The unintended by-product of church fostering, adoption, and revitalization is the creation of a strong leadership pipeline.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Answers

* Revitalization Bundle

* End of Year 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.